We all know the story of Peter Pan, the boy who never grows up, but do you know how he got his name? The Valparaiso High School Drama Club unveils the story behind the classic story in Peter and the Starcatcher.
Friday November 16th was opening in the Valparaiso High School Auditorium; the show runs through Sunday afternoon. Remaining showtimes are Saturday (11/17) at 7pm and Sunday (11/18) at 2pm. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Proceeds go to the Valparaiso High School Theatre Boosters, Inc., a nonprofit that provides scholarships, funds workshops & productions, and provides support for all students at VHS who participate in the drama program.
As stated in the Director’s Note, it has been almost 115 years since Peter Pan made his debut on stage in London. There, it was so successful that Walt Disney chose to tell his version in the 50’s; actress Mary Martin graced the Broadway stage as Peter just a year later. The success of the boy who never grows up isn’t surprising; giant crocodiles alongside mermaids and pirates, flying out of bedroom windows, and mysterious lands with magic are far more exciting than reality.
Peter and the Starcatcher explores how this world came to be. It answers the dozens of questions you never knew you had about the boy who was to become Peter Pan and discover things about the others who helped him on his way.
“The show is very imaginative, so a lot of our technical aspects of the show rely on the audience's sense of imagination,” said Directors Colleen Peluso and Molly Vass. “It is a play with musical numbers, and overall the show is very funny, very imaginative, and the students do an awesome job with it.”
The show stars 16 energetic, young actors from Valparaiso High School:
Steven Drenth as Boy, Daniel Owens as Prentiss, Matthew Smaga as Ted, Jake Snider as Lord Leonard Aster, Kate Remijan as Molly Aster, Jakob Innes as Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher, Nicholas Wagenblast as Captain Robert Falcon Scott, Zachary McGuire as Grempkin, Simeon Rice as Bill Slank, Isabel Blaney as Alf, Drew Raisor as Mack, Jova Wilson as Sanchez, Nathan Kirk as Black Stache, Amanda Allen as Smee, Sophia Tufariello as Fighting Pawn and Abigail Coates as Hawking Clam.
“This show is really cool and it's so much fun to put on,” said Amanda Allen (“Smee”), VHS senior and Drama Club PR Officer. “It's a comedy and a musical within a play. It has a few songs in it; it's really cool!"
The Valparaiso High School auditorium has recently been renovated with a new sound system, enhanced its' handicapped entrance and has new seating. The new auditorium atmosphere was a great setting to perform and learn about the magical story behind Peter Pan.