Peter & the Starcatcher
at Chantilly High School

Reviewed on October 28, 2016

Elizabeth Germain
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan, but what came before? Who was Peter before he became the mystical, flying boy who doesn't age from the beloved children's tale? Peter and the Starcatcher, a 2012 Tony-Award-winning play written by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker, answers this question and more. With excellent acting and technical design, Chantilly High School brought its audience onto the deck of the Neverland. There, an unnamed orphan who would later become Peter Pan teamed up with the apprentice Starcatcher Molly Aster to keep a chest of magical stardust out of the hands of pirates.

Evan Belsky (Peter) drew the audience's sympathy early on, effectively revealing his character's deep hurt in his emphatic monologue about how little the word "sorry" means. His transformation from a bitter orphan to a bold hero was nuanced and effective as he gradually changed his tone and physicality to show his character coming to life for the first time. Caroline Barnes offered contrast to the character of Peter as she brilliantly portrayed the 13-year-old know-it-all Molly Aster with a distinct combination of poise and innocence. She maintained a composed bearing and posh British accent, while remaining childish in her delivery. Both performers showed range, and their unique chemistry made Peter and Molly's young love even more believable and endearing.

Of course, every story needs a villain, and Adam LeKang provided an unforgettable one as Captain Black Stache. From the moment he sauntered on stage, his over-the-top performance was a constant source of humor and energy for the show. His ability to switch from one attitude to another in an instant--threatening to theatrical to throwing tantrums--conveyed the frightening and entertaining instability of his character. His sidekick Smee (Maria Benincasa) became an equally amusing character with her boisterous behavior. The whole audience roared with laughter when she came on playing a ukulele, wearing a coconut bra, and singing hilariously off-pitch. Backed with a constantly engaged ensemble of pirates, the villains brought as much energy to the show as the heroes.

The intricate set (created by Michael Rosegrant and team), with a background of wooden planks strung with lights for stars, layers of wooden platforms, and a massive ship's bow in the center, created the atmosphere of a ship from the moment the curtain rose. The set also demonstrated flexibility when it transformed into a tropical island with vines and pieces of the shipwrecked Neverland attached to it. The lighting design (by Ben Klosky and team) also contributed to the mystical setting, with watery blue lighting when characters went overboard, green lighting when they were deep within the jungle, and red when they were in the crocodile's cage. Props, sound effects, and costumes were all realistic and well used. Costumes showed intricate detail, particularly the mermaid costumes, which were each unique and cleverly designed to incorporate children's toys.

All in all, with attention to detail by both techs and performers, the Chantilly High School Theatre Program brought its audience on a moving and hilarious adventure as the players told the tale of how an unnamed orphan became Peter Pan, a villainous pirate lost his hand, a crocodile swallowed a ticking clock, and a place called Mollusk Island came to be known as Neverland.

Meredith Nolan
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinker Bell. These are all names scattered throughout one's childhood, but have you ever wondered how they came to be or why they were destined to find each other in the age-old classic Peter Pan? Well, look no further than Chantilly High School's production of Peter and the Starcatcher. Get ready to be enchanted, not just by pixie dust, but by the flawless execution of a top-notch production.

Peter and the Starcatcher, written by Rick Elice, was performed professionally from 2009- 2014 in a multitude of locations, including on and off Broadway. The play follows the story of three orphan boys aboard a ship named The Neverland headed for a remote kingdom, who meet a young girl named Molly. Through a twist of switched cargo, the boys and Molly must fight to keep a valuable treasure safe from pirates while fighting to survive a hurricane at sea.

The cast did a fantastic job portraying the authenticity of each character, while allowing themselves to be swept up in the magic of it all. Evan Belsky, as Peter, honed in on his emotional and human side that could be lost in the chaos and spirit of a fantasy. Whenever Belsky was on stage, all eyes were drawn to his confidence and commitment to bringing alive such a revered character. He didn't need any lines to be captivating; Belsky truly became Peter. Caroline Barnes, as Molly, did an amazing job bringing out all the quirks and intelligence held by her fearless character. Barnes and Belsky's contrasting characters came together to create a relationship that seemed tangible and that was a major aspect of the show's success.

Gabe Riberio and Caleb Mitchell, Ted and Prentiss respectively, added a humorous and boyish effect to the show, rounding out the trio of orphans. Adam LeKang, as Black Stache, had the entire audience roaring with laughter as his character jumbled words and danced as a mermaid. Adriana Castillo, as Mrs. Bumbrake, and Randy Weidmann, as Alf, had a charismatic relationship, Weidmann as a bumbling, smitten lover of Castillo, a confident nanny who keeps him on his toes. The entire cast and ensemble of this production were consistently committed to their characters and picked up lines at the pace of a professional grade show.

