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Peter and the Starcatcher: Books on STAGE

September 12, 2013 by Jennifer

2013-08-17 18.01.41

The kids and I took a great vacation to New York City last month, and a highlight for all of us was definitely seeing Peter and the Starcatcher. It begins on tour this month in Dallas, and visits Houston and San Antonio next, continuing throughout the South, West and Northeast in 2014, while it continues at the delightfully intimate venue of New World Stages in New York City.

The story is a prequel to Peter Pan, but it’s not a kids’ show. The show’s site recommends it for ages 10 and up, and I’d agree. My 9-year-old son enjoyed it as much as my 15-year-old daughter and I did, but he likes quick banter and subtle humor perhaps more than a typical kid of his age.

The show is truly like nothing I’ve ever seen. A cast of 12 plays 100 roles. The stage set is simple. The cast and the words — so much fast-paced dialogue — tell the story. This quick video conveys the feel of the show:

There’s humor and a great backstory about why Peter Pan is the boy who doesn’t want to grow up. Whether or not you have kids with you, I’d recommend you see this in New York City (the small venue is perfect). This could be especially enjoyable for teens or men (or women) who don’t like musicals.

My daughter read the Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson book Peter and the Starcatchers (yes, the book is plural, but the play is singular) years ago. I think she liked it, but said it was kind of complicated to follow. When I asked her if she thought Kyle (9) should read them, she said maybe in 5th or 6th grade. He’s got plenty of reading material on his shelf now, but I do think that I’ll recommend that he read them, especially since he enjoyed the play so very much. The long detailed books will keep him busy for a while if he likes them.

Have you seen the show? Have you read the books? Please leave a comment and let me know. I’d especially like to know how similar the stories really are if you’ve experienced both.

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Jennifer loves New York and Broadway. Check out her quick thoughts on all the shows she’s seen, and more on Newsies and the Blue Man Group, the other shows we caught on this trip, over at her personal blog Snapshot.

Filed Under: 12 and up, Books on Screen, Children's Books, Jennifer, Middle Grade Chapter Books

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Comments

  1. Melissa Mc says

    September 12, 2013 at 4:00 pm

    Let me alert you to another soon to be Books on Stage: Kate di Camillo’s book, Because of Winn Dixie, will be making it’s premier at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre (my husband’s theatre) in December. Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and John Tartaglia (Avenue Q) are the creative team, AR Rep, the production team. This household is SO EXCITED!!

    • Jennifer says

      September 12, 2013 at 5:00 pm

      Ooo–that is exciting! What a great crew. Hopefully it will make it to Broadway or on tour.

  2. Tonia says

    September 12, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    We love that series – listened to them all on audio CD a year or so ago. My dd loves them! Exciting to know there’s a stage adaptation.

    • Jennifer says

      September 12, 2013 at 10:29 pm

      Good to know. You should check out the touring schedule to see if it’s coming near you.

  3. Dawn says

    September 12, 2013 at 9:09 pm

    How cool– my son enjoyed those books, as well.

    And can I just say that your daughter is stinking adorable? Love her Newsies get-up. Her spirit comes through in her pictures so much!

    • Jennifer says

      September 12, 2013 at 10:34 pm

      I think Kyle will like the books for sure, so when he needs a new series, I’ll remind him to get it at his school library.

      The show is coming to DC by the way. . . . Highly recommended. You’d love it!

      Yes, we went by and purchased our tickets for Peter before we saw Newsies, so Amanda was decked out. I thought she looked cute too.

  4. rose says

    September 13, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    My kids love the Winn Dixie series. It’ll be cool to watch it n stage.

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