In a variation of the old conflict of interest stuff, let me announce right now that no one who knows me would think I could resist anyone, even a character in a play, who writes poems about pies. There is indeed such a one in "Peter and the Starcatcher", which is at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis.
The play, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Webster Groves' own Ridley Pearson, is a prequel to James Barrie's "Peter Pan". Written by Rick Elice, it manages to charm young and old theater-goers with both broad and subtle comedy and wordplay.
The story begins with Molly, the feisty daughter of a Great Man who's widowed. Betsy Hogg plays this precocious-yet-innocent Victorian girl with poise, enthusiasm and just enough pepper to make her real. Her father, Lord Leonard Aster, is Clinton Broadhagen, an aristocratic and free-thinking Indiana Jones type. They set out on voyages to some obscure island at the order of Queen Victoria – but don't get the idea that this is much of a period work. There are hints of "Star Wars"-type activity, and plenty of contemporary references, especially in the many puns and spoonerisms that punctuate dialogue.
Familiar names appear, both immediately obvious and in an earlier guise. From Smee (Jose Restrepo), the right-hand man of Captain Hook to Robert Falcon Scott. And other characters end up changing their names, as seen when the pirate captain Black Stache (Jeffrey C. Hawkins), not quite Blackbeard, but right up there, becomes Captain Hook, in one of the funniest bits in the play.
Speaking of names, there's a character who has none. One of three orphan boys delivered to the docks to go to the island, he's Spencer Davis Milford, distant, a little fragile, far less rowdy than the other two, Ted, the lad who swoons over the very thought of sticky pudding and writes poems to pies and who's played by Andrew Carlyle, and Prentiss, Sean Mellott. The dynamics between Carlyle and Mellott are fun, but it's Milford and Betsy Hoff as Molly that drive the play.
The play starts out with drab Victorian clothing, for the most part, but best not to be lulled into low expectations. The musical number that opens the second act may conceivably be one of the most elaborately costumed in the Rep's history, followed closely by the wardrobe of the island's natives. If costume designer David Kay Mickelsen didn't have a great time with this, you could have fooled me. The set of scenic designer James Kronzer seems also quite subtle, but the longer you watch the play, the more intriguing the details become. Blake Robinson's direction pulls it all together.
This is broad comedy, to be sure, although the themes are in part quite serious. Children that are slightly older should be fine, although the pirates' favorite noun, the one referring to parentage or the lack thereof, is heard – only once, as I recall. It's an absolute joy, a real holiday gift for all persuasions.
A dazzling, imaginative work.
Peter and the Starcatcher
through December 27
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis
130 Edgar Rd., Webster Groves
314-968-4925