the sound of music live

[asta]

Carrie could have also stretched by doing this production in a small regional or community theatre until she learned how to act.

She plays with the big fish in the big pond, then she better be able to take the big criticism that comes with that level.

And I wouldn't have done Sound of Music at all, as I know I couldn't do what it requires.

And I'm tired of people using, "I highly doubt anyone complaining could have done the job better yourself...." as a passive aggressive smack down. Some of us have standards. I'll say it again: Audra Macdonald, Christian Borle and Laura Benanti were ALL in the same live TV performance. They were fabulous. All are Tony Award winners, who were properly trained to their levels. They have standards too, for the quality of their own work and what they are willing to put out.

The problem is that none of the three performers you mentioned would have been a draw to anyone outside of those who experience Broadway theater. Out here in middle America we are not exposed to these people. I had never heard of any of them. They do not perform where I would have an opportunity to see them.

This show was televised, not just a stage performance, and they needed to appeal to more than theater fans. My twenty-something year old daughters were drawn to this because of Carrie Underwood. They are probably not the only ones who would not have watched to just to see the performers you mentioned.

 

[JanaDee]

Seriously! There was one scene with flubbed lines and the actors had to think on their feet -- that is what happens with live theater, no complaint whatsoever from me!!! Live theater is NO excuse for poor singing and acting!!

Sent from me.

The only one that was obvious to me was when the naval officer came to the house to see Capt Von Trapp right after their honeymoon. He totally blanked on his lines, but Stephen Moyer covered admirably for him.

I didn't see the first hour or so, though.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

The problem is that none of the three performers you mentioned would have been a draw to anyone outside of those who experience Broadway theater. Out here in middle America we are not exposed to these people. I had never heard of any of them. They do not perform where I would have an opportunity to see them.

This show was televised, not just a stage performance, and they needed to appeal to more than theater fans. My twenty-something year old daughters were drawn to this because of Carrie Underwood. They are probably not the only ones who would not have watched to just to see the performers you mentioned.

And that's fine. They wanted to draw an audience, mission accomplished. That does not exempt her performance from critique.

Sent from me.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

The only one that was obvious to me was when the naval officer came to the house to see Capt Von Trapp right after their honeymoon. He totally blanked on his lines, but Stephen Moyer covered admirably for him.

I didn't see the first hour or so, though.

That's the one I was referring to. I also missed the beginning, turned it on at about 8:30. Stephen Moyer had a great recovery, the poor naval officer was losing it.

Sent from me.

 

[JanaDee]

The problem is that none of the three performers you mentioned would have been a draw to anyone outside of those who experience Broadway theater. Out here in middle America we are not exposed to these people. I had never heard of any of them. They do not perform where I would have an opportunity to see them.

This show was televised, not just a stage performance, and they needed to appeal to more than theater fans. My twenty-something year old daughters were drawn to this because of Carrie Underwood. They are probably not the only ones who would not have watched to just to see the performers you mentioned.

If you watched Private Practice or Smash, you would be familiar with Audra MacDonald and Christian Borle.

 

[disneychrista]

Why hasn't anyone blamed the producers for CASTING Carrie in the first place? Carrie is obviously not an actor but they cast her in this HUGE part anyway.


I also find it kind of funny that there has been so much praise for "Kurts" performance, when I found it very awkward for most of the show. The only part I thought was good was during the "farewell" performance.

 

[elgerber]

Why hasn't anyone blamed the producers for CASTING Carrie in the first place? Carrie is obviously not an actor but they cast her in this HUGE part anyway.


I also find it kind of funny that there has been so much praise for "Kurts" performance, when I found it very awkward for most of the show. The only part I thought was good was during the "farewell" performance.

I totally blame them for casting her, which is why I didn't watch it in the first place!

 

[asta]

And that's fine. They wanted to draw an audience, mission accomplished. That does not exempt her performance from critique.

Sent from me.

I totally agree.

 

[kimmar067]

....DANG! You mean I missed it? I thought it was gonna be on TONIGHT!


....oh well....

 

[Imzadi]

The problem is that none of the three performers you mentioned would have been a draw to anyone outside of those who experience Broadway theater. Out here in middle America we are not exposed to these people. I had never heard of any of them. They do not perform where I would have an opportunity to see them.

