Theater Review: "Peter and the Starcatcher" at Ridgefield Theater Barn

Ridgefield CT

09 June, 2022

12:49 PM

Description

RTB photo of the cast of "Peter and the Starcatcher"Ridgefield - Ridgefield Theater Barn has brought back one of my favorite plays, "Peter and the Starcatcher," a most inventive show directed by Katherine Ray, assisted by Rae Janeil Sutherland. The clever play (with music) was written by Rick Elice. In the five-time Tony Award-winning play, thirteen actors play more than 100 imaginative characters. The performers must use every ounce of their talent, combined with some ingenious stagecraft and the limitless possibilities of their (and our) imagination. This is a swashbuckling grownup prequel to the classic tale of "Peter Pan." A young orphan and his two mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. The three know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain's cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a "Starcatcher-in-training'' who realizes that the trunk's precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the British youths' journey quickly becomes an engrossing adventure. The script explains how some of the classic elements of the traditional story of "Peter Pan" came to be in a delightful backstory adventure with never a dull moment. The actors must seamlessly switch between their characters. Because the Theater Barn is a relatively tight space, some of the actors can be seen sitting at the side of the stage awaiting their next entrance. As best as I can tell, I have previously attended three productions of this play, the first being the performance directed by Ray in the Nancy Marine Studio Theatre at the Warner Theatre in Torrington. Since then, I am probably guilty of holding the subsequent versions to the level of inventiveness of Ray's vision. The Ridgefield production seemed to hit all the right notes in what I remember of Ray's take on the play, albeit with another talented cast. Ray makes some very good points in her director's note, in the virtual program, which only seem to become more annoying now that printed programs have begun to reappear at other venues, at least for this reviewer. The director calls this piece "story theater, with actors taking on multiple roles and providing narration." She describes the set as barebones, but I found the set decoration that spread through the rafters of the barn space and fishing nets hung from the walls to be effectively encompassing. There is no doubt that locations are creatively suggested by Ray rather than distinctively defined, requiring us to use childlike imagination. "As a director, the excitement in story theatre is the beauty of language, the power of ideas. It's endlessly interesting for audiences and a whole lot of fun for the actors to take part in." RTB photo of the castThe truly ensemble cast features Matt Austin in the hilarious role of Black Stache. Austin nails every move as he stomps about the stage and just about chews the scenery; not surprisingly, at the conclusion of the opening night performance, Austin reported that he was exhausted. His performance is one for the books. Gabby Babun plays Sanchez, whose name Stache never gets right. Olivia Basile is a delight as the orphan Prentiss, who desperately wants to be the leader. Lizzy Booth covers Bill Slank and Hawking Clam, while Dr. Cara Elizabeth Bunning plays governess Mrs. Bumbrake and Teacher. Alex Hartofelis is Peter and Boy and Laura Jeanne Portera is sublime as the earnest Molly Aster. Hannah Rapaglia plays Ted, Patrick R. Spadaccino stands out in the role of Lord Leonard Aster and others, Michael Valinoti portrays Grempkin and Fighting Prawn, and Tarah Margaret Vega plays Capt. Robert Scott and a pirate. Bill Warncke plays Alt, and Michael Wright gets plenty of laughs in the fun role of Smee. The delightful choreography was designed by the Warner Theatre's Sharon W. Houk. Dressed as a pirate, Musical Director Rodney Loren provides all of the accompaniment, except for a few sound effects by the director. Lighting designed by Mark Hankla adds to the magic and the Warner Theatre costumes are everything that they should be. The 58th season at The Barn will include "The Exonerated" in September, The RTB's Super Nifty Holiday Bash," "Three Tall Women'' in February of next year, "An Evening of One Act Plays" in March, and "Next to Normal." The Ridgefield Theatre Barn has initiated a "Starcatcher" campaign to help fund the 5,000 square foot expansion that has now begun. With a $100 donation, patrons may put their name on a star that will eventually be part of the completed project. "Starcatcher" runs through June 25, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8 p.m.; Sunday June 12 and 19 at 5 p.m. There is cabaret seating, so patrons may bring food and drink. Snacks and drinks are available at the lobby concessions stand. Doors open one hour prior to curtain. Proof of vaccination is required and masks must be kept on when not eating/drinking. The actors perform without masks. Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues. She posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. She recently became a contributor to the Waterbury Republican-American newspaper. Her weekly column and theatre reviews appear in the Thursday Weekend section of the paper. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and on Twitter @nancysjanis417 Check out the NEW CCC Facebook page.