Obviously, the cast of Peter and the Starcatcher are very talented individuals who have some well honed stage acting chops between them. Too bad they are hunkered down by a play that is a bit clunky, if even boring at times. Thank goodness there are some very funny bits that lighten the tone and help keep the pace between each scene. It became quite obvious who the real star of this show is - Christian Borle, who played "Black Stache". His flamboyant over the top characterization kept everyone laughing as he pretty much stole the show along with Kevin Del Aguila (Smee) in every scene they appeared in. The witty banter and dialog, along with some laugh out loud moments, kept me wishing the play was actually about them. The actors and actresses that played Peter, Molly and the rest of the cast were affable enough and worked hard in their roles. The play itself is a re-imagining of Peter Pan and Captain Hook and how they came to exist and become eternal enemies. The use of props such as ropes, ladders, and even lights were used ingeniously to portray movement with the whole cast involved at times. Even the cast members were used as props. Most of the time it was pretty cool to watch and was comical in a Monty Python kind of way. Still, the first half of the show was a bit boring and only perked up when Black Stache and the pirates were on the stage. Too many acts were cumbersome and dragged a bit between the more humorous bits, and I felt like I was watching an off-off-Broadway play. The second half was much better and full of laughs, with Black Stache again stealing the show. As always, thanks to Jane K and Yelp for offering us some terrific seats to a Broadway performance. It's always good to see my Yelp friends and get to mingle a bit while catching up. read more

Peter and the Starcatcher - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

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There is such an energetic music-hall sense of ribaldry in this farcical, fanciful version of Peter Pan's back story that it's hard to resist the infectious spirit of the whole venture. Low-rent stagecraft and an idiosyncratic sense of creativity greatly inform Rick Elice's imaginative adaptation of Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's 2006 children's book, and a winning company of twelve actor/performers keep the pace from flagging. The sometimes confusing plot introduces a gang of overage orphans and social outcasts who eventually become the Lost Boys and Captain Hook's pirate crew. They are separated into two ships, one called the Wasp and the other the Neverland. Each carries identical trunks, one filled with treasure and the other with sand. Yes, there is a delicious sense of symmetry to the otherwise chaotic proceedings. The captain of the good ship, Lord Leonard Astor, has a willful daughter named Molly who befriends the boys, in particular, a nameless one who gets named Peter. Of course, the captain has a dastardly counterpart in a pirate king named Black Stache who will eventually become Hook. Everyone ends up on a mysterious island complete with a giant crocodile and savages. We soon discover the origins of both Tinkerbell and Wendy and why Peter refuses to grow up. The simplest props are used creatively, for instance, a piece of rope replicating a ship's hull and a fluttering yellow rubber glove masquerading as a tropical bird. There are even a few musical numbers (composed by Wayne Barker) thrown in for good measure, the most winning one being a mermaid drag review that opens Act II. The performances across the board are terrifically game in a Monty Pythonesque manner. Convincingly playing 13-year-olds, Adam Chanler-Berat and especially Celia Keenan-Bolger capture the youthful zest of their adolescent characters Peter and Molly with just the right precocious spirit. Arnie Burton steals his brief scenes as Mrs. Bumbrake, and with the unenviable task of replacing Christian Borle in his acclaimed, Tony-winning turn, Matthew Saldivar brings a swarthier sense of swashbuckling dash to his ham-fisted interpretation of Black Stache. He handles the comically lengthy amputation scene with furious finesse. Truth be told, it's a bit too long and the story lapses can be trying at times, but all in all, it provides an evening of genuine mirth. Currently playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theater on West 47th, the show is scheduled to close on January 20, 2013. read more

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I am a life-long-fan of Monty Python & Mel Brooks's style of comedy so Peter and The Star Catcher is right smack on target! The light-hearted humor and actions is delightful to watch if you are a fan of this type of comedy. The show is entertaining and the acting is very good. Timing is everything to get the greatest laughs and smiles; the cast delivered with a wonderful performance. My favorite part was the mermaid on parade right after the intermission. I missed several lines from my seats in the back. A good sound system could have helped! read more

Thanks to Yelp, I got to check out this show. For a Yelp Elite event: 5 stars. Thanks Jane and Sumeet! You were easy to find and it was well organized. For the play: 1 star if not 0. 1 star seems kinda harsh for a freebie. Yes it was a freebie, and I'm going to review this honestly. See the Yelp logo: Real people. Real reviews. Background: My boo and I are not your typical broadway showgoers. We LOVED Lysistrata Jones, but yet that was panned by critics and cancelled. We had a great time at P is for Parenthood. I saw on the NY Times that this show had some glowing reviews so it looked promising. From the beginning it failed to catch our attention. We found it to be entirely boring and we had a difficult time following along. Perhaps it was because we sat in the back (I had a hard time hearing - it sounded like they weren't using microphones?). I didn't think any of the dialog was funny and I swear it sounded like they were playing a laugh track, because even though some reviews say everyone was in stitches, I didn't notice anyone ROFL or even LOL around us. It was so bad for us that we ended up walking out after 30 minutes. Luckily we were sitting in the back and on the edge of an aisle so we got to make our escape. We thought it would eventually get better, but we feel we gave it a fair shot after a half hour. read more

