Lake City Playhouse proves family means more than blood with a heartwarming production of "Finding Neverland," written by James Graham, with lyrics and music by Eliot Kennedy and Gary Barlow. The production opens tonight and closes Oct. 11.

“It’s a beautiful story about accepting people, and how living through grief is cyclical and finding life after grief,” said Director Brooke Wood. “It sounds sad because it is sad, but it’s also got a lot of really fun stuff in it”

"Finding Neverland" is a musical based on the real-life story of J.M. Barrie, author of Peter Pan, who befriends the widowed Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and her four sons. "Finding Neverland" follows Barrie as he becomes a surrogate father figure for the boys and helps them unlock creativity's healing power as he writes Peter Pan.

“This show makes you feel every single emotion you could imagine,” said cast member Jolena Long, who plays Sylvia Llewelyn Davies. “It’s funny, it's raw, it's a true story.”

This production is unique for Lake City Playhouse because of its large cast of 30 actors, ranging in age from 6 to 50. While some cast members are seasoned performers, others are making their stage debut.

Alex Goode, 13, stars in his first production as Peter Llewelyn Davies, who inspires Barrie to create Peter Pan. Peter is withdrawn at the beginning of the story after his father's death but grows close to Barrie.

“At the beginning of the show he is not very fun and playful,” said Goode, “but towards the middle he is very energetic.”

Goode said his favorite part of the production is singing with his brothers. He is most excited for audiences to hear the musical numbers.

Love and chosen family are important themes in the story, Wood said, making it fitting for the cast to include multiple family members. J.R. Haynie, who stars as J.M. Barrie, is excited to perform alongside his wife and son. He said he enjoys working with the diverse and talented cast.

“It really brings a lot of youth and joy and excitement to the stage,” said Haynie. “It’s been a really great thing for our whole family.”

Haynie first began performing in high school and previously starred in Lake City Playhouse productions of "Les Misérables," "The Sound of Music" and "A Christmas Story." He said this production particularly speaks to him as an actor and a father.

“I like doing shows that have something that resonates with me,” Haynie said. “The fact that this is a character who isn’t afraid to use his imagination, and to value imagination and creativity, and realize that being grown up isn’t all it's cracked up to be.”

Audiences can expect to see an energetic and “magnetic” cast on the Lake City Playhouse stage over the next few weeks, Wood said.

"Finding Neverland" transports audiences to the halls of the Llewelyn Davies home, Kensington Gardens, a London theater in the early 1900s and, ultimately, to Neverland.

"Finding Neverland" runs at Lake City Playhouse Thursdays through Sundays from Sept. 25 through Oct. 11. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and military members and $21.50 for students. Visit lakecityplayhouse.org to purchase tickets.

    J.R. Haynie and Greg Washington rehearse a scene from Finding Neverland at Lake City Playhouse.
  

    Lee Hector rehearses a scene from Finding Neverland at Lake City Playhouse.