The Italian premiere of Rick Elice's acclaimed play "Peter and the Starcatcher" is currently being performed at Teatro Arciliuto, located inside Palazzo Chiovenda, an ancient sixteenth-century residence in Piazza di Montevecchio. This production marks the first time the acclaimed show, which enjoyed a successful Broadway run in 2012 and won five Tony Awards, has been presented in Italy.
Opening on June 20th and running until June 29th, this production is the result of a new summer partnership between the University of Louisiana Performing Arts Department and The English Theatre of Rome (ETR) with the help of The American University of Rome (AUR) and its students; initial performances have been met with overwhelmingly enthusiastic audiences and much positive press - a fitting reward for the hard work that has gone into staging the production.
Launched by ETR with the line "Shroud the hemp, jigger the fuddocks, and set sail with ETR in this grown-up prequel to the tale of the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up," AUR has played a pivotal role in bringing this amazing production to life. Students involved in the project are enrolled in AUR's summer "Making Theatre" practicum course, taught by professors Carl Granieri and Marty Aikens and the course has been instrumental in the production's development, from construction to final performance. Notably, AUR English student Mia Gallinat has contributed significantly to the technical and design aspects, working on carpentry, scenic construction, painting, and designing the shadow puppets featured in the show, while AUR film student Sofia Brushtein (undertaking a professional internship with ETR), serves as an Assistant Stage Manager for the production. AUR alumna Alexis Apple stars as "Molly," arguably the play's protagonist, and a host of other AUR students, including members of the AUR Dramatic Arts Club, have also contributed to the production in various capacities.
The performance came together thanks to the whole cast, often portraying multiple characters and moving in and out of their roles to narrate the story with fast-paced, snappy dialogue. The team also had the extra pressure of becoming inanimate in the performance, becoming part of the set itself at times. Perhaps the most memorable transformation was when a group of actors, equipped with only two green rake heads and the handlebar of an old bike, became the famous crocodile from Neverland.
The Italian Insider, 22 June, 2024
This collaboration not only showcases the talents of AUR students but also highlights the university's commitment to providing hands-on, practical experiences that enrich academic learning and foster international cultural exchange.
Details of the show, including performance schedules and ticket information, can be found on the ETR website.