Catch 'Peter and the Starcatcher' At Holmdel's Duncan Smith Theater

HOLMDEL, NJ — The Holmdel Theater Company presents "Peter and the Starcatcher," beginning its run this weekend.

The company's new stage production explores the origins of “The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up” - Peter Pan.

And you can be part of the journey at The Duncan Smith Theater in Holmdel, a 125-year-old barn that is now a modern facility with 99 cushioned seats, the company says.

It's an intimate space where audiences can really connect with the performers - and artists can experiment with new modes of performance amid creative staging possibilities.

The themes that inspire the Tony Award-winning play are enduring.

The play follows the journey of an orphaned boy named Peter, who embarks on a voyage aboard the Neverland. Along the way it considers themes of friendship, bravery, and the power of believing in oneself, the company says.

The play by Rick Elice is based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. The production is directed by Kirk White of Scotch Plains and co-produced by Laurie Devino and Jessica Randell, both of Monmouth County.

It will run weekends from Friday, April 12 to Sunday, April 21 (April 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21). Tickets are now available for the show here. Prices are $25 for students, $28 for seniors, $30 for adults. Times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays.

White previously directed "The Outsiders," which played a sold-out run at Holmdel Theatre Company.

“Directing this play has been a thrilling journey into the heart of storytelling. I’m excited to bring this beloved show to life on stage where audiences can experience the magic of Neverland in a whole new way,” White said.

The Holmdel Theatre Company production features John Davis as Peter and Tori Dillon as Molly.

The company includes over a dozen actors, including Grace Ahlin, Lisa Catalfamo, James Fogerty, Jessica Freeland, Randy Hurst, Jessica Junqua, Stefanie Karis, Stephanie Long, Jesse Luciani, Alanna Monte, Jessica Randell, Aaron Ratzan, Anya Tumbleson, and Maggie White, according to information from the Holmdel Theater Company.

And the play resonated with director White:

"We are definitely living in a post-Barbie world now. As a father of twins who are 11 going on 18, the theme of children having to 'grow up' and take on responsibilities before they are fully emotionally equipped to do so is something I have been thinking about lately.

"The characters of Molly and The Boy represent both sides of that coin. Molly believes she is ready to grow up - she wants to enter the world of adult responsibility and duty. The Boy has been unfairly yanked out of his childhood into deeper/heavier burdens and desperately wants to remain a child," White said.

Holmdel Theatre Company at the Duncan Smith Theater is a nonprofit, semi-professional theatre presenting fresh interpretations of classic plays, as well as rarely presented modern dramas and comedies. It also presents Broadway at the Barn nights cabaret and also readings of new plays, the organization says.

And the nonprofit theater company also provides opportunities for students and non-professionals to work with professional theatre artists in a collaborative, artistic and educational exchange, it says.

The show originally premiered Off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop, where it extended its run twice. It went on to receive nine Tony Award nominations, winning Best Costume Design (Paloma H. Young), Best Lighting Design (Jeff Croiter), Best Sound Design (Darron L. West), Best Scenic Design (Donyale Werle) and Best Featured Actor (Christian Borle).