Alfie Boe to replace Tony Yazbeck in Finding Neverland

Tony winner Alfie Boe, who can currently be seen as Jean Valjean in the Broadway production of Les Misérables through to 28 February 2016 at Imperial Theatre, will officially assume the role of J.M. Barrie from Tony nominee Tony Yazbeck in Finding Neverland on 29 March 2016. Yazbeck's final performance is scheduled for 27 March.

Alfie Boe is still rumoured to transfer with the show back to his native England and reprise the role of J.M. Barrie in the West End premiere of Finding Neverland, however, there is no official confirmation of this yet.

Additionally, after the premature departure of Sandy Duncan, West End favourite Sally Ann Triplett will take over the role of Madame du Maurier from 1 March through to 1 May 2016, with both Kristy Cates and Courtney Balan covering the role in the meantime.

The principal cast currently include Tony Yazbeck (J.M. Barrie), Laura Michelle Kelly (Sylvia Llewelyn Davis), Kelsey Grammer (Charles Frohman), Teal Wicks (Mary Barrie), and Christian Michael Camporin, Alex Dreier, Jackson Demott Hill, Jack McCarthy, Christopher Paul Richards and Eli Tokash (The Llewelyn Davis Boys).

Finding Neverland, directed by Diane Paulus, began previews on 15 March 2015 at Broadway's Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, before an official opening on 15 April, and is currently booking through to 3 July 2016.

Finding Neverland features a book by Olivier Award nominee James Graham, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Elliot Kennedy and Gary Barlow, UK songwriter and member of popgroup 'Take That.'

Synopsis: "When a playwright meets a widow and her four boys in Kensington Gardens, he embarks on a friendship that inspires one of the most beloved stories of all time. Based on the Miramax film written by David Magee, Finding Neverland follows the real-life relationship between the Llewelyn Davies family and James Matthew Barrie as he writes the revolutionary 1904 play Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up. This new musical explores the power of imagination to open up new worlds, and the pressures put upon those worlds by the prospect of growing up."

The creative team behind Finding Neverland features choreography by Mia Michaels, scenic design by Tony Award winner Scott Pask, lighting by Phillip S. Rosenberg, costumes by Suttirat Larlarb, and sound design by Tony nominee Jonathan Deans.

The pre-Broadway engagement of Finding Neverland, which starred Jeremy Jordan as J.M. Barrie, concluded on 28 September 2014, after 75 sold-out performances at the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was the highest attended and highest grossing production in A.R.T.'s 34-year history.

Alfie Boe made his Broadway debut as Rodolfo in Baz Luhrmann's acclaimed production 'La Boheme,' for which he and his co-stars received the Tony Honor for Excellence in Theatre in 2003. Other credits include the role of Jean Valjean in 'Les Misérables' on Broadway, in the West End, and in the 25th Anniversary Concert at London's O2 Arena. Other stage credits include 'The Pearl Fishers' at the London Coliseum and 'Romeo ET Juliette' at the Royal Opera House. He has also released 8 studio albums to date.

Sally Ann Triplett last appeared on Broadway as Peggy White in 'The Last Ship.' She made her Broadway debut as Sue in 'Carrie.' Her many West End credits include 'The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,' 'Follies,' 'Chess,' 'Grease,' 'Jolson The Musical,' 'Cats,' 'Anything Goes,' 'Guys and Dolls,' 'Acorn Antiques:The Musical!,' 'Chicago,' 'Mamma Mia!' and 'Viva Forever.'

- by Tom Millward