— Returning to My First Love
Finding Neverland marked my return to my first love—the stage—after six years away. Even after everything I’d done, it was my first time carrying a Broadway show as the lead, and to feel the full weight of a production resting on my shoulders was both humbling and exhilarating. But I was ready for it.
I fell in love with what the show represented: the reminder to hold tight to your sense of wonder, to keep that childlike spark alive, and to cherish the people you love while you can. The story’s heart—about imagination, loss, and rediscovering joy—struck a deep chord with me.
Even though the show wasn’t universally acclaimed, it found its audience, and to this day people still come up to me to share how much it moved them. That means everything. Finding Neverland reminded me that success isn’t just about applause or reviews—it’s about connection. And it continues to shape the way I see the world, the way I create, and even the way I parent my own children.