The talent from the actors in the cast of Peter and the Starcatcher is abundant. Christian Borle, who played "Black 'Stache", is fast becoming one of my favorite actors. I love him in Smash too. This play is about how Peter Pan came to be. It's what they call nowadays a prequel. It tells the story of an orphan and how he became who we know as Peter Pan, the boy who never grew up, pre-Wendy. The sets were fun for me. There was really good and witty choreography that made me laugh throughout the show. There was a lot of movement that helped move along the story and set up the stage for the scenes. That was the part I liked. The way they used ropes was quite clever, for me. The second act was a bit more exciting for me. Thank you Jane! The seats are great as always. I got to see new friends and old ones. It was great to see familiar faces always. read more

Peter and the Starcatcher - Peter and the Starcatcher Broadway logo - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I was here also this past tuesday for this play. I did have a good time enjoying the tickets courtesy of yelp. I had not heard of this play at all. The seats were great. I think the play was sort of interesting but sort of took too long to get going anywhere. I almost thought the first hour I was truely bored, but was hoping things would pick up. I think right around the part of the intermission and the second half the show did start to get moving. The telling of the story of Peter Pan in a whole different light is something new and unique. This play was a bit funny, but not that funny. Some people seemed to laugh really hard at just anything. -Thanks Yelp also for the cookie. Great seats once again, not a bad way to spend a tuesday night on the cheap. The actor who played Black Stache was really great though himself. read more

Based on the best-selling children's novel 'Hyperion Books', the story revolves around a fast paced adventure on the high seas and on a faraway island, an orphan boy named Peter and his pretty, mysterious new friend, Molly. They together overcome bands of pirates and thieves in their quest to keep a fantastical secret safe and save the world from evil. The show is directed by Roger Rees. We got really nice seats in the theater. The first half of the show though was very boring and it was hard to focus on the plot being played on the stage. The story did pick up pace after the interval during the second half. But still the second half was not that entertaining. This show though was brimming with richly developed characters, from the scary but somehow familiar Black. The cast did an incredible job and tried their best to entertain the audience. The background music by the live band was really good. Thanks to Yelp for the tixs! read more

So, I got invited to see Peter and the Starcatcher First of all, I have no idea what about, gotta google it. lol Total of 12 actors and 1 actress The show is great for kids, and for a date night, because is no bad words, and very funny, if you are a guy, you take her to this show, and make her laugh out loud through out the show, you may get lucky at the end of the night. lol Annnnnyway. This show is not for everyone, and let me explain a little bit, I seen many Broadway Shows, and this one gotta be the most cheesiest, everything you have to use your imagination, but it shows you how so little can do so much This actually took me back while I was a kid. You remember when we were little, we play as a cop, or a super hero, and everything we used our imagination, that's how this show was all about, but it was great, depending how you look at it, I enjoy it very much The only part I take out 1 star is, they need more actors and actress, because over and over again, they use the same people, and in some part, is kinda hard to follow because I'm not sure who they're actually playing Overall, 4 stars, very funny, is a good family show read more

Before I saw this play I read that it was off-broadway before and is now on Broadway. Watching the play you can definitely sense that it was low-budget, especially when you see how and what they use as props. Not that this is a bad thing. A few years back I saw a musical called "Rooms" where the only prop was a door, but they utilized it in such a way that you can visualize movement to and from different places. The cast in "Peter and the Starcatcher" do something similar. I did find what they did with the rope clever, but using people as props was sometimes confusing. You can tell that the writers put a lot of thought into the dialogue of the play since puns were being thrown out in rapid fire (especially during the first act). I was able to catch some of them, but a good number of them escaped me. Saying that this is a "punny" play is an understatement. A handful of people did catch all of the puns since the same section of people were laughing when the majority of the theater was not. I believe that this handful of people may have seen the play before and knew where to listen for the puns. Before you see the play it would be a good idea to familarize yourself with the story of Peter Pan since this play is the pre-quel to that story. There are many references from that story in this play that would not be as good without that knowledge. The first act is slow-moving compared to the second act. A large part of it has to do with the setting since act one takes place on ships that are gloomy and dull. Act two takes place on an island, so it is a lot brighter that act one. The other part of it has to do with the fact that the character Black Stache (what Captin Hook was called before he had the hook ) had a larger role in the second act. This was the standout performance, indeed! An eccentric, flamboyant pirate with an overinflated ego that is just clutsy enough to be funny, and then some. Smee also did a good job supporting Stache's odd behaviors. Although I would not say that this play is a must-see play it does have its good moments. If you come across a discount it would be worth visiting. Part of the team from "Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson" created "Peter and the Starchatcher" and you can see it from the style of the play. Fans of "Bloody..." would like "Peter..". If you do end up going just be sure to come to the show with a sharp mind so you will catch all of the puns. read more

