The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Diane Paulus, Artistic Director and William Russo, Managing Director; announced today that its world premiere production of the musical Finding Neverland, with music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Eliot Kennedy, book by James Graham, directed by A.R.T. Artistic Director Diane Paulus with choreography by Mia Michaels, has reached the highest attendance record for a single production in the A.R.T's 34-year history. The production began previews at the Loeb Drama Center on Wednesday, July 23 and is running through Sunday, September 28, for a total of 75 performances. To date, all performances have played to capacity crowds.
Managing Director Billy Russo commented: "We are delighted Finding Neverland is playing to standing room only audiences. We took a risk and launched the season in July in order to accommodate a 9-week run for the production – which is 50% longer than the standard run at the A.R.T. So far audiences have been resounding in their support and have responded in the way that confirms we were right to offer more opportunities for them to see Finding Neverland here in Cambridge."
Following on the success of last season in which A.R.T. productions played to 95% capacity or better throughout the season, Finding Neverland has now become the highest grossing and highest attended production to date.
Based on the Miramax motion picture by David Magee and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee, Finding Neverland is presented by the A.R.T. by special arrangement with Harvey Weinstein. It will begin performances on Broadway in March of 2015.
ASL interpreted performances are scheduled for Tuesday, September 9 at 7:30PM and Sunday, September 14 at 2:00PM and Audio Described performances are scheduled for Wednesday September 10 at 7:30PM and Saturday, September 13 at 2:00PM. Visit americanrepertorytheater.org/access for more information.
The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University is a leading force in the American theater, producing groundbreaking work in Cambridge and beyond. The A.R.T. was founded in 1980 by Robert Brustein, who served as Artistic Director until 2002, when he was succeeded by Robert Woodruff. Diane Paulus began her tenure as Artistic Director in 2008. Under her leadership, the A.R.T. seeks to expand the boundaries of theater by programming events that immerse audiences in transformative theatrical experiences.
Throughout its history, the A.R.T. has been honored with many distinguished awards, including the Tony Award for Best New Play for All the Way (2014); consecutive Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical for Pippin (2013) and The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (2012), both of which Paulus directed; a Pulitzer Prize; a Jujamcyn Prize for outstanding contribution to the development of creative talent; the Tony Award for Best Regional Theater; and numerous Elliot Norton and IRNE Awards.
The A.R.T. collaborates with artists around the world to develop and create work in new ways. It is currently engaged in a number of multi-year projects, including the Civil War Project, an initiative that will culminate in the staging of new work in the 2014/15 season. Under Paulus's leadership, the A.R.T.'s club theater, OBERON, has become an incubator for local and emerging artists and has attracted national attention for its innovative programming and business models.
As the professional theater on the campus of Harvard University, the A.R.T. catalyzes discourse, interdisciplinary collaboration, and creative exchange among a wide range of academic departments, institutions, students, and faculty members, acting as a conduit between its community of artists and the university. A.R.T. artists also teach undergraduate courses in directing, dramatic literature, acting, voice, design, and dramaturgy. The A.R.T. Institute for Advanced Theater Training, which is run in partnership with the Moscow Art Theater School, offers graduate-level training in acting, dramaturgy, and voice.
Dedicated to making great theater accessible, the A.R.T. actively engages more than 5,000 community members and local students annually in project-based partnerships, workshops, conversations with artists, and other enrichment activities both at the theater and across the Greater Boston area.
Through all of these initiatives, the A.R.T. is dedicated to producing world-class performances in which the audience is central to the theatrical experience.
The Loeb Drama Center, located at 64 Brattle Street, Harvard Square, Cambridge, is fully accessible. ASL interpreted and audio described performances are available at select productions.
For further information call 617-547-8300 or visit americanrepertorytheater.org
