Finding Neverland
G’day!
Earlier this month I spent a week on a reading of a new musical by Scott Frankel and Michael Korie (Grey Gardens) based on the film Finding Neverland – which is the story of J.M. Barrie finding the inspiration to write Peter Pan. This show has a gorgeous score and is being produced by the Weinstein brothers, Harvey and Bob. Julian Ovenden and Kellie O’Hara were the leads. I played P.G. Wodehouse. This show has enormous potential and will be produced later in the year at La Jolla Playhouse. Rob Ashford is the director.
I always wanted to do a production of Kiss Me Kate and play Bill Calhoun – I had the chance a few years back at Papermill Playhouse but after I was cast I got offered Bobby Pepper In Curtains on Broadway (Noah Racey took a leave), and I was forced to pull out of the Papermill production. Now Reprise Theater Company in Los Angeles, where Jason Alexander is the artistic director, is doing Kiss Me Kate and I will get my shot at it, May 11-20.
In June I will be back at Lincoln Center Theater for a workshop of The Little Dancer Project. It has been 9 years since Contact closed. That was possibly the most joyous and most taxing three years of my life. So, my return is long overdue. I am really thrilled to be a part of this one. I play a French aristocrat (again!) named Bertrand. Here’s an excerpt from Playbill.com: Tony Award-winning musical collaborators Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty are stepping out with Tony-winning director-choreographer Susan Stroman on a new dance musical for Lincoln Center Theater… a month-long workshop of the yet-to-be-titled original musical this June. Cider House Rules playwright Peter Parnell is writing the book. Inspired by true events, the work focuses on the relationship between a young ballerina and 19th century French painter and sculptor Edgar Degas. Stroman (Contact, Scottsboro Boys, Happiness) will direct and choreograph the work, which is set in the harsh and colorful backstage world of the Paris Opera Ballet.
Wait until you hear who has been cast! Very exciting.