Broadway Across America presents “Finding Neverland” running January 10-15, 2017 at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Tickets are available here, or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office.
Kevin Kern plays J. M. Barrie in “Finding Neverland”. The musical based on the 2004 film of the same name, tells the story of how J.M. Barrie came to create the beloved “Peter Pan: The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up”. Kern took some time out his busy schedule to speak with Equality365.com about the show and his role.
Earle Dutton: You have played a whole spectrum of parts in different types of productions. What first attracted you to “Finding Neverland”?
Kevin Kern: When you are in the position that we are as actors, the blue collar actors of Broadway, we aren’t sitting around looking at scripts and choosing parts. We are auditioning for everything and hoping we get a good part. I was a standby for this part on Broadway. I was also a swing so I did a lot of different parts as well. This part in particular really resonates with me. I am a father with four kids. There aren’t a lot of people in this business that can say that. It is sort of unique that I get to play a father-figure with four kids. It really speaks to me.
ED: Is this your favorite role in the show?
KK: Yes, definitely. There are a lot of fun characters roles in this show though. I was speaking with someone yesterday and I figured out that as a swing I have probably performed about fifty different roles on Broadway (laughter). Well, maybe not fifty but probably thirty or so. Being a swing is a great learning experience. It really expands your thought process and how you approach things.
Kevin Kern as JM Barrie and Tom Hewitt as Captain Hook in the National
Tour of “Finding Neverland”
ED: What is it like touring when you have a family and four kids?
KK: Well, it is easy for me (laughter). My wife is home with our four kids and she is doing a show as well. It is a lot harder on her. I go home a lot.
ED: What would you tell people to get them to come see this show?
KK: First and foremost, I think this show is great for families. I think it is an easy sell for a family to have a great night at the theater. I think it has great themes. I think the whole Peter Pan aspect of it is something magical. I think it is also a great date night show. It has some realness to it and some darkness that we don’t shy away from talking about. There are some serious themes in this show. It attracts all kinds of crowds.
ED: Do you have a dream role you would really love to play?
KK: It is funny, but I think I am doing it. You just hope to get into these great shows. You want to get a role you can really sink your teeth into. This one fits me so well. I think other than this my dream would be to originate a lead role on Broadway. I would really like to help affect and help create a lead role on Broadway.
ED: What is your favorite part of the show?
KK: I really love the song, “Finding Neverland”. It is just a really cool theme and song.
You might also be interested in our earlier piece: “Finding Neverland” Enchanting Seattle Theatergoers Soon by Starla Smith.
Broadway Across America presents “Finding Neverland” running January 10-15, 2017 at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre. Tickets are available here, or in person at The Paramount Theatre Box Office. Don’t miss Kevin Kern in this production!
Upcoming Broadway Across America shows:
“The King and I” playing January 24-February 3, 2017 more info here.
“Rent” playing February 21-26, 2017 more info here.
“Mamma Mia!” playing March 28- April 2, 2017 more info here.
