Someone in a galaxy not-so-far away came up with an idea: If one can’t milk any more money from a sequel of a successful picture (“Star Wars” for example), then why not make a prequel of it?

Why not indeed.

This idea leads us from “Peter Pan” to “Hook” to … “Peter and the Starcatcher.”

This is the show now playing at the Hackmatack Playhouse Berwick, which is concluding its 11th summer season.

The show is based on the 2004 novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, which was adapted for the stage by Rick Elice with music by Wayne Barker. The show was premiered at the La Jolla Playhouse in February of 2009 and had a successful run at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in New York from March of 2012 to January of 2013.

The show is in two acts and has a cast of 11 (12 if you include the pianist, Adam MacDougall who also has a part). Of these all but two are male. Since the story is set in 1895, during the reign of Queen Victoria, that was of no concern in those days. In this production, the lack of female characters is somewhat overcome (over the top … pun intended) with the men dressed in drag “costumes” of south sea “maidens” at the start of the second act. I thought they were going to break  into a chorus of “There ain’t nothing like a dame” but instead sing and prance to the accompaniment of guitar and mandolin … to the delight of the audience.

This is a musical show and readers of a certain age want to know of the plot or story line. Yes, there is one of course. (“You want to make something of it?)” There is a chest of magical star stuff which is to be transported, but the ship Neverland gets shipwrecked on a south sea island where the crew has some close calls. The evil Black Stache (aka Captain Hook), played ably by Jon Vellante, loses his hand not by an alligator but by shutting the lid of the magical chest on it. (This is a musical show, remember?) But there is nasty alligator in the production as well.

The star (first among equals in this show), Peter Pan, is played by Griffinn Gower and his sidekicks are Prentiss, Ted and Alf, played respectively by Colin Prato, Jacob Less and Sven Wiberg. The latter three are all marvelously played with much horseplay and interaction among them. The dialogue is witty and the audience enjoyed a catalog of pithy remarks, like “Perspiration is the mark of true leadership.” Anique Mercier is the female lead in the show portraying
the juvenile Molly Asher who believably complained about her training bra at one point. The other female character, Mrs. Bumbrake/Teacher, is played by Bretton Reis who while playing minor parts did so convincingly. Another minor character, Bill Slank/Hawking Clam, is given a superb performance by Adam Laframboise. Chris Savage who played Lord Leonard Aster has a luminous deep bass speaking voice and is type cast here.

The heroine of this production is Crystal Lisbon who directed this madcap menagerie of characters. While the singing is not always distinguished, nevertheless much credit should be given to Adam MacDougall for training the cast and putting it all together. Lighting is something one usually takes for granted in a professional production, but it was particularly effective in this show thanks to Tanya Young. The costumes (and there were many in this show) were not only suitable but also at times outrageous. Thank you Fran Bechtold.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” continues through Aug. 31, with performances at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and matinees at 2 p.m. on Thursday. For reservations, call: 207-698-1807 or visit  www.hackmatack.org.

Those who attend the performance dressed as Peter Pan, will get a free hamburger and hot dog before the show. Children who attend dressed as pirates for shows on Aug. 21 or 22 will get a free meal as well.