Peter and the Starcatcher
at Robert E. Lee High School

Reviewed on November 23, 2019

Lily Perez
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

For some, holding onto childhood is as elusive as catching a star. For the eponymous orphan of Robert E. Lee's magical production of "Peter and the Starcatcher," life's adventures present a chance at luxuriating in the freedom of those ephemeral years forever. An origin story for the well-known tale of Peter Pan, "Peter and the Starcatcher" premiered on Broadway in 2012, and was based on the novel of the same name. From the opening line - "When I was a boy, I wished I could fly" - to the final tableau of the dynamic ensemble raising Peter above their heads, the committed cast and crew embraced the thrill of adventure, especially when it leads you home.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" explains the unusual world which Peter Pan inhabits through the presence of starstuff, the magical material of fallen stars. At the zenith of the British colonial empire, starcatchers are tasked with keeping the powerful substance out of the wrong hands. As Molly Aster, a determined Starcatcher apprentice, Jena Canamaso exuded maturity, her strong stage presence making her appeals to be the leader of the gang of orphans she encountered in the hull of her ship all the more compelling. Among those orphans were the insatiable Ted (Wendell Rice), the persistent Prentiss (Courtney Lee), and one who would be dubbed Peter (Zach Mendenhall). Mendenhall and Canamaso had a charming dynamic throughout, and together the four kids became a family in their adventures through the cavernous hull of a ship to the dense tapestry of the jungle.

In this production, Captain Hook, Peter Pan's fierce ideological foe throughout many adaptations, is treated with a meta-theatrical twist. The pirate was presented as Black Stache (Leah Block), an epithet precursing the unfortunate incident leaving her single-handed. While Stache and her nasty gang of pirates were certainly in search of treasure, she also sought a "hero," as strong in his convictions as she was in hers, against which to fight for all eternity. Block brought clarity and confidence to every aspect of her stage time. Consistently, whether as the scheming antagonist, a narrator, or a part of the scenery, Block maintained impeccable comedic timing, a distinct swagger fit for swashbuckling, and a unique dialect seemingly formed upon the seven seas. In scenes with Maysam Al-Khakani as Stache's first mate Smee, the duo's charisma made the lifestyle of rambunctious pirates seem like a lively adventure.

The committed cast fulfilled many roles throughout the production, accentuating Marie Trammell and Amelie Mohn's creative prop design. Some costumed (by Brenna Richard, Hana Tariku, and Negest Fisseha) in orphan rags, and some in the accoutrements of British sailors, the ensemble visually constructed the surrealist settings of the show. In the first act, the actors' cohesion was evident in scenes smoothly synchronized with the orchestra, such as the series of doors being opened as Molly explored the ship. Rope windows offered glimpses into a first class cabin, where Amelie Mohn had memorable moments as Mrs. Bumbrake, Molly's flirtatious nanny. Mohn was later draped in a glittering tail while portraying Teacher, a common fish metamorphosed by starstuff into a prophetic mermaid. In another memorable turn, Ethan Gomes played one of many comedic roles as Sanchez, a pirate mistreated by Stache.

Peter finds a home for himself not with a mother or father, but in the people and landscape of the island he dubs Neverland - "all" parts of it, as his name, Pan, suggests. Likewise, the cast and crew of Robert E. Lee's production Peter and the Starcatcher committed themselves to all aspects of their performance, engaging the audience along with them.

Mia Bridges
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Take the second star to the right, then fly straight on ‘till you reach Robert E. Lee High School. There you'll find R. E. Lee Drama's magical production of Peter and the Starcatcher!

Peter and the Starcatcher is a fun, whimsical play adapted from the 2004 fantasy novel, Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. With a book adapted by Rick Elice, the play follows Molly Aster, a young girl whose first mission as a mystical Starcatcher is to deliver a chest full of magical fallen stars (known as starstuff) to her father. Along the way, Molly befriends three orphan boys – Ted, Prentiss, and a young, powerless Peter Pan – but is intercepted by the evil pirate Black Stache and his crew, all who want nothing more than to steal the valuable starstuff and gain its power. The play showcases the origin story of Peter Pan while also providing a valuable message of friendship, youth, and determination.

