Finding Neverland at the Eccles Brings Sweet Childlike Fun to Salt Lake

By Katrina Dawn

The Eccles Theater knew what they were doing when they invited the national tour of Finding Neverland to Salt Lake City. This family friendly show is based on the 2004 film written by David Magee following J.M Barrie and his journey to writing his play Peter Pan. Unlike the movie, the musical Finding Neverland is slightly more fantastical- sure to keep kids and their caretakers entertained.

Jeff Sullivan takes the lead as J.M. Barrie struggling to write a new play for Charles Frohman (Conor McGiffin), Barrie’s American employer. While trying to write in Kensington Park, Barrie is interrupted by George, Jack and Michael (Ethan Stokes, Seth Erdley and Brody Bett) quickly followed by their mother Sylvia Llewelyn Davies (Ruby Gibbs). Middle child Peter Davies (Caleb Reese Paul) isn’t playing with his brothers, as he seems to be still struggling with his father’s recent passing. Barrie, who is having his own struggles (marriage falling apart, severe writer’s block), takes it on himself to help Peter return to being a boy by embracing his own inner child. Sullivan’s best moves are when he is being silly and free and even his final bow is filled with fun and fever, convincing us that he loves being J.M. Barrie.

Stokes, Erdly, Bett, and Paul each hold their own onstage, equals to those they work with. In a show with many great things about it, these young actors may be what’s best about Finding Neverland. Even in duets, some with one of the brothers, but Peter’s duets with Barrie, all boys clearly and strongly hit the notes, keep in character, and are thoroughly adorable. Even Sammy, who plays Barrie’s dog Porthos, hits all of his cues, and provides a huge laugh when he sniffs as dogs tend to do when the actor playing Nana the dog in Peter Pan is in costume and on all fours.

Gibbs has a beautiful voice that fills the theatre during “All That Matters,” and when combined with Sullivan, the two convincingly play their parts growing closer to each other throughout. She is very much the concerned and caring mother and I was quite taken with her caring attitude toward her boys. Her mother Mrs. Du Maurier, played by Emmanuelle Zeesman , provided some great comic relief as the controlling mother/grandmother, but what I liked best is she didn’t go all tyrant/jerk but it seemed to me she was being more fierce mother tiger, and that’s a role that is far more understandable. I also noticed Zeesman kissing one of the boys during the bows, proof to me that she really is the loving grandmother, and that this is a tight and close cast.

Frohman and the ensemble really steal the show during “Something About This Night,” and the synergy of the cast is wonderful. The choreography of Mia Michaels pulls the whole number together, and Michaels creates an interesting dance several times to the big tick tocking of the clock that will eventually be the clock inside the crocodile. It’s hard to explain what it was, but I will say, how does one choreograph a clock ticking?  Come to Finding Neverland and see.

This show in itself is a spectacle to be seen with Illusions (Paul Kieve), Projections (Jon Driscoll), flying, glitter, and beautiful, historically accurate costumes (Suttirat Anne Larlab).  The vibrancy of Finding Neverland is marvelous and all of it gave me a feeling of childlike wonder—appropriate when one of the themes of the piece is keeping your own childlike wonder alive, no matter how old you are. With a live orchestra conducted by Patrick Hoagland, there isn’t a piece missing from the whole package Finding Neverland presents.

I found myself feeling this feeling of, what comes next? What will happen next? throughout much of the show—and this is very good. There are laughs for the adults in the crowd, pratfalls and gags for the kiddos, and lots for everyone to enjoy. As we left, we saw Eccles employees carrying huge stacks of cushions that were put on chairs so kiddos could watch the show. That alone is simply wonderful.

Though we are all doing the holiday thing, going to plays, concerts, ballets, movies, shopping, and so forth, Finding Neverland has enough spectacle, joy, and love to certainly fit for a wonderful holiday activity. Bring the family and find your own Neverland. (Insert rooster crowing here)

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Broadway Across America and the Eccles Theater presents Finding Neverland, book by James Graham; music and lyrics by Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy.
George S and Dolores Dore Eccles Theater, 131 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (Tip: As with any show at the Eccles, if you can take Trax at least part of the way any headache (and payment) from parking can be avoided.)
December 4-6 7:30 PM; 7 8:00 PM; 8 2:00 PM, 8:00 PM; 9 1:00 PM, 6:30 PM.
Tickets: $80-125
Contact: 801-355-ARTS (2787), Toll Free: 888-451-ARTS (2787)
Eccles Theater Facebook Page
Finding Neverland Facebook Event