This production was pulled together by the incredibly creative and detailed technical elements. The set, designed by Michael Rosegrant and Ben Klosky, was impeccably constructed. Every level had a use and the concept of splitting the stage between the two ships was brilliant. Costumes, headed by Christina Dang, and makeup, headed by Carolan Corcoran, were extremely detailed and helped to convey the setting and status of the characters in each scene. Lighting and sound were imperative to the understanding of the show, and never failed as an asset.

Chantilly High School's production of Peter and the Starcatcher was a flying success.

Laura Maloney
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Red Apple 21 - FCPS

The modern prequel to the beloved fairy tale Peter Pan, "Peter and the Starcatchers" is an ambitious play to be performed fewer than two months after the first day of school; yet somehow Chantilly High School manages to achieve not only that, but they also create in this show a moving work of art. In this story, the boy we came to love as Peter Pan is nothing more than a nameless, friendless orphan, being shipped across the ocean with two other boys to be sold as slaves. The three boys meet Molly Aster, the daughter of an English lord who works for Queen Victoria and who immediately takes on the role of both mother and friend to these boys, and perhaps even more to Peter. During their journey, they are caught by pirates led by the infamous Black Stache, who is the past version of Captain Hook. While they do save Queen Victoria's treasure (which is revealed to be stardust) from the pirates, they manage to get stranded on an island with even more dangerous conditions. Throughout this, Peter is discovering who he truly is; embodying Peter Pan as we know him today and concluding the story by setting the scene for the story we all grew up hearing.

The cast truly brought this play to life. Despite being one of the first performances since the licensing rights were released this year, it was really a stunning embodiment of the Broadway hit. Peter Pan (Evan Belsky) maintained the innocence necessary for the orphan boy, but allowed him to grow up a little at a time as the play went on. Molly (Caroline Barnes) portrayed a 13-year old girl convincingly without overdoing it, which is a difficult feat. The cast was all incredible, but the character who really stole the show was Black Stache (Adam LeKang). He brought a sense of charisma and stage presence, and bound it together with a villainous psychopathic character--everything you would wish Captain Hook to be. This show is also tough because nearly every character has a British accent, but the cast sustained their accents very well for nearly the whole show.

The set of this play is intricate and minimalist simultaneously, which allows it to present the scenes nicely, and also maintain versatility and fluidity throughout. The set was platform upon platform, surrounded by floating plywood and string lights, which gave it a whimsical feeling, as well as the idea of being out at sea. Sound and lighting gave this play a more immersive feel, causing the audience to be drawn in and feel as if they are a part of the play. The characters were occasionally difficult to hear, but their larger than life personalities made up for the very few times this occurred. The props were exceedingly detailed; all being painstakingly handmade to look as detailed as possible. Overall, this show is extremely impressive, particularly in its ability to excel in every area of theatre.

Emily Lachow
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Ships clash beneath a lightning streaked sky. A trunk gleams with celestial powers. And, at the center of it all, a young boy journeys to emerge from the darkness of his past and become the heroic Peter Pan. Chantilly High School's Peter and the Starcatcher shone bright as a star throughout their radiant rendition of a classic tale.

Peter and the Starcatcher originated as a 2004 children's novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which evolved into an eventual book series. This Peter Pan prequel follows the journey of Peter and his new starcatcher friend, who are both desperate to shield the all-powerful "starstuff" from the hands of greedy pirates. As Peter's life links to the fate of the starstuff, familiar faces from J.M. Barrie's classic are woven throughout the narrative. The novel was adapted for the stage in 2011 and transferred to Broadway in 2012, ending its run in 2013.

As the titular character, Evan Belsky's grounded presence balanced the chaos around him. Belsky savored Peter's emotional journey, and his intimate lulls achieved the sort of poignancy that only comes with skillfully executed young innocence. Complimenting Belsky's standout performance was Caroline Barnes, who portrayed young starcatcher Molly with consistent confidence and poise. Her embodiment of this strong, sharp-witted thirteen-year-old brought an unrivaled adventurous spirit with her whenever she appeared onstage. Belsky and Barnes's respective skills enhanced their charming sweetness, providing a beautiful, believable unfolding of young romance.

