Finding Neverland—currently on Broadway—is one of my all-time favorite musicals. I’ve seen it more times than I want to admit, have both albums, and even bought a souvenir mug. It’s the story of how Peter became Pan—a timeless tale about the power of imagination and never growing up.
Playwright J.M. Barrie (Matthew Morrison) is struggling with severe writer’s block and a past that forced him to grow up more quickly than he wanted. His world is turned upside down when he meets Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Laura Michelle Kelly) and her four sons: Jack, George, Michael, and Peter. Together, they inspire each other to dream again. It’s a story of love, hope, and perseverance.
I’ll be the first to admit that I have a soft spot when it comes to a story of an underdog but who doesn’t? Finding Neverland will make you laugh, cry, and leave you feeling inspired.
The Music
Like I said earlier, I bought BOTH albums. For those wondering, the Original Cast Recording is much better! Trust me, these songs will be stuck in your head long after the curtain falls. My favorite tracks include “All That Matters,” “Neverland,” “What You Mean to Me,” and “When Your Feet Don’t Touch The Ground.” I’ve linked the music videos so you can enjoy them too!
The Staging and Props
The set design is gorgeous. One moment you’re in Kensington Garden and the next you’re on Captain Hook’s pirate ship. The show does an effortless job transitioning from scene to scene. There are moments in the show where you have to use your imagination but it adds to the show and their overall message. And, if you haven’t seen the show, there’s a showstopping moment towards the end that you’ll be talking about for days!
The Choreography
The show is choreographed by the talented, Mia Michaels. (Enough said!) If you’ve seen any of her routines on So You Think You Can Dance, you know they’re inventive and memorable, and you’re likely to need a tissue for those tears. There’s one routine in particular that uses the actors’ shadows and it’s breathtaking. There isn’t a point during that performance where I looked at the actors themselves. I was mesmerized by the story they were telling through their shadows.
Matthew Morrison, Laura Michelle Kelly, and the Boys
Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly have great chemistry—with each other and the boys. If you’re a fan of them, you’ll definitely love them in Finding Neverland. Matthew Morrison takes an introverted approach to J.M. Barrie. For me, given all J.M. Barrie has been through, it works well. You feel his pain and you root for him to find his way. If you’re a fan of Matthew Morrison (I am), make sure you see the show before he ends his run on January 24th. (You’ve been warned.) I can’t picture anyone else playing J.M. Barrie. Similarly, I felt the same way about Laura Michelle Kelly’s performance. You can hear the pain and hope in her voice. Sylvia is battling with cancer and learning to cope with her disease and the thought of losing her children. Her relationship with J.M. Barrie represents hope and gives her the “strength to go on.”
Are there moments in the show where it gets a little cheesy? Definitely but they are few and far between. To really appreciate Finding Neverland, you have to let go (scary for adults, I know), and be brought back to your childhood where the possibilities were endless.
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg
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