Finding Neverland and J.M. Barrie

SHN Delivers Magic Again

I love Broadway Musicals. It's one of my guilty pleasures. One of the others: Peter Pan. Put them together? I have no defenses. 

This past Thursday my Mom and I went to San Francisco to see Finding Neverland at the SHN Orpheum Theater. I have to admit, this musical was the one that I was most looking forward to during this season. (Did I mention that Hamilton will be playing there later in March?)

But seriously, my love for Peter Pan started at a young age. And it's not just Peter Pan, but the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily, Captain Hook, Mr. Smee, the Darlings, Tinker Bell, the crocodile, mermaids and especially Neverland itself. It's a place where you play. Your imagination has the power to make things come to life. Oh, and you can fly! Who wouldn't want to fly?

Finding Neverland was originally a movie with Johnny Depp as J. M. Barrie and Kate Winslet as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. I remember seeing the movie and I fell in love with how J. M. Barrie found the story of Peter Pan. This is one of my go-to movies and I cry every time I watch it. It resonated with me on so many levels. I know what it is like to create things and having your mind explore new ideas. Having an entire world locked away in your brain before you can write it down, paint it, act it out or whatever it is that creatives do; that's an intense feeling.

If you haven't seen the movie, I highly recommend it. If you like surprises, see the musical first, then watch the movie. 

---

Can't Beat the Crocodile

Even knowing the story before we went to the theater I was still completely struck by how beautiful the set design was and how the visual effects added to the story and drew me in.

My mom and I agree one of our favorite scenes is with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and an amazing amount of glitter. Visually it's stunning. Emotionally it's perfect.

---

Get Tickets While You Can

If you can get to San Francisco by February 12, 2017 get tickets at the SHN website. You can find the other musicals in this season there too. 

If you live elsewhere check out the Finding Neverland website for where the national tour is heading and to get tickets.

Here's hoping that magic finds you,

​Directed by visionary Tony®-winner Diane Paulus and based on the critically-acclaimed Academy Award® winning film starring Johnny Depp, FINDING NEVERLAND tells the incredible story behind one of the world’s most beloved characters: Peter Pan. Playwright J.M. Barrie struggles to find inspiration until he meets four young brothers and their beautiful widowed mother. Spellbound by the boys’ enchanting make-believe adventures, he sets out to write a play that will astound London theatergoers. With a little bit of pixie dust and a lot of faith, Barrie takes this monumental leap, leaving his old world behind for Neverland, where nothing is impossible and the wonder of childhood lasts forever. The magic of Barrie’s classic tale springs spectacularly to life in this heartwarming theatrical event.

​FINDING NEVERLAND “captures the kid-at-heart,” says TIME Magazine. Vogue cheers, “It’s a must-see you’ll remember for years to come!”

---