To feel like a kid again is the struggle of every child-at-heart. But this struggle dissolves during Finding Neverland. Composers Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy transform the origin-story novel about Peter Pan  into a musical dream. The audience is transported into Neverland as the play progresses, and frankly does not want to leave it.

The plot follows the story of J.M. Barrie, an English playwright who is desperate for a new hit, and his encounters with a widow named Sylvia and her four boys (Jack, George, Michael, and Peter). Throughout the musical, Barrie accompanies the family on imaginative adventures, ranging from fleeing pirates to avoiding alligators. During their adventures, Barrie forms a special bond with Peter over writing and the imagination in the adventures. Inspired, Barrie creates Peter Pan (named after Peter) that welcomes all to the theatre, instead of simply the rich and old.

Overall, the play was beautifully cast. Once the audience saw the actors in character, it was clear that the cast could be no one else. Billy Harrigan Tighe plays a beautiful J.M. Barrie and had an amzing connection with all the cast. The boys on the stage had a perfect blend of coordination and loose fun. The adult actors were believable without being over-the-top, and each let the subtle humor of the dialogue shine. Diane Paulus masterfully coordinated the flow between scenes for both the actors and the scenery. All of the little quips and subtle humors add to the play and create the magic that Barrie is striving for.

The scenery was as magical the boys’ adventures. It was beautifully designed with even the smallest details standing out. The costumes were rather lackluster, with few changes and those that did change not truly standing out. Lighting played a key role in the production and was responsible for most of the tonal shifts within the play. The songs were catchy and upbeat, and helped with the overall flow of the play. The props are what truly made the play reflect the magic of Peter Pan. IT seemed as if all of the props were created to reflect mystic magic of Neverland.

Altogether, Finding Neverland is a stunning musical. The music and visuals fuse beautifully to express Nverland’s magic while still maintaining a somewhat serious tone. Members of the audience will not be disappointed.