The play is led by a quartet of children – Peter (Zach Mendenhall), Molly (Jena Canamaso), Prentiss (Courtney Le), and Ted (Wendell Rice). Together, these four actors used their unique dynamics and diverse acting choices to emphasize the youth of their characters and provide a lot of fun moments for the audience. Canamaso's Molly had a mature energy, showing how much, she wanted to please her father and be a good Starcatcher. This contrasted very nicely with Mendenhall's young innocence as Peter, creating a very cute and interesting dynamic between the two. Additionally, Le's and Rice's consistent characterization gained many laughs from the audience, creating a highly enjoyable atmosphere whenever they were onstage.

Other standout performances came from Black Stache (Leah Block) and his second in command, Smee (Maysam Al-Khakani). The two actors had an incredibly lively relationship that only increased in quality as the show went on. Block's stellar physicality, combined with her on-point delivery, made her one of the funniest characters in the show – she created a hilarious villain that the audience couldn't help but love. Block also had fantastically high energy during the entire course of the show, consistently drawing the audience's eye. Al-Khakani's Smee supported Block remarkably well, playing off her to build her own silly, whimsically entertaining character. Al-Khakani created an abundance of memorable comedic moments in the play by interacting with her castmates, making her a very interesting character to watch.

The props in Lee's Peter and the Starcatcher all added to the story in extraordinarily creative ways. The expert craftsmanship of each prop helped set the scenes – a ship's rope shaped the deck of a huge boat, for instance. Actors would hold the rope in different formations and patterns to create railings, ship's cabins, and even a boxing ring. Additionally, a wooden plank was cleverly used at one point to make Molly appear to be floating, and sheets of shiny blue fabric created both the thundering waves of the ocean and the gentle ripples of a magic grotto. By working together with the actors and sound elements, the props in the show helped the audience to imagine incredible settings and backgrounds with the minimal set.

Robert E. Lee High School's performance of Peter and the Starcatcher was heartwarming and high-spirited as it brought the audience back to the wonderful story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up. The magical cast of Lee's production must be filled with starstuff!

Anna Dueholm
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

Surely you've heard of Peter Pan, Captain Hook, and the Lost Boys, but do you know how they came to be? Robert E. Lee High School's lively rendition of Peter and the Starcatcher artfully divulged the story behind our favorite fairy tale adventurers.

Based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's 2004 novel, Peter and the Starcatcher was adapted by Rick Elice as a prequel to the iconic Peter Pan. The play was brought to life on Broadway in 2012 and won its way into the hearts of many before being nominated for the Tony Award for "Best Play." The engaging production follows the story of three orphan boys on a ship where they meet the daughter of an famous British Starcatcher. When her father's ship is overrun by pirates, Black Stache chief among them, little Molly Aster is left with great responsibility: look after the starstuff treasure and carry out the queen's mission. Providing backstory for the tales of Peter, Mrs. Darling, and Hook, Peter and the Starcatcher takes its audience on a wild quest for not only treasure, but friendship, leadership, and adventure.

Jena Canamaso executed her role as Molly Aster with notable precision. Leading the group of boys through each of the many obstacles they encountered, Canamaso radiated a mature energy that drew even the audience to her leadership. Throughout the show, Molly grows closer to Peter (Zach Mendenhall), and the two develop endearing chemistry completely emblematic of a sweet, awkward relationship between 13-year olds.

Molly's mission comes when her father's ship, The Wasp, is taken over by pirates and Black Stache (Leah Block) emerges as chief. Block's remarkable physicality and commanding stage presence demanded the audience's attention; not a scene went by without her full animation, effort, and commitment to Black Stache's persona. She had the audience in stitches for much of the show with her impressively wide range of comedy, from a rap battle to witty quips throughout. Block and Maysam Al-Khakani, as Smee, Black Stache's right-hand man, play off of each other well and keep the audience invested in their enticing dynamic.

