Bryan Cranston becomes a producer of 'Finding Neverland'

NEW YORK (AP) - The upcoming Broadway musical "Finding Neverland" has found a new producer to join its ranks - Bryan Cranston.

Lead producer Harvey Weinstein said Friday that the Tony Award-winning former "Breaking Bad" star had signed up after being enchanted by an early workshop.

The show, directed by Diane Paulus, explores the Peter Pan book's back story and stars Matthew Morrison of "Glee" and former "Frasier" star Kelsey Grammer. Performances begin March 15 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

Morrison will play J.M. Barrie, the "Peter Pan" author, and Grammer will play his producer. The musical is adapted from the 2004 whimsical film of the same name about a widow whose four young sons inspired Barrie to write the children's classic.

The show has a book by British playwright James Graham, whose "This House" premiered at the National Theatre in 2012, and music and lyrics by Gary Barlow of the pop band Take That, and songwriter and producer Eliot Kennedy.

Cranston last year made his Broadway debut playing President Lyndon B. Johnson in "All the Way" and won the Tony for best leading man in a play.

In a statement, Weinstein said: "We were so thrilled that he wanted to come on board as an investor - having him as an ally and offering his overall support of this production means the world. He has given Diane and me such smart, constructive creative advice."

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Online:

http://findingneverlandthemusical.com