'Starcatcher' soars

COEUR d'ALENE - Laura Little was praying for a strong review of "Peter and the Starcatcher."

Consider her prayers answered.

Reviews of the musical that opened on Broadway recently gave it a thumbs up, which is music to Little's ears - especially since she's the co-producer of the prequel to "Peter Pan."

"They're surfing the clouds at the Brooks Atkinson Theater, where "Peter and the Starcatcher" opened on Sunday night," wrote Ben Brantley of the New York Times in a review titled, "Effortless Flights of Fancy."

"And even inveterate fearers of flying are likely to find themselves following the folks onstage into altitudes where eagles get nosebleed."

Sounds good.

Brantley is not alone

Here's what a few others wrote:

• David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter:

"The production's ace is Christian Borle, whose gift for physical comedy allows him to express malevolence, cunning, clumsiness and clownish mischief through a body and face seemingly made of rubber."

• Matt Windman from AM New York

"Alex Timbers and Roger Rees' spirited production of Rick Elice's play is that rare kind of theatrical event that can appeal equally to kids - who will be captivated by the sentimental, action-packed plot - and adults - who will admire its imaginative theatricality."

• Melissa Rose Bernardo from Entertainment Weekly: "Unlike most shows about parentless children, this cleverly produced 'Peter Pan' prequel aims for the funny bone rather than the heartstrings."

Little, a Hayden Lake resident and former executive director of the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, said it's nerve-wracking waiting for reviews.

"You don't want a flop," she said.

She was relieved at the response.

"We pray for a really strong review because they can shut a theater down in two weeks," said Little, who was there for opening night along with numerous Hollywood stars.

"Certain critics can make or break a show with one bad review but we got lucky and the 'key' critics loved it," she said.

Little offered a few comments on why the show was well received.

"There are so many different types of humor used in this show that no matter what type of wit you lean toward, you will find something funny in it," she wrote. "The artistry is amazingly creative and dynamic yet incredibly simple. The show is a feast for the mind and many tear up at some of the soft moments in the show. It touches on so many emotions."

A comedy around Peter Pan is a solid bet because it's a character everyone knows, she said.

"Peter and the Starcatcher" explains how pixie dust became pixie dust, why Peter hates grown ups and how he learned to fly. It explains who the Lost Boys are and how Neverland came to be.

The good reviews can mean a longer run on Broadway, perhaps a Tony nomination and then a strong licensing life.

Little said Peter and the Starcatcher had more influence on her than she had on it.

The lead producers, general manager, the directors and the writers have been working on the show for five years so they had everything mostly dialed in before the co-producers came into the picture, she said.

Co-producers provide financial support, endorsement support and focus on marketing, she added.

She gave credit for "Peter and the Starcatcher's" success to the creative team and the actors.

"They are brilliant. Christian Borle's performance is so strong; therefore he is a huge factor as to why ticket sales are going so well. On a smaller scale, everyone that is in any way connected to the project gets credit for taking a risk on a show that is so unique to Broadway."

Little said her strength as a co-producer is surrounding herself with a good team. As well, she is always considering how to do things better.

"I never let my mind stop. I'm constantly thinking of the next best way to make things happen that need to happen," she said.

It helps, too, when she's involved in a project she truly believes in.

"That makes a big difference," Little said.

Little has been involved in theater since she was a child growing up in Carlsbad, Calif.

"I was not a strong actress," she said, chuckling.

As a teen, she joined her mother, a newspaper editor, at plays and would write reviews. She later worked with Christian Youth Theater.

Making things happen is what she does best. Little said a woman from North Idaho can successfully co-produce a Broadway show.

There is plenty of back and forth travel, but much can be done on Skype and email.

"Ten years ago, there was probably no way you could do this," she said.

There was plenty of support from home, too.

"It's amazing how may people from Coeur d'Alene go to New York," she said.