Review: FINDING NEVERLAND at Straz Center For The Performing Arts

The musical Finding Neverland was inspired by the 2004 Academy Award-winning film of the same title. It is to Peter Pan what Wicked is to The Wizard of Oz. This prequel gives us a look into the life of Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie and the emotional journey that inspirited him to pen the mythical adventure of Peter Pan.

Suffering with a bout of writer's block, Barrie (Billy Harrigan Tighe) explores London's Kensington Gardens for some inspiration, after being charged to compose another play for his badgering American producer Charles Frohman (Matthew Quinn). He happens upon four precocious boys playing in the park under the watchful eye of their overworked but doting mother Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Christine Dwyer).

Barrie becomes fascinated with the children's imagination while romping throughout the garden. It somehow brings out the inner boy in him and his imagination, long buried by the grown up he has become. He soon forms a friendship with the boys and a platonic relationship with their widowed mother. Although we are lead to believe they both want more than a friendship, Sylvia being lonely and Barrie in a stifling marriage, they sadly remain at arm's length.

Of particular interest to Barrie is Peter, the eldest boy who thinks playtime is trivial. Sylvia feels Peter had to grow up too soon after their father's death and takes life too seriously. When Peter starts to accept the wonderment of play and imagination, engaging in playtime with his brothers and writing a play of his own, Barrie envisions the birth of his lead character for the play he is writing, which becomes the legendary Pater Pan.

Although the pace of first act is a bit slow, it morphs in to a literal bang by intermission to the loud cheers and applause of the audience. A song that helped pick up the pace was the awesome "Circus of Your Mind". This show was quite unexpectedly visually stunning as well as boldly vivid, producing booming sound effects that you not only heard, but felt. The second act picked up the pace and moved with more focused continuity and purpose. It all ties together nicely in the end and with more special effects that will grab your attention.

Spoiler alert! Did Sylvia have to die!

Billy Harrigan Tighe is delightful as J.M. Barrie. He's relatable, lovable and can hit the notes thrown at his character. He assumes the father figure role over the boys with such kindness. His character comes to life in a playful way. MR Tighe is a fine actor we will see more of. Miss Dwyer as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies embodies the widowed mother of the boys with such depth and compassion. Known for her portrayal on Broadway in the celebrated role of Elphaba in the blockbuster Wicked, Finding Neverland doesn't quite take advantage of the pipes she has fined tuned but she elegantly bequeaths that voice to her tender and fragile character. Rory Donovan admirably shows his diversity in the roles of Captain James Hook and Charles Frohmn. Karen Murphy as Sylvia's mother, is grand and elegant as Mrs. du Marurier. The boys are all adorable accomplished actors who nicely hold their own on stage.

The entire ensemble made the show fun and entertaining. One would have expected a bit more choreography for something this whimsical but the sound (Jonathan Deans) and illusions (Paul Kieve) made up for it.

Favorite line one actor delivered to another:

"Do you believe in fairies?"

"Do I believe in fairies? I work in the theatre. I see them everyday!"

Favorite song:

"Circus of Your Mind"

For more information on Finding Neverland visit www.findingneverlandthemuscial.com.

For upcoming shows at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts see www.strazcenter.org.

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