THEATRE REVIEW: "Finding Neverland" at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (Chicago, IL)

      On November 25th, 2016, I saw a performance of the James Graham / Gary Barlow / Eliot Kennedy musical "Finding Neverland," when the National Tour played a two week run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre in Chicago, IL.  The ticket for this show was part of my 2015 Christmas present from my parents, which was a Broadway in Chicago 2016 Subscription for the Spring Series of shows.  This was the last show of that series.  Other shows I got to see with that series subscription included "42nd Street," "The SpongeBob Musical," "The Sound of Music,' and "Fun Home."  I didn't know too much about "Finding Neverland" before seeing it.  






     "Finding Neverland" is based on the play "The Man Who was Peter Pan" by Allan Knee.  The musical was about J.M Barrie, and how he went about writing the play version of "Peter Pan."  At the performance I saw of the show, the production starred Kevin Kern, Tom Hewitt, and Christine Dwyer.  Also in the production was Joanna Glushak, Jordan Cole, Finn Faulconer, Tyler Patrick Hennessy, Ben Krieger, Eli Tokash, and Mitchell Wray.  The scenic design was by Scott Pask.  I guess I liked the musical (though it wasn't my favorite).  I was just expecting more scenes of illusory flying via piano wire.  There was only one scene of that, and it was at the end of the show.  That was after Christina Dwyer's character dies, the scene of which involves her opening a window and being enveloped by phosphorescent moths.  




    
      The Act One finale was pretty neat.  I believe this scene was comprised of three songs: "Stronger (part one)," "Hook," and "Stronger (part two)."  It involved Barrie's struggle with creating Captain Hook's character, and in doing so, he kind of does battle with him and a bunch of pirates.  This was definitely one of the most big-budget scenes of the musical.  Looking back, I'm not sure I would have gone to see this show had I not had subscription tickets.  I probably would have seen it if I won the ticket lottery, but not for any other reason though.



Me at the Cadillac Palace Theatre seeing "Finding Neverland."




     The World Premiere Production of "Finding Neverland" ran from August 13th through September 28th, 2014 (preview performances began July 23rd) in Cambridge, MA.  The production starred Jeremy Jordan, Laura Michelle Kelly, Carolee Carmello, Jeanna de Wall, and Michael McGrath.  The Broadway Production of "Finding Neverland" performed from April 15th, 2015 through August 21st, 2016 (previews began on March 15th, 2015).  Kelsey Grammer and Matthew Morrison joined the cast.  I think Teal Wicks did too.  











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