Also memorable were Mrs. Bumbrake (Amelie Mohn), Molly's governess, and Sanchez (Ethan Gomes), a deckhand. Mohn masterfully manipulated her vocal intonations to add to her comedic effect. Gomes warranted laughter from the audience without even having to deliver a line. His dedication to his character was visible and his physicality was exceptional.

The show presents a challenge as a primarily ensemble cast, but Robert E. Lee High School was prepared to meet it. The group made phenomenal use of stage space and the ensemble themselves became part of the set as ship doors to be "opened" by Molly. Props (Marie Trammell and Amelie Mohn) were integral to the production; most notable was a rope used to depict the ship's outline swaying with the waves, which were portrayed by large, flowing blue sheets. Even through a few challenges with sound and lighting, actors maintained their personas and carried on without interruption.

From a decidedly cohesive cast to a unique set and creative props, Robert E. Lee's production of Peter and the Starcatcher was full of wonder, adventure, and fun and is surely not to be missed.

Maddie Gold
Woodrow Wilson High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

To crave youth is to crave laughter, lightheartedness, and adventure. Robert E Lee High School's dazzling cast of "Peter and the Star Catcher" displayed this with their high energy, and just a little star dust! Based on the 2004 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice, "Peter and the Star Catcher" depicts the story of a young, orphaned boy, Peter, and his friends, who forge a powerful bond with a kind star catcher in- training, Molly. As they are shipped off to England by an evil king, the team strives to keep a mystifying trunk of "starstuff"— a magical substance — away from the wicked, Black Stache, who would only use it to make himself more powerful. Robert E Lee High School's dynamic cast explored the themes of greed, despair, duty, and love, and truly looked like they were having a blast doing so.

As soon as the curtains parted, it was clear that this was an ensemble production, where each member of the cast had copious amounts of stage time in order to tell the story to the fullest. A daunting task for even professional actors, the cast handled this well, combining movements and enthusiasm with their lines to push the plot forward, while still being entertaining and humorous for the audience. Complemented well by the quite literal sea of characters, Molly (Jena Canamaso) stood out for her warm charisma, and believable mannerisms. Canamaso played her role with grace, teaching Peter (Zach Mendenhall) the importance of compassion, and creating a sharp contrast between her and some of the more evil characters in the play. Mendenhall had a fascinating take on Peter, bringing a troubled boy to life through his emotional facial expressions and attention to detail.

Engulfing the stage with mean manipulation was the Black Stache (Leah Block). Block commanded the audience with her alluring tone, impeccable diction, and bold physicality. Her presence was spot on for playing the villain in the show, as she used her confidence to highlight her character in the interactions she had with others. Taking a more comedic approach to the show, Ethan Gomes, playing an impressive number of characters, used even the smallest of movements and inflections to bring the audience to fits of laughter. Even throughout all of his persona changes, his commitment to character was constant.

The clever technical elements of the production did not go unnoticed. The props (Marie Trammell, Amelie Mohn) added an extra layer of depth and comedy to the play. For example, having the Black Stache pull out a plastic eating knife rather than a shiny dagger had the audience laughing on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, the expectation of flying in the show was met in a smart way: through the use of a makeshift see-saw. For a high school production, this was a unique and clever idea that ultimately pulled off the magical facets of the story very well.

Robert E Lee High School's talented cast put on a truly spirited production of "Peter and the Star Catcher." Their energy, commitment, and enthusiasm was even more magical than the ever so coveted "starstuff."

Naomi Scully-Bristol
W. T. Woodson High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

With rap battles, flying cats, and enormous crocodiles the cast and crew Robert E. Lee High School's Peter and the Star Catcher take the audience on a true adventure.

The play Peter and the Star Catcher tells the story of how Peter Pan ended up in Neverland in the first place. The show begins on two ships, the Neverland and The Wasp. On the Neverland, Molly, a star catcher, realizes the ship is transporting starstuff, a mystical powder which lets one become whatever they wish to be and that Molly's father is trying to destroy. She meets three orphans, Prentiss, Ted, and Peter, who she befriends and they work together to try to get the starstuff to Molly's father who is on The Wasp. However, The Wasp has been taken over by pirates led by the Black Stache. Molly and the boys' mission to return the starstuff leads them and the others on the ships to be shipwrecked on Mollusk Island (later to be known as Neverland) where adventure ensues.

