Pirates will invade Henderson State University’s Studio Theatre beginning April 12 as HSU Theatre and Opera Workshop combine efforts to present six performances of Peter and the Starcatcher. The Tony-award winning play by Rick Elice is based on a novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, with music by Wayne Baker.
Performances will be 7:30 p.m. on April 12, 13, 14, 16, and 17, and at 2:30 p.m. on April 15. A reception will follow the opening night performance.
A wildly theatrical play with music, Peter and the Starcatcher upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcher playfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty, and love.
Tickets are available at the HSU Theatre Box Office in Arkansas Hall from 1- 4 p.m. All seats are reserved. Admission is $12, or free with an HSU student ID, courtesy of the Student Activities Board.
For more information or reservations, call 230-5291, or e-mail theatre@hsu.edu. Credit and debit cards are now accepted.
The performance is recommended for the entire family.
The cast of Starcatcher includes Baleigh Almond of Hot Springs, Anna Brantley of White Hall, Aaron Burnside of Hot Springs, Wyatt Gunter of Sheridan, Adrian Hinojosa of Hot Springs, LaDarius Jamerson of Ft. Smith, Dakota Mansfield of Benton, Andrew McBride of Benton, Hannah Mims of Fouke, Cecil Nicholson of Clinton, Colin Perry of Texarkana, Jacey Russell of Morrilton, Nahum Sabay of Santiago, Chili, and Ayanna Williams of Lewisville.
The play is under the direction of Claudia A. Beach, director of theatre, with music direction by William Higgins, professor and chair, Department of Music. Reagan Hammonds of Benton is choreographer, and fight choreography is by Aaron Burnside of Hot Springs. Douglas Gilpin, professor of theatre, provides the scenic design, assisted by Joseph Kalinowski of Searcy.
William Henshaw, professor of theatre, is the costume designer and is assisted by Savannah Reynolds of Monticello. Jennings Johnson of Heber Springs serves as lighting designer. The stage manager is Nicholas Bius of Benton, assisted by Magee-Lee Preston of The Colony, Texas, who also serves as graphic designer.