Empty Space returns home with 'Peter and the Starcatcher'

It's only fitting that The Empty Space marks its return to its new home with a fantastic adventure.

Opening this weekend, "Peter and the Starcatcher" exists in the world before Peter Pan had a name and when Neverland was a ship rather than a home for Lost Boys.

Director Salvador Vidaurri said jumping into a tale about the most famous boy who never grows up was an exciting challenge.

"There are decades worth of debates on what his character represents and dozens of interpretations of his adventures," he wrote in an email. "It's a total honor to contribute to that never-ending discussion."

Overseeing this fantasy production by Rick Elice gave Vidaurri more creative freedom than other more traditional genres to mix and match and create his own visual spectacle.

Vidaurri previously directed a production of "Lost Girl," about Wendy's post-Neverland life, and he sees connections between the shows.

"It was heartbreaking, the way that Peter's adventures affected her despite the rose-colored glasses that the original story puts on the viewer," he wrote of "Girl." "But it's still important to raise the issues of 'growing up' and the sacrifices we have to make along the way. The sacrifices that Peter makes in this prequel remind me a lot of Wendy's own in 'Lost Girl' and how the world looks at you differently depending on if you're growing up as a boy or growing up as a girl."

In "Starcatcher," the unnamed boy who will become Peter (played by Carter Friedman) is shipped off with fellow orphans Prentiss (P.R. Beagle) and Ted (Jorge Morales) headed to a distant island. Also on board are Lord Leonard Aster (Matthew Borton) and his daughter, Molly (Sofie Fruguglietti), a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that a trunk stashed in the captain's cabin is filled with starstuff, "a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands."

Pirates, including the captain, Black Stache (Claire Rock) and first mate Smee (JuanCarlos Arellano), take over the ship to claim the treasure as their own.

The cast also includes Andrea Vega, Victoria Olmos, Auria Shamblin, Edgar Moreno, Diego Alfaro, Selah Gradowitz, Elizabeth Hanel, Mathieu Hill and Payton Jones, and shadow puppeteers Isla Friedman, Ris Garcia and Gabby Bridges.

Vidaurri said assistant director Connor Putman's contributions were a major boon in the rehearsal process.

"He caught things that slipped through the cracks, he was a second set of eyes on the show's many elements — I think every artist with lofty ideas needs a person like Connor on their team. The potential increases, the possibilities become more focused, and the collaboration dramatically benefits the production."

Also opening with the show is the art exhibit and boutique "Starstuff." Featuring replicated pieces from gallery curator Jesus Fidel's portfolio as well as handmade items and jewelry from the theater's financial director Kristina Saldaña and communications director Claire Rock, the display opens a half-hour before showtime.

Vidaurri said he is honored to help welcome audiences back to the Woodmere Drive venue, which the theater moved to in January 2023. After two productions on site, the theater had to relocate shows while performing previously undisclosed needed repairs to the building.

"The Empty Space was one of the places where I cut my teeth within the theatre community. I've seen it change so much since my first show here, and I know dozens of other folk who can say the same. I might be feeling the pressure being in this position, but I'm also feeling incredibly supported by the team."

After producing three shows at other locations, Saldaña said the theater board is happy to be back in its new home to stay.

She wrote in an email, "We are all so relieved and thankful that our doors are back open! The public's support was incredible and we're grateful for their understanding and encouragement while we navigated the complicated bureaucratic tape."

Although there are no plans for an official celebration for what the team calls its "grand re-re-re-opening," Saldaña said they hope everyone will simply come out to enjoy a play.

"Our current plans to celebrate are to sleep 8 hours a night again," she wrote.