Review: FINDING NEVERLAND Soars into Milwaukee's Marcus Center

A fairy light flits against the curtain as it rises on a scene of Kensington Gardens circa 1904. "Welcome to London!" sings the ensemble, whirling on and off the stage as nannies push prams, ladies gossip, children gallop, and playwright James Barrie snags an open park bench in search of inspiration.

That inspiration is at the core of Finding Neverland. It's the story of how Peter Pan's author, J.M. Barrie, gets inspired by a family of four darling boys and their high-spirited mother, Sylvia, to create one of the most beloved characters in children's literature.

To tell a story chockfull of pirates, pixie dust, mermaids, thimble kisses, rogue shadows, dog nannies, and kids in flight, a sense of magic and enchantment is a must. For the most part, Finding Neverland pulls through in awakening that sense of childlike wonder, especially in its bright, illustrative sets and moments sprinkled throughout the show that dive directly into Barrie's imagination.

For instance, at a dull dinner party, the mirthless adults remain frozen in time as James, Sylvia, the children, and the waitstaff clown about singing "We Own the Night." Another such moment comes after a day of make-believe in Kensington Gardens, as Sylvia and James attempt to tuck the riled-up boys into bed. "I won't go to bed, I won't, I won't!" the littlest, Michael, gleefully shouts. As the brothers bounce on their beds, James imagines them flying. And once again, when Barrie begins to lose his way, his imagination springs to life in the form of the scalawag Captain Hook.

These moments always come just in the knick of time to inject another dose of playfulness into Finding Neverland. For though the sets are picture perfect, the costuming exquisite, the choreography of Broadway caliber, it's in the songs where this musical, sometimes, falls flat. The score is triumphant, filled with power ballads and pop-style tunes - but they're just not terribly catchy or memorable. That, and some of the lyrics and phrasing feel a bit out of place and time for a musical set in 1904.

But what saves the otherwise-forgettable songs in this Finding Neverland national tour is the incredible - and consistent - talent on stage. Will Ray who plays Barrie also played Valjean on Broadway, so that certainly speaks to the caliber of his vocal ability and range. He nails every note. John Davidson acts as both Barrie's producer, Charles Frohman, and the Captain Hook of Barrie's imagination. His is a crowd-pleasing performance, full of laughs. But in terms of voice alone, none surpass Lael Van Keuren as Sylvia. Her big song, "All That Matters," is made memorable thanks to her soaring, life-giving instrument. What a joy to behold.

The four young boys in the cast also keep pace with the grown-ups. In Act Two, their sweet washboard-and-ukulele song, "We're All Made of Stars," is a charming, lighthearted little ditty made all the more amusing by these four young fellows. It would be nice to see more of that from Finding Neverland - the chance to really let the children, and just the children, shine.

But it can't be denied that there are shining moments aplenty in this Pan-themed spectacular. Again, the choreography is remarkably well-crafted and perfectly executed by a brilliant cast of characters. Especially unforgettable is the way in which Sylvia goes to Neverland in a flurry of sparkle and light. It's absolute magic, and moments like these make one sigh and revel at the splendor of what's possible at the theater.

That sense of appreciating the idea of a play and its infinite possibilities - that's an essential truth in Finding Neverland. It's an invitation to search your imagination, unlock the child within, and embrace the way in which a playful nature makes it possible to survive even the darkest of times. A bit of imagination and silliness go a long way, and there's enough of each in Finding Neverland to take you "straight on 'til morning."

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