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The new Broadway musical Finding Neverland, starring Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer and Laura Michelle Kelly, began previews on March 15 and officially opens tonight, April 15, 2015 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 West 46th Street). Scroll down to learn more about the cast, plus watch interviews with the company!
Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus (Pippin, Hair), with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow (Take That) and Grammy winner Eliot Kennedy, book by Olivier Award nominee James Graham, and choreography by Emmy Award-winner Mia Michaels ("So You Think You Can Dance," Cirque du Soleil's Delirium), this new musical, packed with mesmerizing visuals, irresistible songs and plenty of laughs, is a timeless story about the power of imagination... and spectacular proof that you never really have to grow up.
Finding Neverland features a superb cast led by Matthew Morrison ("Glee," South Pacific), Kelsey Grammer ("Frasier," La Cage aux Folles), Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary Poppins) and Carolee Carmello (Parade), with Teal Wicks,Alex Dreier, Aidan Gemme, Jackson Demott Hill, Noah Hinsdale, Sawyer Nunes, Christopher Paul Richards,Hayden Signoretti with Courtney Balan, Dana Costello, Colin Cunliffe, Rory Donovan, Chris Dwan, Kevin Kern, Josh Lamon, Melanie Moore, Mary Page Nance, Fred Odgaard, Emma Pfaeffle, Jonathan Ritter, Tyley Ross, Julius Anthony Rubio, Paul Slade Smith, Ron Todorowski, Jaime Verazin and Jessica Vosk.
Based on the Academy Award winning motion picture by the same name, Finding Neverland follows playwright J.M. Barrie as he summons the courage to become the writer -- and the man -- he yearns to be. Barrie finds the inspiration he's been missing when he meets the beautiful widow Sylvia and her four young sons: Jack, George, Michael and Peter. Delighted by the boys' hilarious escapades, Barrie conjures the magical world of Neverland and writes a play unlike any the high-society London theatergoers have ever seen. It's a tremendous risk, but as Barrie himself has discovered -- when you believe, you can fly.
MATTHEW MORRISON
J.M. Barrie
Broadway: South Pacific, The Light in the Piazza (Tony/Drama Desk nominations), A Naked Girl on the Appian Way, Hairspray, The Rocky Horror Show, Footloose. Off-Broadway: 10 Million Miles (Drama Desk nomination). Film: What to Expect When You're Expecting, Underdogs, upcoming Tulip Fever. Select TV: "Glee" (Emmy/Golden Globe nominations, SAG Award).
LAURA MICHELLE KELLY
Sylvia Llewelyn Davies
West End: Mary Poppins (Olivier Award), The Second Mrs. Tanqueray, The Lord of the Rings, Speed The Plow, Beauty and the Beast, LES MISERABLES, Peter Pan, Mamma Mia!, My Fair Lady, Whistle Down the Wind. Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof, Mary Poppins. Film: Goddess, Sweeney Todd. Album: The Storm Inside.
KELSEY GRAMMER
Charles Frohman/Captain James Hook
Kelsey Grammer is excited to be back on Broadway. It has been four years since he played "Georges" in the Tony Award-winning revival of La Cage aux Folles.
CAROLEE CARMELLO
Mrs. du Maurier
Broadway: three-time Tony nominee for Scandalous, Lestat and Parade. Other Broadway: Sister Act, Addams Family, Mamma Mia!, Urinetown, Kiss Me Kate, Scarlet Pimpernel, 1776, Falsettos, City of Angels. Off-Broadway: Elegies, Vagina Monologues, A Class Act, Hello Again, ...Wholesale, Das Barbecü, john and jen. TV: "Smash," "Law and Order," "Frasier," "Ed," "Remember W.E.N.N."
TEAL WICKS
Mary Barrie
Broadway: "Emma" in the revival of Jekyll & Hyde and "Elphaba" in Wicked. National Tours: Jekyll & Hyde, Pippin, Wicked (L.A. and San Francisco). Off-Broadway: Piece of My Heart, The Blue Flower, Encores! Stairway to Paradise, Fahrenheit 451. Regional favorites:Carousel (Goodspeed), The Blue Flower (A.R.T.), Pippin (Goodspeed). TV: "Elementary," "The Good Wife."
