boy staring off into space with twinkle lights behind him

‘Peter & the Starcatcher’ Soars into Children’s Theatre of Annapolis

Based on the best-selling novels, this magical production upends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan boy becomes the legendary Peter Pan.

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—You’ve never seen Neverland like this before! The Tony Award-winning play, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” soars into Children’s Theatre of Annapolis from February 3-19, 2023, bringing a colorful cast of characters and the magic of imagination with it.

The story begins when a miserable orphan and his friends are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. When the ship is taken over by pirates, the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.

“You might think you know the story of Peter Pan, but ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ offers up a brand-new version about this beloved literary character,” said Kelsey Casselbury, CTA publicity chair.

Peter and the Starcatcher” features 17 young performers from Anne Arundel County. Finn Hintermister, an 11th-grader at Annapolis High School, plays the role of the boy/Peter Pan, while Justin Porath, who is in ninth grade at Annapolis High, plays the villainous Black Stache. Joining them onstage is South River High School senior Lia Klug as Molly Aster and 11th-grade homeschooler Teaghan McLaughlin as Smee.

The show marks the directorial debut for longtime CTA Board Member Allyson Tierney, who is assisted by student director Jeremiah Gilbert. Michelle Bruno serves as music director with Rosie Hess as student music director. Cate Weiss is the student choreographer.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” opens on Friday, February 3, 2023, at CTA’s theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through February 19, 2023. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students age 12 and under, seniors and military. Group discounts are available. Tickets can be purchased on CTA’s website.

To arrange interviews with the cast or artistic staff, contact Kelsey Casselbury at publicity@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. If you are interested in reviewing the production, please contact us for up to two complimentary tickets.

Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) was established in 1959 and has grown to become a premiere theatre program in central Maryland. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization mounts three mainstage productions each year and offers a variety of theatre arts education programming. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org

‘Matilda the Musical’ Comes to Life at CTA

The story of an extraordinary girl who dares to take a stand and change her own destiny plays from October 21 to November 6, 2022, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis​

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—A classic children’s novel comes to life on stage as Children’s Theatre of Annapolis mounts a production of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, running from October 21 to November 6, 2022.
Mia Rinehart, Harper Wright and Finn Hintermister. Photo by Wendy Hickok Photography.

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning musical revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Matilda features 26 local performers aged 9 to 17 years old. Harper Wright, 10, of Millersville, stars as the titular character, while Mia Rinehart, 16, and Finn Hintermister, 16, both of Annapolis, play the roles of Mrs. and Mr. Wormwood, respectively, Matilda’s parents. Additionally, both in their CTA debuts, Anna Porter, 16, of Crofton, performs as Miss Honey and Matthew Earle, 17, of Edgewater, plays the role of Trunchbull.
Matilda the Musical, the first production of our 2022-2023 ‘Season of Stories,’ brings some of children’s literature’s most beloved characters to life,” said Kelsey Casselbury, CTA publicity chair. “It’s a story that audiences of all ages will enjoy, as well as a perfect introduction to live theatre for children.”
The show is directed by Atticus Cooper Boidy, who last helmed CTA’s “Annie” in May 2022. He is joined by veteran musical director Emily L. Sergo and new-to-CTA choreographer Brandon Glass.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical opens on Friday, October 21, 2022, at CTA’s theatre, located at 1661 Bay Head Road, Annapolis. Performances will take place at 7 p.m. Fridays, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through November 6, 2022. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for students age 12 and under, seniors and military. Group discounts and season subscriptions are available. Purchase tickets at cta.ticketleap.com.
To arrange interviews with the cast or artistic staff, contact Kelsey Casselbury at publicity@childrenstheatreofannapolis.org. If you are interested in reviewing the production, please contact us for up to two complimentary tickets.
Children’s Theatre of Annapolis (CTA) was established in 1959 and has grown to become a premiere theatre program in central Maryland. The 501(c)3 nonprofit organization mounts three mainstage productions each year and offers a variety of theatre arts education programming. For more information, visit www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org.

Congratulations to the cast of “Peter and the Starcatcher!”

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for CTA’s production of “Peter and the Starcatcher!” The show runs from February 3-19, 2023, and tickets are on sale now.

Cast List

  • Mack: Addison Bartels
  • Hawking Clam: Peter Cardillo
  • Bill Slank: Destiny Felder
  • Teacher: Audrey Fleming
  • Alf: Helena Gray
  • Capt. Robert Falcon Scott: Robert Herzog
  • Boy/Peter: Finn Hintermister
  • Fighting Prawn: Olivia Hurd
  • Grempkin: Elliot Johnson
  • Molly Aster: Lia Klug
  • Ted: Noah McCandless
  • Prentiss: Ryan McCandless
  • The Black Stache: Justin Porath
  • Lord Leonard Aster: Madeleine Prost
  • Mrs. Bumbrake: Connor Schwab
  • Smee: Teaghan McLaughlin
  • Sanches: Selin (Naz) Yurdagec
Logo for Peter and the Starcatcher

“Peter and the Starcatcher” Auditions

CTA will hold auditions for the play, “Peter and the Starcatcher,” from 10 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, and Sunday, October 2, 2022. Performers ages 8 to 18 are encouraged to come audition for the show.

The Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcherupends the century-old story of how a miserable orphan comes to be The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up (a.k.a. Peter Pan). From marauding pirates and jungle tyrants to unwilling comrades and unlikely heroes, Peter and the Starcatcherplayfully explores the depths of greed and despair… and the bonds of friendship, duty and love.

A young orphan and his mates are shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island ruled by the evil King Zarboff. They know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious, otherworldly cargo. At sea, the boys are discovered by a precocious young girl named Molly, a Starcatcher-in-training who realizes that the trunk’s precious cargo is starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful that it must never fall into the wrong hands. When the ship is taken over by pirates – led by the fearsome Black Stache, a villain determined to claim the trunk and its treasure for his own – the journey quickly becomes a thrilling adventure.

Click here to learn more about auditions

Logo for Roald Dahl's "Matilda the Musical"

Congratulations to the Cast of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical!”

CTA is pleased to announce the cast of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical!” The talent was immense, and the decisions were difficult! “Matilda” runs from October 21 to November 6, 2021. Purchase tickets now!

Mac Brabazon …. Bruce
Liam DeVries … Parent/Big Kid/Henchman
Matthew Earl … Trunchbull/Entertainer
Davis Eggleston … Michael/Big Kid/Parent
Katie Fitzgerald …. Hortencia
Helena Gray … Parent/Big Kid
Alana Hallums … Amanda
Parker Hines … Tommy
Finn Hintermister … Mr. Wormwood
Morgan Kay … Parent/Big Kid
Teresa Kempton … Alice
Kaitlyn Knowles … Lavender
John Lyons … Nigel
Cai Malone … Parent/Big Kid
Noah McCandless … Parent/Big Kid/Henchman
Ryan McCandless… Doctor/Big Kid/Parent
Teaghan McLaughlin … Parent/Big Kid
Savannah Nixon … Parent/Big Kid
Justin Porath … Escapologist/Sergei/Parent/Big Kid
Anna Porter … Miss Honey
Mia Rinehart … Mrs. Wormwood
Caden Schnabel … Rudolfo/Big Kid
MJ Schropp … Eric
Amaya Shannon … Ms. Phelps/Nurse/Cook/Parent
Cate Weiss … Acrobat/Parent/Big Kid
Harper Wright … Matilda

Annie and orphans holding the dog Sandy

‘Annie’ to Spread Sunshine at CTA

The classic musical about hope, hijinks and finding home will be on stage from May 6-22, 2022, at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis

ANNAPOLIS, Md.—Leapin’ Lizards! “Annie,” one of the world’s best-loved musicals, takes stage at Children’s Theatre of Annapolis next month, running from May 6-22, 2022. Based on the irrepressible comic strip heroine, and with equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts, despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. In adventure after fun-filled adventure, Annie foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations…and even befriends President Franklin Delano Roosevelt!Read More

Congratulations to the Cast of “The Addams Family”

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for CTA’s production of “The Addams Family!”
 
Gomez: Liam O’Toole
Morticia: Erica Yamaner
Wednesday: Rosalie Hess
Fester: Finn Hintermister
Pugsley: Teaghan McLaughlin
Grandma: Layla Bunch
Lucas: Andrew Wilson
Alice: Finola Quinn
Mal: Blake Martin
Lurch: Sage Shanahan
 
Ancestors
  • Annie Oakley: Reagan Davies
  • Ballerina/Dance Captain: Cate Weiss
  • Baseball player: Logan Masters
  • Bride: Katie Blackwell
  • Caveman: Cole German
  • Chef: Liam DeVries
  • Clown: Ryan McCandless
  • Flapper: Cai Malone
  • Jester: Ronnie McIntyre
  • Mad Scientist: Justin Porath
  • Magician: Niki Pippin
  • Pirate: Helena Tawil

Congratulations to the cast of Disney’s “Frozen JR.”

Congratulations to the cast of Disney’s “Frozen JR.”
Elsa: Mia Rinehart
Anna: Mackenzie Currie
Olaf: Anna Delmarco
Little Anna: Alana Hallums
Little Elsa: Delainey Parker
Hans: Ryan McCandless
Kristoff: Brennen Atkinson
Pabbie: Sage Shanahan
Oaken: Teaghan McLaughlin
Queen: Emily Egna
King/Weselton: Noah McCandless
Bulda: Cai Malone
Sven: Jeremiah Gilbert
Ensemble
Finn Hintermister
Reagan Davey
Justin Porath
Alaina Ugolini
Lilah Brennan
Anthony Shaffer
Victoria Santiago-Velez
Miele Segree
Kinsey Smith
Mac Brabazon
Lilian Renes
Teagan Yokanovich
Julia Kamoie
Maddox Howard
Alexandra Owen
Finola Quinn
Sofia Moss