Sauk show ‘humorous and fantastical’ – The Hillsdale Daily News

JONESVILLE – Limitless possibilities of imagination bring the next production to life as it opens for full capacity at The Sauk, starting Thursday.

Performances for “Peter and the Starcatcher” are at 8 p.m. Aug. 12-14 and Aug. 19-21 with matinees at 3 p.m. Aug. 15 and Aug. 22. All performances are at Sauk Theatre, 240 E. Chicago St., Jonesville. The Aug. 12 performance is a pay-what-you-can preview. Preview tickets are not sold in advance. The Aug. 19 performance is $5 senior night.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is sponsored by The Udder Side. Moore Insurance Services, Inc. is the 2021 orchestra sponsor.

Director Trinity Bird said the production provides a humorous, fantastical backstory for the beloved character of Peter Pan and his arch-nemesis Captain Hook. The play is scored, but it’s not a musical.

“It’s something for the entire family,” he said.

In this imaginative play, we meet a poor orphaned child on the high seas simply called Boy because, in the absence of a mother and a father, he was never given a name. His sad and lonely world is turned upside down when he meets Molly. The daughter of famous Starcatcher Lord Astor, the heroine is on a mission to save the world and protect a treasure trunk filled with magical star stuff from getting into the hands of evil and greedy pirate Black Stache. As they travel aboard the Neverland ship headed for a faraway land, Molly and Boy learn about love, friendship and forge an unbreakable bond.

Bird added that the characters all help narrate the story as they turn and talk to the audience and some have multiple roles.

Dylan Collier, for instance, plays Bill Slank and Hawking Clam. Collier, who has been in four other Sauk productions, said this is the most active show he’s been in.

“Changing from Slank to other things keeps me active,” he said. “It’s one of the funniest shows I’ve been a part of.”

Josh Lightner plays four characters: Grempkin, Fighting Prawn, Mack and Sánchez. Not only has he been in several Sauk shows, he has also been associated with theater in Jackson and Ann Arbor. He enjoys being involved with The Sauk and noted “the community here is fantastic.

“In this show I get to use funny voices and make funny noises,” he added.

Playing the part of Black Stache, Isaiah Brown said he’s never had this many lines before.

“It’s the most substantial role I’ve had,” Brown said. “It’s more complex, but it’s not purely antics.”

Other cast members include: Timothy Brayman as Smee, Esther Yokell as Molly, Noah Bryant as The Boy, Tim Favreau as Prentiss, Nathan Johnson as Lord Aster, Travis Blatchley as Mrs. Bumbrake, Mike Sutton as Captain Scott, Ty Rupert as Ted and John Kasper as Alf. Kristi Gautsche plays piano with Jacob Boswell on percussion.

While this production is directed by Bird, Gautsche provides the musical direction. Together, Bird and Gautsche are responsible for over 30 Sauk musicals including recent productions of “Beauty and the Beast,” “Mamma Mia,” “Titanic” and “Les Miserables.”

The design team includes Ron Boyle and Diane Langan (set), Meghan Bryant (costumes), Angela Forant (lighting), Tim Ambrose (sound) and Cyndi Baldermann (properties). Mandee Leigh Howard is the stage manager, Nick Zemaiduk is the scenic artist and Gay Shaw is the production’s vocal coach.

Bird said the production is one that speaks to adults and children alike, with lines they can each relate to, making it a light-hearted show for the entire family.

The Sauk 2021 season features three additional shows, beginning in September. 

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