Carolee Carmello Will Reprise Her Role in FINDING NEVERLAND on Broadway!

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 8:02am

It's Official!

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 10:27am

Personally, I'm thrilled she'll stay with the show.

Updated On: 11/15/14 at 10:27 AM

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 11:40am

It will be interesting to hear what changes they make before Broadway. With Grammer in the picture, I'm guessing most of the chsnges will be to beef up his role. I hope Carolee doesn't get short changed. I'm also assuming the billing will now be Morrison and Kelsy above the title?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 11:46am

I'd agree with your billing,however, I'm not sure where there is TO beef up Grammer's part much. It just wouldn't make too much sense.

I would agree to your thought on billing, but then they'll petition to have Grammer considered in supporting.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 11:57am

Either way, I'm highly excited for this show. I just hope the Harvey Hate doesn't get too bad....

[Princeton Returns]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:03pm

The website has already been changed. Matthew and Kelsey have equal billing then it says 'with Laura Michelle Kelly' underneath

I'm a massive fan of the film but everything about this show seems to suggest it's been watered down to become a family musical spectacle

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:09pm

That's how Harvey became Weinstein.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:11pm

Wouldn't Grammer also be playing James Hook?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:23pm

Yes, unless there is some major change.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:31pm

Maybe Peter Pan grew up to be Harvey Weinstein? ( PLOT TWIST!)

[Back Row]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:34pm

I really enjoyed Michael McGrath's portrayal. He is a skilled comic stage actor, so I'm not sure they gain anything from a performance standpoint with Grammer (acknowledging that his involvement will result in more publicity for the show). However, when it was rumored that Grammer was going to step in, my first thought was that this role is not big enough for him, so I suspect that there will be some changes made to beef up the role. It is disappointing to see Laura Michelle Kelly pushed somewhat to the side as the bigger stars come on board. I thought she was the heart and soul of the entire production, and I would hope that they would make more of an effort to acknowledge that.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 12:45pm

DramaMama, the only "sense" this show seems to make is how to get TV names involved so beefing up Grammer's part make great sense. Not that he(or Morrison) are talented but the original "soul" of the movie seems to not matter at all.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:18pm

YES!!!

[getatme]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 1:55pm

"I'm a massive fan of the film but everything about this show seems to suggest it's been watered down to become a family musical spectacle "

That's exactly what's happened. The show onstage in Cambridge was similar to the film in title and plot alone, the tone is completely different. It's flashy and big, even when it needn't be.

[rcwr]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 2:02pm

Carolee was smashing in Cambridge. I'm so happy she's doing it.

[TheatreKid3]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 2:21pm

All this drama has the making of an episode of SMASH.

[Back Row]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 2:25pm

Except they killed off Jimmy instead of Kyle

[Up In One]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 5:56pm

Carolee 's role needs some beefing up also. With Kelsey Im guessing we'll get more of Cyril Ritchatd type take on Hook. If there are drastic rewrites Id give it another shot but if it's only casting band aids I'll pass.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 9:20pm

I wonder if they will still have the curious casting of a man as a dog?

[rcwr]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 9:23pm

Having a dancer play the dog is at the core of it; I can't imagine they'd make such an enormous change. It would almost not be the same show.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 9:32pm

Didn't Grammar have a hard time with La Cage? So maybe it's better he has a smaller part.

[wdwfreak]

Posted: 11/15/14 at 9:41pm

Laura Michelle Kelly is the reason to see this show. It's a shame that she is not being as publicized as Kelsey and Matt. I'm glad Carolee is staying on with the show as she was wonderful in ART. I'm curious to see how the two new leads will fair with the material and I hope they make a lot of changes that the material desperately needs, starting with 90% of the score.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 10:27am

CPD -- I certainly meant it making sense to the story. I am a fan of the show, although, yes, it still needs work.

I am torn about the dog. Part of me "gets" that HE sees the dog as more than an animal, I'm just not sold that it plays well.


I think the biggest struggle is deciding if this is a family story or just the story. IMHO, I think the weak parts were the parts that tried to BE "family friendly".

[Jarethan]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 2:49pm

I LOVED the dog...mainly due to the wonderfully ingratiating performance of the person whose name I should at least know, but don't. He was terrific.

Re Kelsey's role, it is already a very good sized role...if they make it any larger, they will spoil the balance. Nothing wrong with a smaller, showier role than a padded one that gets off point. I loved McGrath, and suspect that Grammer will be great in it...it just seems a perfect role for him. Also, i would argue that he does have the largest role in the current show-stopping number, which closes the first act.

[rcwr]

Posted: 11/16/14 at 2:56pm

Jarethan, Porthos the dog was played by dancer Thayne Jasperson. Thayne also danced in the ensemble.

The end of act one = INCREDIBLE.