RIDGEFIELD — Ridgefield Theater Barn has put the hilarious, poignant, and enormously entertaining Peter and the Starcatcher, based on the novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice, on stage for a rousing finale to their current season.

Peter and the Starcatcher is busy, silly, and quite moving all at once. The show provides the backstory for Peter Pan and his nemesis, Captain Hook.

Peter is played by Alex Hartofelis, who in the beginning has neither a name or a home. He is an orphan in the company of a couple of other orphans, Ted (played by Hannah Rapaglia) and Prentiss (Olivia Basile). These compatriots are a slapstick antidote to the woeful Peter.

Peter, and those who become the lost boys, are banished to the hold of the ship Neverland, on its way to an island where the boys will be stranded.

The Neverland is captained by the ruthless Bill Slank (Lizzy Booth). Bill is loud and in charge, evoking fear in all who cross his path.

The daughter of the royal Starcatcher, Lord Leonard Aster (Patrick R. Spadaccino), is Molly Aster (Laura Jeanne Potera), a real live Star Catcher in training and the only girl on the ship. Molly is fierce and determined with a soft spot for the morose Peter.

Molly is under the not so watchful eye of Mrs Bumbrake (Cara Elizabeth Bunning). Mrs Bumbrake loses track of her charge on the regular as she is deeply attracted to womanizer Alf (Bill Warncke).

Pirate captain Black Stache (Matt Austin) mans the helm of the pirate ship, The Wasp, with the childlike support of Smee (Michael Wright).

The Wasp and the Neverland come to blows when a trunk full of magical stardust, bound for Britain’s Queen Victoria, is slyly exchanged with an empty trunk. The chase is on.

The enchanting stardust has the power to change lives, and lives certainly could use a change in Peter and the Starcatcher. The antics that ensue are a riot.

The entire cast of this production manages their many roles with skill and enthusiasm. The performers are incredibly fun to watch.

Playing the eponymous Peter, Alex Hartofelis is a splendid blend of gloomy and comical. He is terrific in this role.

As the pair of lost boys, Olivia Basile and Hannah Rapaglia are an energetic hoot. Their naivete and drive are well played.

Cara Elizabeth Bunning brings a gorgeous singing voice to add to her character’s frivolousness.

Laura Jeanne Portera is terrific as Molly. She reveals an earnestness in Molly that is both charming and very funny.

The show stopper here is the incredible talented Matt Austin as Black Stache. He exudes a level of non-stop comedic talent. Austin’s Black Stache is droll, spontaneous and outrageous, all the while taking himself quite seriously.

All of the actors deserve enormous credit for their effort and commitment. Michael Wright as Smee, Gabby Babun as Sanchez, Patrick R. Spadaccino as Lord Leonard Aster, Michael Valinoti as Grempkin, and Tarah Margaret Vega as Captain Robert Scott were all delightful. Hats off to this wonderful cast!

Kudos to Director Katherine Ray. She made a miracle out of the mayhem with remarkable creativity and precision.

The costumes, provided by Warner Theatre, are spectacular. Stage Manager Pippa Walton and assistants Carolyn Neugarten and Lindsay Caroll must be commended for the organization required to make this show run smoothly. There was nary a hitch.

Do not miss this fabulous production of Peter and the Starcatcher. It will leave you smiling the whole way home.

Performances continue weekends to June 25. Those planning to take in this show should note strobe light effects are used in the production.

Curtain and ticket details, and directions to the theater, are all available by calling 203-431-9850 or visiting ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.