Leah Block, who played the Black Stache, gave a wonderful performance. Every time she walked on stage she drew attention and laughs with her flamboyant depiction of the pirate who would become Captain Hook. Block delivered every line with precision and energy, combining it with outstanding physicality, which created some of the funniest moments in the show. Her comical depiction of this fearsome pirate kept the audience laughing through every scene.

Jena Canamaso, who played Molly, worked with Zach Mendenhall, who played Peter, to create dramatic scenes as the heroes of the story. Their depiction of their characters relationship throughout the show kept the audience emotionally invested in each part of the adventure. Canamaso, especially, delivered each line with feeling despite some sound mishaps which made her harder to hear. Her dedication to her character showed in each scene as she conveyed real emotion to the audience.

The set of this production was extremely interesting. In the first act as the kids climb through the ship, a line of ensemble members act as doors leading Molly to different rooms in the ship. A rope was also used along with dramatic lights, by Kevin Do and Yafeat Alemayehu, to create specific rooms in the ship. The rope was held in different forms by ensemble members in the dark, while the rope, in light, outlined a room with people within it. The costumes for this show, by Brenna Richard, Hana Tariku, and Negest Fisseha, were also very fun. They reflected the adventurous nature of the play with pirates in dramatic coats and orphans in rags, nicely setting the scene for the actors.

Robert E. Lee High School's production of Peter and the Star Catcher is a wonderfully fun show with dramatic adventures cut through by hilarious moments as they tell the story of an orphan who would become Peter Pan.

Kirsten Wheeler
Albert Einstein High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

The lights came up and suddenly we were on a ship bound for a magical adventure. Robert E. Lee High School's production of "Peter and the Starcatcher" is chock full of whimsy, enchantment, and charm.

Based on the 2004 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice in 2009, "Peter and the Starcatcher" reveals the origin story of the beloved and timeless world of Peter Pan. He and his friends, Prentiss and Ted, encounter Molly, a starcatcher-in-training charged with delivering precious starstuff to the queen of England. The foursome find themselves on a wild mission when the notorious Black Stache seeks to take the starstuff for himself and abuse its powers. It becomes up to them to keep the precious treasure out of the wrong hands for the sake of the world.

The performers offered a lot to keep the energy thriving. One performer who absolutely illuminated the piece was Leah Block, who played the Black Stache. Her undying commitment to a flamboyant villain surely stood out as she made the most of every second she had on stage with her immense body language, loose posture, and spot on comedic timing to deliver the most amusing presentation of a classic character to be seen. Other performers who brought a lot of charm were Courtney Le, who played Prentiss, and Wendell Rice, who played Ted. Le offered witty quips and sass, complimenting Rice's manic behavior and constant love for food. As the lost boys and right hand men of Peter (Zach Mendenhall), they forged a lovable and fun dynamic with each of their individual quirks, cobbled together to reflect the silly innocence of being a boy despite the perilous situations they found themselves in.

Overall, the collaborative work of the whole cast was commendable in keeping the show engaging and creative. Whether they were playing members of Black Stache's crew or of the Mollusk tribe, they never failed to hype up characters at center stage, reeling in extra excitement. Additionally, the way in which the actors were used as living set pieces, creating a boxing ring and a hall of doors,a stellar exemplar of combining creativity and practicality.

The props in the show, coordinated by Marie Trammell and Amelie Mohn, were a perfect example of how a little goes a long way. Simple props were utilized to create an array of realms and environments. One particular example would be a rope, used to create ship cabins and make a cat fly. Silk fabrics were used to create picturesque oceanic scenes. But the prop crew took the audience by complete surprise when a gigantic, glamorous tail was revealed as Peter encountered a mermaid, leaving everyone awestruck.

The students involved in Robert E. Lee High School's "Peter and the Starcatcher" created a wonderful reflection of a kid's world with color, vitality and humor. It seems as though they had starstuff to spare to bring real magic to the stage.