BOSSIER CITY, La. — Set sail for an evening of adventure and imagination as the Bossier Parish Community College Performing Arts Program and Cavalier Players present their fall production of Peter and the Star Catcher. The opening of the whimsical stage fantasy has been postponed, with performances now set for Monday, Nov. 2, through Thursday, Nov. 5. All four performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. in BPCC’s Stephen W. Slaughter Theatre, located in Building C on the Bossier campus, 6220 East Texas St.
The popular and wildly imaginative Tony Award-winning Broadway comedy was adapted from the best-selling novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson about how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). This wildly theatrical adaptation was conceived for the stage by its directors, Roger Rees and Alex Timbers, and written by Rick Elice, with music by Wayne Barker. From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.
The story follows the dangerous journey of the misunderstood boy with no name (soon to become Peter) and his new friend, Molly, an Apprentice Starcatcher. They endeavor to protect Queen Victoria’s precious secret cargo of “star stuff” from misadventure. The stuff’s potent magical power cannot fall into evil hands, particularly those of the notorious pirate, Black Stache. The “star stuff” must be protected until the whole trunk of it can be destroyed. If any of this sounds familiar to you, then you and your family are sure to enjoy this prequel to a century-old story.
Program Director Ray Scott Crawford directs Peter, and Lari Leber serves as combat choreographer. Rona Leber is Costume Designer, David White is Set and Lighting Designer, and Davi Cole is Properties Designer. The play features performances by BPCC students (mostly theatre majors) with Sutton Gay as the Boy, Ellen Douglas as Molly, and Geoff Sloane as Black Stache. Andy Thrasher and Jackson Corbet will play the orphans, Prentis and Ted. Also appearing are Saige Williams as Smee and Ben Moss as Mrs. Bumbrake. Mystery Almond plays Alf, and BPCC staffer Lari Leber will portray Grempkin and others. In numerous ensemble roles are Patrick Smithson, Michael Calvaresi, Sabina Lucius, Dan Gray, Chrystal Davis, and Faith Robinson. Mystery Almond and Saige Williams will stage manage the production, and Ray Landry will serve as the music technician.
Dr. Crawford states, “I grew up watching the television production of the Broadway musical of Peter Pan, tuning in when it aired once a year. Of course, the Disney animated film, and the movie sequels of Hook and other renditions of the legendary tales of Peter Pan fed my fascination with the magical tales of pirates, pixie dust, and the Boy Who Could Fly! I’ll never forget playing Captain Hook in graduate school. I saw this play in New York years ago and knew then that I would direct it one day. That day has come, and I could not be happier to bring this fantasy to our theatre community.”
Tickets are $15 and are currently on sale. BPCC students get one free ticket, and faculty and staff may receive two tickets at no cost.
Filled with adventure and theatrical imagination, Peter and the Star Catcher offers a story for audiences young and old. The full-length play runs approximately one hour and 50 minutes and is not recommended for children under 8.
To reserve seats, visit www.bpcc.edu/theatre or call the BPCC Theatre Box Office at 318-678-6021.