por Alex Owens<\/p>\n
The story of \u201cPeter Pan\u201d has hooked audiences for generations, but now the Helix High School Drama Department is giving La Mesa\u2019s theater-lovers a peak at how the boy who never grew up came to be that way.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeter and the Starcatcher,\u201d which runs April 24-27 at the Helix Mainstage Theater, was written in 2004 as a sort-of prequel to J.M. Barrie\u2019s classic 1904 play and provides backstories for characters like Peter, his trusty sidekick Tinker Bell and the seafarer who would become known as Captain Hook.<\/p>\n
Drama teacher Paul Reams, who is directing the production, said \u201cPeter and the Starcatcher\u201d is to the original \u201cPeter Pan\u201d what the hit musical \u201cWicked\u201d was to \u201cThe Wizard of Oz.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re both new versions of old stories and another look at a familiar property,\u201d Reams said.<\/p>\n
Besides being a new look at familiar characters, Reams said there were numerous reasons why the play is a good fit for the Highland Players.<\/p>\n
\u201cI like to do recent plays that have a versatile cast size and non-gender-specific roles,\u201d Reams said.<\/p>\n
Case in point: The title role of Peter will be played on alternative nights by a male and a female.<\/p>\n
\u201cNewer plays provide opportunities to do a lot of creative things with the production,\u201d Reams said. \u201cMost people haven\u2019t seen the show so they don\u2019t have preconceived notions of how it\u2019s supposed to be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Although the familiarity of the characters provides an entry path for audiences, Reams said the story takes place at a time before they\u2019ve truly become the versions of themselves known to theatergoers.<\/p>\n
For instance, Captain Hook is not yet Captain Hook, but an aspiring evil pirate known as \u201cBlack Stache.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso, this play explores the circumstances in Peter\u2019s life that make him want to be a boy forever,\u201d Reams said.<\/p>\n
For more information, check out bit.ly\/2v4YUZR<\/a>.<\/p>\n