When Scottish novelist and playwright J.M. Barrie conjured
his most famous character, he likely never dreamed the boy who wouldn’t grow up
would also live on forever. But Peter Pan — once a figment of Barrie’s
imagination — is now a household term: a literary hero who has inspired
countless books, movies, and theatrical adaptations. And while the tale of
Peter Pan, Captain Hook, Wendy, and the Lost Boys is one that fascinates, the
story of how Neverland and all of its characters came to be is one worth
hearing as well.
“Finding Neverland” was adapted from the 2004 Academy
Award-winning film of the same name starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, and
it’s based on a true story. Barrie was already a playwright at the turn of the 20th
century, but he was lacking a muse until he met Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her
four sons — Peter, George, Jack, and Michael — in Kensington Gardens one
afternoon. Barrie struck up an unlikely friendship with the youngsters and
their mother, becoming part of their life. When it was time to write his next
play, he based it on the imaginative adventures he had with the Llewelyn Davies
family.
The theater production, with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow
and Eliot Kennedy, and book by James Graham, opened on Broadway in 2015 with
Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston as an executive
producer. The show featured big names like Kelsey Grammer
and Laura Michelle Kelly (Broadway’s “Mary Poppins”), and it ran for 17 months
before closing last August. And although “Finding Neverland” didn’t win any big
awards on Broadway — just a few nominations — it’s the kind of show that draws
a crowd even without professional accolades. The regional tour opened earlier
this month in Buffalo (Rochester is the third stop).
The show’s cast is sizeable, and many of Barrie’s most famous
characters have cameos, since this is a play-within-a-play at times. Kevin Kern
(as J.M. Barrie) leads with his gripping tenor vocals and earnest portrayal of
the playwright. Opposite him is Christine Dwyer (Sylvia Llewelyn Davies), who
has an ethereal beauty and just the right amount of spunk to be convincing as
the mother of four energetic young boys. The pair’s duos “Neverland” and “What
You Mean to Me” are two of the most memorable numbers in the show, as the
actors have a translatable chemistry.
Tom Hewitt (Charles Frohman, Captain Hook) is the sarcastic,
swashbuckling theater owner who gives Barrie’s play a chance. In droll Upstate
New York, Hewitt was obviously a crowd favorite, as were cast members Dwelvan David (Mr. Henshaw/acting troupe) and Matt Wolpe (Mr. Cromer/acting troupe). The numbers “We Own the
Night,” “Hook,” and “Play” spotlight the ensemble, which is vocally strong and
performs much of the toe-tapping, head-bobbing choreography by Mia Michaels.
Perhaps the most enjoyable number is “We’re All Made of Stars,” which is
performed by the Llewelyn Davies brothers: Eli Tokash
(Peter), Finn Faulconer (George), Mitchell Wray (Jack),
and Jordan Cole (Michael). For young performers, the four showed an incredible
aptitude onstage, easily keeping up with the adult performers around them.
“Finding Neverland” adds to the growing number of projections
turning up in touring productions. There have been few touring shows without a
projection in months — but really, who can blame the designers? It’s less
expensive than building a set and sometimes more effective. Projection designer
Jon Driscoll has created floating clouds above London, stately trees in Kensington
Garden, and a host of flying, tick-tocking clocks to
complement the physical sets — including a floor-to-ceiling windowed nursery
and a cozy rose garden — by scenic designer Scott Pask.
Costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb
are multi-textured and whimsical, with highlights like oversized animal
costumes and a sweeping mermaid gown. Then, of course, there is Peter Pan’s
classic look, knee-high socks and knickers for the boys, and elegant gowns for
Mrs. Barrie.
There’s been a surge in female Broadway musical directors
over the last few years, and director Diane Paulus has earned her place among
the best with this production. It’s not an easy feat to present a well-known
(and loved) tale to hundreds of fans each night, but Paulus somehow makes
Neverland, Peter Pan, and J.M. Barrie even more magical.
This article appears in Oct 26 – Nov 1, 2016.
