FINDING NEVERLAND with Matthew Morrison Never Soared

Johnny Depp & Kate Winslet starred in the touching & magical movie this new musical is based.  The cast includes musical TV & Bwy stars Matthew Morrison (Glee, South Pacific) & Kelsey Grammer (Cheers, La Cage aux Folles.)  Morrison plays J.M. Barrie, the famed British playwright best known for writing Peter Pan.  Grammer plays Charles Frohman the Amer. producer who brought Barrie's plays to the London stage in the 19thC.  Barrie's relationship with a British widow & her 4 sons (one named Peter) are believed to have sparked Barrie's imagination for his beloved creation.  This musical can boast many charming & entertaining components:  Morrison's beautiful singing voice & acting talents to the role and Grammer, his dramatic gifts.  The 4 boys & especially their mother (Laura Kelly) were all wonderful in their roles.  I liked the impish, balletic dancing by Pan and the humorous choreography by the servants.  There were several musical numbers that were stellar:  "The Dinner Party" & "Something About This Night."  Sadly, the majority of numbers sunk and the melodrama was murky.  Too much fairy dust & fanfare overshadowed the play.   The 2 boys in my row were asked if they liked it, they shrugged their shoulders & 1 said "I don't know."  NEVERLAND felt like a ship highjacked by pirates.  It never steered on course despite its bright stars.