Finding Neverland appreciation thread.

[Sunny11]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 3:06pm

Tomorrow will mark the productions final show. I know that there are fans here and I want it to have a positive send off .

[willep]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 3:31pm

Always sad to see a show go, but boy was this one a dull night at the theatre. Here's to new and better things for the cast and crew.

[trpguyy]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 3:41pm

I had a feeling this thread would turn sour, just maybe not so quickly. 

 

Anyway, happy trails and well wishes to the company. 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 3:45pm

Sunny11, you literally had a farewell thread for this musical 5 days ago. Why was another necessary?

Updated On: 8/20/16 at 03:45 PM

[Oak2]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 3:50pm

gypsy, my guess is because the last sendoff thread descended into mostly people complaining about the show and calling it garbage, so they wanted to specify this time around for it to be an appreciative/positive thread. But of course even then I see people couldn't resist bashing it. I hope those same people don't have the hypocrisy to say anything if someone insults a show they love in its farewell thread.

In any case, my trip to Broadway was too late to be able to see this show, but from what I had heard from it, it sounds like something I would have liked. It does sound rather charming. I might see it on tour at least. And I do second the sentiment of hoping everyone involved keeps going on to bigger and better things.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 4:04pm

I really don't understand why people feel the need to enter a thread specifically designated for appreciation and bash the show in question. The thread is not called "discussion" or "opinions." It's called "appreciation." There's literally no reason to bash the show in this thread, except to fulfill your own spiteful need to derail the thread and make others feel bad for appreciating the show. Your voice not always need to be heard. It's honestly just as bad as if you decided to bash the show in a thread asking about the Finding Neverland stage-door or rush; you're entitled to express your opinion, but it's just not relevant to the thread!

If you don't appreciate the show, just don't open the thread. It's doable. Jesus. 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 5:01pm

In any case, i do very much appreciate this show. I recognize its flaws, and I think the complaints against it are valid, but I just find it to be so emotional and magical. I saw this show 3 times on Broadway, which is a record for me (I've seen other shows 3+ times, but those always included national tours, pre-Broadway engagements, etc).

[After Eight]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 5:41pm

"I hope those same people don't have the hypocrisy to say anything if someone insults a show they love in its farewell thread."

 

They'll be the first ones to have a temper tantrum.

 

In any event, I appreciate all that was good in this show, and am happy that it provided pleasure to a great many theatregoers, young and old. I'm glad it opened on Broadway, and played as long as it did.

I express my thanks to all the creators and artists involved in this show, and wish  them much good fortune in the  future.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 5:46pm

I don't think this was a terrible show. I did love some of the music. All that matters and play are brilliant. Though saying this show is artistically better than fun home is laughable. 

[Sunny11]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 6:19pm

gypsy101 said: "Sunny11, you literally had a farewell thread for this musical 5 days ago. Why was another necessary?

 

"

Oak2 answered perfectly. 

Speaking as someone who had Take That as their generations one direction back in the day   I was excited to see Gary Barlow write a score for a musical theater show .  

 

[gypsy101]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 6:25pm

JBroadway said: "I really don't understand why people feel the need to enter a thread specifically designated for appreciation and bash the show in question. The thread is not called "discussion" or "opinions." It's called "appreciation." There's literally no reason to bash the show in this thread, except to fulfill your own spiteful need to derail the thread and make others feel bad for appreciating the show."

There was a thread for this purpose five days ago. People gave their farewells the way they saw fit. Why did we need two threads for the same exact topic when it looks like this one will go the same way?

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 6:30pm

I didn't watch this show for a long time because of all the negative stuff I read here and there.  I finally watched in Jan '16 in Matthew's last show. I was in for a surprise, I really enjoyed the show! The story was not perfect, but I loved the songs, the cast, the presentation was wonderful!  The scene when the boys' Mom passed away was so magical and emotional, I was in tears in that scene! My lesson is not to believe everything you read about shows (which I usually do anyways, but not followed for this show!)

Thanks to everyone connected to this show, for bringing it to life every night! Good luck in your future endeavors!!

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 7:33pm

I loved ''Finding Neverland'' and happily saw it a number of times. It deserved a slew of Tony nominations, including Best Musical. Matthew Morrison gave a stirring and playful portrayal of J.M. Barrie, and kudos to  Laura Michelle Kelly, Kelsey Grammer, Carolee Carmello, Aidan Gemme and Sawyer Nunes. I enjoyed Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy's beautiful songs, and Diane Paulus' direction, especially of Sylvia's departure, was magic.

''Neverland's'' problem wasn't onstage, but off: Harvey Weinstein. He unnecessarily antagonized the press by saying he didn't need the critics or columnists, like Michael Riedel, who were then rooting for the show to flop and humble him. Later, Weinstein said he regretted hurting his show's Tony chances, but it was too late.

Oh, well. I'm glad to see that ''Finding Neverland'' is gonna tour and hope it finds more raves than Pans.

 

Updated On: 8/20/16 at 07:33 PM

[missedattuck]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 8:10pm

I'll never understand how anyone can dislike this show. It has such innocence and heart to it. It is a great night out for families, too. The end of Act 1 and the end (Sylvia's exit) are impressive and something nobody who has seen it would forget. I would argue the end of act 1 is a scene better than Wicked's Defying Gravity.

