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By Kathy Carpenter
April 26, 2018 La Mesa) - Pirates, fairies, mermaids. starcatchers, and the little boy who never wanted to grow up: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson do a great job explaining how Peter Pan, and the elements from the original story came about in a new novel. Rick Elice turned the novel into a play. Raylene J. Wall directed the Lamplighters version and brought the play to life. Fun, silly and well-acted, Peter and the Starcatcher makes you smile.
The story features a dad and his daughter, a starcatcher and a starcatcher in training traveling in 1885 aboard two different ships: the Wasp and the Neverland, bound for Mollusk Island to complete a mission for Queen Victoria. There are two trunks, one on each ship, which become mixed up. Three orphans are on the daughter’s ship, one of which turns out to be Peter. Add in the Pirates and you have mayhem.
Most impressive for me in this show is the atmosphere. Lamplighters went over the top to make you feel like you were on the high seas, from the impressive dock/decks to the swaying and the music.
What's different about this play is adults playing kids. I think it's the first time I've see this done in a play, although for some reason they do have a kid in the ensemble.
There are many interesting characters in this one. Devin Wade, playing Peter, continues to shine in yet another role at Lamplighters. Emily Candia plays young Starcatcher Molly, opposite Wade once again. They played in last year's comedy, "Women in Jeopardy" and tend to bring out the best in each other. My favorite character was George Bailey as the Fighting Prawn. He was a fabulous Mollusk leader, extremely funny. Black Stache is the character that steals the show, played by Brian P. Evans, Smee, Stache's sidekick, is a wonderful character, played by Matthew Noll. Too many great roles to mention them all, but the whole cast sells the play.
Let your imagination fly and let the silly in to make you smile.
April 20 - May 13, 2018
Lamplighters Community Theatre
5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa
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