Who is Peter Pan and where did he come from…. have you ever found yourself wondering?
Finding Neverland playing at the National Theatre in Washington DC (one of my FAVORITE’s neighborhood theaters) now thru Sunday the 3rd is the story that leads up to Peter Pan, a story of triumph, despair, success and ultimately the life, times and family of the beloved character we all know and love.
The show is visually spectacular with fabulous realistic props like fog on the streets of London or the moon with the clouds passing above during the late night street scene and solo performance by Peter Pan’s mother. The musical is emotionally evoking leaving the audience cheering, jeering, and almost crying during various parts of the performance. You quickly realize that Peter Pan was a boy like so many we all know, just in need of a little play and imagination, after he was forced to grow up too quickly with the passing of his father.
Mr. Barrie, a playwright at the turn of the century, really brings character to the film after becoming obsessed with Peter Pan. He leaves his stuffy life (and wife) behind and finds the boy within himself and while doing so brings out the best in Peter Pan during the hardest of times, where love from the most unexpected places bring hope to a family desperately in need of a miracle. The townspeople are caught up in gossip which adds a fun and funny twist not unlike we would find in Hollywood today.
The kids with their British accents and cheery nature in the face of adversity are what really bring out the laughter and smiles in the audience. With their cute little hair cuts, nickers and suspenders whats not to love as they belt out amazing songs that warm your heart!
If you have the opportunity to catch Finding Neverland before it leaves the National Theatre you won’t regret it!
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