Valley Youth Theatre will present the Tony Award-winning play “Peter and the Starcatcher” in February in Phoenix.

The musical opens on Friday, Feb. 9, with a special preview on Thursday, Feb. 8, exclusively for HopeKids.

This theatrical, musical adaptation of the 2004 novel by Dave Barry (Pulitzer Prize-winning newspaper columnist) and Ridley Pearson (“New York Times” bestselling author), and adapted for the stage by Rick Elice, runs through Feb. 25. The theater is located at 525 N. 1st St.

The story begins when the “Boy” and his friends are kidnapped and shipped off from Victorian England to a distant island, a theater press release explains. The three boys know nothing of the mysterious trunk in the captain’s cabin, which contains a precious otherworldly cargo. Still, the precocious Molly, the captain’s daughter, knows what’s inside – and that it must never fall into the wrong hands.

When the ship, The Never Land, is taken over by pirates, the journey becomes a thrilling adventure.

"Worlds collide when a young orphan boy, British aristocracy, pirates, mermaids, a band of mollusks, and magical starstuff meet in our imaginative and colorful world,” Mark Stoddard, the director of the production, stated. “A story about love, friendship, and promoting values of perseverance, teamwork and compassion, ‘Peter and the Starcatcher’ is a play for all ages."

The cast of 21 ranges in age from 12 to 19 from around the Valley. Half the cast portrays more than 50 unforgettable characters from pirates, mermaids, and other roles.

Tickets, priced at $25, are available at vyt.com/tickets or by calling 602-253-8188, x1.

Visit www.vyt.com.

The Valley Youth Theatre cast and crew are busy rehearsing “Peter and the Starcatcher,” which opens Feb. 9 in Phoenix.

(Photo provided by Valley Youth Theatre)