Peter and the Starcatcher - Yes/No??

[lenstersf]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 1:56pm

I'm mildly tempted to travel to the city to watch Borle's final performance in Peter and the Starcatcher on Saturday, but I just don't know if I'd enjoy it. Most reviews I've read are positive, but there are a good number that aren't...I'm not that into comedies. What are other plays or movies that are similar to the feel of the play? Does Borle's performance in and of itself warrant watching the play?

Thanks!

[Patash]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:04pm

If you don't particular enjoy comedy and if you don't appreciate an actor doing a totally "over the top" and very exaggerated performance then you might be wise to stay away. Personally I think it was fantastic.

There is a scene in which one of the Pirates says something like "The Crocodile is chewing up all the scenery" to which Borle repies, "not while I'm here". That pretty well sums it up. But it is the best scenery chewing I've seen in a long time.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:05pm

This is not a traditional comedy. Words that I would use to describe it are silly, hysterical, enchanting, and unexpected. I laughed out loud during this play, several times, and I rarely do so. And I mean LAUGHING. So hard that I couldn't breath at two moments of the play.

Borle's performance is so unique that I would say it is definitely worth it to see the magic that he works on stage. He is normally a figure that, by doing nothing, unwarrants comedic response. However, when transformed into the Blacke Stache, a simple adjustment in expression will have you choking on giggles.

It's incredibly unfortunate that he will be leaving the show this early in the run, but TV pays better. His replacement has a strong stache to fill. I'm very curious to see someone else's take on the role.

[dreaming]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:05pm

I loved it! I would say see it with Borle while you can! He's wonderful!

[newintown]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:10pm

Although many loved it, it felt like bad children's theatre to me - cutesy, faux-vulgar, safe - and everyone is showing so much effort, rather than effortlessness.

[mint0621]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:16pm

I loved it!!!! Borle was fantastic, entertaining & waaaay over the top--unforgettable performance, for sure.

[little_sally]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:21pm

It was my favorite production from last season so I definitely recommend it. At times it reminded me of The 39 Steps, which was another production I loved.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:28pm

Couldn't agree with newintown more. It was like eating too much cotton candy and getting sick. Only the cotton candy didn't taste so great to begin with.

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 2:34pm

I would see it again without Borle. That's how much I enjoyed it. The entire cast was wonderful.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 3:15pm

Put me on the side that loved it. In fact, bringing my kids to see it next week. While I wish they could have seen Borle, I'm hoping to be optimistic for his replacement.

Is it for everyone? No, what show is? It is campy, bawdy and child-like -- all in the best possible way.

I have to admit, I thought I was going to get away tear free --until I heard an 8 year old SOB behind me in the last minutes of the show. Then I lost it.

Hard to judge for someone else you don't know if they will like the show.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 3:28pm

Dramamama, you show such restraint given your feelings you outlined on the off-topic board!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 3:57pm

Lol! I do try to be helpful though! (At least this was ON topic!)

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 4:12pm

YES, YES, YES, YES and YES!

Borle is amazing, but the whole production was magical to these old eyes.

Spoiler: Near the end of the show when Molly runs back to give Peter a special goodbye, just as she did, a young boy (about 11) sitting in front of me said "KNEW IT!
Lump/throat.

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 04:12 PM

[mikem]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 4:40pm

I think the descriptions of the feel of the show that have been given to the show in this and other threads on this board are pretty accurate. If you don't think you'll like the show based on those descriptions, you're probably right.

[aaronb]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 5:41pm

I'm going to disagree with everybody and say no. I wrote a review here: http://scribicide.com/2012/05/09/peter-gets-his-name-starcatcher-drags-jm-barries-through-the-mud/

Updated On: 6/27/12 at 05:41 PM

[Gink]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 6:57pm

My daughter (13) and I adored it--we're going again even though we know Borle will be out. We loved it's simplicity and old-fashioned feel and we laughed throughout.

[lenstersf]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 7:39pm

Thanks for the replies...so I've decided against seeing it this weekend. I'd probably like it (at least a little), but not enough to make a trip just to see it. Maybe I'll watch it sans Borle sometime when I'm already in the city.

[Wishing Only Wounds]

Posted: 6/27/12 at 8:06pm

I saw it today- I won the lotto!- and was extremely impressed- even with all the overhype! I tend to go for more serious things but was absolutely enthralled by this piece!

Even though the OP isn't going, for others reading- I'd try to go before Borle leaves this Saturday.

[rja16]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 12:13am

Saw it tonight, made sure to get to it while Borle was still there, and it was incredible. I can't see many people being able to put on the performance Borle did, if you can SEE IT TOMORROW! Besides Borle, it was just such an incredible show that even if you can't make it while he's there, still see it

[After Eight]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 7:53am

Updated On: 6/30/12 at 07:53 AM

[After Eight]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 8:00am

No, no, no, no, no.

What should have been light and charming is leaden, and frankly, endless. Tortured and tortuous, it moves with the speed of a tortoise.

Borle worked like a demon, but the more he strained for effects, the less effective he was. What Cyril Ritchard could do with the raising of an eye, Borle couldn't do with his wild declaiming. But of course, he did the best he could with the material allotted him.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 8:35am

After Eight doesn't hold back, but that's pretty much how I felt too. Went with a friend who loved it, as I sat there miserable for 2.5 hours. It was excruciatingly long. Borle is chewing scenery and, in my opinion, doing nothing worthy of the highest award in Theatre. I know I'm in the minority there, but I think there are about 500 other men who could do exactly what he does.

The script is pathetic. It's a sad excuse for a play set up to showcase ingenuity and creativity. Except most of the jokes get stale after a while.

It truly depends on your taste in comedy. This was certainly not mine. From the ridiculous Ayn Rand joke (who wasn't even writing at the time this play takes place) to the "milkshake brings all the boys to the yard" joke...it's just not my type.

A lot of people out there like it. And I can understand why. But for me, it was like being tortured.

SPOILER: Why does Peter keep asking why Molly kissed him if he spends the first 20 minutes of PETER PAN not knowing what a kiss is?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 9:25am

I think that's called artistic license.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 9:26am

I decided to grab a ticket for todays 2pm show.

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 6/30/12 at 10:21am

btw if anyone is looking for tickets today, use the code PETER1 on ticketmaster. I got a very good orchestra seat for 75. I normally don't like to spend that much on a show but I splurged a little bit today since I missed the fact that Borle was leaving today and I hadn't gotten a chance to see the show yet.