The South Arkansas Arts Center is taking to the high seas with their fall production of “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
“Peter and the Starcatcher” tells the origin story of Peter Pan and other characters from J.M. Barrie’s classic novels, including Tinkerbell, Hook and Mrs. Darling. Audiences will learn how Peter became the boy who would not grow up.
With several musical numbers, anachronistic jokes and fourth-wall breaks, co-director Mike Means said the play has fun for both children and adults.
“I’ve been telling everybody, think in terms of Monty Python meets Peter Pan,” Means said.
The play follows Molly Aster, apprentice starcatcher, as she voyages to the island of Rundoon. She and her father, Lord Aster, a full fledged starcatcher, are on a secret mission for Queen Victoria to deliver collected starstuff to a volcano to be destroyed so that it cannot get into the wrong hands. Starstuff has the ability to make one’s wildest dreams come true, so throughout their voyage, various villains attempt to steal the starstuff.
The play twists and turns, gradually revealing how the major characters grew into the familiar figures they are known as today. Means said the show will hinge on the audience’s imagination as well as their sense of humor.
“The cast is great, fantastic. Everybody’s really into it,” Means said. He said he and co-director Bill Meyer have made a good comedic team together.
In preparation for the production, SAAC has planned several promotions. Outside of SAAC, one can see a crow’s nest peeking above the foliage, with a jolly roger flag flying ominously above.
Additionally, Murphy-Pitard Jewelers is currently selling raffle tickets to enter a drawing to win a necklace designed and built by Murphy-Pitard jewelers Amanda Pitard and Manuel Rodriguez. The necklace is 14-karat white gold and Y-shaped, with four round brilliant cut diamonds, 10 tapered baguette diamonds forming stars and two marquise cut sapphires, valued at over $3,000. Raffle tickets can be purchased from Murphy-Pitard Jewelers for $20 and the raffle will take place on November 6.
Over Musicfest Weekend, starting on October 18, the Downtown Business Association will partner with SAAC to host a treasure hunt. The prize will consist of everything needed for a family night out, said Colleen Means, lighting designer and a marketer for the production. It will include a $50 gift certificate to Main Street Pizza, coins to The Creamery and four tickets to “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
Businesses downtown will have treasure maps that participants can pick up. The treasure hunt will require participants to have their map stamped at least 12 times at different participating locations. The hunt will continue through October 30, with the drawing to be held the following day, Halloween.
Maps and stamps can be picked up at All About Flowers, Mina Raes, Spa On Main, Murphy-Pitard Jewelers, The Historical Society, The Pottery House, Olde Town Store, KaiSra, Taylor Jewelry, Martha’s on the Square, Latest Wrinkle, Coles Jewelry, Mister Tuxedo, Sports Alley, the Diamond Agency, Sydney Murphy Designs, Main Street Pizza, Backwoods Art and Frame, Shelly’s Shoes, Union Square Guest Quarters and Charlie’s Corner, said Rexayn Tribble, a DBA volunteer.
On October 28, SAAC will host a Buccaneer Brunch in the Price and Merkle Galleries from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. The menu will consist of ‘Starcatcher Egg Strata,’ ‘Peter Pan’s Pasta Salad,’ ‘Shrimp Scalawag’ and ‘Marauding Mimosas,’ amongst other dishes, according to a press release.
Children can also visit the Barton Library, where they can complete an activity sheet to be entered into a drawing for a Halloween costume. Children will have the opportunity to win a pirate costume designed by SAAC costumer Kaila Emery.
“So there’s these three chances to win, kind of floating around our whole pirate thing,” Colleen Means said.
“Peter and the Starcatcher” will run in the Callaway Theatre at SAAC starting November 1. It will run through November 6, with performances each night at 7:30 p.m., except Sunday, November 4, when they will hold a 2:30 p.m. matinee. T
For more information or to buy tickets, call the SAAC box office at 870-862-5474.
Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected].