'Finding Neverland' Reveals Magic, Imagination Behind Peter Pan Story

By Libby Smith

"Finding Neverland" runs at the Buell Theatre from Dec. 20 through Jan. 1. Get tickets and learn more about the musical at a special page of DenverCenter.org.

DENVER (CBS4) - "Finding Neverland" tells the story behind one of the world's most beloved characters, Peter Pan. In the musical, playwright J.M. Barrie is struggling to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their widowed mother.

While "Finding Neverland" is the story of how Peter Pan was created, it is not "Peter Pan." It's about family, imagination and love. Some theater-goers may have preconceived expectations about the musical based on its connection to Peter Pan and the Hollywood movie it's based on. But those expectations should be set aside. While "Peter Pan" is a part of the play, and the movie offers a basic framework "Finding Neverland" delivers a treasure chest of fantasy, theatrical magic and family fun.

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"A lot of people, I think, have definitely seen 'Finding Neverland.' It was a great movie and I think a lot of people really love it," said Kevin Kern, the actor who plays J.M. Barrie in "Finding Neverland."

"But ... a lot of people come in not knowing anything about it. I mean, maybe sort of having a little bit of knowledge of 'Peter Pan' obviously. But I think that the majority of people ... come away with this huge knowledge of what "Peter Pan" is and what the real story of J.M. Barrie and his creation of Peter Pan was."

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The show is about how J.M. Barrie came to write "Peter Pan," but the touring production, which has added songs and scenes, focuses on love of family, and finding a passion for creativity.

"He makes a decision. Not that, 'Oh, I'm going to write 'Peter Pan.' He makes this decision, it's before he comes up with 'Peter Pan' -- "I'm going to now open myself up to the world, and see what hits me, which I haven't done. Now I'm going to do that. I'm going to open myself up, use my imagination, and see what happens.' And then all these things happen," Kern told CBS4.

CBS4 Critic at Large Greg Moody said the first 20 minutes move slowly, as characters and scenes are set. But he said that by the end of the first act he was captured, and by the end of the second, he was simply amazed. Moody said that it reminded him of the power of theatrical magic.

"This is a show about love, imagination, and family. And I've got to tell you, I went in not knowing what to expect, and I just loved it," Moody said.

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For actress Christine Dwyer, who plays Sylvia, "Finding Neverland" is the perfect holiday show.

"I think what people really take away from it is...you want to go home and hug your loved ones. You want to be around your friends and be around people that you care about and care for each other. You really come away from this show feeling a sense of love and community, and kind of wanting to express that," Dwyer told CBS4.

The challenge comes in finding the path to the heart of the audience.

"You know, we've made a couple of changes from the Broadway production to the touring production to sort of end it in a little more of an uplifting way. There is some sad moments in the show, of course, but we don't dwell on them too much. We look towards the positive which I think is so beautiful. That's what the character of Sylvia does her whole life and so I think to end our show in an uplifting, positive way kind of pays respect to the way she lived her life," Dwyer explained.

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Late in the second act, she becomes the centerpiece of an interesting bit of stage magic. Sylvia's vortex is a combination of lighting, fans and glitter, that may seem simple, but has to be reajusted for the draft patterns in every theatre in which the show plays. It's a marvelous, magical and touching moment.

"If you saw this on Broadway, you haven't seen the show," Moody said.

Playing the boys that inspired J.M. Barrie to write "Peter Pan" is an experience that this group of young performers simply can't stop talking about.

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"The experience is just amazing," said Ben Krieger, who plays "Peter" in "Finding Neverland."

"It's definitely a blast," said Mitchel Wray, who plays "Jack."

"The cast is amazing. We all get along so well," said Jordan Cole, who plays "Michael".

They may be kids, but they're also actors. And as actors, they have to find and bring their characters and the story alive on stage, each and every night.

"If you do your work, as long as you do it, and know your stuff, then it's good. It's good. You can have fun. They let you take a little bit of creative liberty with it, like it's not all in the script," said Finn Faulconer, who plays "George".

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"With this character, I can explore my acting skills a lot because at one part of the show "Peter" is super fun. He's playing like these ones. And then at another point, he has to cry and he's super sad, so I just think that there's really cool to be in that kind of position in the show," Krieger explained.

While they're creating those characters and remembering their choreography, they're also directing another actor on stage.

"On stage he's so energetic and so happy and it's so fun working with Sammy. We're in charge of Sammy on stage, so if anything happens to Sammy the problem comes to us," Krieger said of Sammy the dog who plays "Porthos", the Llewelyn's beloved St. Bernard.

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For actor Thom Hewitt, "Finding Neverland" gives him the role of a lifetime, playing both the original producer of "Peter Pan" as well as everyone's favorite bad guy.

"Kind of in the tradition of the play "Peter Pan", where Mr. Darling, the father of the children, also plays Captain Hook, in this production I play Charles Frohman, the producer of "Peter Pan" and I also play Captain Hook," Hewitt told CBS4.

For Hewitt playing both characters give the audience a look into the nature of imagination and the personality of the author.

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"The Captain Hook I play is kind of a manifestation, sort of a facet of J.M. Barrie's personality that manifests itself to sort of encourage Barrie to ...I always use the term 'pirate up'...you know to find the courage and conviction to write his story and to explore the darker elements of his personality," Hewitt said.

Darker but fun as well. This is a high energy show that throws caution to the wind.

"I think that people can come in with the expectation of having a good time and seeing a really, really good show. I think they may have the expectation that this is a place just for children, and it is, it's a great show for kids, but it also really appeals to the child in all the adults as well," Hewitt explained.

Given the show's heart felt plot line and sense of fun, it might just make a great destination show.

"I would say that this is a really good date show," Hewitt said with a laugh. "I think it's sort of like a chic musical, but with pirates."

Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.