Peter and the Starcatcher
UCF Main Stage Theatre • Orlando, Florida
by Rick Elice, Music by Wayne Barker, Directed by David Lee
Starring Eileen Lee, Ella Zarrilli, Johnny Flannagan, Nathan Olmeda
by Carl F. Gauze
Everyone has a backstory, and for Peter Pan (Lee), that involves a long and symbolic sea voyage.
Cast off from home and society, Peter’s journey separates him from land and help and civilization, tossing him head first into a colorful world of pirates, sea maidens, and kooky jungle stereotypes. His boon companions may be true or they may be cannibals, but it’s up him and his wits to make it work. As in so many adventures, Peter Pan was aiming to sail the sea and make his fortune, but rather he falls into a plot to move a large amount of the Queen’s wealth to a small tropical island. For some reason, all this gold will be safer stored in the iffy part of the world. The island is populated by goofy pirates and dancing mollusks and creepy yet magical sea people. Here Peter meets Molly (Ella Zarrilli). Her father sends her away with the gold, reasoning she will be safer on a much slower ship. Daddy’s logic? It’s better if only one of us dies. And you thought your job sucked.
Enlivening this goofy plot is the energetic presentation. No one actor or actress leads, it’s a group project where everyone has a slice of the action and contributes to the chaos on stage. This take on the story pushes the boundaries of absurdity: a useful tactic to get the most laughs out of the tale. The energy remains sky high and the actors a bit confusing in their multiple roles, but it’s a blast to just sit and watch the high-energy acrobatics.
Everyone here is larger than life, and most fill their roles with brimming enthusiasm. As you leave the theater, there’s plenty of opportunity to argue the plot to your date. And the cool thing? Both of you are absolutely correct.
