PVHS To Present "Peter And The Starcatcher"

When Alicia Trescavage, director of the Pequea Valley High School (PVHS) fall play, and assistant director Mindy Lapp were searching for a show for autumn, they found one that made them laugh. "We loved the humor," recalled Trescavage, who noted that she also chose "Peter and the Starcatcher" because of the number of characters and the opportunities the show offered student actors, specifically being able to cast females in male roles.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" will be presented at PVHS, 4033 E. Newport Road, Kinzers, on Thursday, Nov. 10, and Friday, Nov. 11, at 7 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 12, at 2 and 7 p.m.

The play, which is adapted from the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, is a prequel to the story "Peter Pan." The story follows an orphan boy with no name, played by Nick Ammon, and Molly, played by Annika Hofstetter, who is a starcatcher-in-training, as they try to protect magical "starstuff" from falling into the hands of Black Stache, a pirate played by Jared Knepp, and his accomplice Smee, played by Peter Brumbach. In the process, they survive a shipwreck, meet murderous natives who speak a culinary language, and meet up with a giant ticking crocodile. The show, which delves into the origins of Peter Pan and Captain Hook, is recommended for people of all ages.

While cast members were familiar with "Peter Pan," not all were acquainted with "Peter and the Starcatcher." "They're having such a good time (rehearsing), and they're really embracing their characters and getting into the humor of it," reported Trescavage, who noted that some references, such as to the Oscar acceptance speech of actress Sally Field and to the film "Dead Poets Society," required explanation. Educating the cast has been enjoyable for all involved, according to Trescavage, who is pleased with the way students are assimilating into their roles. "Black Stache, who is pre-Captain Hook, is such a rich character," she said, noting that Brumbach as Smee and Knepp as Stache are playing off each other well in rehearsals. "Their buddy-like chemistry is fantastic," she said.

One challenge of staging the show is the openness of the set. "It's a story theater, so you're not working with exact sets," Trescavage noted, pointing out that in the 2021 fall play, "Clue," cast members worked within the context of specific rooms with doors. "(The set for 'Starcatcher') is very fluid," she said, noting that finding different ways to create water has been interesting.

Lessons the characters learn include the consequences of decisions. "Peter ends up with the starstuff that he wanted," she said, adding that Molly reaches her goals as well, but Stache becomes a victim of his own bad behavior.

Readers who wish to purchase tickets may do so at http://www.pequeavalley.org or at the door prior to presentations.