Now that the show is closing, does anyone know how Tinkerbell flies around the theater at the start of the show? Near the end, Tinkerbell is obviously a light on a stick, but the light that moves around the theater is something different. And does anyone know how the actors "catch" the fairies in their hands and "release" them? I thought it would simply be a little flashlight they turn on and off, but they have nothing in their hands once the light goes off.

[Back Row]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 10:41pm

I liked it in Cambridge, but I didn't have any desire to see it again on Broadway after reading about many of the changes that had been made, so I let my Cambridge memories of the show suffice. It was a pleasant evening of theater when I saw it, and the performances of the three leads were particularly memorable. Paying only $25 for a ticket may have enhanced my enjoyment as well. I mean that sincerely. Sometimes, the high price of a ticket generates a sense of entitlement in the ticket buyer that some shows, even enjoyable shows, cannot support. The circumstances of my seeing it when I did, with the cast that I saw, and for the price that I paid, left me feeling good about the show. I enjoyed it. 

[mrgiovanni]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 11:16pm

 

Hey hopefully you guys can help, I just have a random question (and I didn't start a new thread!):

Are there usually rush tickets for shows on their closing dates? i.e. finding Neverland this Sunday?

I've never been to a closing show and I'm hoping to catch this show one last time

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 11:26pm

gypsy101 said: "JBroadway said: "I really don't understand why people feel the need to enter a thread specifically designated for appreciation and bash the show in question. The thread is not called "discussion" or "opinions." It's called "appreciation." There's literally no reason to bash the show in this thread, except to fulfill your own spiteful need to derail the thread and make others feel bad for appreciating the show."

There was a thread for this purpose five days ago. People gave their farewells the way they saw fit. Why did we need two threads for the same exact topic when it looks like this one will go the same way?"

I was responding to Willep's post, not yours 

 

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 8/20/16 at 11:53pm

I wish I could've caught the sold-out, pre-Broadway tryout at A.R.T. While the Tonys snubbed ''Finding Neverland'' for ANY nominations, it pretty much swept the IRNE Awards (Independent Reviewers of New England) in Boston. It won 8 prizes: Best New Play AND Best Musical; Best Actor (Jeremy Jordan); Best Actress (Laura Michelle Kelly); Best Supporting Actor (Michael McGrath); Best Supporting Actress (Carolee Carmello); Production Design (Gilles Papain), and Direction (Diane Paulus).

Updated On: 8/20/16 at 11:53 PM

[rcwr]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 12:39am

it pretty much swept the IRNE Awards (Independent Reviewers of New England) in Boston. It won 8 prizes: Best New Play AND Best Musical; Best Actor (Jeremy Jordan); Best Actress (Laura Michelle Kelly); Best Supporting Actor (Michael McGrath); Best Supporting Actress (Carolee Carmello); Production Design (Gilles Papain), and Direction (Diane Paulus).

 

Every one of those highly deserved, IMO. FN at ART was one of my favorite shows I've ever seen. Two years have gone by and I still think about it. (I was lucky to first see it early enough in the run that my ticket was inexpensive but not early enough to see those bees in Believe.) Jeremy Jordan and Michael McGrath in particular were absolutely fantastic.

[@z5]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 12:45am

I really enjoyed seeing this show...and often listen to the music. Stronger and the end of act 1 is incredible and I can watch that one part over and over again. As well as lots of the other musical numbers.

Happy it had a good run despite its criticism and lack of nominations.

[Hamilton Addict]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 4:27am

I really will be sad to see this show go as I thought it was magical and loved every second. Can't wait for it to come to London so I will be able to see it again. :)

[10086sunset]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 6:28am

Tickets are still available for today's final performance.

[kreichelt]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 8:17am

rcwr said: "
Every one of those highly deserved, IMO. FN at ART was one of my favorite shows I've ever seen. Two years have gone by and I still think about it. (I was lucky to first see it early enough in the run that my ticket was inexpensive but not early enough to see those bees in Believe.) Jeremy Jordan and Michael McGrath in particular were absolutely fantastic.

"

YES to this.  But don't leave out Thayne Jasperson as Porthos.  Part of the magic was his portrayal of the dog.  I still laugh remembering the interaction between the two dogs in the kids' bedroom when they performed the show for Sylvia... 

[Back Row]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 9:36am

I'll second the opinion on Thayne Jasperson. I had thought of him as primarily a dancer prior to seeing him in FN, but his demonstration of Bill Irwin-esque clown skills left me with a new appreciation for his range as a physical actor. His performance was a big part of the charm of that original production. 

[rcwr]

Posted: 8/21/16 at 12:55pm

Oh, kreichelt and Back Row, you're so right! Thayne was masterful. Dancewise, I especially loved his shifting between four-legged and two-legged during Believe, and humorwise, I loved the moment when he tossed a stuffed toy to Mary-Mitchell in the pit. You're right, he was an enormous part of the charm.

I've always wondered why they changed to a canine dog on Bway. Was it because Thayne was doing Ham and nobody else could do it quite like him? Or is that theory too single-actor focused?