Interview: Broadway's Kevin Kern Stars in FINDING NEVERLAND, Flying to Chicago This Fall

Neverland is no longer the 'second star to the right and straight on till morning.' Instead, it's tucked into Chicago's Loop district on West Randolph Street. Fresh off a run on the Great White Way, Finding Neverland comes to the Windy City to share the story of J.M. Barrie, the writer behind the beloved 'boy who never grew up'. Broadway actor Kevin Kern (Barrie) discusses bringing this captivating tale to the stage.

This is so exciting! People are certainly familiar with the story of Peter Pan, but what can you tell us about this behind-the-scenes tale?
It's funny because a lot of people have different experiences with the Peter Pan story, depending on how they were introduced. Some are familiar with the Disney version or Hook or a play they might've seen as a child. A lot of people are coming to the show with an attachment already.

Finding Neverland is sort of an origin story, in terms of Barrie, the playwright who created Peter Pan. It's a fascinating look into what makes this story so special, and it really explains the universal themes as well. I think that's the show's biggest draw.

Does the stage production resemble the 2004 movie, starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, at all?
Well, I do feel like I'm just as handsome as Johnny Depp!... In all reality, though, the story is very similar. However, we've changed a lot of elements from the original Broadway production. The first 20 minutes now has more storytelling and we've added two new songs for the tour.

Obviously song and dance is the biggest difference from the film. What can we expect, music-wise?
The music is so great. It's pop-influenced and done in a very modern musical theatre-style. The word that comes to mind is "fun". We're taking the story you've seen in the movie and expressing Barrie's world through music.

How would you describe J.M. Barrie?
He was first and foremost a playwright. The Peter Pan novel that he wrote came after his play. During his time, he was very famous in the theater industry but he was in a rut. In a very class-structurEd English society, children weren't going to the theater. It was all adults. Barrie wanted to tell this imaginative story, but he wasn't sure how it would be received. He meets a family and these kids really help his story succeed. That's what this show is about.

It must be so much fun to play a man who created such legendary and lasting characters in real life.
In a musical, reality is totally heightened. I'm playing a historic character--a real person--but I'm not doing a biopic. We're taking the essence of who Barrie was, and what he created, and making something that's completely heightened and imaginative. In real life, he was known to be a bit of an introvert and his magic came out through writing. We're expressing that larger-than-life magic through song and dance.

Over the years, you've gotten to do some really amazing stuff on Broadway. You've been in Wicked, Bridges of Madison County, The Wedding Singer and more. What has this journey been like? How did you break into this business?
Oh, lots of luck! I have four kids (which is part of the reason I really embrace this show and Barrie's impactful relationship with the boys who inspired Peter Pan), so I've done a lot of things in my career that allow me to stay home with my family. I've taken jobs as a swing or standby a lot, which is a sacrifice in the eyes of some performers, but actually has allowed me to do shows I may not have been able to do otherwise. I've gotten to perform on a Broadway stage in place of Matthew Morrison and Steven Pasquale. Big stars. I've gotten rare experiences and was able to make a great impression during my time in the Broadway run of Finding Neverland. Now I'm leading the tour!

As for breaking into the biz? My parents put me in commercials, some plays and some modeling gigs as a kid, but it was in high school that I really found my passion. I was fortunate to be part of a really great high school theater program, at a school called St. Xaviers, and there was a really amazing teacher named Michele Mascari. Tons of students from there have gone on to Broadway. Actually, Andy Blankenbuehler, the choreographer for Hamilton, also went there. After that, I studied at NYU.

Is there anything you're looking forward to seeing or doing while in Chicago?
The kids are coming down for the week of Thanksgiving, and we have some relatives in the area. I'll get a good week with family! Then, I really hope to sightsee. One of my favorite movies is The Blues Brothers so I want to find some of the places where they filmed!

Last but not least, any projects on the horizon?
My wife is actually on Broadway right now in Holiday Inn, but I'm not sure what's next for me. Right now, I'm just enjoying this spectacular tour and looking forward to whatever comes my way next!

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Finding Neverland flies to the Cadillac Palace Theatre on November 22 through December 4. Visit www.broadwayinchicago.com for more information.

Photo Credit: Carol Rosegg

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