‘Finding Neverland’ @ Repertory Company Theatre
—Carol M. Rice
Repertory Company Theatre in Richardson is presenting the regional premiere of Finding Neverland, a musical with tunes and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy and book by James Graham. The 2015 Broadway musical was adapted from the 1998 play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee, and the 2004 film based on the play (also called Finding Neverland), starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslett. The inspiring musical is based on true events and reveals the magical, heartwarming, behind-the-scenes happenings of one of literature’s most beloved stories — Peter Pan.
Playwright James “J.M.” Barrie is in a rut. His last production was a flop, and the one he’s currently writing is no better. His marriage is falling apart, and his producer Charles Frohman is ready to find himself another playwright. Then Barrie meets Sylvia, a widow with four children. Her son Peter, especially, is having trouble coping with his father’s death a year before, and as Barrie opens up his heart to Sylvia and the boys, he discovers the boy inside him who never grew up himself — and translates his adventures with the family to the beloved play.
Jacob Schlegel plays J.M. Barrie with sincerity and playfulness. His relationship with George, Jack, Peter, and Michael (Jack Miller, Eames Lewis, Juan Erives, and Noah Brown respectively) is fun and believable, and the boys have a great time being...well, BOYS! Schlegel also has good chemistry with Kirsten Simmons as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Their duets, “Neverland” and “What You Mean To Me” are lovely, and her motherly instincts toward the boys are realistic and sweet.
Stealing the show is Jordan Tomenga as theatre impresario Frohman (in Barrie’s real life) and Captain Hook (in his dreams). Tomenga has a rubber face and excellent comic timing, as well as a great voice and solid dance moves.
Listed as “Featured Dancer,” Chloe Parrish makes frequent, welcome appearances throughout as Peter Pan, flitting lithely about the stage. Also the choreographer for the show, Parrish incorporates some unique dance sequences throughout, using the space and the ensemble beautifully (with lots of lifts), and creating levels where there are none. Really good work.
Necia Poulsen does a nice job in her brief role as Mary Barrie (J.M.’s wife), and Timothy Crisp has some wonderfully comic moments involving chairs as Frohman’s stage manager Elliott. He has great physical comedy chops.
As Sylvia’s imperious mother Mrs. Du Maurier, Catherine Hesse has snootiness down, but she’s not afraid to show a softer side when the situation calls for it. She also gets the absolute best vintage outfits and looks stunning in them. Kudos to costume designers Caitlin Rodda and Laura Alley for the amazing period costumes...and there were MANY!
Alley wears multiple hats, the most significant being the director of Finding Neverland; her love for the show is obvious throughout. Since Repertory Company Theatre does a large number of their shows at the Courtyard Theater in Plano, I do question why such a big show was done at their Coit Road location, as I think the Courtyard would have been a better fit.
While most of the rest of the cast members have actual names, they functioned primarily as a large ensemble, and Alley and Parrish have done a fabulous job maneuvering them throughout the stage, although I wish set designers Alley and Mike Carter would have provided some more levels. A few standouts include Logan Beutel as Albert, among others; Brian Sullivan as Mr. Cromer, who hilariously plays Michael in the play-within-the-play of Peter Pan; and Derek Finch as Mr. Henshaw, a haughty actor who gets one of the best laughs in the show. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention Grizz as Porthos, who was one of the best-behaved dogs I’ve ever seen onstage.
Kelly Schaaf does a great job as music director, especially since the music for Finding Neverland is not easy. The harmonies and ensemble numbers were especially strong, particularly in “The World is Upside Down” and “Play.”
Being granted a regional premiere like Finding Neverland is an honor for any theatre, and Repertory Company Theatre has put together a premiere well worth seeing.
WHEN: July 17-August 2, 2026
WHERE: 770 N. Coit Road, #2405, Richardson TX
WEB: https://www.rcttheatre.com/