Here is the story of three orphan boys without names who were sent on a crate on a smelly old ship to an island where salvage beasts prey including pirates of the infamous "Black Stache" (who becomes the ill-tempered Captain Hook). Yet a young socialite girl, Molly who was unfortunate to be aboard, empowers them to be strong, compassionate and shown them to be heroic as leaders in their journey of self-discovery. Soon the one orphan boy whom Molly befriends was named the classic children's iconic Peter Pan, as this is the story of how he became the "boy who never wants to grow up." Much of media and society heavily emphasizes Peter Pan but never on how the plight for the formation and character development came to be. It is based on the 2004 novel "Peter and the Starcatcher" by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Christian Borle as the "Black Stache" was recently seen in "Smash" in 2011 whom he is familiar to be seen in this Broadway production for talent. The storyline moves rather slow to spill uninteresting as I've heard through the grapvine among fellow NY Yelpers who were in the mist of sleep during the performance. The storyline or acting does not entirely capture the audience's attention. Peter and the Starcatcher is not your traditional theatrical piece as it is not a musical, nor drama, nor comedy but involves story telling in a wonderment sense and unlimited imagination. I love live performances to escape the cold brutal reality--be it musicians, plays, open-mics, et al but the theatre is where unlimited creative talent unfold. Many thanks to Jane K. and the New York Yelp CMs who organize this Yelp Night. read more

Peter and the Starcatcher - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

I really love this play. I'm a child at heart, so by the end I was fully invested and in love with this show. Don't expect Peter Pan; expect something quirky, offbeat and incredibly inventive. I read the book series and was already a fan of Ridley Pearson (one of the authors) before that, so when I heard there was going to be a play; I was ecstatic. It's a thrill for kids and adults alike; definitely not a kids-only show. It's got a bit of modern mixed into it and has some jokes that a kid wouldn't get, but sends the adults into hysterical fits of laughter. Even if I wasn't already obsessed with Peter Pan and takes like "Wicked", I think I would have found the play at least enjoyable and not a waste by any means. By the end of the show, the audience was standing on their feet, so it's obviously a crowd-pleaser. Technically, the show is amazing. The use of minimal set, great lighting and abstract was fantastic and felt to me like something so imaginative that only a child could dream it up. The show is a little hokey, of course, with snarkasm (snarky sarcasm) and silly jokes, but it's not so overdone that it's not enjoyable by any means. On the other side of the spectrum, it also delivers important ideas to the crowd and even leaves some a little teary-eyed. In short, go see it. It's worth the money, it's inventive and most of all... It's something different! read more

I loveeed this show, especially the fact that it's an Off-Broadway and the cast does whatever it can within its budget to create a fantastical world (including human props, which I found delightful). While starting off extremely slow and confusing, the play does quickly suck you in with its uniqueness, and sharp lines. read more

I went into Peter and the Starcatcher with zero expectations or assumptions--I didn't know the story or even the tone of the play. It was just something a friend recommended. I have not been that entertained in a long time. The production is just outstanding--great comic timing of the actors, surprising emotional depth and truly creative staging. The performances were all terrific. Rick Holmes' Black Stache and Kevin Del Aguila's Smee would feel at home in a Monty Python movie--they are funny and hit the mark with everything from subtle asides to contemporary references (a "milkshake brings the boys to the yard" joke can still bring the house down in 2013) to physical slapstick. Jason Ralph's Boy/Peter and Nicole Lowrance's Molly are difficult roles that the two handle with finesse--they are both very funny but also bring the necessary weight to quieter moments that deliver the heart behind the manic story. I can understand why people see Peter and the Starcatcher multiple times. There is a lot going on on stage throughout the play, and sometimes the funniest things are not what is happening in the spotlight but some subtle reaction or facial expression from an actor in the background. The staging is very creative. The stage isn't particularly large at the New World Stages, but with lighting, a rope and some select props, it never feels claustrophobic as the scene shifts from the deck of a ship to the top of a mountain to a grotto to a beach. While the show is based on childhood characters, there are some mature themes. Peter and the Starcatcher may not be appropriate for younger children, but teens and adults should enjoy the great performances and frequent laughs. read more

