Review: Magical FINDING NEVERLAND at the Pantages

Finding Neverland/book by James Graham/music and lyrics by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy/directed by Diane Paulus/choreographed by Mia Michaels/Hollywood Pantages Theatre/through March 12

To say that the musical version of Finding Neverland is a real charmer is an understatement. The book by James Graham retains all of the sweetness of the 2004 film and adds on a delightful theatricality for the stage that just will not quit. One surprising element is the musical score by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy that includes some wonderfully poignant and moving ballads. With sweeping direction by Diane Paulus and a dynamite cast this national touring production is bound to please just about everyone, the young and the young at heart. It plays at the Hollywood Pantages through March 12.

The time is approximately 1903 - 1910 London where playwright J.M. Barrie (Billy Harrigan Tighe) has reached a stalemate: he can no longer write fresh and exciting works. Married to Mary (Crystal Kellogg) for umpteen years and childless, the couple are bored with each other and with life in general. Time for a change! James would rather grab hold of a sword and slay a dragon, or dance joyously with a grizzly bear in Kensington Park. His imagination is magical, so why can't he put all of his playfulness on paper? Enter Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Christine Dwyer) and her four young sons in Kensington Park. Barrie ogles the magic in the boys' playtime and dives right in. He finds himself attracted to the recent widow and especially to son Peter (Ben Krieger), whose life is empty due to the loss of his father. James becomes a second father to the boys to the dismay of his wife, and Sylvia's aristocratic mother Mrs. Du Maurier (Karen Murphy). Worst of all, nasty gossip quickly spreads about his questionable behavior, threatening to ruin his career. Meanwhile the producing artistic director Charles Frohman (Tom Hewitt) of the theatre where Barrie's plays are being produced demands that he write a new and commercially viable play that will keep the company performing and fill the coffers. It is Barrie's intense relationship with the Llewelyn Davies family that infuses his personal transformation and the creation of the world's greatest story Peter Pan.

Whereas the movie was much more subtle, the musical is full out, full blown theatrical, allowing for some delicious acting from the actors preparing to mount Peter Pan. Hewitt does double duty also playing the viciously conniving Captain Hook, the darker side of Barrie. This whole scene with "Stronger" in tandem with "Hook" in the Act One finale is spectacular and thrilling both musically and dramatically, providing one of the best stagings in the show, the other being Sylvia's angelic flight to neverland.

Under Paulus' caring hand, the cast is enchanting. Tighe makes a playful and singular man out of Barrie. Dwyer offers a lovely portrayal of Sylvia's innocence, love and strength. Hewitt is astounding in both roles as Frohman and Hook. Kellogg does fine with Mary's stuffy reactions and Murphy is wonderful particularly when grandma finally gives in. The four children have tremendous chemistry together and give truth to the old adage: never grow up! They are: the aforementioned Krieger as Peter, Finn Faulconer as George, Mitchell Wray as Jack and Jordan Cole as Michael. Matt Wolpe is deliciously funny as the actor afraid to fly. Dee Tomasetta is the physically adept actor playing Peter Pan. Great to see LA favorite Cameron Bond, understudying Barrie, in a series of roles like the actor Captain Hook ... And...let's not forget Sammy as Porthos, Barrie's faithful St. Bernard.

Praise to musical director Fred Lassen, scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting designer Kenneth Posner and Sound Designer Jonathan Deans. Each achievement adds to the overall magic of the evening.

Don't miss Finding Neverland! It is a beautiful show filled with hope and promise about living one's dream to the fullest. Boy oh boy, do we need this optimism during our world's trying times. Fly to the box office to get tix!

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