Playhouse teens present a ‘Peter Pan’ prequel show

MEREDITH  — Broadway hit “Peter and the Starcatcher” flies into Meredith and will take to the Winnipesaukee Playhouse stage on the weekend of Nov. 6-9.  Winner of five Tony Awards in 2012, “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a prequel to the “Peter Pan” story, telling how a miserable orphan turns into the boy who never grew up. It will be performed by teens as part of the Playhouse’s Education Department season.

This imaginative and adventurous play chronicles the adventures of Molly, a girl charged to protect a cargo of stardust from falling into the wrong hands, and a trio of orphans who find themselves thrust onto the high seas where they go on an adventure with sailors, pirates, natives, and mermaids.  

Originally written as the young adult novel, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” by humorist Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, it was adapted as a play by Rick Elice and has music by Wayne Barker. Much like “Wicked” is a prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” “Peter and the Starcatcher” provides the back story to “Peter Pan” with some recognizable names — like the pirate Smee — and other new characters.  In addition to finding out how the unnamed orphan takes on the name of Peter Pan, audiences also see the moment Captain Hook earns his name.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is a play with music and includes traditional songs as well as musical numbers created specifically for the show.  It features a cast of 13 local performers ages 12-18. It is directed by Madison Tayler Williams with music direction by Ryan Witham.

Tickets are available at winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org.