Finding Neverland (musical)

Finding Neverland

Broadway Playbill cover
Music Gary Barlow
Lyrics Gary Barlow, Eliot Kennedy
Book James Graham
Productions 2012 Leicester
2014 Cambridge
2015 Broadway

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.

The Broadway production of Finding Neverland is expected to close on August 21, 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]

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 is expected to close on August 21, 2016 after 565 performances.[17]

In early 2016 it was announced that Finding Neverland would be 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[18]

Casts

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

Role Original Leicester Cast
2012
Original A.R.T. Cast
2014
Original Broadway Cast
2015
Current Broadway Cast
2016
J. M. Barrie Julian Ovenden Jeremy Jordan Matthew Morrison Alfie Boe
Sylvia Llewelyn Davies Rosalie Craig Laura Michelle Kelly
Charles Frohman† / James Hook Oliver Boot Michael McGrath Kelsey Grammer Marc Kudisch
Mary Barrie Clare Foster Jeanna de Waal Teal Wicks
Michael Llewelyn Davies Worrall Courtney
Jon Joe Flynn
Morgan Heath
Jamieson Hughes
Alex Dreier Alex Dreier
Hayden Signoretti
Noah Hinsdale
Christian Michael Camporin
Alex Dreier
Eli Tokash
Jack McCarthy
Jack Llewelyn Davies Connor Fitzgerald
Harrisson Slater
Garrett Tennant
Hayden Signoretti Hayden Signoretti
Christopher Paul Richards
Alex Dreier
Alex Dreier
Christopher Paul Richards
Eli Tokash

Christian Michael Camporin

George Llewelyn Davies Connor Phillips
Josh Swinney
Corey Wickenden
Sawyer Nunes Sawyer Nunes
Christopher Paul Richards
Jackson Demott Hill
Jackson Demott Hill
Christopher Paul Richards

Eli Tokash

Peter Llewelyn Davies Theo Fewell
Luke James
Harry Folden
Aidan Gemme Aidan Gemme
Christopher Paul Richards
Jackson Demott Hill
Christopher Paul Richards
Eli Tokash
Alex Drier

Jackson Demott Hill

Mrs. du Maurier Liz Robertson Carolee Carmello Sally Ann Triplett
Miss Jones does not appear Courtney Balan
Miss Potter does not appear Dana Costello
Mr. Turpin / Sir Edward Matt Wilman Rory Donovan
Miss Bassett does not appear Gaelen Gilliland Jessica Vosk Kristy Cates-Frankfort
Porthos Champion Poolsway Thayne Jasperson Jack and Jill
Mr. Cromer does not appear Josh Lamon Robert Anthony Jones
Peter Pan Michelle Francis Melanie Moore Amy Yakima
Servant does not appear Mary Page Nance
Jonathan Ritter
Ron Todorowski
Elliot does not appear Stuart Neal Chris Dwan
Wendy does not appear Emma Pfaeffle
Lord Cannan† Edward Lewisd French Tyley Ross
Mr. Henshaw does not appear Paul Slade Smith

Notes:

Notable Broadway replacements

Musical numbers

Developmental Workshop

Act I
  • "Prologue"
  • "Better"
  • "Believe"
  • "Rearranging the Furniture"
  • "Big Adventure"
  • "Feels Like Summer"
  • "We Own the Night"
  • "Dream the Dream (Lullaby)"
  • "Never Never Land"
  • "Circus of Your Mind"
  • "Stronger" / "Live By the Hook"

Act II
  • "The World is Upside Down"
  • "Play"
  • "What You Mean to Me"
  • "Stars"
  • "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground"
  • "Something About This Night"
  • "Never Never Land" (Reprise)
  • "Dream the Dream"

