Young actors shine in ‘Star Catcher’

The Pride Performing Arts theater hosted four showings of “Peter and the Star Catcher” as part of their summer repertory this past weekend on Aug. 9, 10, and 11.

Located in the rear of the building housing CoCo & Ro. on Main Street in downtown Sayville, Pride Performing Arts has been a new home for young actors after opening two years ago.

In this production of “Peter and the Star Catcher,” a prequel to the legend of Peter Pan and Neverland, the young cast, composed of actors as young as middle school, captured the sophisticated, and at times anachronistic, humor and mental agility of the play by Rick Elice.

The lead role of the orphan boy who is eventually bestowed the name of Peter was played by Landon Hedstrom, Bayport, who was equally doe-eyed and angry at his lot in life without parents.

“While at Pride preparing for the show, I felt like I was at home,” said Hedstrom. “There were many references to Peter Pan.”

The honor student was named this year’s student musical director for a show at James Wilson Young Middle School.

Younger brother, Luke, made his debut at Pride in this production and has been participating in NYSSMA for voice for the last three years. A bassist in his rock band, Thunderstorm, Luke, who played a fellow orphan in “Star Catcher,” set up key, comedic moments in the show.

“I learned more about improvisation. I feel that our director teaches acting differently and as a result, [I] learned a lot,” said Luke.

In the breakout role, Nicholas Cook-Coleman, who played Mrs. Bumbrake, had the patina of a Mrs. Doubtfire and the accompanying hilarity.

Cook-Coleman, an incoming freshman at Central Connecticut State University, said, “I would like to thank my sister Andreanna, for without her, I would never have had the courage and confidence it takes to play Mrs. B.”

Playing leading lady Molly Aster, Samantha Rampulla had perfect affectations as a well-to-do English girl.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better cast and show itself to be introduced into the Pride Performing Arts family. I’ve had so much fun doing the show and the experience has been so magical,” said Rampulla.

Director Phyllis Kaye said of the story and performances, “It was a fantastical, side-splitting show that has a new, hilarious surprise at each turn and leaves room for that feeling of childlike wonder.”