Finding Neverland is a musical with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy and a book by James Graham adapted from the 1998 play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee and its 2004 film version Finding Neverland. An early version of the musical made its world premiere at the Curve Theatre in Leicester in 2012 with a book by Allan Knee, music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie. A reworked version with the current writing team made its world premiere in 2014 at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Following completion of its Cambridge run, the production transferred to Broadway in March 2015.
After a 17-month Broadway run, Finding Neverland closed on 21 August 2016, and began a U.S. national tour the following month.
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.Staff. "'Finding Neverland' Musical by GREY Gardens Team Ashford Directs Choreographs". BroadwayWorld.com. 2011-02-06. Retrieved 2012-01-27. A planned production at La Jolla Playhouse was not held.Jones, Kenneth. " 'Finding Neverland', With Score by Michael Korie & Scott Frankel, Gets London Presentation; Julian Ovenden Stars" playbill.com, 12 December 2011 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.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. The adaptation had its world premiere on 22 September 2012 at Curve in Leicester. 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 had 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 had a new creative team, with Diane Paulus as director, a new book by James Graham, and 22 songs by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, 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".Healy, Patrick. "Weinstein Lands a Big-Name Executive Producer for ‘Finding Neverland’ " The New York Times (artsbeat.blogs), 4 September 2013 On 27 February 2014, a further developmental workshop was announced for March with Matthew Morrison as Barrie.
Productions
Cambridge, Massachusetts (2014) The revised production ran at the ART from 23 July 2014 to 28 September 2014, with songs by six-time Ivor Novello Award winner Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, the book by James Graham and choreography by Mia Michaels; ART artistic director Diane Paulus is the director.Hetrick, Adam. "Revised 'Finding Neverland' Musical Will Premiere as Part of American Repertory Theater's 2014-15 Season" playbill.com, 27 March 2014 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/Captain Hook, 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."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 Roger Bart who was originally announced for the character of Charles Frohman was replaced by Michael McGrath.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
Jennifer Hudson debuted the song "Neverland", from the musical, at the 68th Tony Awards on 8 June 2014."Jennifer Hudson Will Perform Song from 'Finding Neverland' at the Tony Awards!" broadwayworld.com, Retrieved 4 June 2014
Broadway (2015-16) The ART production directed by Diane Paulus moved to Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in March 2015."'Finding Neverland' Will Fly to Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre" playbill.com, Retrieved 13 November 2014 On 10 November 2014, it was announced that Matthew Morrison would take Jordan's place in the portrayal of J. M. Barrie in the Broadway production."Official: Matthew Morrison Will Return to Broadway in Finding Neverland!" Broadway World, Retrieved 13 November 2014 Kelsey Grammer starred as Charles Frohman and Laura Michelle Kelly reprised the role of Sylvia Llewelyn Davies."Breaking News: Kelsey Grammer Joins 'Finding Neverland'; Laura Michelle Kelly to Reprise Role on Broadway!" Broadway World, Retrieved 13 November 2014 Previews began 15 March 2015, with the official opening on 15 April.Gioia, Michael. "Teal Wicks, Josh Lamon, Jessica Vosk and More Complete Cast of 'Finding Neverland', Starring Matthew Morrison" playbill.com, 2 February 2015Gioia, Michael. "Matthew Morrison Is 'Finding Neverland'; Broadway Performances Begin Tonight" playbill.com, 15 March 2015 The production did not receive any Tony Award nominations. The Broadway production closed on 21 August 2016 after 565 performances.Hetrick, Adam. "Broadway’s Finding Neverland to Close — Film Adaptation Planned", Playbill, 5 May 2016Gans, Andrew; Hetrick, Adam. " 'Finding Neverland' Ends Broadway Run Today" Playbill, 21 August 2016 In 2017, as an offshoot of investigations into and reporting about Weinstein's many sexual abuse allegations, several news sources also reported that a significant amount of money that Weinstein ostensibly raised for the AIDS charity amfAR was instead allegedly funneled into the American Repertory Theater and the production budget for Finding Neverland.Twohey, Megan. "Tumult After AIDS Fund-Raiser Supports Harvey Weinstein Production". New York Times. 2017-09-23. Retrieved 2020-03-13.Cohan, William D. "'Nothing About this Deal Feels Right to Me': Inside Harvey Weinstein’s Other Nightmare". Vanity Fair. 2017-12-22. Retrieved 2020-03-13.Musbach, Julie. "Upset Over AIDS Fundraiser with Weinstein Directed Funds Towards FINDING NEVERLAND". BroadwayWorld. 2017-09-24. Retrieved 2020-03-13.Siegel, Ed. "Questions Raised About Harvey Weinstein And 'Finding Neverland' Funding For A.R.T.". wbur.org. 2017-10-17. Retrieved 2020-03-13.
