This holiday season, PlayMakers Repertory Company, the professional theater in residence at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will fly audiences to Neverland in “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a Peter Pan prequel for the entire family. The show will run Nov. 18-Dec. 12, with special events associated with the production beginning Nov. 9.
In this whimsical and hilarious origin story of J.M. Barrie’s “Boy Who Never Grew Up,” an apprentice Starcatcher and an orphan boy take to the high seas encountering Lost Boys, pirates, fighting mollusks and mermaids. PlayMakers invites one and all to come along for a wildly theatrical holiday treat with a dozen actors portraying more than 100 unforgettable characters in a story that will delight adults and children alike.
Entertainment Weekly describes “Peter and the Starcatcher” as “an absurdly funny fantastical journey.” The New York Times review raved, “With grown-up theatrical savvy and a child’s wonder … this show never stops flying.” New York Magazine called it “Miraculous. Spectacle, wit and joy spill out of this production like treasure from a magic pocket.”
The Tony Award-winning play is by Rick Elice based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, with music by Wayne Barker.
00Performances will take place in the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art on Country Club Road. Show times will be Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays and Saturday, Nov. 28 at 2 p.m. There are no performances Nov. 26, Dec. 8 and 9.
Featured in the cast along with members of PlayMakers’ resident acting company will be North Carolina native Evan Johnson, who played Peter in the Off-Broadway production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Mitchell Jarvis, who originated the role of Lonny and then appeared as rock god Stacee Jaxx in Broadway’s “Rock of Ages,” will play pirate chief Black Stache.
The show is directed by Brendon Fox, who also helmed hit productions of “Opus” and “Angels in America” for PlayMakers.
In conjunction with “Peter and the Starcatcher,” PlayMakers will host “The Vision Series-Directors in Conversation,” a behind-the-scenes preview with director Fox, Nov 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Paul Green Theatre. The event is free and open to the public. Participants share coffee and hors d’oeuvres provided by series sponsor Jujube Restaurant, learn about the vision for the show and get a sneak peek at the sets and costumes in progress. Reservations are appreciated. Call PlayMakers’ box office at (919) 962-7529 to RSVP.
Other special events include:
- Nov. 9, 6 p.m.: a discussion with the director and cast at The Granary Café, Fearrington Village, Pittsboro;
- Nov. 18, 19, 20, 7:30 p.m.: preview performances;
- Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.: opening night performance;
- Nov. 22, 12:30 p.m.: Evening at PlayMakers: pre-show reception and conversation with artistic staff hosted by UNC’s General Alumni Association, followed by the 2 p.m. performance of “Peter and the Starcatcher.” Adults: $50, children ages 11-18: $30, GAA members: $35. Includes theater ticket. Register at https://alumni.unc.edu/events/evening-at-playmakers-peter-and-the-starcatcher/;
- Nov. 24: an all-access performance for attendees with special needs, with sign language interpretation and audio description;
- Nov. 25 and 29: free post-show discussions with members of the creative team;
- Nov. 28, 2 p.m.: open captioned performance;
- Dec. 6, 2 p.m.: free post-show “Mindplay” discussions sponsored by the North Carolina Psychoanalytic Society.
Carolina Meadows is co-producing sponsor for “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Based in UNC’s College of Arts and Sciences, PlayMakers has been named one of the “best regional theatre companies in America” by The Drama League. The theater will also present Anton Chekhov’s “Three Sisters” (Jan. 20-Feb.7), “We Are Proud to Present…” (Feb. 24-March 13) and Stephen Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning musical “Sweeney Todd” (March 30-April 23) during its 2015-2016 main-stage season,, as well as “Highway 47” by KJ Sanchez (Jan. 6-10) and “The Real Americans” by Dan Hoyle (April 27-May 1) in its PRC2 second-stage series.
For a complete schedule and to purchase tickets, call (919) 962-7529 or visit www.playmakersrep.org. Individual ticket prices start at $15. Tickets are also available as part of PlayMakers’ 2015-2016 subscription packages.
