Still More Theater Saturday - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

We received complimentary tickets to The Curious Case of Benjamin Button for review purposes. All opinions expressed here are our own.

What: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Where: Public Theater 

             425 Lafayette St.

             New York, NY

Who: Recommended for ages 12 and up

When: Through December 6, 2026

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, the story of a man who ages backwards, is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although the original is set in Baltimore, Maryland, the Brad Pitt movie version was mostly set in New Orleans, and the current musical is set in a Cornish fishing village, drawing on writer-director Jethro Compton's own background. This gives the story a quaintness and a deep sense of community.

This show is beautifully staged, beautifully acted, and beautifully sung. Andrew Durand is sweet, charming, and sometimes heartbreaking as Button.  Most of the other performers play several roles. At times, some even play animals or small children. Kudos to Kris Saint-Louis and Claire-Frances Sullivan, who brilliantly capture the youthfulness and naivety of Button's young children. Another standout is Kelsee Kimmel as Button's wife, Eloween. Her portrayal is equally full of heart and spunk. 

The music, a mix of folk and sea shanties, is quite important. Although there is spoken dialogue, the plot is mainly told through song. However, the cast's voices are so clear and well enunciated that you never lose any of the story.

The cast members also make up the band. Most of them play more than one instrument. Some even play as many as three or four. They effortlessly slip in and out of roles and from one instrument to another at a moment's notice and without missing a beat.

All in all, the show is just an absolute delight. If it isn't the next show to move from the Public Theater to Broadway, it should be!

And that's our view. For more about The Curious Case of Benjamin Button or to purchase tickets, visit publictheater.org/productions/season/2627/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.

Tune in tomorrow for this week's Sunday Scoop.

Photo credits:

All The Curious Case of Benjamin Button production photos by Joan Marcus

All images used in this post were sent by publicists, artists, and/or  PR firms and are used with permission. Address concerns regarding image usage here.