REVIEWS
"John Davidson is today's Will Rogers. He spends 60 or 70 minutes on stage, all alone. OH. MY. GOSH. The voice, the voice, the voice. He can sigh the most sweetly silent of ballads and then belt for the back row of the MUNY in St. Louis. John Davidson is a musical marvel. The show itself is perfectly constructed and presented. It's hard to tell if Mr. Davidson is speaking extemporaneously or if there is a script that he wrote. The songs he sings are mostly songs that he wrote, every one of them is melodic and moving, whether the emotions they evoke are heartfelt and tender or hilarious and raucous. The evening is full to the brim with his commentary on life, politics, and lessons learned as he has aged. You don't need to know who John Davidson is to enjoy his show. You only need to know how to feel. Making you feel, through storytelling, musical or otherwise, is what John Davidson was born to do."
"So wait a second: John Davidson - the Hollywood Squares host and the incurably wholesome crooner on too many variety shows to completely avoid - is far better now as an actor than he ever was as a TV personality or a singer??!? Capable of savagery and raw power? Watching the Charlotte premiere of FINDING NEVERLAND at Belk Theater earlier this week turned my long-held convictions upside-down ... theatergoers across the US from Rhode Island to Arizona should be on the lookout for Davidson's bravura."
"For only having two weeks rehearsal, Davidson is wonderful in the role (originated by Kelsey Grammer on Broadway), immersing himself as the character so the audience isn’t just thinking “that’s John Davidson!” (or “That’s incredible!”). He also sounds great in his numbers and even gets to really chew the scenery a bit as Hook. Overall, a really wonderful performance."
- Hotchka
"John Davidson, a veteran of stage and television, provides a comical and steady presence. I love his performance. This part(s) takes a special type to enjoy themselves on stage and create a “villain” that you enjoy and love anyway."
"It was a delight to see John Davidson’s charisma shining through in this role. I remember him as a talk show host, but didn’t realize he had such a great voice!"
"Blustering producer Charles Frohman is played by John Davidson, known to audiences for his work on television and films (“That’s Incredible,” “The Happiest Millionaire.”) His roots, however, are in musical theater, and it shows. At age 75, he’s a force of nature as Frohman (and his alter-ego, Captain Hook)."
Pirates improve any adventure tale, especially when the dastardly Capt.
Hook commands the crew of buccaneers...But none of the supporting players or the leads have the immense charisma of John Davidson as theater producer Charles Frohman and Capt. James Hook. A Hollywood veteran of film and television (he used to guest host “The Tonight Show”), Davidson dominates every scene he appears in. As Frohman, he delivers the best jokes with impeccable timing. When he transforms into Capt. Hook, he creates the perfect blend of genuine menace and cartoonish dastardly villainy — somehow he finds a halfway point between Snidely Whiplash and Jack Nicholson’s Joker.
"And septuagenarian John Davidson (of “That’s Incredible!” and “Hollywood Squares” fame) is a deft and nimble pro, delicately nibbling the set-pieces as Barrie’s stage producer Charles Frohman then seizing the scenery with his incisors as Captain Hook."
"John Davidson delivers a masterful performance — and most of the play’s funny lines — as the skeptical Charles and Captain Hook, the dark side Barrie needs to release to get his creative juices flowing."