Ilaria’s Pub: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

On Monday, May 26th, 2025 at approximately 7:30 pm within the Ambassador’s Theatre on West Street, London, England, a crowd of people hushed their voices as the lights began to dim. Then, from above, bright lights suddenly lit the stage as a small cast of musicians, singers, and actors began to tell the story of the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.

I first walked into the theatre pondering how such a complex story could be converted into a musical stage adaption. I was excited and intrigued but I tried to keep my expectations low to avoid any possible disappointment. However, I am extremely proud to say that every expectation I had been vastly surpassed once I viewed this production. This musical deeply stirred me to the point where I sat in disbelief during the intermission. I had gotten the sudden realization that this would be a story I would remember forever.

The storytelling, music, plot structure, character development, and character interactions were all carefully crafted and wonderfully done. The folklore method of storytelling based on traditional Cornish music set against the salty atmosphere of Cornwall, a country known for its gorgeous coastline, gave a unique and fantastical feel to the story.

Although the setting and time-period were altered from the original story by F. Scott Fitzgerald, I would say the biggest difference I noticed between the original story and the musical adaption was Benjamin Button’s emotional commitment and investment towards his family. The musical changed the story’s direction to best portray Benjamin’s qualities involving his inner turmoils alongside his undying love for his wife and home. This inner conflict was demonstrated by not only the progression of his youth but by the progression in his discovering who he was meant to be.

The overarching themes that resonated with me the most included the notion of never allowing your insecurities to consume you, nor your relationships and life path. At the beginning of his journey, Ben’s father made him feel like a defect because he was unordinary and different from the rest. He made Benjamin feel unworthy of love and attention because he didn’t fit into the role expected of him. Benjamin adopted feelings of low self-esteem and once he was shown unconditional love, he fled, thinking he was too ‘defective,’ thus unworthy to accept it.

The second, most apparent theme involved time, which was ever-present throughout the story. Benjamin counts the years, hours, and minutes during the entirety of his life. He lets it consume him rather than embracing it. This story serves as a cautionary tale towards all of us to instead of belonging somewhere in the future or past, we must live in the present because it is all we have. The rest doesn’t matter because it is gone. When we share the ‘now’ with our loved ones, it is the epitome of time well spent. It is how we gain true happiness and contentment.

To put it simply, this show moved me incredibly. Once I met the cast at the stage door after the show, I even began to cry. It was an unexplainable reaction that I wasn’t able to decipher until much later. This musical is a prime example of the type of theatre I want to create. A collaborative group of not only talented musicians but storytellers who work together to create a narrative artwork piece by piece by utilizing creative elements at their disposal.

Each component of the set and lightning design supported the cast through their journey. Each element within the show helped immerse the audience even deeper into the character’s world. As I grow throughout my experience as a theatre student in the University of Arkansas, I hope to create something as impactful and profound like The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: The Musical.

This very moment was captured by Tucker of me with my signed playbill at the stage door.

Photo with the man himself: Matthews Burns, who portrayed Benjamin Button!! He was very kind and humble and even offered a hug when I cried. When I composed myself we took a photo!