‘Curious Case of Benjamin Button’ review: A sweet and folksy musical that wants to go to Broadway

Key Points:

• "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" musical, which opened at the Public Theater, improves significantly in its second half when the focus shifts to the romantic leads Benjamin and Elowen, portrayed by Andrew Durand and Kelsee Kimmel, whose genuine chemistry is the show's strongest asset.
• The musical adapts F. Scott Fitzgerald's story by relocating the setting from Baltimore to coastal Cornwall, England, and changing the timeline to start in 1918, linking Benjamin's backward aging to the historical context of post-World War I Britain.
• The production's first act is criticized for its overly verbose exposition, numerous side characters, and confusing narration, whereas the second act offers a more mature and focused exploration of loss and the passage of time.
• Andrew Durand's performance as Benjamin is praised for its subtlety and emotional depth, effectively conveying the character's unique aging process without overacting, while Kelsee Kimmel's multiple roles and emotional commitment enhance the show's impact.
• The musical features a Celtic-adjacent, acoustic score and a set design evoking a sunken fishing boat, contributing to the atmospheric and period-appropriate aesthetic, although some elements like the ensemble's multiple roles and theatrical devices in the first act may challenge audience engagement.