What tale of Peter Pan would be complete without its notorious villain? Adam LeKang as the swashbuckling "Black Stache" elicited peals of laughter throughout the production. His captivating energy proved itself to be boundless and versatile, from embracing the brutish nature of a pirate to crooning superbly in a mermaid costume. Of course, accompanying Black Stache was Maria Benincasa's Smee. Benincasa's engaging dynamic with LeKang heightened the hilarity of the production and provided some of the standout comedic moments. Another memorable example of the show's well-executed humor was Molly's nanny Mrs. Bumbrake (Adriana Castillo). Her constantly strong performance consisted of a delightful maternal flamboyance and a surprisingly sweet, tender voice.

The technical aspects of the production beautifully captured the essence of Peter's world. The versatile lighting adhered to the mood of each scene with a wide range of colors, and transitioned smoothly in the blink of an eye (or the clap of a hand). The set proved to be a noteworthy piece of an already well-oiled machine; it brought Neverland to life through multi-level platforms and dazzling stars which illuminated the action below.

Chantilly High School's rendition of Peter and the Starcatcher indulged the familiar childish whims of that second star to the right with a skillful blend of captivating performances and exquisitely crafted technical elements. This engaging and heartfelt production proved that friendship, bravery, and a touch of stardust are enough to help a young boy find the light within himself and a true home.

Katherine Bushman
Stone Bridge High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Every child knows how to get to Neverland – take the second star to the right, and fly straight on till morning. But how did Peter Pan himself get to Neverland? In their heartwarming and thrilling production of Peter and the Starcatcher, Chantilly High School tells the story of how a boy became the boy who never grew up.

Peter and the Starcatcher is based on the best-selling children's book by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which explores the backstory of Peter before he whisks the Darling children off to Neverland. The play begins with two ships – one carrying Lord Aster and valuable cargo for Queen Victoria (God save her!), and the other carrying Aster's daughter, Molly, and three orphan boys – and two trunks, one filled with sand and one filled with a magical substance called starstuff. Together, Molly and Peter must face pirates, shipwrecks, and savage tribes in order to save the world and save each other.

Evan Belsky was the heart and soul of the show as Peter. One couldn't help but root for him as he took his character from a vulnerable, lonely orphan to a capable leader who found love, family, and a home at last. Belsky didn't have to speak a word to captivate the audience – even in moments when he was sitting silently onstage, he commanded the attention of the audience with his quiet strength. Caroline Barnes was also a powerful presence as Molly Aster. Throughout the show, her character's naïve confidence never wavered. Together, Belsky and Aster had an incredibly sweet, innocent chemistry, as the thirteen-year-olds Peter and Molly find first love.

Even in the supporting cast, there were no weak links. An audience favorite was Gabe Riberio as Ted, one of Peter's fellow orphans. With his high-energy physical and verbal humor, he provided a refreshing breath of levity in contrast to Peter's solemnness. The ensemble was an integral part of the production, as they acted as everything from sailors to tribal natives to a Greek chorus providing lyrical narration to the show. The British accents the entire cast donned were impressively realistic, though they occasionally were so thick that it was difficult to decipher what the actors were saying.

The technical aspects effortlessly coupled with the acting to draw the audience into the Victorian British Empire. The set, designed by Michael Rosegrant and Ben Klosky, used an intricate mass of platforms and wooden planks to beautifully convey both a ship at sea and a desert island. Costumes, hair, and makeup, created by Christina Dang and Carolan Corcoran, helped to transport the characters back in time with realistic sailor's garb and added a fantasy flair with the ornate wigs and comically colorful tails of the mermaids. The lighting team helped to tie the whole show together, creatively highlighting shifts between narration and action, as well as different settings.

With a compelling cast and gorgeous technical elements, Chantilly High School captured the hearts and imaginations of the audience. Peter and the Starcatcher soared so high that one can't help but wonder if the production was infused with a little bit of starstuff.

Julia Luigs
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

It's a simple question, really- what do you want? If you could have anything in the world, would you want treasure, to stay young forever, or even the power to fly? Imagination and childhood whimsy collide in Chantilly High School's "Peter and the Starcatcher," a play filled with unending quirks and enough "starstuff" to make the whole company dazzle.

Peter and The Starcatcher follows the adventures of Molly, the aforementioned "Starcatcher", as she tries to complete the mission assigned to her, and the Boy, an orphan with no name and a hatred of grownups. The show is based on the 2006 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which was written as a prequel to J.M. Barrie's "Peter and Wendy," the original Peter Pan story known and loved by many. The production premiered Off-Broadway in 2011 before transferring to Broadway in 2012, then returning to Off-Broadway at New World Stages through 2014.

