Finding Neverland Aims for 2012 West End Run

The musical Finding Neverland, based on the 2004 film of the same name, is expected to get its first production in Britain next year, according to The New York Times. The show, to be directed by Tony Award winner Rob Ashford, will play outside of London before moving to the West End in late 2012.

The work, which has been adapted by Allan Knee from his play, The Man Who Was Peter Pan, features music by Scott Frankel and lyrics by Michael Korie. It concerns the relationship between the Scottish playwright J.M. Barrie and a woman he meets in a London park and her spirited young boys.

The piece, which is being developed by film producers Harvey and Bob Weinstein, was scheduled to have a production last month at the La Jolla Playhouse, but it was scrapped so the creators could do more work on the show. A recent reading in Britain starred Julian Ovenden and Jenna Russell.