Warning - this show is NOT for children! If you don't know what it's about, it is the prequel to Peter Pan, so you learn how Hook lost his arm (the funniest point of the play for me), why Peter Pan doesn't want to grow up, how they got to Neverland, and how Peter got his name. It's kind of a "joke" play and the humor was the positive for me. There's barely any music or singing fyi, so if that is what you are looking for, go for something else. I wasn't amazed by this show, but I don't even think "amazed" is what they are going for. The first act was so confusing, so I didn't really like it that much. The second act is more colorful, with a pretty set, and funnier. There are also strong hints of homosexuality, so if you are very conservative, stay away. Black Stache stole the show. He was so funny! It was a fun (and long! 2.5 hrs!) off-broadway show, and it doesn't disappoint, but it wouldn't be the first show I'd recommend to people. read more

Thanks to Yelp, my friend took me as her plus one to watch this show. I had no idea what this show was about, except for that it was something to do with Peter Pan. Peter and the Starcatcher is basically the back story to Peter Pan. It's not a musical but there were some singing to it. Although the plot wasn't the most riveting, the way they dealt with changing scenes and the use of a few props was ingenious. As a backstage theater nerd, I enjoyed watching how they used a wall of humans as doors and a rope to create spaces and waves! The cast is obviously talented. As many reviewers have mentioned, the actor playing the "Black Stache" (aka Hook) stole the show. This show delivered on plenty of laughs! It was light-hearted, witty and comical, especially towards the end. I wasn't wowed by it but it definitely tickled my belly! read more

Basically a re-imagining of Peter Pan with a whole lot of Modern Twists. The show was fast-paced, really funny, but heavily dependent upon dialog. The set is minimal and the actors use props to fill in most of the blanks. So, don't come expecting The Lion King and then Pride Rock materializes out of the ground. However, do expect solid humor in the vein of Monty Python. The acting kept me excited and I spent most of my time in the theater laughing. I suspect that you'll have a good time at this show if you're more of a geek and into quick one-liners, but there's not really a deep plot or any big twists or surprises. Don't expect to leave enlightened. One thing that did surprise me was how serious the Peter Pan character was. Basically all the other characters were trying to do crazy stuff constantly and throw out jokes, but the Peter Pan character was more or less solid and seemed like a confused little boy the entire time. I suppose that's true in terms of the story, but the contrast was striking. Anyhow, come have fun and see if you can keep up. read more

If it weren't for Yelp, I probably wouldn't have watched this... actually I probably wouldn't even have known about it! The theater itself is really nice, and our seats were great! I couldn't ask for better viewing options! However, the play itself is another story. I get antsy sitting still for so long, and the play kinda dragged on at times. I was a bit confused as to who the target audience was for this play, as there were a lot of kids around and the humor was slapstick/juvenile, which would appeal to a younger crowd. However, some of the jokes were also surprisingly pretty crude, but maybe they were expecting the kids not to understand. The entire play kept fluctuating, and I couldnt tell if this play wanted to be taken seriously or not. I mean, the premise is pretty ridiculous... a teenage girl who is secretly part of a police force of the universe trying to destroy "star stuff" so that other people can't get to it... kinda simplistic and childish. I was expecting more from the proclaimed backstory of Peter Pan. Also there was minimal character development, and you were supposed to take all characters and situations at face value. So obviously it's a kid's play. I kept waiting for something wittier or more profound to happen throughout the plot... it didnt. I guess Peter Pan really is a bratty, self-absorbed sulker... kinda a buzz-kill for the disney movie. THe last act at least was really entertaining, and the man who plays Captain Hook is the real 'starcatcher" since he carried/stole/saved the show. I would go back to the venue if it were playing another show, but I don't know if I would recommend this play to people my age. But thanks, Yelp! This was a cool experience, and some parts were pretty hilarious! read more

When I saw the show Christian Borle was in the cast as black stash and stole the show. He was amazing! Now that he's gone I'm sure his replacement is good but not as good. The writing of the play (which has a few songs but is not a musical) really puts more emphasis and humor on black stash (aka Captain Hook) than it does Peter. This is supposed to be a prequel to Peter Pan but didn't really hit home as such. I never really cared to much for Peter's character in the play. The sets were very simple and you'll be surprised at what the cast does with a simple rope. It makes you use your imagination and in that way makes you connects to your childhood. I wouldn't necessarily recommend going to this show but don't think you'd be disappointed if you did. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed Peter and the Starcatcher. I'm indecisive, so I'm generally happy to participate in group events that leave very little decision-making to do on my part. I went to this play (note: not a musical) as part of my college alumni social event, which included a nice, intimate pre-show reception with the show's co-producers and discounted tickets. Winner of 5 Tony Awards (!), Peter and the Starcatcher is a prequel to the story of Peter Pan. Maybe I'm biased because the show is produced by former UW Huskies or because this is (secretly... shhh) a Disney production (and I have a somewhat blind obedience to the Mouse), but I thought the show was fantastic. Although it started out a bit awkward, akin to watching the pilot episode of a new sitcom where you're just getting the handle of each character's personality and quirks, the characters quickly grew on me. The play kept me a captive audience with each incredibly catchy song, laugh-out-loud moment, and brilliantly simple line. The mostly all-male cast (except for the actress playing Molly and her understudy) had an amazing energy about them and were just so much fun to watch. This incredibly harmonious dynamic was made the story truly come alive, suspending my disbelief in flying cats and other magical shenanigans, and transforming the relatively simple set into vivid, colorful scenes of Neverland. I would highly recommend this show for all ages. I also love the fact that it's an off Broadway show; the small venue adds to its cozy story-telling feel and the price seems really reasonable. read more

