Finding Neverland on Broadway: A Good Find for All Ages

Never mind Ben Brantley's NYT April 2015 review of "Finding Neverland", written right after it debuted on Broadway. Despite Brantley's words, the show is a hit, as evidenced by ticket sales enthusiastic consumer reviews. Audiences have spoken (as per consumer review sites and ticket sales ) and the show is a Broadway success. Produced by Harvey Weinstein, it's hard to believe it would be otherwise. I had the chance to catch the show just before the end of the year with my 6-year-old theater-loving son and whereas I can see some of Brantley's points, specifically in regards to a couple of the songs being a bit on the boring side, the show will live up to most people's expectations of what a show on Broadway should be like, special effects and all; and you can actually get tickets for it, and it was good enough for "Broadway at the White House."

The 1,500 seat Lunt-Fontanne theater is hosting "Finding Neverland." We sat in the orchestra section but the mezzanine view that we checked out during intermission looked like it could be a fun vantage point from which to see the show. The show boasts an impressive staff including book by James Graham, Diane Paulus as the Director, Music and Lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, Set by Scott Pask, choreography by Mia Michaels, and costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb.

Based on the 2004 film of the same name, the show follows Scottish playwright J.M Barrie as he finds his inspiration for the creation of the story of Peter Pan. Matthew Morrison of "Glee" TV fame played Mr. Barrie during the show I saw, but he is taking his final bow on January 24th and is being replaced by Tony-nominee Tony Yazbeck, a Broadway veteran but certainly not a TV heartthrob.

The show both begins and ends with Peter Pan and Tinkerbell (who have made their way back to the Broadway stage after a long hiatus- the last Broadway revival of "Peter Pan" was in 1999), so kids will take to that immediate familiarity. The play then introduces and follows J.M. Barrie through a failing marriage and his struggles to write a new play for Charles Frohman (played by Terrence Mann in this show, but Kelsey Grammer is currently back in this role through the end of March) and his theater company. In the midst of writing the play, Barrie goes for a walk in Kensington Gardens and meets the recently widowed Sylvia Llewelyn-Davies (Laura Michelle Kelly) and her four frolicking sons: Peter (Christopher Paul Richards), George (Jackson Demott Hill), Jack (Alex Dreier), and Michael (Christian Camporin). Barrie becomes inspired by the boys' youth and playfulness as they sing the fun and catchy "Pirates of Kensington." He becomes particularly fond of Peter, the boy who is most visibly still in mourning for his father. They learn to mutually respect each other during the course of their relationship and Peter is eventually inspired by Mr. Barrie to write as well. The only other song that was memorable to me during the first act is "Believe" which is sung by Barrie, Sylvia, and the boys.

The show relays the power of the imagination when Charles Frohman becomes Captain Hook and the story of Peter Pan starts coming together for Barrie. The stage transforming into a pirate ship during the song "Stronger" seems to be a highlight for young and not-so-young audiences alike, and this marks the end of Act I.

Act II includes some of the music I loved the most including "What You Mean to Me," a beautiful duet between Mr. Barrie and Ms. Llewelyn-Davies. "We're all Made of Stars," sung by the four Llewelyn-Davies boys was my son's favorite and will appeal to anyone who is a sucker for the sweet innocence of childhood (that would be me). "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground" is an enjoyable, sugar-laced sentimental piece sung by Barrie and Peter but isn't something you'll be dancing to on the way to the car. Ultimately, with some pretty cool side effects and true Broadway magic, we learn (again), along with Mr. Barrie, that with the right attitude we never really have to grow up.

I had a chance to catch up with Noah Hinsdale who played Michael Llewelyn-Davies in the original Broadway cast of Finding Neverland. Commenting on the play he said, "I had an amazing experience working with Laura Michelle Kelly, Matthew Morrison and Kelsey Grammer. The whole cast was great to work with. I liked hanging out with the other kids backstage. We had so much fun together and it was my first Broadway show." And what does he think kids will like most about the show? "Kids will like the music and the dancing. Some of my friends have loved the show because of the cool special effects that happen during the performance." And adults? "Well, adults say they like the story line. It's really a magical story and fun for all ages. Moms say they like it because it's about a mom and her kids."

Overall, I highly recommend "Finding Neverland" for both kids and grown ups. Kids over the age of six should be fine with the material, although I did prepare my son for the fact that the mom dies. (He responded by putting his arm around me during the show.) Captain Hook and the pirates aren't too scary.

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