Isn’t it simply fabulous to get lost in the moment of visual beauty and emotions, when struggles of frustration simply slips away and the pain of reality isn’t present in your mind’s conscience? When imagination, pureness, love and happiness fills your heart.
Finding Neverland transports the audience back into realm of imagination, magic and creativity. It takes us on the journey of how author J.M. Barrie was inspired to create one of our most beloved fantasy stories—Peter Pan! He was suffering from writer’s block, struggling to push out of the box that was set and framed upon him. Then he met a family of four young boys and a widow Sylvia, who opened him up to his imagination and dreams that had suppressed for a while. I was quite astonished when I found grave reviews and harsh critiques about this musical. Finding Neverland showed us stirring voices, frivolous fun and humor, intricate scenic designs, and poignant depth…
via theaterdistrikt
Each of the various sets had astounding depth and great attention to detail, making them three-dimensional and the experience enriching. It’s such a wonderful feeling to immerse yourself in the majestic myriad colors of midnight blue, turquoise, lavender, pinks…the classic English/Victorian era architecture and fashion captivates me, especially since I grew up in such a different and contrasting Asian culture.
The songs were sung so beautifully and the lyrics stuck to my heart, making me hum automatically to the catchy melodies. I found comfort in the positivity, warmth and encouragement that the lyrics kept expressing to us. The young boys bring such a luminous charm and captures the vivacity and liveliness in their performances! This play is far from being just a kid’s show, it touches and intertwines aspects that dig deep into our lives—affairs, divorce, sickness and death, transcending reality and entering a magical territory of the wildest dreams and fantasies.
via Pinterest
The appeal of the Finding Neverland Musical isn’t simply from how great the singing or acting was, or how beautiful the stage designs and costumes were. Sure, all different aspects add to the artistic appeal of an entertaining performance, but the best thing about the whole three-hour experience is that it makes you FEEL. A good, strong performance brings you a wave of emotions; it transports you to a magical place of vulnerability and genuineness. You get to be honest with yourself about the struggles and frustration that has been going on in your life, the pain that suffocates you and the worries that has been nagging at the back of your mind. The whole theater sensation beckons you to relate, have empathy and celebrates all that life brings through a rollercoaster ride with each of the characters.
via theaterdistrikt
via disneyexaminer
The sick widow Sylvia’s death scene was portrayed in such a beautiful and poignant way, triggering tears and sniffling from the audience. We could see the struggle and pain that she’s about to leave her children and all the people that she loves. After J.M. Barrie and the boys said their goodbyes, Peter Pan takes her gently by the hand and flies her off to Neverland through the open window, leaving a billowing scarf dancing in the wind and the glittery pixie dust in her wake. I reflected on how short time is, how I missed my family and friends, how life is a blur of images and memories that will slip away all too quickly. How I wish I could savor every touching moment of my life and be with the people that loves, cherishes and strengthens me.
Musicals like this allows me to be so thankful that I get to have access to these beautiful forms of art that I would never had had the chance to experience back in Taiwan. The overflowing resources here in the US overwhelms me in such a satisfying way. Ballet, dances, opera, concerts, musicals, plays, improv…we are so lucky to be blessed with such abundance in the arts community!