I chuckled quite a bit. Did I laugh? No. Sometimes I felt obliged to laugh- you know like that handsome but odd guy who keeps hitting on you at the bar because he believes that if he keeps telling you these cliche, borderline corny jokes you'll give him a chance but you just chuckle half-heartedly and grit your teeth in hopes of him getting the hint, "hey, you are NOT funny and this will not get you my number," but he doesn't quit and you DO end up giving him your number anyway just because you "felt bad." Yeah, this is how I felt throughout "Peter and the Starcatcher". The main star not being Peter Pan but instead Black Stache! This actor wholeheartedly embodies this character and I loved every minute of him stealing everyone's thunder (purposely I presume), his poetic and not-so-poetic references, and his ridiculous expressive facial expressions. He was flamboyant, interesting, silly- an incandescent personality for sure! He just shined on stage... Bravo Black Stache, BRAVO! This play is quite an interesting concept- the prequel to Peter Pan; a movie I never really quite liked as a kid... A flying boy who never wants to grow up? Even as a child I found that quite strange- not the flying part (I did have an imagination afterall) but the not growing up part.... why wouldn't anyone ever want to grow up?! Because in reality he WILL get older, and then he'll be an old man with old man urges, trapped in a little boy's body, hanging out with kids. I don't know- it's just seems like an equation for something bad... and pedophilic. BUT it's brilliant what this playwright has done with just this creepy story as an inspiration. Everything is answered in this play. How Peter Pan got his name, why he flies, what's so special about Wendy, what put the "hook" in "Captain Hook," etc. This play was worth my time for sure. Would I have paid top dollars for the Orchestra seats I got courtesy of Jane and YELP? Probably not- btw THANK YOU SO MUCH! It was an overall enjoyable play that unfortunately due to obvious and conscientious decisions about staging and props made it A) Resourceful a.k.a. seemingly "low budget" and B) gave it an overwhelming off-Broadway vibe. If any of the aforementioned things appeal to you, please go see this! It's worth your time. read more

The entire show was amazing, but I particularly loved the actor playing "Fighting Prawn". So subtle, nuanced and unassuming in a relatively small role, but totally worth a full-priced ticket in and of himself. The rest of the cast is good also. TWO THUMBS UP! TWO THUMBS WAY UP!! read more

We saw Peter and the Starcatcher on our recent trip to New York and LOVED it. It has been nearly two weeks now and I cannot stop thinking about how much I enjoyed the performance. I should note that, unlike some of the other reviewers, I had extremely high expectations going into this show. I had been excited to see it since I saw the little clip on the 2012 Tony Awards. Were my expectations exceeded? Definitely. It's been a long time since I have been asked to view anything with a childlike wonder and imagination. That is really the only way to enjoy all this show has to offer. The cast also had that certain something. They had amazing chemistry and perfect comedic timing. We even saw the newest understudy for "Boy" and he was fantastic. The company really seemed to have fun on stage. We had great seats and it was easy to see that they were also trying to make each other laugh...which really just added to the overall fun, in my opinion. Also worth mentioning - the staff at New World Stages was extremely friendly compared to the staff at some of the larger and busier theaters. It was a refreshing change from the surprisingly rude ushers at the theater we visited the night before. We saw five shows that week and Peter and the Starcatcher was my favorite. Hands down. I was so disappointed to read that the show is closing in January and even more disappointed to know that we won't make it back to NY to see the show one last time before then. My advice? If you have the opportunity to see the show before it closes...do it. Well, unless you have absolutely no imagination and you don't like fun. If that's the case, this is not the show for you. read more

Peter Pan holds a special place in my heart. From the original story, to the movie Hook, and even the newer adaption in 2003, I saw and read them all. So I was pretty excited when my friend got tickets to this show. I didn't really get the story line until 10 minutes into the show. But afterward the momentum took off. It was simple too fun not to like. All the actors were hilarious! Of all the version of Peter Pan, not one made me laugh this much. Like other reviewers had said the play explains a bit about Peter and how he came to be the person he is. Also, I am impressed with how the simple props were used. Never would I thought to use a rubber glove as a bird. Guess I have a new toy for my little cousins. read more

