BWW Flashback: FINDING NEVERLAND Flies Away from Broadway Today!
By: Marissa Sblendorio Aug. 21, 2016
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As BroadwayWorld previously reported, after a year and a half of performances, Broadway's FINDING NEVERLAND will play its final performance at the Lunt-Fontanne Theater today, August 21, 2016.
Finding Neverland will launch its U.S. National Tour on October 11 at Shea's Theatre in Buffalo, New York, before going on to play 50 cities over a 77-week period. In 2017, the production is slated to open in London's West End at a theater to be announced.
Based on the Miramax motion picture by David Magee and the play "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.
Join us as BroadwayWorld takes a look back at the show's magical run!
It was first announced in late 2014 that FINDING NEVERLAND would star acting giants Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer and Laura Michelle Kelly. In early 2015, with their first performance just over two months away, the shows leads gathered for their first group shot, which debuted on FINDING NEVERLAND's official website. Check it out, below!
In February of 2015, the show took us inside the first day of rehearsal for FINDING NEVERLAND, featuring Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer and Laura Michelle Kelly, via the show's Facebook page. Check out the excitement, below!
BroadwayWorld also got their own first look during the rehearsal process, featuring interviews from the cast.
Before previews began, Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly posed alongside their pint-sized castmates for a Vogue photoshoot with the legendary Annie Leibovitz. On his new role, Morrison told Vogue: "I'm at a turning point in my life. I'm coming off a hugely successful television show, I'm newly married and I'm coming back to New York with a lot to prove. I've never been the outright lead of a show before, so it's mine to carry, and-I'm not going to lie-I'm nervous about it." Check out the adorable photo, below!
FINDING NEVERLAND began previews on March 15 and officially opened April 15, 2015 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street). BroadwayWorld was there to take you inside the production and bring you photos from the first curtain call. Check them out, below!
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
All the stars came out for the show's opening night. BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was on the red carpet for, and you can check out his interviews with Bryan Cranston, Matthew James Thomas,Laura Benanti, Ansel Elgort and more, below!
BroadwayWorld also interviewed the cast on the night of their big debut. See what they had to say about finally bringing their show to the public, below!
Finding Neverland announced the that they would make an Original Cast Recording, that was set for release on Tuesday, June 23. The album, produced by Eliot Kennedy and David Chasefor Republic Records and under the musical direction ofMary-Mitchell Campbell, was recorded at NYC's Avatar Studios on May 4. BroadwayWorld brought you exclusive photo coverage from the recording studio, which you can check out, below!
Photo Credit: Walter McBride
The show then released a music video for the song "What You Mean to Me," featuring their session in the recording studio. Check out the performance, below!
THE 69TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS aired live from Radio City Music Hall on Sunday, June 7, 2015. Kelsey Grammer, Matthew Morrison and the cast of Finding Neverland were among the performances during the show. Watch the appearance below!
FINDING NEVERLAND has had many actors play the two male leads that. The replacements for Kelsey Grammer's character, Charles Frohman, included Australian stage vet Anthony Warlow, who BroadwayWorld had an exclusive interview with, and Terrence Mann, who you can check out in costume, below.
There's a new "Hook" in town! The amazing Terry Mann @tvmannoo joins @NeverlandBway tonight! #superstar ?????? pic.twitter.com/yPwfpFyENC
- Carolee Carmello (@CaroleeCarmello) September 30, 2015
As for J.M. Barrie, after Matthew Morrison departed the show on January 24th, 2016, the role then filled by Tony Yazbeck.
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg
Tony Award-winner Alfie Boe stepped into the role on March 29th, 26th, after Yazbeck departed.
Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg
Tony Yazbeck then came back to the role on June 10th, 2016.
See what the critics had to say about FINDING NEVERLAND here!
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