The play “Peter and the Starcatcher” opens 13th Street Theatre’s 2025-26 season at Ashtabula Arts Center.

The play with music by Rick Elice is based on the novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson that serve as a prequel to “Peter Pan.”

A nameless young orphan and his mates are shipped off from England to a distant island ruled by an evil king. Their ship, The Neverland, also carries a precious, otherworldly cargo: starstuff, a celestial substance so powerful it can reshape reality.

When the ship is taken over by pirates, the orphan boys join a young starcatcher-in-training named Molly to prevent the starstuff’s magic from falling into dangerous hands, and their journey becomes an adventure that will change their lives.

It was nominated for nine 2012 Tony Awards, including best play, and won five.

It will be staged at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday through Sept. 28 at the center, 2928 W. 13th St., Ashtabula. A special sensory-friendly performance for those on the autism spectrum or with other sensory-processing issues is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 25.

Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for students, senior citizens and military and $15 for children ages 2 to 12 if purchased in advance online at ashtabulaartscenter.org or by calling 440-964-3396.

Tickets are $21, $19 and $17 at the door.