Disney's Peter and the Starcatchers to Get Showcase at La Jolla

A stage version of the novel Peter and the Starcatchers, described as a prequel to Peter Pan, will receive a no-critics "Page to Stage" production at California's La Jolla Playhouse next year, according to Variety. The show is being developed by Disney Theatrical Productions and has been written by Jersey Boys co-author Rick Elice. The showcase production, set to run February 13-March 8, 2009, will be co-directed by Roger Rees and Alex Timbers.

Disney's Hyperion book imprint published Peter and the Starcatchers, by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, in 2004. The action of the novel precedes J.M. Barrie's story, as young orphan Peter and his mates sail aboard the Never Land in a high seas adventure, battling pirates to keep secret a mysterious and dangerous cargo. Variety describes the stage show as a moderately scaled play with music.

La Jolla's Page to Stage series gives new scripts a three-week developmental run. Program alums include Aaron Sorkin's The Farnsworth Invention, Billy Crystal's 700 Sundays and Doug Wright's I Am My Own Wife, all of which went on to Broadway, plus the musical Zhivago.

Variety notes that a second Peter Pan-themed show, a musical version of Finding Neverland, is in development by the Weinstein Company for possible production in 2010.