::kicks self for not writing this review weeks ago:: I preface this review with the fact that I am a very picky theatre reviewer. I know what I like and I know what I don't like, and this show came with a slew of positives and just a couple things that I'd change. I was super excited to see something this inventive on the Broadway stage! The lack of large intricate or sophisticated set pieces and the reliance on very simple creative age old story telling techniques was truly refreshing. Who knew that a simple rope could be used to convey a small holding cabin, steps, ships, and many other things? The brilliant director, duh. The script was poetic and beautiful! However, sometimes the dialogue seemed to move too fast to keep track of exactly what was going on or what was being said - particularly in the first act where the stage was much darker. Things seemed to become much clearer in the second act - which was opened in a totally fun and creative fashion! I loved how involved the entire cast was throughout the duration of the production. This wasn't a show where one cast member makes a grand entrance and then is excused while the supporting cast does the work. Instead, every cast member is involved in nearly every part of the production. It was reminiscent of Greek theatre that utilized a chorus of actors to tell the story. All of the above can be summed up to say that the structure of the play was unique and elaborate, while the direction was some of the best I have ever seen. Those actors worked so closely with one another that they truly were a team. There was no weak link and everyone wore multiple hats. My negative? Hopefully it's been addressed. Besides the sometimes overly fast lost language in some of the first act, the other thing concerned one of the actors in a main role who spent most of the show delivering a fantastic performance. However, when it was his time to steel the spotlight the whole thing just went on a little bit too long and the writing sometimes made the actor look like he was reaching too far for laughs that may or may not have been there. However, the performance I saw was a while ago so I'm almost certain this has been taken care of. Apart from that off bit at the end, this actor gave a superb performance over all. I'd definitely recommend the show for kids and adults. The beginning might be too wordy for very small kids who I think would lose interest. However, the second act is so extremely different in comparison that if your kid has a hard time with act one, stick it out for act two! read more

Like most people I really had no clue what to expect going into the play. I took my wife here and this was our first play as we usually migrate towards musicals. I will say it was difficult to get into at first if you are used to big marquee musicals. After intermission it was really easy to follow along for whatever reason but I had to get mine right to be a bit more creative and your brain as to remain on. The story line gives you reasoning as to why Peter Pan doesn't want to grow up, hesitant of grown ups, how he got to Neverland, why he named it Neverland, how hook lost his arms, how Tink came about, etc. I will say Hook took the show and added much needed comic relief. We got tickets half off at TXTS and had pretty solid seats in general. Just off the stage but to the left of center. I am really happy I went and looking forward to trying out more plays soon. read more

I loved this show. Fun for the parents, (or extra cool aunts) and the kids! There are none of the special effects and flying contraptions used on Broadways more expensive productions and it's not necessary. The talented cast do much more with what little props they use than what Hollywood can do with all the CGI it can muster. I loved that your imagination was being put to use and Black Stache is the most likable villain ever! Thank you to Yelp's very own Jane for the tickets, I love Broadway and I loved this Broadway play! read more

A friend raved about Peter and the Starcatcher, and I love the story of Peter Pan, so I bought the cheapest tickets I could find, thinking why not give it a try? This was a good decision, as it is a small theater so there's not a bad seat in the house. We were at the center aisle in the second-to-last row, so I could see everything. Bravo. The story is a dialogue-driven prequel to Peter Pan. How did Hook lose his hand? How did Peter become enchanted to stay a boy forever? How'd he even end up in Neverland? The show aims to answer all these questions, while entertaining the audience with very creative use of props, ropes, ladders, and lights. However, it never takes itself too seriously and almost mocks its low budget (yet visually acceptable) setting. One example is when Peter encounters a little canary. The "bird" in this case is the yellow rubber glove on an actor's hand, flapping away. However, it is funny to see the actor doing this, and it does create an illusion of a bird. The actors were all acceptable, with Christian Borle (Black Stache) stealing the show with his Tim Curry-esque over the top portrayal of the silly villain. Peter, as a character, is solemn, joyless, and not particularly likeable. He did not have the typical heroic morality, the personality, or the humor to win me over. Watching him was kind of just sad, and it isn't til the very very end of the show where he gains the tiniest bit of cockiness that subsequent Peters embrace. Overall, I giggled a few times, but I found the play to not be THAT funny. It leaned more towards "Broadway funny", if you know what I mean. I caught most of the puns, I liked how they dropped random Italian restaurant words into the dialogue (IE: the native islanders chanting Manicotti and Montepulciano), the Mermaid scene was brilliant, and the physical comedy was top notch. You can really admire the hard work, effort, and technique. But the jokes tried a little too hard, and while the audience was in stitches when Stache lost his hand, I was looking at my watch wondering when the moment would end. It was like watching Family Guy where they just drag the joke on too long. I appreciated all the detail work that went into executing this play, but I just didn't love it. read more

