Peter and the Starcatcher hits Broadway!

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 11:33pm

The biggest fear with this show was that all the magic down at NYTW would be lost in a bigger house. Every drop that made this show so special made the trek uptown and then some.

A gorgeous false proscenium helps make the stage seem smaller than it is and gives a sort of show within in show/music hall quality that makes the Brooks Atkinson seem like the perfect home for this gem.

If possible Christian Borle has gotten even better and when he asked the audience to clap if they believed, I knew he could ride the wave of applause all the way to the Tonys. Truly he's that good.

Celia is also just so winning. In the hands of a less-talented actress the role could become shrill, obnoxious or too precious. Instead she is endearing and likable and she got a lot of love from the audience.

The other title character is the least exciting of the three leading roles, but Adam Chanler-Berat has some nice moments, especially in act two. He does have great chemistry with Celia.

The rest of the cast members handle multiple roles with panache and comic flair. Such a well-oiled machine.

The real stars of the show are Roger Rees and Alex Timbers. Their joint direction is just what this subject material needs; it's creative and full of stage magic. They have given Broadway a treat and I hope everyone goes and enjoys.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 11:38pm

Whizzer,

I found it a crashing bore off-Broadway.

Was that boredom likewise transferrred uptown?

[macnyc]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 11:38pm

Thanks for the review! I'm going on Saturday, and I can't wait.

[willep]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 11:52pm

Haha you would, After Eight.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/28/12 at 11:55pm

Dear After Eight,

We clearly don't have similar taste in shows, but I don't understand how someone could be bored or not enjoy a piece like this. Much of it is a love letter to theater and especially stage craft. Sorry you didn't like it, but you don't seem to like too much anyway so I don't know why it surprises me you didn't care for this either.

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:00am

Whizzer,

I guess what I would really like to know is, is it in any appreciable way changed from what was presented off-Broadway?

Thanks.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:06am

No it has not changed much. The sets, costumes, staging and the script were the same as far as I could remember.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:10am

This is so good to hear. I loved this show when I saw it downtown and was worried something would be lost in the move to a larger space. Glad to hear that isn't the case. I hope it catches on with Broadway audience. Ticket sales appear to be a bit sluggish right now, but hopefully the reviews will help.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:17am

I have the same fears about ticket sales, but I think word of mouth will be positive and if Brantley raves again I hope it will drum up some business.

[bwayfan7000]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:20am

I'm so thrilled to hear that if I finally get to see this show after missing it at NYTW, it will be in a version just as magical as the last.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:24am

"I have the same fears about ticket sales, but I think word of mouth will be positive and if Brantley raves again I hope it will drum up some business."

I guess that will depend if he has it in him to rave for TWO new Disney shows.

[CukorLover]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:30am

I personally would pick the Starcatcher over the Newsboy if given my druthers.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:32am

If it didn't originate before the 70s and done exactly as it was originally, After Eight won't like it.

[WhizzerMarvin]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:48am

CukorLover- I don't think Brantley is going to give one of his gushfests to Newsies, if he even reviews it. Who reviewed it at Papermill?

Kad- ha, I'm well aware After Eight hasn't seemed to like anything in several decades time. Luckily his sour attitude doesn't affect my enjoyment of theater in the least!

[Kad]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 12:59am

Isherwood did, I believe?

Anyway, I'm gonna try to lotto this on Sunday, probably. I really am excited to see it- I had to miss it downtown, I love the actors involved, as well as Alex Timbers.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 5:25am

I, too, missed this downtown. I have tix for mid-April and I'm terribly excited.

Thanks for the exciting review, Whiz!

[After Eight]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 7:32am

"Luckily his sour attitude doesn't affect my enjoyment of theater in the least!"

I'm very glad to hear that. It would depress me royally if it did.

But the truth is, nobody who loves shows like Any Wednesday, Forty Carats, or to be relevent to this thread, Peter Pan, can be said to have a sour attitude. Just the opposite.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 7:40am

I saw this twice at NYTW and this was my favorite theatrical "thing" in years. I'm planning on going again very soon.

[holdyourbatboy]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 8:06am

Wow. Loved the show last night. The set fits so beautifully into the Brooks Atkinson. Show feels like the surprise hit of the season. And Christian Borle is out of this world.

So many moments of "theater magic" - cant stop thinking about it.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 1:02pm

It's less than halfway down the page, people.

https://forum.broadwayworld.com/readmessage.php?thread=1043482&boardname=&dt=6&boardid=1

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 3/29/12 at 7:00pm

Anybody tried the lottery yet? Big crowds?