Billy Harrigan Tighe and John Davidson in Finding Neverland. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
by Mark G. Auerbach
The national national tour of the Broadway musical Finding Neverland is playing the Bushnell this week, and it’s a first rate version of the recent Broadway production that’s likely to please older children and the young-at-heart, who recall the beloved children’s classic, Peter Pan. Finding Neverland is the story of playwright and author James Barrie, who is trying to write a hit play for the American producer Charles Frohman. He’s inspired by Sylvia Llewelyn Davis, a widow with four young sons, with whom he becomes infatuated. James Graham’s book is straightforward, and the score by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, beautifully orchestrated by Simon Hale, work well together to weave a spell around the audience.
Christine Dwyer in Finding Neverland. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
Finding Neverland is an original musical Inspired by the 1998 play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee and his 2004 film adaptation Finding Neverland. The musical made its world premiere in Leicester, UK in 2012, with the reworked version making its world premiere in 2014 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, MA. Following its Cambridge run, the production transferred to Broadway in 2015. You might recall the movie, which starred Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet, Dustin Hoffman, and Julie Christie.
A.R.T. director Diane Paulus recreated the Finding Neverland staging she created for Cambridge and later Broadway. She and A.R.T have become quite polished at staging musicals for Broadway, and in recent years, Hair, Pippin, The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, and Waitress have made the journey from Boston to New York under Paulus’ careful attention. Mia Michaels’ choreography blends well with Paulus’ staging.
The physical production of Finding Neverland is deluxe with great sets by Scott Pask, costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting by Kenneth Posner, and exquisite projections by Jon Driscoll. Billy Harrigan Tighe is a commanding James Barrie–easy on the eyes and the ears. Christine Dwyer’s Sylvia is ravishing. John Davidson, veteran Broadway musical star, and TV personality is perfection as Charles Frohman who morphs into Captain Hook. Karen Murphy, star of TheaterWorks I’ll Eat You Last, is fine as Sylvia’s mother. The four young men playing the Llewelyn Davies children are also great.
The cast of Finding Neverland. Photo by Jeremy Daniel.
I attended the Finding Neverland performance with my young pal, high school senior Ben Jacek and his mom. Ben attended Newsies at CT. Rep with me and acted as my ice-cream tester at the UConn Dairy Bar. Finding Neverland was his second professional theatre production. He gave Finding Neverland high marks and was blown away by the special effects as well as the story. Finding Neverland may have helped to create the next generation of theatre-goers, although it may be too complex for younger kids, unless they know the Peter Pan story.
—–
The Bushnell presents Finding Neverland. Book by James Graham. Music and lyrics by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy. Directed by Diane Paulus. Music supervision by Fred Lassen. Choreography by Mia Michaels. Scenic design by Scott Pask. Costume design by Suttirat Anne Larlarb. Lighting design by Kenneth Posner. Sound design by Jonathan Deans. Projections design by Jon Driscoll. Cast: Billy Harrigan Tighe, Christine Dwyer, John Davidson, Karen Murphy. Through August 6, 2017 at The Bushnell, Hartford, CT. 860-987-5900 or www.bushnell.org.
—
Mark G. Auerbach studied theatre at American University and the Yale School of Drama. He’s worked for arts organizations and reported on theatre for newspapers and radio. Mark produces and hosts ArtsBeat Radio on 89.5fm/WSKB Radio.
