Review: 'Finding Neverland' Tour at The Bushnell

“Peter, I was hoping to use your name for one of the characters in my next play. If you will allow me, that is.” - J.M. Barrie in ‘Finding Neverland’

Hartford, CT - The Weinstein Live Entertainment and NETworks Presentations LLC tour of ‘Finding Neverland’ landed at The Bushnell and opened on Tuesday evening.

Directed by visionary Tony®-winner Diane Paulus, ‘Finding Neverland’ tells the story behind the beloved character of Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie (portrayed by Broadway’s Billy Harrigan Tighe) struggles to write his next play until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Inspired by the boys’ make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. Barrie takes a monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Peter Pan springs spectacularly to life in this memorable musical.

From the opening “Welcome to London,” this heartwarming musical had me hooked; by intermission, after the stirring “Stronger” act one closer, I had already labeled this the best tour that I have seen this year. One beautiful musical number followed another and I will admit that I teared up as the audience proved that we believed in fairies.

The motif of the ticking away of time was evident and those who paid attention could catch the origin of the light for Tinkerbell, the hook for the hand of the villainous pirate, thimble/kisses, and the ticking crocodile. There was also a nod to Peter’s shadow in one duet. The lighting designed by Kenneth Posner was spectacular in so many scenes with well-designed projections by Jon Driscoll; Daniel Wurtzel is credited as the air sculptor for Sylvia’s final magical scene that was achingly beautiful. The set designed by Scott Pask traveled well and the lavish costumes designed by Suttirat Anne Larlarb were simply perfect. The orchestra under the direction of Ryan Cantwell played well the glorious score.

The children of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies were played by a rotating cast of young boys including Turner Birthisel, Connor Jameson Casey, Wyatt Cirbus, Bergman Freedman, Tyler Patrick Hennessy and Colin Wheeler, many in their tour debuts. I couldn’t begin to figured out which young performer covered each son and which two had opening night off, but all did well playing the boisterous young boys and one actor played ukelele onstage for the poignant “We’re All Made of Stars.”

Christine Dwyer (who I could totally see as Elphaba in ‘Wicked’ on Broadway) was excellent in the role of the recently widowed mother of four boys and her singing was achingly beautiful. In the role that Matthew Morrison played on Broadway, Billy Harrigan Tighe (‘Pippin,’ Elder Price in ‘Book of Mormon’) exuded charm as the playwright who dreamed up Peter Pan, Captain Hook and Tinkerbell.

“Twenty-five seats, given to orphans. Perfect. Now my nightmare is complete.” - Charles Frohman

What a treat to see television host John Davidson in the role of Charles Frohman and Captain James Hook. The 75 year old actor/singer/dancer, who appeared on Broadway in ‘State Fair,’ ‘Foxy,’ and ‘Oklahoma!,’ did extremely well as both the silver-haired theatre producer anxious for his next hit and Barrie’s alter ego Captain Hook. He even got to “Play” in the number of the same name that celebrated nursery rhymes. Broadway veteran Karen Murphy (‘A Little Night Music,’ ‘42 Street’) was regal in the role of the high-society mother of Sylvia and grandmother to the rowdy boys.

The ensemble members did amazing work in the all of their incarnations, whether dancing London Parkgoers, pirates, servants, acting troupe members in rehearsal or the Peter Pan cast. Some stepped up to play the named roles of Wendy (Adrianne Chu,) Mr. Henshaw (Dwelvan David,) Miss Bassett (Victoria Huston-Elem,) Elliot (Thomas Miller,) Captain Hook in the company (‘Will Ray,’) Mary Barrie (Kristine Reese,) Albert (Corey Rives,’) Peter Pan (Dee Tomasetta,) Mr. Cromer (Matt Wolpe,) and the hysterical Lord Cannan (Noah Plomgren, who was Benny Southstreet in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at Goodspeed.) The canine Porthos was brought to furry life by Sammy, trained of course by William Berloni.

I loved everything about this heartwarming theatrical event that I honestly did not want to end. I would happily see it again and again. Do not miss this spectacular production of a wonderful new musical.

‘Finding Neverland’ has a clever book by James Graham with fabulous music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy. The musical is based upon the the critically-acclaimed Academy Award® winning Miramax film written by David Magee and the play ‘The Man Who Was Peter Pan’ by Allan Knee. The touring production was directed by Diane Paulus, with choreography by Mia Michaels and music supervision by Fred Lassen with orchestrations by Simon Hale. Performances at the Bushnell run through Aug. 6.

Nancy Sasso Janis has been writing theatre reviews since 2012 as a way to support local theatre venues and posts reviews of well over 100 productions each year. In 2016, she became a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. She continues to contribute theatre news, previews, and audition notices to local Patch sites. Reviews of all levels of theatrical productions are posted on Naugatuck Patch and the Patch sites closest to the venue. Follow the reviewer on her Facebook pages Nancy Sasso Janis: Theatre Reviewer and Connecticut Theater Previews and on Twitter @nancysjanis417