After four years in the Marquette Theatre Company (MTC), Carl Taraporevala, senior, will step onto the stage in his first lead role as Peter in “Peter and the Starcatcher.”
The play, premiering on Thursday, Nov. 21, details the backstory of Peter Pan’s evolution from a lonely orphan to becoming immortal.
Previously, Taraporevala acted in small feature roles and the ensemble for past productions of “Legally Blond,” “Pippin,” “Footloose” and “She Kills Monsters.” His experience this year has been different.
“It’s definitely more work, a little more pressure, but it’s a lot of fun,” Taraporevala said.
Taraporevala said he felt more confident during his audition for Peter having done five past auditions and attending a Muny workshop last year
Taraporevala heard the news that he had landed the lead role when he was with his sister, Zeenia Taraporevala, Class of 2023. He said it was fun to celebrate with her as she had worked on the set for “Peter and the Starcatcher” when it was set to run in 2020 at MHS before it was canceled due to COVID.
“She was really excited that we are able to put on the performance,” Taraporevala said.
Taraporevala has worked to improve his acting every year following recommendations he received such as spending time understanding the choreography and adding his own style and personality to his character.
After working with the character since September, Taraporevala said his favorite part of Peter is his journey to learn what the definition of family is.
“It’s very interesting to see the character development in Peter,” Taraporevala said.
Rebecca Young, MTC director, said the show and the role perfectly aligned with Taraporevala.
“He has such a sweet earnestness about him that really fits this particular character,” Young said.
Young said everyone experiences changes in their performance as they get older and more aware and comfortable with who they are, which she observed in Taraporevala.
“I feel like Carl really settled into who he is,” Young said.
Drew Mathers, senior, has been performing with Taraporevala since middle school in a culmination of about 12 shows, and said he was more excited for Taraporevala to land the lead than he was to gain a role himself.
“He’s amazing to work with. He truly gives everything he has onstage,” Mathers said.
Mathers said he has seen an improvement in Taraporevala’s confidence, which translates to him being more natural onstage.
“He has worked so hard and it’s great to see him finally get the acknowledgement he so greatly deserves,” Mathers said.
