Bring Imagination to ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’

Bring Your Imagination to ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’

A tale of imagination, adventure and the power of dreams comes to the Wantagh High School stage on Nov. 17, 18 and 19 as the drama club will present “Peter and the Starcatcher.” The show is an adaptation of the Tony Award-winning play and based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson.


A cast of 26 students will perform the show, and lead actors are junior Logan Schroh as Peter Pan, senior Madelyn Hartmann as Molly Aster and senior Sean Hill-Hotz as Black Stache. They are supported by a crew of 30 students.


Director Dr. Kimberly Davis said that it is a unique play as the actors stay on stage the entire time and transform characters right before the audience. 


“It’s a true story teller-style,” she said. “We break the fourth wall. We’re really counting on the audience’s imagination to bring the show to life.”


Dr. Davis said that because the show is set in Victorian-era London, the actors will be speaking in British accents. She noted that several of them already have that experience from performing in “Matilda” in middle school a few years ago.


She selected “Peter and the Starcatcher” as the fall drama and “Jekyll and Hyde” as the spring musical to celebrate the performing arts department’s planned trip to London in February. While “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a drama, there is music in the show, including one major singing number.


Logan, who is starring in his eighth show since middle school, said he is playing a more serious role after portraying “goofy” characters in the last few productions. But, he said, the show isn’t lacking in comedy.


“There are a lot of funny scenes,” he said. “The students that we have for this show are incredible, so much talent.”


Madelyn described her character as an intelligent person who faces problems in a practical way. She said that the audience will like the physical comedy, which includes lifts and stunts.


“I’m really looking forward to performing in front of all my friends and family,” she said. “It’s been such a fun process.”


Working alongside Dr. Davis are Sameerah Cassidy, the vocal director, and Austin Costello, the stage crew director.


Show times are Friday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. in the Wantagh High School auditorium. Tickets are $12 for students and senior citizens, and $15 for adults, and can be purchased at www.seatyourself.biz/wantaghms.