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Finding Neverland
by Russell Bouthiller From Mary Martin of mid-century to those millennial lost boys of Peter and the Starcatcher, Peter Pan and those adorable little Darlings have captured the imagination of children and adults for more than a century. And, now, with a musical adaptation by James Graham, based on the motion picture screenplay by David Magee and the play “The Man Who Was Peter Pan” by Allan Knee, the new Broadway musical Finding Neverland casts its shadow on writer J. M. Barrie, the creator of those spritely characters. With music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, Finding Neverland stars Matthew Morrison of TV’S “Glee” and Kelsey Grammer, best known for his role on the TV series “Cheers.” Directed by Diane Paulus, this warm-hearted musical explores the creative back-story of playwright Barrie’s most well known work “Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up.” Morrison cleanly portrays the Scottish-born author whose marriage to the grasping Mary Barrie (Teal Wicks) hits the rocks at the same time he becomes acquainted with a young widow, Sylvia Llewellyn Davies (Laura Michelle Kelly) and her four boys, George, Jack, Michael and Peter (played by Sawyer Nunes, Christopher Paul Richards, Alex Dreier and Aiden Gemme respectively at the performance I attended).
As Barrie and his wife drift apart, the Llewellyn family becomes the inspiration and creative sounding board for Barrie’s fairy dust fantasies. Young Peter, in particular, captures Barrie’s heart not only because of he is a budding playwright, but also because of his initial resistance to embracing a father-figure after the loss of his own. Peter’s skepticism may well be a trait he carries from his grandmother, Mrs. Du Maurier (Carolee Carmello), who questions the propriety of Mr. Barrie’s intensions. Kelsey Grammer as Barrie’s London producer, the American Charles Frohman, also questions the soundness of Barrie’s boyhood notions, but begrudgingly rallies the troupe of actors at his theater. Though this show’s plot construct holds no surprises, the book deftly manages to direct the story away from the obvious and highlights the interdependence of J. M. Barrie and the Llewellyn family. We get to see what they have all lost in life and what they can restore through their emerging relationships. Sticky sweet as it all may sound, it works magically.
With songs rich in Celtic underscoring, Barlow and Kennedy bring a highland hominess to counter the Edwardian cynicism. Morrison and Kelly form a rich chemistry, even though the results are strictly platonic. Grammer hooks us as the producer and, later, as the devilish captain. The Llewellyn boys provide infectiously youthful energy and Carmello holds firm as the protective grandmother.
Scenic designs by Scott Pask capture period elegance with a bit of boyish whimsy. Costumes by Suttirat Anne Larlarb are lush and colorful. And, firm direction by Diane Paulus keeps the show moving briskly, punctuated by Mia Michaels robust choreography. Finding Neverland proves a pirate’s treasure for the whole family. Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Running time: 2 hr. 35 minutes, one intermission 
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