If you were a theatre major in college or know a lot of play writing jargon, with a love of slap stick and young boyish humor, This is the show for you. I get the concept. But I dont think others appreciated it. It was like a huge inside joke for people who are majorly involved in theatre and spotted all the theatre jokes. I caught some of them and i thought they were really witty. If i could rewrite the show, I would make it about the Black Stache and Not about the boy with no name. The story line around "Peter" and "Molly" was weak. But the real star of the show was the Black Stache. If this is still open for revision, making this about the Black stache prequel would probably be more effective. I did think the dialogue was witty but in scenes without the black stache, the cast literally had to resort to "fart" humor for me to have a laugh. I probably wouldnt see this again, but I did enjoy the laughs. and the free cookies. read more

Wonderful play! I saw it twice and have to admit that I only truly enjoyed it when I came for the second time. The play is very face paced and wordy, so I couldn't get all of it in the first time. Nevertheless, it's a great play, written so beautifully and lots and lots of comical elements I couldn't stop laughing and crying! It's not on broadway anymore but it will come back off broadway and the original cast will go on national tour soon. So make sure you catch it while it's around! read more

Mustaches are damn sexy... I kid, I kid, or do I? This was a great example of Avant Guard theatre. It has a lovely narrative and a use of found items. When planning our trip to New York I was debating between Newsies (give me a break, I am a child of Christian Bale in the 90's) and Peter and the Starcatcher- this was 100% the correct choice. This holds a nice balance between high and low comedy that makes it very appealing. i would argue it is not good for children because despite the fact it is about Peter Pan following the backstory might be difficult and the jokes would be a bit out of their league. I don't know if it was the producer's intent, but the play seemed to hold the humor of Brecht without all that nasty angst. i was particularly excited by the cross-dressing in the show- after all who doesn't love a man playing a woman while making no attempt to hide he is a man. The casting was lovely and I bought into their world completely. I only had three complaints about the show: 1. the line for the women's restroom (I only have two points in life where I wish i were a man- when i get a paycheck and when I have to wait to use the restroom) 2. They should be more forthright about the fact you can get a cool fancy cup with a beer, not only rum and water. 3. I now want to do this show painfully bad, but what high school theatre program can afford to do a show with 13 boys and 1 girl.... read more

Peter and the Star Catcher is a prequel to Peter Pan and how he became the boy who never grew up. Similar to the other reviewers, while we wanted to fall in love with Peter and Molly...but it was really Black Stache (Christian Borle) who was hilarious in both his delivery and one liners that kept the play moving along. I also really enjoyed the changing of the scenes and how they could reflect the different sets with just rope and movement. If I could make a small complaint...and maybe it's just my "old" self but I couldn't catch some of the lines because the actors delivered it so quickly...but obviously that's just me because the rest of the theater laughed like it was the funniest thing in the world. I would definitely want to go back with my friends and family and recommend it for little kids and us big kids as well. Thank you Jane and Yelp for the wonderful seats for me and my husband. We always yelp night our date nights! read more

Wonderful, off-beat play. Prior to attending, the only thing I learned about the show was that it was a revisionist backstory for how Peter Pan became Peter Pan. It was a bit difficult to catch the storyline the first 10 minutes or so, but once I did I enjoyed it very well. I liked the point and counterpoint of a sad orphan story and a rollicking pirate tale. Staging and plot required the small number of actors to be really en pointe and do their jobs well. Loved the novel use of props (particularly a rope) to aid in telling the story. Also, very apt use of the "breaking the fourth wall" device to engage the audience and add humor. The actor playing Blackstache was amazing, and Smee was, too. Molly was cute and chipper, but seemed to have trouble keeping her accent on. Once caught up in the play, I didn't notice much, so it was fine. Minuses: sometimes, the actors just spoke too quickly. I and others seated close to me were puzzled because we missed words/phrases here and there. Disappointing because I want the full impact of every word said onstage. Also, I wouldn't recommend this for an audience member looking for a traditional B'way experience. It might be considered by some to be avant garde and furthermore it seemed to be above some of the older folks' heads. read more

Even though there are no high flying characters and a variety of attractive scene changes...with just a rope it somehow works! I took my friend as a birthday gift, to her first Broadway show. Luckily, she approved. I love Captain Black Stache; HILARIOUS. I just wanted to jump on the stage and kiss him. read more

I actually really enjoyed this show - it is good for all ages, cleverly written, and well acted. the night we went 2 of the main characters were performed by understudies but they did a fantastic job. cant imagine the main actors doing any better. the set is very simplistic and it is a lot about using your imagination with the help of the cast. i found myself laughing quite often and thought the time went by quickly. made me want to go home and watch hook and peter pan again since it has been decades (sheesh). would recommend! read more

