As their months of long rehearsals and tireless efforts come to an end, the cast and crew of this year’s junior/senior play will soon see their hard work pay off as they open their production of Peter and the Starcatcher.  The cast and crew have dedicated their time to perfecting their unique “Story Theater” style play, which features a wide range of actors and actresses who perform as if they are telling the audience an elaborate story.

The play is a prequel to the story of Peter Pan. It explores the boundaries of imagination and the presence of childlike wonder in our lives, using humor as a tool to captivate and compel the audience. The play ran on Broadway from 2011 to 2013, so Poly’s interpretation will act as the unique presentation of a vastly successful production.

Poly’s interpretation of the play appoints each actor and actress to multiple roles, challenging them to explore their talents in portraying a range of different personalities.  As the cast has worked to explore and develop their talents, they have gotten to know each other very well and form bonds among themselves that will last well beyond the performance of the show.

 “As a person who has very little acting experience, the cast has been incredibly welcoming and supportive,” said junior Jack Seccia. 

The director and cast of the play decided to challenge themselves in this production by incorporating a musical component and the use of puppets into their play. Director Sonya Baehr appointed junior Sam Henriquez to be responsible for all elements of sound throughout the entirety of the play.  The play also features several musical instruments, percussion, and song, making it an intricate portrayal of the story of Peter Pan.

When describing Peter and the Starcatcher, Director Sonya Baehr said, “It’s about the ability of the imagination to take us places we’ve never been before and expand our sense of what is possible. The show is very playful and full of all kinds of jokes. Hopefully, it will entertain and delight our audiences, and give them a sense of the fun involved in performing live theatre. It’s one of the oldest forms of storytelling, and it remains one of the best.”

Every member of the junior/senior play has been given the unique opportunity to gain inspiration for their role in the play from someone who starred in the original Broadway production of Peter and the Starcatcher: Celia Keenan-Bolger. Keenan-Bolger visited the cast of the play so that they can receive a professional’s perspective of the elements necessary in order to tell a convincing story on a stage.

Senior Blythe Poor said, “During my last year in Poly’s annual play, I am looking forward to meeting someone who starred in the play on Broadway. I think we can really work together as a cast with these inspirations to give the Poly community a great experience.”

The junior/senior play is always a very enjoyable experience for the cast and crew, but it also marks the last year that the seniors will be able to participate in the play.  The seniors have been working hard to make this play their best one yet as they prepare to say goodbye to their fellow cast, crew, and director.

Senior Jules Gabellini said, “I’ve done theater every year that I’ve been at Poly, and I’m really happy to spend my last year in Poly Theatre with this wonderful cast and show.”