More than 30-years after being nominated for a Tony Award for playing the titular role in Peter Pan, Sandy Duncan will be returning to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre to replace Carolee Carmello in the Broadway production of Finding Neverland. The 69-year-old triple threat recently explained that returning to a Pan oriented show in the same theater that she once played the boy that would not grow up has brought back memories so vivid they borderline on déjà vu. In addition to Duncan, Tony Yazbeck has also joined the cast as a replacement for lead Matthew Morrison, who is going on to take a recurring role in CBS' The Good Wife.
In an unbelievable turn of casting fate, iconic Peter Pan actress Sandy Duncan has signed on to join the cast of Finding Neverland February 9 through the March 27.
In a statement following the casting news, Duncan revealed that the new musical, which was inspired by a film about playwright J. M. Barrie and his relationship with a family who inspired him to create Peter Pan, reminded her very much of her days playing Pan back in 1979 (via Theater Mania):
"It's surreal being back at the Lunt-Fontanne where I opened Peter Pan in 1979.
"There's a real sense of nostalgia for me in joining this company. So many moments and bits of dialogue in Finding Neverland really bring me back to those days in Peter Pan and to all the folks with whom I shared that experience.
"Also, Kelsey, I'd like my old dressing room back please!"
If the success of Tony Yazbeck taking over for Matthew Morrison is any indicator, Duncan's joining the cast will go off without a hitch.
In his review for ShowBiz 411 Roger Friedman hailed Yazbeck's first performance as J.M. Barrie as being every bit as strong as Morrison's last, despite the Glee star's playing the part for a full year before Yazbeck's coming on board:
"Yazbeck stepped in as if he'd always been there.
"A smoother transition would be hard to recall.
"He's just got it, that Broadway thing, like Andy Karl and Steve Kazee and a few other Broadway leading men who are more and more a rarity."
To get your tickets to see Sandy Duncan and Tony Yazbeck in Finding Neverlind head over to the musical's official website or call the box office at (877) 250-2929.
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