ALEX DREIER
Michael, Jack
Broadway: Assembled Parties, Billy Elliot. Off-Broadway/Regional: Finding Neverland, Appropriate, Dinner With Friends, Lies My Father Told Me, NYC Ballet, Paper Mill. TV: "Tony Awards," "Unforgettable," "Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight," "Royal Pains." XO Mom/Dad, Missy, Allie.
AIDAN GEMME
Peter
Broadway: Waiting For Godot, Mary Poppins. Off-Bway/Regional: The Cradle Will Rock,Finding Neverland (IRNE Promising Young Actor nom.), Mary Poppins. Film: Tomorrowland, Deliver Us From Evil, Santa Pups, Treasure Buddies. Television: "Dora the Explorer"; "Colbert Report."
JACKSON DEMOTT HILL
Swing
Thrilled to be making my Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: As You Like It, A Doll's House, Billy Budd. TV: "Celebrity Ghost Stories." Thanks to Lauren, Philip, Anne, Marissa, Janine and Katie/Innovative. Love to Mom, Dad and Mariah.
NOAH HINSDALE
Michael
Off-Bway: Fun Home ("John") at The Public (Lortel nomination). Other: McCarter Theatre (A Christmas Carol, Phaedra Backwards), Nine ("young Guido"), Secret Garden ("Colin"). Thanks to my family, Eddie/Take 3 Talent and Telsey+Co.
SAWYER NUNES
George
Broadway: Matilda the Musical ("Bruce/Tommy" OBC). Regional: Finding Neverland, A.R.T. ("George"). Film/TV: The Breatharians ("August"), "Madam Secretary," "Alpha House." Musical training: piano, guitar, drums, composing. Thanks John Mara, Jr., Mallory Tucker and everyone at CESD.
CHRISTOPHER PAUL RICHARDS
Jack, Peter, George
Recent credits: Billy Budd with London Philharmonic (BAM Opera). Regional: Elf (Paper Mill Playhouse). TV: "Billions" (Showtime); "The Heart, She Holler" (Cartoon Network). Many thanks to Rachel/Ellen/Paradigm, Lisa Calli, Patrick/Telsey, PPAS, Mom and Dad.
HAYDEN SIGNORETTI
Jack, Michael
Broadway: Richard III, Mary Poppins. Regional: Finding Neverland (A.R.T.). Thanks to Harvey Weinstein, Diane, Pat/Telsey+Co. and Eddie/Natasha at Take 3 Talent. I dedicate this performance to my grandfather and fellow Lost Boy, Maynard Ostrow.
COURTNEY BALAN
Ensemble
Finding Neverland marks Courtney's twelfth show in New York including Broadway and Off-Broadway. She is a proud graduate of University of Michigan Musical Theatre. Love to my family.
DANA COSTELLO
Ensemble
Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde. She'd like to use these 35 words to apologize to her husband, family and neighbors who endured years of listening to her practice; but hey, it paid off!
COLIN CUNLIFFE
Ensemble
Original Broadway Companies: Pippin (Revival), Evita (Revival), Addams Family, Cry-Baby. National Tours: Sweet Charity, The Boyfriend, Fame, Cats. Regional: Pippin (A.R.T.), Cry-Baby (La Jolla), West Side Story (Walnut). BELIEVE.
RORY DONOVAN
Ensemble
Broadway: Elf ("Buddy" Standby). National Tour: Young Frankenstein ("The Monster"). Regional: Finding Neverland (A.R.T.). Proud UArts Grad. Thanks to Francis and Patrick. Love to his family, Kati, August, and Theo. For Mom and Dad.
CHRIS DWAN
Ensemble
Broadway debut! Off-Broadway: The Old Boy. Regional: Harmony, Lord of the Flies. TV: "Royal Pains" (USA), "One Bad Choice" (MTV). BFA Syracuse University. Special thanks to my parents and the entire Abrams team!
