Finding Neverland May Return to Britain, Eyes 2016 West End Bow

Finding Neverland is aiming to open in the West End in 2016. Composer Gary Barlow told The Daily Mail that he'd like the tuner to cross the Pond next year and also revealed more details about the show's concept album, which will be released in April. Rita Ora will take on a number called “Play,” while Paloma Faith sings “Circus Of Your Mind.” As previously reported, Jessie J will belt “Stronger.”

Directed by Diane Paulus and featuring a score by Barlow and Eliot Kennedy and a book by James Graham, the Broadway production will begin performances on March 15 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. If Finding Neverland lands in London in 2016, it will not be the first time that the musical has been seen in the U.K. The show made its world premiere at Leicester's Curve Theatre in September 2012 after canceling its fall 2011 debut at La Jolla Playhouse. That production featured direction by Rob Ashford, musical by Frankel and Korie and a book by the film’s screenwriter Allan Knee. At the time, the show was aiming for a West End run in 2013, but after mixed reviews and backstage turmoil, the Harvey Weinstein-produced tuner overhauled its creative team.

Finding Neverland follows the story of J.M. Barrie and his relationship with the family of widow Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. Llewelyn Davies' children eventually became Barrie's inspiration to write Peter Pan. The Great White Way incarnation stars Matthew Morrison, Kelsey Grammer and Laura Michelle Kelly.