In a day and age where theater feels compelled to be bigger and fancier than ever, presumably to compete with film (see: “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” pretty much every movie that’s been adapted into a Broadway musical in the past decade), it’s quite refreshing to watch a show that is, unapologetically, theatrical. Not once in “Peter and the Starcatcher” do directors Roger Rees and Alex Timbers try to recreate the feeling of film. Instead, the play achieves intimacy with the audience by standing up and (almost literally) proclaiming, “I am a living, breathing play!”

READ MORE: Theater Review: 'Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark' On Broadway

“Peter and the Starcatcher,” based on the children’s book of a similar name, premiered on Broadway in 2012 after a highly-successful off-Broadway run at New York Theatre Workshop, and is currently playing off-Broadway again, and has also spawned a national tour, which is currently at the Ahmanson. The story follows a young Boy (Joey deBettencourt), the unexpected leader of a band of orphans as he and his new friend Molly (Megan Stern) try to recover the rare and incredibly valuable commodity known as Stardust from the nefarious captains Slank (Jimonn Cole) and Black Stache (John Sanders).

Almost immediately, “Peter and the Starcatcher” makes it quite clear that it is not attempting to achieve any kind of realistic storytelling (anachronisms run rampant, and the existence of the fourth wall is intermittent), but that’s just fine. The story that “Starcatcher” is telling is full of childlike wonder and amazement, and when the actors tell the audience that a couple lights and some flags are an alligator, it works. Much like handing kids sticks and telling them to have a sword fight, the simple, though beautiful staging (with movement by Steven Hoggett) works, because it transports the audience back to a mental state where everything was just accepted.

That doesn’t mean that this is strictly a children’s play, though. “Peter and the Starcatcher” certainly deals with some mature themes, like what it means to grow up, that will probably fly right over the heads of any tots in the audience. Rick Elice’s book nimbly addresses both the lighthearted moments and those of a more somber nature, while Wayne Barker’s original songs keep the energy of the piece up at thrumming pace.

READ MORE: Theater Review: 'Peter And The Starcatcher' On Broadway

But a story like this is dependent on its actors to bring it to life, and the cast does so with aplomb. deBettencourt does a good job with a difficultly-written part, and Stern is delightfully commandeering as the young Molly Astor. It may well be impossible to fill the Tony-winning shoes of Christian Borle (who played Black Stache on Broadway), but Sanders will appease Borle’s fans, and surely win over all newcomers. The creative elements are all delightful, and add to the homey atmosphere of the piece, from Jeff Croiter’s lighting design to Donyale Werle’s sets to Paloma Young’s costumes.

In a holiday season filled with the joy and terror of family, “Peter and the Starcatcher” serves as heartening reminder of the importance of imagination and personal connections. Both concepts make life a little easier and more enjoyable, and “Peter and the Starcatcher” is a beautiful, heartwarming play that does make life a little easier and more enjoyable.

Reach Theater Editor Katie here; follow her on Twitter here.

For more theater coverage, click here.

“Peter and the Starcatcher” is playing at the Ahmanson Theatre (135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles) through January 12. Tickets are $20-$110. For more information, visit CenterTheatreGroup.org.