For a rollicking adventure pack your eyepatch and take a voyage with Peter and the Starcatchers performed by The Pennsylvania Youth Theatre 13 -14 Feb..
A troupe of talented high schoolers turned-swashbucklers put on a delightful Feb. 13 Valentine Day weekend show at Charles A. Brown Ice House on River Road between the historic Lehigh Canal and the ice-crusted Lehigh River.
Directed by Rachel Lutz, the play, written by Rice Elice and based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, brings to life the origin story of Peter Pan that builds on one of the world’s most enduring children’s stories. Molly Aster (Julia Rippke, Parkland High School) is a standout in this fast-paced story. Her performance is riveting as the guardian of a mysterious trunk stowed on a barely seaworthy tub of a ship, the Never Land.
Molly teams with Peter and a batch of bedraggled orphans who have been sent by 19th century London authorities as fodder for an evil king in a remote island kingdom to feed to his animals.
Magic star dust is a key player in this whimsical tale which is good thing for the doomed orphans. Whew!
Boy, the future Peter (Georgia McKeown), is brilliant as Boy transforms from a frightened orphan to Peter, leader of a stalwart band.
Brittany Sibaja Duarte played two roles, vicious Captain Bill Slank and Fighting Prawn. Duarte’s performance as Fighting Prawn, leader of the fierce warrior tribe, was terrific.
Black Stache and the future Captain Hook (August Harrington) is evil, sinister, and bloodthirsty—in other words—perfect for this role.
Harrington was also outstanding as Alf, a likeable bumbler with an eye for pretty girls. As Alf he stands out as the lead singer when the ensemble sang, “Mermaid Out of Me.”
Snee’s (Anya Ferris) boffo performance as Captain Black Stache’s loyal first mate is first class. Ferris charms with her sparkling rendition of “Yukele Smee.”
Mrs. Bumbrake (Sloan Bubser) shines as Molly Aster’s nanny who, while protective, witty and charming, also knows how to catch a sailor’s eye. She showboats her singing chops with “Grempkin Flashback,” sung from the bilge of a dilapidated schooner.
Leonard Aster (Jacob Nye) demonstrates his depth. While ever the Victorian gentleman, he is a secret agent of the queen charged with protecting a sealed trunk containing???, well, secret stuff. In his spare time, he is Molly’s loving father.
Captain Scott (Kyra Maeding) skippers the fastest ship in the Royal Navy, the Wasp. Maeding shines as the trusted and valiant friend of Lord Aster. Maeding is also notable as Teacher guiding the Lost Boys.
Grempkin (Lily Adams) is mean and nasty as the manager of the orphanage that sold the boys Captain Slank. Good job! Adams also excels as sweet-natured Hawking Clam.
But in her role as Mack, Lily Adams is brilliant at not being the brightest light on the quarterdeck; she does not know port from starboard. She also plays the hardworking sailor, Sanchez, on the Wasp.
Prentiss (Sofie Wheeler) shows mastery of her thespian skills as she portrays the argumentive, arrogant boy who wants to be recognized as a leader, but who, alas, is devoid of leadership skills. A great performance.
Ted (Samantha Martin) is wonderful as a hungry boy always ready for a snack. Martin beautifully develops Ted’s character portraying a witty character with a flair for drama.
The ensemble belted out some great show tunes for this production; from “Sailors and Seamen” comes, “There’s wind in the foretop, there’s boys in the hold/To me way, to me way, hi ho!”
Music Director Nicholas Conte stages a memorable production of this classic children’s musical.
Set Designer Maggie Shutzler’s work is fantastic. It takes imagination to get two ships on stage.
Credit for costumes was not provided, but kudos to the designer. The costumes were perfect. The jungle bushes were very creative!
Anthony Forchielli and City Entertainment provided the lighting and sound.
Stage Manager and Production Manager Gabrielle McCabe keeps the play shipshape and sails this production to safe harbor.
McCabe and Mike Martens were the sound board operators.
See www.123pyt.org for future production dates or call 610-332-1400.