Photos by Aaron Sutten
Archive: Peter and the Starcatcher
The Neverland You Never Knew
October 2 – October 25, 2015
Preview October 1
The Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre
Marjorie Arenstein Stage
at Virginia Rep Center Free Parking
Based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
Adapted by Rick Elice
Instrumental score by Wayne Barker
Direction by Nathaniel Shaw
Starring Scott Wichmann as Black Stache
Meet the Cast (pdf)
Winner of five Tony Awards
"Richly Imaginative and Gloriously Funny...
A creative, spellbinding tour-de-force and a must-see"
"A rollicking, hilarious imagining of how the 'Peter Pan' adventure story and characters might have come to be...
We can’t help but be swept along with them and join in the gales of laughter that fill the November Theatre over and over again."
"Pure, exuberant fun."
A sneak peek at PETER AND THE STARCATCHER! Show opens October 2 at the November Theatre.Virginia Repertory Theatre on Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Discover how Peter became the boy who wouldn’t grow up in this inventive tale of romance and adventure. Reflecting the sharp, clever wit of Dave Barry and an award-winning instrumental score by Wayne Barker, this prequel to the story of Peter Pan has been winning the hearts of both adults and kids since it first appeared on Broadway in 2012. Press Release (pdf)
Please note that Thursday performances begin at 7 p.m.
Virginia Rep is delighted to welcome Nathaniel Shaw in his directorial debut at the
November Theatre. Shaw was an Associate Choreographer for ONCE, supervising both
the Broadway production and the first national tour. He is the Development Director for
Glass Half Full Productions, Tony and Olivier Award Winning Producers of Curious
Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, The Mark Rylance Shakespeare Revivals, and
Sunny Afternoon amongst many others. He was the founder and Artistic Director of The
Active Theater in New York. New York credits include the first revival of The Violet
Hour (Innovative Theatre Award nomination for Best Revival), the World Premiere of
Bridgeboy, and the World Premiere of Body Language (4 Midtown International Theatre
Festival nominations).
Four Thoughts Pre-Show Discussions
Experts from VCU and the University of Richmond will share four thoughts and ideas about the production to give context to this political thriller. All events take place at the November Theatre 30 minutes before the performance. Free and open to the public. No RSVP required.
- October 11 - Chase Kniffen, Associate Artistic Director of Virginia Rep will talk about the various stage adaptations of the Peter Pan story. In addition to his role at Virginia Rep, Kniffen directs many of the musicals at the November Theatre. As a teen, he played the role of John in the 1991 Broadway production and National Tour of Peter Pan starring Cathy Rigby.
- October 18 - Colleen Kelly, Director of MFA Professional Actor Training Program, University of Virginia, Department of Drama. Three of the actors in Peter and the Starcatcher are current students in the program. Kelly will discuss the new partnership between Virginia Rep and this competitive program at UVA.
- October 25 - TBA
Media and More
"With faith, you have wings."
"Head to Neverland with Virginia Repertory Theatre’s ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’"
"Magic is low-tech in 'Peter Pan' backstory"
"Taking Flight: Jeremy Michael Lagunas plays The Boy" in Peter and the Starcatcher
Community Partners
Elk Hill Farm, Virginia Home for Boys and Girls, and Children’s Home Society
Peter and the Starcatcher captures the spirit of childhood imagination and the power of fantasy. To some of Richmond’s children, the dream of a stable home and family are the focus of their childhood imagination. Virginia Rep is delighted to partner with three organizations who provide homes and services to children in the Richmond area and turn a fantasy into a reality.
Dedication
With affection and respect, we dedicate this production of Peter and the Starcatcher to the memory of Richard Newdick, who taught acting, directing, theatre administration and dramatic literature at VCU for 30 years, chaired the department from 1989 to 1996, and played Harold in our 1971 production of The Boys in the Band at Hanover Tavern. Like Peter, Richard loved life, achieved great heights, and maintained his boyish spirit forever. He is greatly missed.