Tony Yazbeck Returns to His 'Finding Neverland' Role This Summer

Actor Tony Yazbeck makes his return to the role of Peter Pan creator J. M. Barrie this summer in the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre's staging of Finding Neverland, starting June 10. Yazbeck previously played the part on Broadway until last spring, when he was replaced by Alfie Boe.

Tony Award nominee Matthew Morrison spearhead the lead role as part of the original cast upon Finding Neverland's Broadway opening in 2015. Briton Boe excused himself from his ongoing work in Les Misérables to take over for Yazbeck this past March.

The musical is directed by Diane Paulus, a Tony winner, and it is scheduled to continue showings at Lunt-Fontanne until August 21. Yazbeck, like Morrison, was also nominated for a Tony for his part in the 2008 revival of On the Town in celebration of composer Leonard Bernstein's 90th birthday.

Actress Jessica Lee Goldyn was also part of Finding Neverland's 2015 ensemble until her departure for a role in Tuck Everlasting, which recently closed on Broadway.

Speaking to Backstage about his determination and ceaseless pursuance of choice Broadway roles, Mr. Yazbeck reflected on the tenacity it takes to stay afloat on the Great White Way: 

"The work ethic it takes to just get into this business and land a Broadway show is just ridiculously hard. But I had some great parents who were disciplinarians when it came to being in class and practicing two and a half hours a day every day... It's been a lot of work but it sure as hell has paid off."

In an interview with Broadway World, Yazbeck spoke shared some of his formative stage icons and their influence on his performances: 

"Even as a kid, watching Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, and watching what they do, seeing their style, and going, 'How do I put that into who I am and make it my style and say something really important on the stage that people can connect to?' So I guess it's something I'm passionate about and I want to connect to an audience with it."

Don't miss your chance to see Yazbeck again take the lead in Finding Neverland this summer.

TagsFinding Neverland, Tony Yazbeck