I enjoyed Peter and the Starcatcher. My sister and her friend recommended I see it while in NYC. If you have a child-like spirit, you will probably enjoy the play, otherwise you might think it's dumb. The story is about why Peter Pan is the way he is. I thought it was entertaining and clever, and the scenery for certain parts of the play were stunning. I don't know if kids would enjoy the play because much of the dialogue could go over their heads. The play also requires some imagination. Blackstache was the star of the show and was probably the most engaging character, but the rest of the cast did a great job too. See Peter and the Starcatcher if you can appreciate a cute story and can somehow relate to the desire of wanting to stay young and free forever. read more

Inventive, creative, and charming are three adjectives I'd use to describe the new Broadway show Peter & The Starcatcher. Peter and The Starcatcher is the story of Peter Pan - following his journey as an orphan along the Neverland Ship. The cast is able to creatively and innovatively use the small stage in ways that allow the audience to feel as if they are in the scene with the actors. For instance, a simple rope served as crashing waves in the sea, a small cellar room, stairs, etc; This, along with sound effects and superb lighting all added to the pleasant ambiance of the play. As for the storyline, I do agree with several other Yelpers that the 2nd half was definitely more lively and interesting than the 1st half (in fact, the 2nd half opens up with QUITE the hilarious scene - gotta watch it to understand!). And while the main characters are supposedly Molly and Peter, it is most definitely Black Stache that steals the show...or steers the boat (teehee). However, I do have to give credit to the rest of the cast as they were all able to showcase their own distinct characters and little quirks that made them memorable. Peter & The Starcatcher had its' slow moments, but a stellar cast, well-placed jokes (many of which I do agree were surface jokes, with a few belly-achers sprinkled in between), and inventive stage usage made for quite an entertaining show. Moreover, the Brooks Atkinson Theater is gorgeous - love the ornate golden pineapple on top of the stage, which incidentally played somewhat of a cameo in the play itself. FYI, the mezzanine seating was a little cramped, even for a petite girl like myself. Thank you Yelp, as always for a fantastic time and a smooth entrance! The free cookies didn't hurt either ;) read more

Simply an outstandingly fantastic show. When I heard it was closing soon I decided to treat myself to a show. I got the cheapest seats in the house being on a budget. They were still $80, a price so high I failed to convince anyone to join me and ended up going solo. Still, the show was so great I didn't care a bit. The theater is small enough that even the worst seats in the house don't have a terrible view of the action. By the second act I was completely engaged, the strong cast having broken though to a comic gold mine. The acting was great across the board though I did lose some lines of dialogue here or there. I love the story of Peter Pan and this fanciful origin tale gives a wonderful new perspective on the childhood classic. There's a lot of silly humor here for adults and children alike, with some slapstick moments going on nigh intolerably long. Of course you can't escape how much of the show's magic is brought by the tech. Two musicians provide a perfect amount of music and sound design while a ingenious combination of lighting, simple props, and beautifully spartan sets bring the action to life. Add in some fun little musical numbers here and there and it adds up to quite a perfect night. There isn't much time left so go see it now! read more

My review is very late ... I actually saw this some time ago when it was still on Broadway. I can't say enough good things about this play. it is so SMART and so ENTERTAINING. Brilliant stripped-down non-staging type of staging :). It works. I wish I could see more Broadway shows as good as this one. It's a great time at the theater. read more

Bought the tickets to this show without knowing what to expect, but ended up having a great time. It's an interesting and hilarious take on the story of Peter Pan, Neverland and whole lot. Good cast, solid main characters as well as some great stolen scenes from supporting ones. Creative sets, particularly Neverland reminded me of Where the Wild Things Are. The show had lots of fun and silliness mixed in with a few and appropriate quiet moments. You can see some inspirations coming from Monty Python and Who's Line is it Anyway and as well as big doses of street theater. No high-tech special effects here, but still works great with the vision of the show. No mics used as well - their projection is awesome, no mean feat as it's a big theater - so what you hear is their actual bare naked voices. In summary, it's a great show all in all. And you'll enjoy it, if you're looking for something light and silly. read more

Pathetic writing. When is a male actor acting like a gay man dressed like a women not going to be, in and of itself, funny anymore? How many years does it take? These cardboard characters stepped out of character to poke fun at their character and mouth sophomoric "insider jokes" so many times there was no longer a character to step back into. You could practically smell their struggle to hold on to anything other than swagger. Swagger and sweat don't make a character and can't fix a script that must have been penned by a bunch of guys at a party where there was too much to drink. Seems like you can't write a play or musical now without it mimicking a TV "idol" type show with the audience playing the part of judge. I am waiting for ushers to hand out signs with numbers on them that we can hold up to express our approval (or disapproval) of the inane jokes. Are we having fun yet?? The stage craft however was brilliant and the only piece of true make-believe in an otherwise embarrassing production. I am sure there is something else to do with your money than to spend it on this show. Some of the homeless on Broadway could use a few hundred bucks. They might make better use of it. read more