Matthew Morrison on Return to Broadway: 'Can't Wait For People to See Me In a Different Light'

In a new interview with AP's Mark Kennedy, Matthew Morrison chats about making his return to Broadway in the upcoming production of FINDING NEVERLAND, a musical directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus that follows the back story of the beloved novel, Peter Pan. The actor will take on the role of author J.M. Barrie. Previews begin in March.

The GLEE star is no stranger to The Great White Way, having previously starred in "Hairspray," 'South Pacific" and "The Light in the Piazza," for which he received a 2005 Tony nomination.

"Playing Will Schuester for six seasons has been amazing but, honestly, there comes a point where you're struggling to find something new," shares Morrison. "I'm excited to not have any more handcuffs, so to speak, and to go back to where my roots are."

He continues, "This character is so different - like night and day - from Will Schuester. So I can't wait for people to see me in a different light. They'll go maybe expecting to see Matt Morrison from 'Glee' and walk out with a new respect or appreciation for what I can bring to the table."

The actor, who just recently wed model Renee Puente, has been hoping to return to the stage, but had to put his plans on hold while he wrapped up filming on the sixth and final season of the FOX musical dramedy. "Broadway is my home and I'm just excited to go home," he says. "There's something so exciting about originating a role in a new musical. No one can really take it away from you. You're the one. I can't wait to do all the things that go along with that - the original Broadway cast recording and showing off our show at the Tony Awards."

Morrison is proud of his years on GLEE, and believes that the series had an important impact on today's teens. "...all the other themes that we've hit upon on 'Glee' - bullying, being gay in high school, teenage pregnancy. I think there were a lot of great issues that were talked about on that show that a lot people ran away from. We really hit them straight on."

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About FINDING NEVERLAND:

Based on the Miramax motion picture by David Magee and the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan byAllan 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.

Directed by Tony Award®-winner Diane Paulus (Pippin) with book by Olivier Award®-nominee James Graham, music and lyrics by U.K. pop sensation Gary Barlow (Take That) and Grammy Award®-winner Eliot Kennedy, choreography by Emmy Award®-winner Mia Michaels (So You Think You Can Dance), this new musical explores the power of imagination to open up new worlds, and the pressures put upon those worlds by the inevitability of growing up.

In its sold-out, world-premiere engagement at the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, Finding Neverland played a total of 75 performances at the Loeb Drama Center on - all of which played to capacity crowds, making it the highest attended and highest grossing production in A.R.T.'s 34-year history.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos