‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ Finds Home at Brooks Atkinson Theatre in March

“Peter and the Starcatcher,” the new play that is a prequel to the Peter Pan story, will make its Broadway debut March 28 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. After a run of preview performances, the official opening will be held April 15.

Based on a book by Ridley Pearson and humor columnist Dave Barry, the stage adaptation was written by Tony Award winner Rick Elice, known for his work on “Jersey Boys” and “The Addams Family.” It was first performed at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in 2009, and had an off-Broadway run during the early months of 2011. It will now join “Memphis” and “Jersey Boys” as the three plays currently running on Broadway that debuted at the La Jolla Playhouse.

The play, staged with 12 actors who play around 50 different parts, and forces the audience to use imagination to help create the world of Neverland in the theater. It tells the story of how a young orphan would eventually become Peter Pan.

Though no casting has yet been announced, the off-Broadway version featured Tony nominees Christian Borle (“Smash”) and Celia Keenan-Bolger (“25th Annual Putman County Spelling Bee”) along with Adam Chanler-Berat as Peter.

The work is commissioned by Disney Theatrical Productions, but is not labeled as a musical. It does, however, include a number of songs by Wayne Barker.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” will be co-directed by Roger Rees (currently starring in “The Addams Family) and Alex Timbers, who also directed “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. The movement for the production was created by Tony Award nominee Stephen Hoggett, known for his work on “American Idiot” and “Black Watch.” The set was designed by Donyale Werel, also a Tony nominee who designed the set for “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.” Costume design is by Paloma Young, lighting design is by Jeff Croiter, sound design is by Darron L. West and musical direction is by Marco Paguia.