James Barrie News

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce the second show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES by Tim Kelly, based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and directed by Moosie Drier.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) is thrilled to announce the second show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES by Tim Kelly, based on the story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and directed by Moosie Drier.

Before Wendy… before he was Captain Hook… before a boy was given the name Peter Pan…and before there was a Neverland, there was a Starcatcher Apprentice named Molly, a pirate named Black Stache, and a nameless orphan…and they are about to be thrown together in a perilous (and wildly hilarious) adventure on the high seas. But, of course none of this actually exists, unless you are prepared to use your imagination.

Before Wendy… before he was Captain Hook… before a boy was given the name Peter Pan…and before there was a Neverland, there was a Starcatcher Apprentice named Molly, a pirate named Black Stache, and a nameless orphan…and they are about to be thrown together in a perilous (and wildly hilarious) adventure on the high seas. But, of course none of this actually exists, unless you are prepared to use your imagination.

Having witnessed the stultifying, bloated NBC production of PETER PAN LIVE (what were the 'powers that be' thinking would hold a child's attention span for three hours, however padded with yet more Peter Pan plugs from Walmart?), I was reluctant to attend Playhouse on the Square's annual production of the James Barrie children's classic. I am probably one of the handful of reviewers to recall the 1955 NBC production (and later one as well) with the legendary pairing of Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard (whose fruity, overly ripe 'Captain Hook' would make Johnny Depp's 'Jack Sparrow' seem more like a white collar executive). As an IPad-free child inured to black and white fare, it hardly mattered that Mary Martin was, to put it politely, mature; that the production values were clunky; that the wires and 'Tinker' herself were glaringly apparent. In short, I was captivated. Yet, Martin possessed the kind of spunk and spontaneity that made us children believe (not to mention that she had the kind of singing voice that made her a legendary Broadway performer, as evidenced by SOUTH PACIFIC and SOUND OF MUSIC). She could make a child want to fly. Allison Williams, last evening's 'Peter,' lacked that optimistic boyishness (though she had the tomboyish Hilary Swank look 'nailed') and, despite having a pleasant enough voice, often seemed out of breath; but Chrisopher Walken, whom I like and who I initially thought would be inspired casting, seemed to have wandered in from a cocktail party hosted by zombies. His dancing made that of the Monster in YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN seem as nimble as that of Fred Astaire. Despite the wonderful lyrics by Carolyn Leigh, Betty Comden and Adolph Green, and despite the 'ear candy' musical score by Mark Charlalp and Jule Stein, those long, middle stretches in Neverland made me wonder if it would Neverend.

VH1.com just unveiled a PETER PAN 'oral history' piece featuring interviews with original players Cathy Rigby, Sandy Duncan, Sondra Lee, Heller Halliday and more chatting about their part in the musical's legacy, their thoughts on NBC's upcoming live production and more.

The New York Public Library has announced its upcoming theater programs for this winter. Details below!

Sir James Barrie's timeless tale of the boy who never grew up is an all-time favourite amongst many families, now reborn as a spectacular musical by Stiles & Drewe and the late Willis Hall, the adventure of Peter Pan, Wendy, Tinkerbell and the lost boys makes its way to the Grand Theatre stage in Bilston Operatic Company's latest production.

Cockpit in Court Summer Theatre, in residence at the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex, in its 42nd season aims to break last year's record audience figures of over 1,100 subscribers and 8,000 patrons according Artistic Director James Hunnicutt and President of the Cockpit Board of Directors Jessica Phillips. And this year's menu of favorites - 'Peter Pan' (June 13-29), 'The Odd Couple' (June 14-29), 'Annie, Jr.' (July 11-20), 'Legally Blonde' (July 18-Aug. 3) and 'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife' (July 19-Aug. 3) - could do just that!

The University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) is pleased to announce initial details for the 2014-15 Mainstage Series of opera, musical theatre and drama productions.

