Peter and the Starcatcher is an exhilarating and rollicking adventure and it’s playing now through October 26th at the Commonweal Theatre in historic Lanesboro. Currently celebrating its 31st Season providing high quality professional live theatre to SE Minnesota, the Commonweal is pleased to announce the third of five mainstage productions for 2019. Reservations can be made by phoning the theatre box office at (800) 657-7025 or tickets may also be reserved and purchased online at www.CommonwealTheatre.org.
Adapted by Rick Elice from the 2004 children’s novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, the play tells the story of how a nameless, angst-ridden orphan became the immortal Peter Pan. Told with plenty of humor and magical theatricality (more than 100 characters are portrayed), Peter and the Starcatcher creates a new history for the “Boy Who Would Not Grow Up.”
At the production’s helm as director is Commonweal Executive Director Hal Cropp. “Peter and the Starcatcher is an amazing and witty homage to some of my favorite creative experiences growing up,” says Cropp. “Pirates, desert islands, and magical treasures have stoked my imagination from my formative years and marrying them to a smart, sly telling of the beginnings of a mythical figure’s origin story, I believe, makes for a theatre experience that audiences of all ages will find wonderfully delightful.”
Commonweal resident ensemble members in the cast include Lizzy Andretta, Ben Gorman, David Hennessey, Rachel Kuhnle, Josiah Laubenstein, Eric Lee, Philip Muehe, and Jeremy van Meter. Rounding out the cast are all three acting apprentice class members for the 2019-20 season. That group includes Matthew Donahue, Alicia Ehleringer, and Caroline Hawthorne.
Lacey Szerlip serves as the production stage manager and along with Production Manager Thomas White leads the creative team consisting of designers Justin Hooper (set), Dietrich Poppen (lights), Annie Cady (costumes), Stela Burdt and Kelsey Heathcote (sound) and Brandt Roberts (props).
Thanks to the generous support from F&M Community Bank special weekday matinee performances are available for school groups at only $5 per person, which includes a set of enhancement notes, video materials, a pre-show classroom workshop, and a post-performance discussion with the actors.
Funding for Commonweal Theatre’s programming is provided in part by a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, through an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature, a grant from the McKnight Foundation, Mayo Clinic as well as private funders. All performances are at the Commonweal Theatre, 208 Parkway Avenue North, in downtown Lanesboro. Ticket prices are $35 with discounts available for seniors, students, and groups of 10 or more. Employees and residents of Fillmore and Houston Counties are offered free admission to the Pay It Forward preview performance on Thursday, July 18. For ticket reservations or information about any Commonweal events or programs, call (800)657-7025 or (507)467-2525 or visit www.CommonwealTheatre.org.