Review: FINDING NEVERLAND at Broadway Grand Rapids is a Magical Journey!

Broadway Grand Rapids is proud to present Finding Neverland as it opens the season of bringing Broadway tours into Grand Rapids. This has become a staple for the Grand Rapids area even attracting audience members from surrounding states, when before if you wanted to see shows of that caliber you would have to venture into Chicago or even all the way to New York City. It has been an honor to have Broadway Grand Rapids right here in our back yard. Finding Neverland follows the story of play writer J.M. Barrie, played by Jeff Sullivan, as he struggles to come up with a new play concept after all his thoughts keep coming back to his previous works, with only minor things changed, making them the same "old" story. This is when he goes to the park and with out realizing it right away meets Sylvia, played by Ruby Gibbs, whose husband has just passed away and her four sons, Peter (Seth Erdley), George (Paul Schoeller), Jack (Josiah Smother), and Michael (Brody Bett), in the park.

When he meets the boys, little does he know he is about to find the inspiration he has been looking for. Watching the boys imaginary play and somewhat wild adventures he comes up with the magical concept of Neverland and with the wildest idea for a play he has ever written. The play he writes is about pirates, boys who don't grow up, Indians, a nanny dog, and even a fairy is the story we know today as Peter Pan with the character of Peter based on himself.

Memorable songs from the show include: "Believe", "We Own the Night", "We Own the Night Reprise", performed by the boys only on a ukulele, washboard, and wooden crates with minimal and sometimes no orchestra backing, "We're All Made of Stars", and "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground".

The vocals were amazing beginning to end with harmonies of plenty and orchestra was very enjoyable. The sound was the right balance and blended very well with the orchestra and the lighting set the mood wonderfully. The set moved and flowed very well along with the movement of the actors and their dancing. The casting was spot on and brought the magic of the show to life!

If your looking for an inspiring story and a magical night out under the stars, fly to DeVos Performance Hall to see Finding Neverland brought into town by Broadway Grand Rapids and sponsored locally by season sponsor Fifth Third Bank, and this production by Meijer. Finding Neverland is currently playing until October 14th at DeVos Performance Hall, for more information about this and other great shows lined up for this season check out the Broadway Grand Rapids site: broadwaygrandrapids.com.

Connect with Finding Neverland on Twitter at @NeverlandBway, on Instagram at @fnlmusical,on facebook.com/FindingNeverlandTheMusical, and on findingneverlandthemusical.com.

Connect with Broadway Grand Rapids on Twitter at @BroadwayGR, on Instagram at @broadwaygr, and on facebook.com/BroadwayGR