Finding Neverland

[LiamM]

I only scanned it briefly, but it seemed to say "everyone loved it, but I didn't", which is, I think, always a sad admission for a theatre critic.

Indeed. What is the point of a critic if they can't help me to figure out if I will like a show and therefore whether or not I should go see it?

[kport]

I checked the theatre's online ticket sales map before last night's show (the day those reviews were published). It was virtually sold out.

That is all the 'review' I need. It is called 'bums on seats'!

[kport]

It seems that Finding Neverland may be off to a good start, despite the critics. Over $10 million in advance sales.

However, co-writer Eliot Kennedy saw the positive side as he said: ‘Well, the critics hate Finding Neverland – which probably means we have a hit and will run for years. Brilliant.’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... debut.html

[kport]

Chris Jones (Theater Critic for the Chicago Tribune), who wrote that glowing review of BETM at Drury Lane in the same paper, was less complimentary about Finding Neverland. However, he did end his review on this positive observation:

Having said all of that, I suspect "Finding Neverland" will still find an audience. The young boys all are terrific, and there is no denying the emotional pull of the last few minutes, by far the best few minutes, when the story we all know so well becomes one of the last pleasures of a very sick woman and, alas, her soon-to-be-lost-again boys. For immortality is the stuff of story, of Tinker Bell. Life intrudes. Peter Pan, played here in high style by Melanie Moore, actually is a shadow of our youth. A great version of this story would have laid out the reality of adulthood with all its horrors.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/entertain ... story.html

[CJ-Rochester]

This happened a lot sooner than I would have expected.

FINDING NEVERLAND Announces U.S. Tour Launching in 2016

https://www.facebook.com/FindingNeverla ... 0844470592

http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BR ... 6-20150421#

[kport]

I assume that NAC will book the tour through New York State and PA, and that John Gore's Broadway Across America will take it further afield.

There is no doubt in my mind that, having seen the ART production, Finding Neverland will be well received on a national tour. Congratulations!

[CJ-Rochester]

What is particularly interesting to me is the name Albert Nocciolino, the producer mentioned in the article. He runs the local Rochester Broadway Theatre League, along with the one for Binghamton.

The article only mentions "Upstate New York", as if that were a single city, rather than the majority of New York State by area. Given Mr. Nocciolino's involvement it seems likely the tour will be rehearsed and staged either in Binghamton or Rochester. Both cities have underused venues that would be suitable for this purpose. Hopefully we will see more Broadway tours launched out of New York State under the new tax incentive.

[kport]

This is a list of cities that NAC Entertainments list as Tour venues with which is has a relationship:

-Buffalo Shea's Performing Arts Center
-Syracuse Famous Artists Broadway Theater
-Elmira Clemens Center
-Rochester Rochester Broadway Theatre League
-Binghamton Binghamton Theatre League
-Scranton Broadway Theatre of Northeastern Pennsylvania
-Erie Warner Theatre
-Albany Palace Theatre

This article, from NAC's webpage, explains the tax incentives, and perhaps gives a clue why a Tour would rehearse and be tried out there, before hitting the road:

ALBANY – Upstate theaters are hoping a new state law will lure traveling Broadway shows to rehearse at their local venues.

The state last month released details about its Empire State Music and Theatrical Production Tax Credit program, which provides up to a 25 percent tax break for performances that conduct pre-tour work at theaters outside New York City.

The law, which took effect this year, is being viewed as a potential boost to the upstate theater scene and the local economy — which would benefit from the money spent by the shows to rehearse, buy supplies and attract patrons to the launch of the productions.

As an enticement, the shows would also be eligible for the tax breaks if they hold their openings at the local theater. Theater leaders said they envision synergy with shows in New York City.

"It would very definitely have a positive impact on the Clemens Center," said Thomas Weidemann, executive director of the Elmira theater. "We are far enough out of New York and yet close enough to New York to be attractive as a site for putting together these national tours."

Indeed, the Clemens Center is hopeful that it may land two productions for pre-show work: the national tour of The Producers in October and Cirq Dreams Holidaze in late November.

http://www.nacentertainment.com/news/up ... rehearsal/

[CJ-Rochester]

The Broadway cast album will be released June 23rd per this Facebook announcement:

https://www.facebook.com/FindingNeverla ... =1&theater

[CJ-Rochester]

Harvard University professor Maria Tatar has written an excellent op-ed letter in support of the show:

http://variety.com/2015/legit/news/find ... 201480439/