The cast brought flexibility and fluidity to the narrative. In the role of Molly Aster, Caroline Barnes struck the perfect balance of intellect and insecurity to model a thirteen-year-old on the cusp of womanhood. Alongside Barnes, Evan Belsky soared as the Boy (Peter), drawing on tales of a traumatizing childhood and a grounded demeanor to construct a heartbreaking performance. The innocent romance that blossomed between the two was entirely genuine, complete with the common missteps of young love, such as a spontaneous kiss that led to heated discussion, as well as unending competitive spirit.

Of course, heroes are only as good as their villains- luckily, the villains did not disappoint. The flamboyant tendencies of romantic pirate Black Stache (Adam LeKang) coupled with the zany theatrics of his right-hand man Smee (Maria Benincasa) made for hilarious moments throughout the show. LeKang and Benincasa's enthusiasm for whatever crazy scheme they had just cooked up made the two standout performers delightful to watch. Contrasting the crazy was the sweet relationship between Molly's nanny Mrs. Bumbrake (Adriana Castillo) and shiphand Alf (Randy Weidmann). Both actors had moments of charm and hilarity, and did a fantastic job of portraying older characters despite little noticeable age makeup. Wrapping everything together into an entertaining package was the ensemble, whose fluidity as a whole helped the show transition smoothly from one scene to the next.

The technical aspects of the show combined quirky and classical to create scenes straight out of a child's imagination, set and sound especially. The set featured a myriad of different shaped and sized platforms as well as a 4-foot-tall slide decorated with natural elements that cultivate the idea of the ocean and a starry night sky, with just a touch of magic thrown in. Sound added key elements of realism to the show, including ship creaking noises, magical tinkling bells, and a cacophony of storm sounds to close out Act 1.

Chantilly High School composed a child's fantasy with their production of "Peter and the Starcatcher. With outrageous characters, phenomenal tech, and enough surprises to fill a trunk, playing pretend has never seemed so real.

Annie Parnell
George Mason High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

Everyone knows the story of Peter Pan—from pixie dust to pirates, the tale of the boy who never grew up has become a time-honored classic. But how did Neverland come to be? Who was Peter before he became Peter Pan?

These are the questions that Peter and the Starcatcher aims to answer. Based on the novel Peter and the Starcatchers and written by Rick Elice, this play premiered in 2009 and moved to Broadway in 2012 before being performed at Chantilly High School this past weekend. The show acts as a prequel to Peter Pan's story, detailing his adventures at sea with the precocious Molly Aster after his escape from a London orphanage. Molly and her father, as Peter finds out, are part of an elite class known as Starcatchers, tasked with keeping the magical substance Starstuff away from villains who would use its powers for world domination. Villains, for example, such as Black Stache, a nefarious pirate whose vile quest for the Starstuff threatens the new world of freedom that Peter has only just discovered.

Chantilly's production of Peter and the Starcatcher was anchored with a set picture that captured perfectly the magic of the show. Floating planks and colorful lights formed a fantasy backdrop to a set that included such playful, childlike details as twinkling string lights, a decorative ship on the horizon, and even a child's playground slide. These elements came together to captivate the audience, emphasizing the sheer whimsy at the play's core.

Evan Belsky and Caroline Barnes displayed sparkling chemistry in their central roles as Peter and Molly. Barnes' courageous character choices meshed wonderfully with Belsky's well-grounded performance, presenting a relationship that changed and grew with their characters as the show progressed. In one memorable scene, Molly tries to explain to Peter what a kiss is, allowing both Belsky and Barnes to show off their characters' innocence and naivete.

Adam LeKang showed comedic forte as Black Stache, maintaining a rollicking dynamic with sidekick Smee, portrayed by Maria Benincasa. The ensemble members made strong choices throughout the show, consistently staying in character and even becoming parts of the set for certain scenes.

The multi-dimensional set and use of special effects made the show's ambiance magical and immersive. The lighting scheme, arranged by Ben Klosky, Zoe Hutcheson, Tim Rudolph, and Molly Marsh, was cohesive and dazzling, adding greatly to the scenes by signaling character, location, and passage of time.

Overall, Chantilly High School's Peter and the Starcatcher provided for a night of nostalgia and adventure, acting as a stellar addition to the familiar story of a children's' classic.