The high school’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher” features a crew of student directors and managers.
Contrary to popular belief, Peter Pan and his fellow Lost Boys are not native to the island of Neverland.
From Nov. 2–4, Eastern Regional High School will attempt to tell the seldom-known story of Pan’s path toward eternal youth in its production of “Peter and the Starcatcher,” a theatrical prequel to J.M. Barrie’s timeless tale.
The Tony Award-winning play, written by Rick Elice, follows a group of orphaned boys as they venture from a bustling port in Victorian London to a mystical isle that can be found by following the second star to the right and heading straight on till morning.
“As you go through (the play,) you see different things that relate to Peter Pan. At the end, everything all fits together, and it’s really cool,” said junior Gabriela Bourla, the show’s stage manager.
Like Lost Boys fending for themselves, the cast and crew of Eastern’s fall play is predominantly comprised of students, featuring adolescent vocal directors, stage managers and set designers.
“The students have been really making it their own in terms of taking ownership of it,” said director Gregg Molotsky, a science and math teacher at Eastern who has been directing the school’s productions for two decades. “The show is very free-form, so it gives them a lot of creativity and flexibility.”
Aside from remembering lines and hitting cues, two student vocal directors have been responsible for playing backing track live on the piano and transposing music from the score onto digital files.
“I find vocally directing to be the most exciting part,” said junior Caleb Schneider, one of the show’s vocal directors, as well as having the roles of a mermaid, sailor and Fighting Prawn.
“We have two people capable of vocal directing a fall play, and this is a complicated show with its music.”
The composition is not the show’s only intricate element. Although the play’s a backstory of a classic children’s fairy tale, it encompasses some themes and humor aimed at adults.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a contrast to last year’s fall production of “James And The Giant Peach.” Since the children’s play was well received by audiences, Molotsky hoped to preserve that youthful appeal while experimenting with material slightly more mature.
“I wanted to keep it in that (childlike) vein, but I was also looking for something a bit more sophisticated — both artistically and with the subject matter,” Molotsky said.
This is particularly apparent in capturing the complex character of Peter Pan, an orphaned boy simultaneously seeking independence and comradeship.
“It’s been difficult, because (Peter) has a lot of different personalities, and his personality develops throughout the show,” said sophomore Jake Fritz, who is tackling his inaugural lead role. “So, I see him kind of as a rainbow. He has a lot of different emotions.”
This challenge not only applies to the acting but also aligns with the show’s overarching themes of searching for self discovery, seeking acceptance from peers, recognizing the importance of family and establishing a purpose.
Naturally, such ideas resound off the stage and into the high school’s hallways.
“The show is about finding your place in the world,” Molotsky said. “And, it may not be where you think it is — and that’s very apropos for teenagers.”
Information:
“Peter and the Starcatcher” is running Nov. 2–4 at Eastern Regional High School. Tickets can be purchased by calling (856) 784–4441. Tickets can be purchased at eccrsd.booktix.com.
Showtimes: Thursday, Nov. 3, at 7 p.m., Friday, Nov. 3, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 4, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