US national tour (2016-17) The US national tour began in Buffalo, New York on 7 October 2016, prior to the official opening on 11 October. The tour was directed by Diane Paulus and featured Kevin Kern as J.M. Barrie, Christine Dwyer as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies, Tom Hewitt as Frohman/Hook, Crystal Kellogg, Joanna Glushak, Jordan Cole, Finn Faulconer, Tyler Patrick Hennessy, Ben Krieger, Eli Tokash and Mitchell Wray.Gans, Andrew. "Casting Complete for 'Finding Neverland' National Tour" Playbill, 12 September 2016Szablewski, John. "Theatre Review: “Finding Neverland” at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre" nytheatreguide.com, 12 October 2016 John Davidson replaced Hewitt in June 2017.John Davidson Is Finding Neverland’s New Hook
Planned London production In early 2016 it was announced that Finding Neverland would open in London in 2017, starring Alfie Boe as J.M. Barrie. The rest of the cast was not announced at the time.Finding Neverland londontheatre.co.uk On 15 May 2016, Gary Barlow performed the song "Something About This Night" from the musical for the Queen's 90th birthday celebration, hosted by Ant & Dec. Guest starring was Katherine Jenkins and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Characters James Matthew Barrie: The creator of Peter Pan, a Scottish playwright who still has a child inside of him. Sylvia Llewelyn Davies: a widow with four children whose family inspires Barrie to write Peter Pan. Mary Barrie: James' unhappy wife. Mrs. du Maurier: Sylvia's strict mother who despises Barrie. Charles Frohman: Barrie's friend and the director/producer of the Acting Company that Barrie writes for. Captain James Hook: The classic villain from Peter Pan, comes to Barrie in a vision to convince him to add a villain to his show. Played by the same actor as Frohman. Peter Llewelyn Davies: One of Sylvia's sons. Loves reading and develops a strong relationship with Barrie. Michael Llewelyn Davies: One of Sylvia's sons. Jack Llewelyn Davies: One of Sylvia's sons. George Llewelyn Davies: One of Sylvia's sons. Lord Canaan: A wealthy and pompous man who Frohman tries to get as a fellow producer for the play, ends up with Mary. Mr. Cromer: A grumpy yet lovable member of the acting troupe. Plays Michael in Peter Pan. Mr. Henshaw: A vain yet friendly member of the acting troupe. Plays Nana in Peter Pan. Elliott: Frohman's eager assistant. Miss Basset: A member of the acting troupe. Plays Nibs in Peter Pan. Miss Jones: A member of the acting troupe. Plays Tootles in Peter Pan. Mr. Turpin: A member of the acting troupe. Plays Captain Hook in Peter Pan. Peter Pan: The titular character of the play, takes Sylvia to Neverland towards the end of the show. Wendy (Acting Troupe): The eldest Darling child in the show within a show. Albert: Mary's butler. Emily: Mary's head maid. Porthos: Barrie's dog. The Acting Troupe, Servants, Londoners, Pirates, Indians, Lost Boys
Casts Note: Below are the principal casts of all professional major productions. some roles are portrayed by the same actors.
Role Original Leicester Cast Original A.R.T. Cast Original Broadway Cast U.S. National Tour Cast2012201420152016 J. M. Barrie Julian Ovenden Jeremy Jordan Matthew Morrison Kevin Kern Sylvia Llewelyn Davies Rosalie Craig Laura Michelle Kelly Christine Dwyer Charles FrohmanCaptain James Hook Oliver Boot Michael McGrath Kelsey Grammer Tom Hewitt Mary Barrie Clare Foster Jeanna de Waal Teal Wicks Crystal Kellogg Mrs. du Maurier Liz Robertson Carolee Carmello Joanna Glushak Michael Llewelyn Davies Worrall CourtneyJon Joe FlynnMorgan HeathJamieson Hughes Alex Dreier Alex DreierHayden SignorettiNoah Hinsdale Jordan ColeMitchell WrayTyler Patrick Hennessy Jack Llewelyn Davies Connor FitzgeraldHarrisson SlaterGarrett Tennant Hayden Signoretti Hayden SignorettiChristopher Paul RichardsAlex Dreier Mitchell WrayEli TokashTyler Patrick Hennessy George Llewelyn Davies Connor PhillipsJosh SwinneyCorey Wickenden Sawyer Nunes Sawyer NunesJackson Demott HillChristopher Paul Richards Finn FaulconerBen KriegerEli Tokash Peter Llewelyn Davies Theo FewellLuke JamesHarry Folden Aidan Gemme Aidan GemmeJackson Demott HillChristopher Paul Richards Ben KriegerMitchell WrayEli Tokash
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 Chesterton (Gary Watson), Jerome K. Jerome (Stephen Webb), and David (James Scudamore).
Notable Broadway replacements Charles Frohman/Captain Hook: Anthony Warlow, Terrence Mann, Marc Kudisch J.M. Barrie: Tony Yazbeck, Alfie Boe, Kevin Kern (u/s) Mrs. du Maurier: Sandy Duncan, Sally Ann Triplett
Musical numbers
Cambridge
Act I "Anywhere But Here" – J. M. Barrie "Better" – Charles Frohman, J. M. Barrie and the Acting Troupe "Rearranging the Furniture" – Mary Barrie "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, Ensemble "Sylvia's Lullaby" – Sylvia