Cambridge

Act I
  • "Anywhere But Here" – J. M. Barrie
  • "Better" – Charles Frohman, J. M. Barrie and the Acting Troupe
  • "Rearranging the Furniture" – Mary Barrie and Servants
  • "Believe" – J. M. Barrie, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Boys and Ensemble
  • "All That Matters" – Sylvia and Mrs. du Maurier
  • "We Own the Night (The Dinner Party)" – Mary, Mrs. du Maurier, Lord Cannan, Frohman, Sylvia, J. M. Barrie, Boys and Servants
  • "Sylvia's Lullaby" – Sylvia
  • "Neverland" – J. M. Barrie
  • "Circus of Your Mind" – Frohman, Mary, Mrs. du Maurier and Ensemble
  • "Hook" – James Hook and Ensemble
  • "Stronger" – J. M. Barrie, James Hook and Ensemble

Act II
  • "The World is Upside Down" – J. M. Barrie, Frohman and the Acting Troupe
  • "Play" – Frohman, Sylvia and the Acting Troupe
  • "What You Mean to Me" – J. M. Barrie and Sylvia
  • "We're All Made of Stars" – the Llewelyn Davies Boys
  • "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground" – J. M. Barrie and Peter
  • "Something About This Night" – Frohman, the Acting Troupe, J. M. Barrie and Peter
  • "Neverland" (Reprise) – J. M. Barrie, Sylvia, Mrs. du Maurier, Boys and the Acting Troupe
  • "Finale (All That Matters)" – Mrs. du Maurier, J. M. Barrie and Ensemble

Broadway

Act I
  • "If the World Turned Upside Down" – J. M. Barrie
  • "All of London is Here Tonight" – Frohman, J. M. Barrie, Mary and Company
  • "The Pirates of Kensington" – George, Jack, Michael and Jack
  • "Believe" – J. M. Barrie, Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Boys and Ensemble
  • "The Dinner Party" – Mary, Mrs. Du Maurier, Lord Cannan, Frohman, Barrie, Sylvia, Boys and Servants
  • "We Own the Night" – Mary, Mrs. du Maurier, Lord Cannan, Frohman, Sylvia, Barrie, Boys and Servants
  • "All That Matters" – Sylvia and Mrs. du Maurier
  • "The Pirates of Kensington" (Reprise) – George, Peter, Jack and Michael
  • "Sylvia's Lullaby" – Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
  • "Neverland" – J. M. Barrie and Sylvia
  • "Circus of Your Mind" – Frohman, Mary, Mrs. du Maurier and Ensemble
  • "Live by the Hook" – James Hook and Ensemble
  • "Stronger" – J. M. Barrie, James Hook and Ensemble

Act II
  • "The World is Upside Down" – J. M. Barrie, Frohman and the Acting Troupe
  • "What You Mean to Me" – J. M. Barrie and Sylvia
  • "Play" – Frohman, Sylvia and the Acting Troupe
  • "We're All Made of Stars" – the Llewelyn Davies Boys
  • "When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground" – J. M. Barrie and Peter
  • "Something About This Night" – Frohman, the Acting Troupe, J. M. Barrie and Peter
  • "Neverland" (Reprise) – J. M. Barrie, Sylvia, Mrs. du Maurier, Boys and the Acting Troupe
  • "Finale (When Your Feet Don't Touch the Ground)" – Mrs. du Maurier, J. M. Barrie and Ensemble

Awards and nominations

The production was nominated for two 2015 Drama Desk Awards: Outstanding Actor in a Musical (Morrison) and Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Carmello).[30]

