Finding Neverland (musical)

Finding Neverland is an original musical with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy and a book by James Graham. Inspired by the 2004 film Finding Neverland, the musical made its world premiere at the Curve Theatre in Leicester in 2012, with the reworked version making its world premiere in 2014 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.^[1] Following completion of its Cambridge run, the production transferred to Broadway in March 2015.

After 17 months on Broadway, the production of Finding Neverland closed on August 21, 2016, and will begin a US national tour in October 2016.

Background

On 6 February 2011, La Jolla Playhouse, California, announced that they would produce a new stage musical based on the film with the book by Allan Knee, score by Scott Frankel (music) and Michael Korie (lyrics), and directed and choreographed by Rob Ashford.^[2] A planned production at La Jolla Playhouse was not held.^[3] A developmental reading was held in New York on 31 March 2011, with Julian Ovenden, Kelli O'Hara, Tony Roberts, Mary Beth Peil, Michael Cumpsty, and Meredith Patterson, directed by Ashford.^[4] The adaptation had its world premiere on 22 September 2012 at Curve in Leicester.^[5] Directed by Rob Ashford, it starred Julian Ovenden as J.M Barrie and West End actress Rosalie Craig as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies.

On 4 September 2013, it was announced that producer Harvey Weinstein has hired Barry Weissler as executive producer. They planned on opening a revised version of the musical at the American Repertory Theater (ART), Cambridge, Massachusetts in 2014. The revised musical has a new creative team, with Diane Paulus as director, a new book by James Graham and 22 songs by Gary Barlow,^[6] with a few songs from the original composers. A private reading was held in September 2013 with Brian d’Arcy James as Barrie and Jason Alexander as the "nagging theater producer".^[7] On February 27 2014 a further developmental workshop was announced for March with Matthew Morrison as Barrie

.

Productions

The revised production ran at the ART from 23 July 2014 to 28 September 2014, with songs by six-time Ivor Novello winner Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, the book by James Graham and choreography by Mia Michaels; ART artistic director Diane Paulus is the director.^[8] The full cast and creative team was announced on 2 June 2014, with Jeremy Jordan as Barrie and Laura Michelle Kelly as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies featured. The cast also includes Michael McGrath as Charles Frohman, Carolee Carmello as Madame du Maurier, Jeanna de Waal as Mary Barrie, Aidan Gemme as Peter, Alex Dreier as Michael, Sawyer Nunes as George and Hayden Signoretti as Jack.^[9] Roger Bart who was originally announced for the character of Charles Frohman has been replaced by Michael McGrath.^[10]

Jennifer Hudson debuted the song "Neverland" from the musical at the 68th Tony Awards on 8 June 2014.^[11]

The ART production directed by Diane Paulus moved to Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in March 2015.^[12] On 10 November 2014, it was announced that Matthew Morrison, is taking Jordan's place in the portrayal of J. M. Barrie in the Broadway production.^[13] Kelsey Grammer stars as Charles Frohman and Laura Michelle Kelly reprises the role of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies.^[14] Previews began 15 March 2015, with the official opening on 15 April.^[15][16] The production did not receive any Tony Award nominations. The Broadway production closed on August 21, 2016 after 565 performances.^{[17] [18]}

In early 2016 it was announced that Finding Neverland would have a production opening in London in 2017. In unofficial circles it was said that Alfie Boe will be starring in the production as J.M. Barrie. It has later been confirmed. The rest of the cast has not been announced.^[19] On the 15th May 2016, Gary Barlow performed Something about this night, from the musical, on the Queen's 90th birthday celebration, hosted by Ant & Dec and also guest starring was Catherine Jenkins and Dame Shirley Bassey.

The US national tour started in Buffalo, New York on October 7, 2016 prior to the official opening on October 11. The tour is directed by Diane Paulus, and features Kevin Kern as J.M. Barrie, Christine Dwyer as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Tom Hewitt as Frohman/Hook, Joanna Glushak, Jordan Cole, Finn Faulconer, Tyler Patrick Hennessy, Ben Krieger, Eli Tokash and Mitchell Wray.^[20][21]

Casts

Note: Below are the principal casts of all professional major productions.

Notes:

• In the Leicester production, Lord Cannan was called Lord Griffin and Charles Blount was called Maximilian Blunt. Cut characters include PG Wodehouse (Norman Bowman), Mermaid (Ashley Hale), Scheherazade (Frankie Jenna), Mother (Julia Jupp), Arthur Conan Doyle (Martin Ledwith), Sally (Zoe Rainey), GK Chesteron (Gary Watson), Jerome K. Jerome (Stephen Webb), and David (James Scudamore).

Notable Broadway replacements

• Anthony Warlow replaced Kelsey Grammer as Charles Frohman/Captain Hook on July 10 until September 27, 2015.^[22][23]
• Terrence Mann replaced Anthony Warlow as Charles Frohman/Captain Hook on September 29, 2015.^[24]
• Kelsey Grammer replaced Terence Mann as Charles Frohman/Captain Hook from January 15 until April 3, 2016.^[25][26][27]
• Tony Yazbeck replaced Matthew Morrison as J.M. Barrie from January 26 until March 27, 2016.^[28][29]
• Sandy Duncan replaced Carolee Carmello as Mrs. du Maurier starting February 12, 2016, initially performing through to March 27, 2016,^[30] but made a premature exit from the production on February 14 due to family obligations.^[31]
• Sally Ann Triplett replaced Sandy Duncan as Mrs. du Maurier from March 1 until May 1, 2016. Ensemble members Kristy Cates and Courtney Balan alternated in playing the role until Triplett's run began.^[32]
• Alfie Boe replaced Tony Yazbeck as J.M. Barrie starting March 29, 2016.^[32]
• Ensemble member Paul Slade Smith temporarily replaced Kelsey Grammer as Charles Frohman/Captain Hook on April 5, 2016.^[27]
• Marc Kudisch replaced Paul Slade Smith as Charles Frohman/Captain Hook on April 12, 2016.^[33]
• Paul Slade Smith and Dana Costello replaced Marc Kudisch and Teal Wicks as Charlos Frohman/Captain Hook and Mary Barrie on June 7, 2016.
• Tony Yazbeck replaced Alfie Boe as J.M. Barrie on June 12, 2016.^[34]
• Carolee Carmello replaced Sally Ann Triplett as Mrs. du Maurier on July 5, 2016.^[35]

Musical numbers

Developmental Workshop

Cambridge

Broadway

National Tour

Awards and nominations

Original Broadway production

References

External links

• Finding Neverland at the Internet Broadway Database