Based on the Miramax motion picture by David Magee and "The Man Who Was Peter Pan" by Allan Knee, "Finding Neverland follows the relationship between playwright J. M. Barrie and the family that inspired Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up, one of the most beloved stories of all time."
Staged by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus with music by U.K. pop sensation Gary Barlow (Take That) and choreography by Emmy Award-winner Mia Michaels ("So You Think You Can Dance"), this new musical explores the power of imagination to open up new worlds, and the pressures put upon those worlds by the inevitability of growing up. Finding Neverland is presented by the A.R.T. by special arrangement with Harvey Weinstein.
The new staging of Finding Neverland, which Paulus (Pippin, Porgy and Bess) has been developing over the past year, will feature choreography by Emmy Award winner Mia Michaels. Academy Award-winning producer Harvey Weinstein is shepherding the project.
Finding Neverland will begin performances July 23 for a run through Sept. 28 in Cambridge, MA. Finding Neverland will officially open Aug. 13. Tony nominee Jordan (Bonnie & Clyde, Newsies, "Smash") will play Barrie opposite Olivier Award winner Kelly (Mary Poppins) as Sylvia Llewelyn Davies.
The principal cast will also include Tony winner Michael McGrath as Charles Frohman, Tony nominee 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.
The cast is completed by Courtney Balan, Dana Costello, Rory Donovan, Gaelen Gilliland, Thayne Jasperson, Josh Lamon, Melanie Moore, Mary Page Nance, Stuart Neal, Emma Pfaeffle, Jonathan Ritter, Tyley Ross, Julius Rubio, JC Schuster, Paul Slade Smith and Ron Todorowski.
Here's how it's billed: "When a faltering playwright meets a widow and her four boys in Kensington Gardens, he embarks on a friendship that inspires one of the most beloved stories of all time. Based on the Miramax film written by David Magee, Finding Neverland follows the real-life relationship between the Llewelyn Davies family and James Matthew Barrie as he writes the revolutionary 1904 play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up... This new musical explores the power of imagination to open up new worlds, and the pressures put upon those worlds by the prospect of growing up."
The creative team also includes scenic designer Scott Pask, costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb, lighting designer Philip Rosenberg, sound designer Jonathan Deans, projection designer Gilles Papain, fan designer Daniel Wurtzel, music supervisor David Chase and music director Mary-Mitchell Campbell. Orchestrations are by Simon Hale.
For further information, call (617) 547-8300 or visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org.