References

  1. Joel Brown (15 August 2014). "Standout performances elevate ART’s ‘Finding Neverland’". Boston Globe. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  2. Staff. "'Finding Neverland' Musical by GREY Gardens Team Ashford Directs Choeographs". BroadwayWorld.com. 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  3. Jones, Kenneth. " 'Finding Neverland', With Score by Michael Korie & Scott Frankel, Gets London Presentation; Julian Ovenden Stars" playbill.com, 12 December 2011
  4. Jones, Kenneth. "'Finding Neverland, the Musical', Gets NYC Presentation With Kelli O'Hara and Julian Ovenden". Playbill.com. 2011-03-31. Retrieved 2012-01-27.
  5. "Finding Neverland Musical, Starring Julian Ovenden and Rosalie Craig, Premieres in U.K. Sept. 22". playbill.com. Playbill. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  6. "Episode 4". The Sound of Musicals. Season 1. 3 December 2013.
  7. Healy, Patrick. "Weinstein Lands a Big-Name Executive Producer for ‘Finding Neverland’ " The New York Times (artsbeat.blogs), 4 September 2013
  8. Hetrick, Adam. "Revised 'Finding Neverland' Musical Will Premiere as Part of American Repertory Theater's 2014-15 Season" playbill.com, 27 March 2014
  9. "Breaking News: Jeremy Jordan and Laura Michelle Kelly to Lead 'Finding Neverland' Cast; Plus Bart, Carmello & More - Full Cast and Creative Team Announced" broadwayworld.com, Retrieved 4 June 2014
  10. Bowgen, Philippe. "Tony Winner Swap: Michael McGrath To Replace Roger Bart in A.R.T.'s 'Finding Neverland' Opening July 23" playbill.com, 12 June 2014
  11. "Jennifer Hudson Will Perform Song from 'Finding Neverland' at the Tony Awards!" broadwayworld.com, Retrieved 4 June 2014
  12. " 'Finding Neverland' Will Fly to Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre playbill.com, Retrieved November 13, 2014
  13. "Official: Matthew Morrison Will Return to Broadway in Finding Neverland!" Broadway World, Retrieved November 13, 2014
  14. "Breaking News: Kelsey Grammer Joins 'Finding Neverland'; Laura Michelle Kelly to Reprise Role on Broadway!" Broadway World, Retrieved November 13, 2014
  15. Gioia, Michael. "Teal Wicks, Josh Lamon, Jessica Vosk and More Complete Cast of 'Finding Neverland', Starring Matthew Morrison" playbill.com, February 2, 2015
  16. Gioia, Michael. "Matthew Morrison Is 'Finding Neverland'; Broadway Performances Begin Tonight" playbill.com, March 15, 2015
  17. Hetrick, Adam. "Broadway’s Finding Neverland to Close — Film Adaptation Planned", Playbill, May 5, 2016
  18. http://www.londontheatre.co.uk/londontheatre/news/ltg16/findingneverlandlondonwestend16.htm
  19. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2015-07-10). "Anthony Warlow Takes Over For Kelsey Grammer in Finding Neverland on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  20. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2015-09-08). "Kelsey Grammer Delays Return to Finding Neverland; Anthony Warlow Extends". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  21. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2015-09-18). "Three-Time Tony Nominee Terrence Mann In, Kelsey Grammer Out, in Finding Neverland on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  22. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2015-11-19). "Kelsey Grammer Sets Return Date to Finding Neverland, Starring Matthew Morrison, on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  23. Broadway.com Staff (2016-01-20). "Finding Neverland Hooks Kelsey Grammer for a Little Bit Longer". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-02-19.
  24. 1 2 Dominick, Nora. "Paul Slade Smith Set to Replace Kelsey Grammer in FINDING NEVERLAND". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2016-03-25.
  25. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2016-01-07). "Believe! Tony Yazbeck Will Replace Matthew Morrison in Finding Neverland on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-01-08.
  26. McPhee, Ryan (2016-02-18). "Finding Neverland Will Soar Back to London in 2017". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  27. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2016-02-12). "A Lovely, Wonderful Thought: Sandy Duncan Begins Performances in Finding Neverland on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-02-13.
  28. Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2016-02-17). "Sandy Duncan Has Made Premature Exit From Finding Neverland on Broadway". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  29. 1 2 Lloyd Webber, Imogen (2016-02-21). "Alfie Boe Will Replace Tony Yazbeck in Finding Neverland; Sally Ann Triplett Steps In for Sandy Duncan". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2016-02-22.
  30. " Finding Neverland Awards" ibdb.com, accessed May 6, 2016

External links

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