As the variegated pirates and wildly weird inhabitants of
PETER AND THE STARCATHER are wont to say in the Hub Theatre extravaganza (@ The
First Church downtown through Nov. 17th) :T T F N (Ta Ta For Now)…
which means they’ll be back, again and again, swanning and swashbuckling to the
delight of children, parents and ordinarily crusty reviewers. What’s not to
like in Hub’s madcap mash-up of the tightly wound original PETER PAN.
Director Sarah Gazdowicz makes the production look like the
inmates have taken over the asylum. The (barely) controlled hysteria reminded
me of Imaginary Beasts’ free wheeling Pantomimes. Gazdowicz and several others
in the Hub cast are stellar IB alumni, where imagination leaves no stone
unturned. The best part of the PAN prequel is watching the characters wind up
and then spin out all over the stage. Chief among them is Joey C. Pelletier’s
nefarious Black Stache, arch-enemy of Peter. You know him as Captain Hook from
the J.M. Barrie version. The clever children in the audience knew at once and
said so out loud. (This version, imagined by comedian Dave Barry takes place
before the other Barrie
Pelletier is a whirling dervish whose manic quips and quotes
fly so fast, you can hardly keep up. He’s aided and abetted by Michael John
Ciszewski as his right hand man who’s always right at hand, although the
captain doesn’t notice him, thereby cementing his name. Pelletier bellows and
Ciczewski answers frenetically “It’s me.” (Say this a few dozen times and
you’ll see.)
Ciszewski specializes in running the best amok you’ll see all
season. What’s more, you can’t wait to see Bob Mussett return as the elderly
lady who thinks she might like to try romance again… even better still, she (in
full beard, mind you) catches the eye of a gentlemanly seaman portrayed in
marvelous deadpan by Lindsay Eagle! More delicious turns from Robert Orzalli as
a Cosa Nostra chef with a menu you can’t refuse, from Jon Vellante as one of
the lost, so hungry boys that he faints at the mention of sticky pudding, from
David Makransky as the other lost boy who wants to be “leader” and from Molly
Kimmerling as a nasty villain of a captain.
The plot is hung on the (mostly serious) characters… who
don’t get to be funny but they do get to deliver some very touching moments.
Claire Koenig as Peter is a wonder. We believe she’s the boy who doesn’t want
to grow up (because grown-ups lie and cheat). Smart fellow! Lauren Elias as the
Wendy stand-in (Please don’t ask me why she’s not actually named Wendy), does
have some sport, challenging and besting the “lost boys” and some heartache
when she leaves them. Liz Adams as her stalwart father oozes good breeding and
fair play. Valera Bamgala, likewise, is the stand up captain of the ship with
the wrong cargo. (Again, don’t ask me about the cargo. I completely lost track
of the second treasure chest and I’ve seen the play before.)
Here’s the deal. The brilliant ensemble cast keeps you on
your toes, expecting another surprise around the next corner. And the surprises
keep coming. You’re laughing so hard, you’re afraid you’ll laugh over the
dialogue so you try to squeal quietly, using your inside voice so you won’t
miss anything. It’s exhausting, having such a grand time. Who cares about the silly
plot anyway.