KEVIN KERN
Swing
Broadway: The Bridges of Madison County, First Date, Wicked, The Wedding Singer, Les Miserables. West End: Hair. Off-Broadway: Next To Normal, Finian's Rainbow, Altar Boyz. Love to Mom, Dad, Megan, Gus, Sunny, Nolie and Clover!
JOSH LAMON
Ensemble
Broadway: Hair, Elf. Shakespeare in the Park: Into the Woods. Off-Broadway: Little Miss Sunshine (Second Stage), Little Me (Encores!), February House (Public Theatre). Tours: Hair(Helen Hayes Award), Wicked. TV: "30 Rock," "Deadbeat."
MELANIE MOORE
Ensemble
Broadway debut! Credits include: "So You Think You Can Dance" (Season 8 Winner), "Dancing with the Stars," "Glee," Shaping Sound Dance Company. Special thanks to Mitchell, my mom and my incredible family for their love!
MARY PAGE NANCE
Ensemble
Broadway Debut! Credits Include: Finding Neverland (A.R.T./Workshop), A Chorus Line("Sheila"), The York Theatre, VA Rep, UFOMT, NØA Dance. BFA Modern Dance, SUNY Purchase. Thank You Telsey+Co., The Mine, and my family. Let's fly.
FRED ODGAARD
Swing
Excited to be making his Broadway Debut. Credits Include: We Will Rock You (First National Tour), West Side Story ("Snow Boy"), Cirque Du Soleil, Celine Dion A New Day. Thank you to Bloc and my family.
EMMA PFAEFFLE
Ensemble
Broadway debut! Cuban-Nicaraguan, Los Angeles native. BFA Dance, SUNY Purchase. International Tour: West Side Story. Company member: Ballet Hispanico, Morphoses. She dedicates this performance to her Mom who she will find again in Neverland.
JONATHAN RITTER
Ensemble
Broadway: Wicked (u/s "Fiyero"), Sweet Charity. Tours/Other: Finding Neverland (A.R.T.),The Addams Family, Wicked, West Side Story. TV: "American Dreams." EDGE scholarship. For my parents, who taught me to Believe! Isaiah 40:31
TYLEY ROSS
Ensemble
Broadway: Miss Saigon ("Chris"). Regional: Finding Neverland, The Last Five Years, Merrily We Roll Along, West Side Story, The Who's Tommy (Dora Award). East Village Opera Company (Grammy Nomination). Education: NYU, M.A. from Royal Central School.
JULIUS ANTHONY RUBIO
Ensemble/Asst. Dance Captain
Dominican native and a New World School of Arts/Dance Attack graduate. Some Credits: Annie (film), Wonderland (Broadway), Come Fly Away (first national tour), Academy Awards. Big love to my family, friends, Jared and God. ILY!
PAUL SLADE SMITH
Ensemble
Broadway debut. National Tours: Wicked, The Phantom of the Opera. Regional: A.R.T., Chicago Shakespeare, Goodman, Steppenwolf. Author of three plays includingUnnecessary Farce. Love, gratitude and more love to Erin. This one's for Mom.
RON TODOROWSKI
Ensemble
Broadway: Wicked, Come Fly Away, Guys & Dolls, Times They Are A Changin', Movin' Out, Footloose. West End/National Tour: Movin' Out (Helen Hayes Award), Come Fly Away(Resident Director). Companies: Twyla Tharp, Cedar Lake, Complexions, Parsons, Mia Michaels.
JAMIE VERAZIN
Swing/Dance Captain/Assistant Choreographer
Broadway debut! Theatre: Finding Neverland (A.R.T.), The Shapes She Makes (A.R.T.). MET Opera: Mary Zimmerman's Armida (Principal), Robert Lepage's The Tempest (Aerialist, Soloist). MOMIX, CATAPULT (AGT Season 8), MarkStuartDanceTheatre (Associate Choreographer). Dreams do come true!
JESSICA VOSK
Ensemble
Broadway: The Bridges of Madison County. Starred as "Anita" in Grammy-nominated West Side Story with SF Symphony. Regional: Company (NY Philharmonic), Merrily We Roll Along, Gentleman Prefer Blondes (Encores!). Special thanks: Telsey, Nicolosi!
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