The three-time Tony nominee takes on the role of Madame du Maurier, succeeding original cast member Carolee Carmello, who departed the show to star in the new Broadway musical Tuck Everlasting.
Finding Neverland is a homecoming for Duncan, who soared throughout that same theatre in Peter Pan 37 years ago. She is scheduled to remain with Finding Neverland through March 27. She was originally scheduled to join the cast Feb. 9.
"It's surreal being back at the Lunt-Fontanne where I opened Peter Pan in 1979," Duncan said. "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. I'm looking forward to being a part of the story from a different angle and sharing the stage with yet another group of talented actors. I feel extremely fortunate. Also, Kelsey, I'd like my old dressing room back please!"
Duncan has also appeared on Broadway in Chicago, Canterbury Tales, The Boyfriend, Peter Pan and My One and Only. She has appeared Off-Broadway in Ceremony of Innocence and Your Own Thing and in Los Angeles in Vanities.
On television she has appeared in "Funny Face" and "Roots," among other shows. Her film credits include "The Million Dollar Duck," "Star Spangled Girl" and voices for many animated films. Tony Yazbeck, most recently seen in the Japan world premiere of Prince of Broadway, stars as J.M. Barrie in a cast that also includes Laura Michelle Kelly (Mary Poppins), Kelsey Grammer ("Cheers"), Teal Wicks, Jack McCarthy, Alex Dreier, Jackson Demott Hill, Christian Michael Camporin, Christopher Paul Richards and Eli Tokash.
Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus, the musical began March 15, 2015, and officially opened April 15 at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
Matthew Morrison, Jack, and Aidan Gemme in Finding Neverland
Based on the Academy Award-winning Miramax motion picture by David Magee, and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan by Allan Knee, Finding Neverland "follows the relationship between playwright J. M. Barrie and the family that inspired 'Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up' – one of the most beloved stories of all time," according to press notes.
The musical has a book by Olivier Award nominee James Graham, music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Grammy Award winner Eliot Kennedy, and choreography by Emmy Award winner Mia Michaels ("So You Think You Can Dance").
The production features scenic design by Tony Award winner Scott Pask (Pippin, Book of Mormon), lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Pippin), costume design by Suttirat Larlarb (Of Mice and Men) and sound design by Tony Award nominee Jonathan Deans (Pippin, La Cage aux Folles).
For tickets, call Ticketmaster at (877) 250-2929. The Lunt-Fontanne box office is located at 205 West 46th Street.
