'Peter and the Starcatcher' To Fly Onto Broadway; EPAs Start Feb. 2

"Peter and the Starcatcher," Rick Elice's play about the Peter Pan legend based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson's novel, will fly onto Broadway. The show is scheduled to start preview performances on March 28 at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in advance of an April 15 opening. The current occupant of the Atkinson, "Relatively Speaking," closes Jan. 29.

"Peter," directed by Tony winner Roger Rees and Drama Desk winner Alex Timbers ("Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson"), played Off-Broadway at the New York Theatre Workshop last season and received rave reviews, as well as five Drama Desk nominations (winning for outstanding music in a play), two Lucille Lortel Awards (for outstanding lead actor and outstanding choreography) and a Henry Hewes Design Award for best lighting.

Back Stage critic David Sheward called it "imaginative and wildly entertaining." Casting information has not been announced. Christian Borle, currently filming NBC's "Smash," won a Lortel Award and was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his role as the villainous Black Stache, who later becomes Captain Hook. Sheward named Borle in his list of ten memorable New York theater performances of 2011.

Equity principal auditions will be held by casting director Jim Carnahan for the Broadway run on Feb. 2, 3, and 5. The casting notice states rehearsals will begin on Feb. 20 and all roles are available. Read the casting notice on BackStage.com.