Looking much like an opening night, numerous boldfaced names were in attendance last week at a workshop for FINDING NEVERLAND, directed by Diane Paulas and starring Matthew Morrison and Laura Michelle Kelly. It'll premiere at begins performances in July 2014 at the Loeb Drama Center at The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University. Featuring new songs by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, NEVERLAND previously held a workshop on August 26th, featuring Kelly, Jason Alexander, Brian d'Arcy James and Kathleen Chalfant. The new musical FINDING NEVERLAND premiered in Leicester on September 22., led by Julian Ovenden and Rosalie Craig. Adapted from the much-loved Oscar-winning Miramax film, FINDING NEVERLAND, this exquisite new production was brought to the Leicester stage by celebrated Oscar and Tony Award-winner Harvey Weinstein, with direction and choreography by Olivier and Tony Award-winner Rob Ashford (Anna Christie at Donmar Warehouse), a book by Allan Knee (Little Women on Broadway), and music and lyrics by Tony Award nominees Scott Frankel and Michael Korie. Escape to a wonderful world of enchantment with this musical tale of the life of playwright J.M. Barrie, and the inspiration behind his classic book, The Adventures of Peter Pan. With his last play a failure, James Barrie is crippled by writer's block and success seems like a far-away land. But then a chance encounter with widow Sylvia Llewellyn Davies and her four young sons sends his heart and imagination soaring, and their friendship gives birth to a magical tale that will live forever.

As BroadwayWorld previously reported, a workshop for the revamped version of FINDING NEVERLAND is set to take place in New York City this spring, directed by Tony winner Diane Paulus. According to the Daily Mail's Baz Bamigboye, Broadway veteran and GLEE star Matthew Morrison is on board to lead the project opposite Laura Michelle Kelly.

Peter Pan's legend is well-known, but a new historical novel by author Christopher Mechling promises a fresh, new historical perspective on the story. Peter: The Untold True Story is a poignant, captivating portrayal of the life of Peter: The Wild Boy, whose amazing adventures may have provided the basis for the legend of Peter Pan, immortalized in fiction more than century later by James Barrie. James Barrie hinted in his own writing that the legend of Peter began long before the fairy tale was written. From now through November 19th, readers can enter a free giveaway at Goodreads.com to win one of five signed copies of the book.

"To reveal who he really was would even at this date set the country in a blaze." These are the words of James Barrie, referring to Peter Pan's nemesis, Captain Hook. A new book, Peter: The Untold True Story, promises to shed new light on the origins of the characters in Barrie's classic fairy tale. Connecting the real-life figure of Peter the Wild Boy with the fictional character of Peter Pan, the epic tale spans more than seventy years, exploring the real personalities and events of Peter the Wild Boy's life, over a century before Barrie wrote his legend.

Peter: The Untold True Story invites readers to discover the epic life of Peter the Wild Boy. Peter was a real historical figure of the 18th century whose amazing adventures may have provided the basis for the legend of Peter Pan, immortalized in fiction more than century later by James Barrie. Author Christopher Mechling believes the historical Peter and fictional Peter are two sides of the same coin, and a review of the facts suggests he may be right.

Peter Pan is one of the most beloved characters in fiction, known to children all over the world. With the release of Peter: The Untold True Story, we now have an unprecedented look into the life of the real Wild Boy who inspired the legend.

According to an equity casting notice posted today, a workshop for the revamped production, set to be directed by PIPPIN's Diane Paulus, is set for Manhattan in 2014, featuring new songs by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy. NEVERLAND previously held a workshop on August 26th, featuring Laura Michelle Kelly, Jason Alexander, Brian d'Arcy James and Kathleen Chalfant.

As BroadwayWorld reported last week, FINDING NEVERLAND is now aiming for a Spring 2014 run at A.R.T. in Boston before heading back to the West End, and on to Broadway. PIPPIN's Diane Paulus -- who is the Artistic Director of the A.R.T. -- is directing the production. Now, according to the New York Times, Broadway producer Barry Weissler will executive produce the project. Weissler recently worked with the A.R.T. and Paulus on the recent Tony-winning revival of Pippin.

The Daily Mail reports that a year after the first incarnation of FINDING NEVERLAND closed in the West End, the musical has undergone a transformation for the better -- with the help of a little pixie dust and a lot of new songs, new talent and streamlined plot. The musical is now aiming for a Spring 2014 run at A.R.T. in Boston before heading back to the West End and on to Broadway.

The five-time Tony-winning Peter and the Starcatcher might have moved from on Broadway to off, but that doesn't mean that Peter Pan will be gone for long. According to the New York Post, two new versions of J.M. Barrie's timeless story might be heading to the Great White Way.