Finding Neverland at ART -- Reviews & Thoughts — Page 9

http://variety.com/2014/legit/reviews/theater-review-finding-neverland-musical-1201282806/

Variety review of Neverland

The Boston Globe review made what I think is a good point at the end of the review:

"But this is a fun and touching show, gorgeous to look at and listen to, and the 2½ hours mostly fly by. How you feel about “Finding Neverland” will depend on whether you believe that’s enough."


Globe Review

Certainly no raves, unanimous or otherwise. I think I'll save myself that trip to Boston and wait for the TDF magic on Broadway.

Now that the show is open at the ART, is it frozen until they move to their Broadway house?

Jered Bowen: "I don't have enough thumbs to raise for the new Finding Neverland." I think that is pretty glowing and I have heard from someone who has seen it at least five times, it is well worth the trip to Boston.
Hey, then when it win the Tony for best new Musical you can say "I saw it when..."

That NYT review is pretty nasty. I heartily disagree with it. I disagree, for starters, that this is a "children’s musical." I've seen it three times so far, and I find the show to be asking more questions than it answers -- questions about how to define tricky things like childhood, innocence, happiness. It confronts mortality in ways that speak to me (I'm 45); it shows that these topics have layers and depth. The quotes that the NYT pulled are accurate, but proportionally, the show includes many more lines & lyrics that connote ambivalence and complexity.

I also disagree that Jordan plays Barrie as if "his sensibility is that of a fun-loving child." Jordan's Barrie has stunted emotional growth, and pain in layers, and tons of awkwwardness. He's far more awkward than free, and it's bang on. It works.

That Brantley review was very odd. Most of it felt more like a review of Mr. Weinstein than the show. Then, toward the end, he starts talking quite positively about the show, but then immediately turns around and ends it on a note where he, essentially, calls the show a flop. Truthfully, it sounds like he wanted to get more of a dig in at Weinstein than anything else.

Why would Weinstein not allow the NYTimes to legitimately review, but allow Variety and local papers? Is it only a work-in-progress for certain people?

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Saw it last night and found it enchanting! The score is memorable and the set and effects are well done. It still has some weak/rough moments and some of the choreography is incongruous, but every single character on stage rings true. While I'm sure children of a certain age will enjoy it, it's not really a "children's musical" as it has been characterized elsewhere. However,I was disappointed that the rumored dancing bumblebees were nowhere in sight!

GilmoreGirl02, I agree with you, it did sound more like a personal attack on Weinstein. Just curious, has
Brantley ever been crazy about a show? If so, what was it, I am curious to know. Finding Neverland has appeal for everyone. Lost love, unrequited love, loss of a parent, make believe, personally I think people
of all ages will like it, young and old alike.

ggersten, i agree with you. Brantley seems to be reviewing the show he thinks this should be. I'm a professional reviewer myself (not of theater!) and we're not supposed to review the piece we wanted it to be. We need to review the piece that it *is.* Otherwise it undermines the whole point of the review, the review process, and the piece of art.

Re that Brantley review--sure teenagers have helped make Wicked the huge hit it is--there's no denying. But pre-adolescent *kids*? Are 9 year olds dragging their parents the ones helping it run a decade?