The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Musical Adapts Fable in Cornwall

The musical adaptation of The Curious Case of Benjamin Button relocates F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tale to a small fishing harbor in southern England’s Cornwall region as it tracks a man aging backwards from 1918 through an ensemble-driven story-theatre format.

Moving the Fitzgerald Fable to Cornwall

F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote his gentle fantasy about a character born elderly who grows increasingly younger over the decades. While David Fincher’s 2008 film starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett set the narrative in the U.S. across a 1918-to-2005 timeline, the musical adaptation takes a different path. Jethro Compton handled the book, lyrics, and direction, while Darren Clark provided music and lyrics. Chi-San Howard served as choreographer.

In this version, Benjamin starts off in his 70s in 1918, portrayed by Durand. Sporting a three-piece suit, bowler hat, and pipe, the character wears glasses, hunches, and requires a cane. Durand plays the role with a gentle mix of charm, wisdom, and guilelessness.

Staging Choices and Ensemble Mechanics

Benjamin’s mother commits suicide after delivering him, feeling shamed by the birth. His father keeps him hidden in a cottage attic, expecting the old man to die quickly. Instead, Benjamin grows younger and stronger, eventually slipping away to a local pub. There, he forms a bond with a young barmaid named Elowen, played by Kelsee Kimmel, who prefers the company of an older man. Before his secret becomes obvious, Benjamin leaves the village to work as a sailor and fight in World War II.

Rather than adopting the sweeping scope of the short story or the film, the production employs a story-theatre approach. The ensemble cast takes turns delivering expositional snippets while playing multiple characters and functioning as the de facto band by playing all the instruments. This local focus transforms the narrative into a folkloric piece rooted in the Cornish hamlet. While certain melodies survive the foot-stomping choreography, sea chanties, and recurring time references, the staging leans heavily into country-quirky characters and broad presentation.

Durand delivers a touching, understated performance as Benjamin, and Kimmel brings warmth and intelligence to Elowen. The production continues its run under Compton’s direction.