John Davidson is not interested in slowing down.
The actor/singer/former TV game show contestant and host is 76 and is one of the stars of the road show of 鈥淔inding Neverland,鈥 which Broadway in 蜜柚直播 brings here April 24-29.
Davidson was as famous for his dimples as he was for his 1970s, 鈥80s appearances on such television shows as 鈥淗ollywood Squares,鈥 鈥淭he Love Boat鈥 and 鈥淭hat鈥檚 Incredible.鈥
Since June of last year, he鈥檚 been traveling around the country with 鈥淔inding Neverland,鈥 playing the duel role of Charles Frohman and Captain Hook.
鈥淚 love my character,鈥 says Davidson, fresh from a trip to Mexico to visit a grandchild. 鈥淚t鈥檚 the best part I鈥檝e ever had 鈥 better than Don Quixote, (in 鈥楳an of La Mancha鈥), the 鈥楳usic Man,鈥 鈥楥amelot.鈥欌
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鈥淔inding Neverland鈥 tells the story of how author J.M. Barrie came to write 鈥淧eter Pan.鈥
In the musical, based on the movie of the same name, Barrie is hurting for inspiration when he meets a widow and her children. He plays with them, loves them and is inspired by them. He鈥檚 going to write 鈥淧eter Pan.鈥
That does not please Barrie鈥檚 grumpy producer, played by Davidson. He is sure no one will come to see the play about a boy who won鈥檛 grow up.
鈥淚鈥檓 trying to get Barrie not to write 鈥楶eter Pan鈥, 鈥 says Davidson.
And for about 20 minutes or so, he is Captain Hook in a dream sequence.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a very physical show,鈥 he says. 鈥淏y the end of the week, I do feel it. I start taking Advil and complain to my wife.鈥
He won鈥檛 have to do it much longer 鈥 the 蜜柚直播 performances will be the last for the road show.
Davidson says he鈥檒l miss doing the musical, but he has plans.
鈥淚鈥檒l go back to doing my one-man show in small coffee houses and venues where I can find people over 50 who can remember who John Davidson is.鈥
He sings original material in those intimate shows, plays guitar and banjo, and tells tales.
鈥淲hen I do my live shows, one of my goals is to get people over 60 to reinvent themselves,鈥 he says. 鈥淚 try to convey you don鈥檛 have to be what you used to be, and to find your passion. Forget any label you had. Find your passion and do it.鈥
That is the message of 鈥淣everland,鈥 as well, he says.
鈥淵ou can sit back or you can write your own story. That鈥檚 a great message.鈥
Contact reporter Kathleen Allen at kallen@tucson.com or 573-4128. On Twitter: @kallenStar
Kathleen Allen
Reporter
