Reviews: Peter and the Starcatcher at Robinson Secondary School
Written by Naomi Bautista of Fairfax High School
"To have faith is to have wings," and with a triumphant caw, Peter and the Starcatcher took flight at Robinson Secondary School, delivering a wildly funny, fast-paced, and enchanting production.
Peter and the Starcatcher, a Tony award winning play by Rick Elice, tells the story of how a lonely orphan boy became the legendary "Boy Who Would Never Grow Up". The play follows an unnamed orphan who meets an adventurous girl named Molly Aster, the daughter of a famous Starcatcher. Together, they embark on a fantastical journey involving pirates (led by the villainous Black Stache) and a trunk full of magical "starstuff" that makes anyone into what they want to be. Starcatcher uses comedy and a lens of child-like whimsy to examine both the pain and joy of becoming an adult and what it means to embrace one's imagination.
Peter Pan, a character near and dear to many children's hearts, was played by Jagger Grove, who inhabited the nameless orphan with a poignant mix of youthful energy and vulnerability. With an endearing air of wonder and discovery, Grove displayed a nuanced performance, transforming from Boy, a tremulous, shy orphan into the infamous Peter Pan, a free-spirited boy, thirsty for adventure and fun. Determined to be a good leader and pull Peter out of his shell, Molly (Bree Drake) brought sparkle and spunk to Robinson's stage. Drake captured Molly's intelligence and stubborn independence with cheeky grins and well timed sardonic remarks, while maintaining the character's girlish curiosity with bashful sincerity. As their relationship developed, Grove and Drake captured hearts with their tender and sweetly genunine chemistry.
Opposing the two young adventurers was the dastardly duo of Black Stache (Lukas Simcox) and Captain Bill Slank (Peyton Schuler). Although not working together, the two fearsome fiends were perfectly aligned in their villainy. Bursting onto the scene with big, booming brilliance, Simcox's portrayal of Black Stache was the perfect combination of suave arrogance and over-the-top drama. Simcox employed a vocal variance as colorful as the Neverland mermaids tales, bringing comedic cartoon-like contrast to the swaggering, swashbuckling pirate. Countering Stache's jovial rascality, Slank's deceitful devilry was vicious and cruel. Sharp as the crack of the whip she wielded, Schuler commanded the stage with cutthroat confidence.
Robinson's whimsical world was brought to life by a charming children's playground reminiscent of a mighty ship (AJ Campbell, Moss Markel & RTC Set Crew). Able to transform between the deck of a sailing vessel and the mystical wilderness of Neverland, the set's combination of platforms, various woodgrains, and simplistic embellishments encouraged the audience to use their imagination to blend realism and make-believe. The sound team worked closely with student musicians (Cease Lucero, Cameron, Schermer, Jenna Franke) to design foley (live sound cues) that added to the ambiance of the show, utilizing a thunder sheet, a broken out-of-tune violin, and other more creative tools such as a metal dustpan filled with chains, helping to create the playful ambiance of the show. Most impressive however, was the ability of Robinson's student musicians to manipulate the professional score to their abilities and available instruments while continuing to immerse the audience in the play's u
nique world and underscore pivotal moments of the show.
Filled with whimsical delight, Robinson's Peter and the Starcatcher shined with heartfelt magic and celebrated the bonds of love and friendship. Robinson's production showed that true magic is not in starstuff, but in imagination. For after all, if you believe, you can fly.
Written by Cat Coronado of Langley High School
Imagine a land of sandy shores, shipwrecks, tall mountains, and--wait, is that a mermaid? Join Robinson Secondary School for a game of make-believe in their production of Peter and the Starcatcher.
A prequel to J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan, Peter and the Starcatcher is based on the novel of the same name by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and was adapted for the stage by Rick Elice. Taking place in Victorian England, the basic premise is this: an unfortunate trunk swap results in a pirate crew taking over the Neverland, the ship carrying a girl named Molly and a few orphan boys. The four of them work together to keep the trunk - holding a magical material called starstuff - far away from any swashbuckling villains.
Jagger Grove portrays an unnamed orphan boy who will become the classic character Peter Pan. Even as a high school junior, Grove nails the young boy's naivety, shown through his open face and shining eyes. It's not all fun and games, though, and Grove moves deftly between the lightness of childhood and the heaviness of the boy's backstory. Though it's not obvious, there's another titular character: the starcatcher. Bree Drake performs as Molly, a starcatcher-in-training tasked with protecting the starstuff. Drake is excellent, with the exuberance only a young girl can have. Her comedic timing is sharp as she dashes across the stage and reprimands the orphan boys - doing it all with a great English accent, too. As the main duo, Grove and Drake share natural chemistry palpable from the back of the house. Stolen glances, brushing fingertips, and subtle body language create a dynamic reminiscent of a middle schooler's first crush: a little awkward, but pure.
Everybody loves a good villain, right? At least, you will in this production. Lukas Simcox's Black Stache somehow balances intimidation and hilarity. With a manner of speaking oddly similar to Dr. Seuss, Simcox masterfully performs physical comedy while delivering punchy asides and unexpected references that make it impossible not to laugh. Another comedic standout is Kira Gilligan as Mrs. Bumbrake. She's supposed to be Molly's nanny, but they don't stay together for long. Armed with tongue-twisting alliteration, Gilligan delivers her lines in a frenzy that's nonsensical yet undeniably funny. She makes use of every moment onstage; even when tied up in the background, eyes are inevitably drawn to her exaggerated expressions and shenanigans. No one left the theater without shedding at least a giggle or two.
This production stands out in a particular way: rather than relying on an elaborate set, actors use props designed by Mili Bhardwaj that look as though they were plucked from a toy chest to create visual cues. Wooden ships, paper cranes, a cat plush, and ropes were handled by the cast to keep the audience immersed in this world of imagination. The costumes, designed by Addison Finely, Isabel Kramlich, and Clarissa Kimborough, feel like something a child might pull from a parent's wardrobe during dress-up. The mermaids shimmer with shimmering fabrics and colorful wigs, while the mollusks sport chef hats and claws resembling oven gloves.
Robinson Secondary School's Peter and the Starcatcher creates a whimsical atmosphere where even the oldest audience member is transported back to their youth. Queue up Peter Pan, and suspend your disbelief, because "pity the child who lives in a fact based world."