This show was televised, not just a stage performance, and they needed to appeal to more than theater fans. My twenty-something year old daughters were drawn to this because of Carrie Underwood. They are probably not the only ones who would not have watched to just to see the performers you mentioned.

There are new series each season full of unknowns. And reality TV is now full of unknowns trying to grab their 15 minutes of fame. I think it's all in how something is advertised that will grab someone's attention.

I'm watching Once Upon a Time in Wonderland. The only known actor is the guy from Lost. But, the leads are three British unknown actors. (At least over here.) In Grey's Anatomy, Patrick Dempsey was really the only known actor when that debuted.

They could have advertised Sound of Music as this live performance, and tune in to discover this sparkling new voice that they are introducing.

Why hasn't anyone blamed the producers for CASTING Carrie in the first place? Carrie is obviously not an actor but they cast her in this HUGE part anyway.

I blame her manager. She also sang Paul McCartney's Yesterday, about a month ago. I think it was on the Emmys. Why the heck does she keep singing these iconic songs & roles? And why doesn't her manager stop her? Is she going to do Barbara Streisand next and sing one of her iconic songs?

 

[DWGal210]

I only saw very little of the show; but I didn't like casting Stephen Moyer in this role. He just has zero warmth and charisma for me. I picture the character as a more masculine fellow. Perhaps it's because all I see when I see him is True Blood.

 

[kimmar067]

...He just has zero warmth and charisma for me. I picture the character as a more masculine fellow. Perhaps it's because all I see when I see him is True Blood.

....well that explains the lack of warmth....

 

[Deb in IA]

Coming to this conversation late, and I only caught the show at the "Do, a deer" part, but here's my take:

1. Kudos to NBC for doing LIVE TV - something too rarely seen these days.

2. Carrie Underwood was cast for her star power. And I, for one, think she has a pretty good voice. I think she has had some formal training for this role; muscial theater singing is not the same as country singing. While I think she did an admirable job, acting, clearly, is not a strength.

3. Much of the oversinging and overacting may be due to the fact that this was a televised version of a stage show, where the actors have to over-enunciate and over-project.

4. I was irked by the bad flub, especially the one where Capt. Von Trapp is receiving his comission from the Nazi officer. Yes, you can expect flubs from high school productions, but these are professionals, who should be at the top of their game.

5. Although the constrasting accents was a bit jarring, I'm really, really glad that Carrie didn't try to do a British accent. As for the person who criticised Stephen Moyer's accent, well, he really is British, so I think it was probably ok.

6. I understand the concerns about the color-blind casting, but I think Audra McDonald's sheer talent in both singing and acting the role of Mother Superior made me forget any race issues.

7. I was equally underwhelmed with the casting of Stephen Moyer as Capt. Von Trapp. I don't even watch True Blood, but, for an actor, I was not convinced of any emotion from him, other than "stern anger".

8. Have you guys seen the Twitter reactions? There are some really hilarious ones, from celebrities and from, of all places, DiGiorno pizza!
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/enterta...und-of-music-live-funniest-twitter-reactions/


Overall, I thought it was enjoyable, but I won't be purchasing the DVD or anything like that.

 

[brookepleins]

I forgot to say I also really didn't like the wedding dress...it looked much too modern. Of course, nothing was going to compete with Julie Andrews' dress in the movie.

 

[JaneBanks]

Yes, I have to agree with PammyK, and her thoughts.

Due to the things she mentioned, and many other HUGE misses in casting and in direction, I simply could not bear to sit thru this... And I love this musical! It was just so much of a 'miss' on so many levels. (I too felt that Audra, as some others, were so badly miscast... i just hate it when movies/etc just insult one's intelligence.)

I won't even go into the complete lack of ability and talent shown in the stage acting and stage direction. When it first came on, and I was trying to watch and follow the Captain, I was like, what!!!????? It was like, let's talk in some ridiculously face accent, and then speak so very fast (in order to speed up the running time?) that one can't even follow... OMG... it was just bad. He was def. a better actor than Carrie, though. I noticed that he corrected the over-accent and fast speaking, to some degree, as the performance progressed.

It is not a good thing when some of the supporting cast completely outshine/act/sing the stars.

And, yes, LOVED Kurt!!!!!!
Most of the kids were really good!

That's his real accent...

 

[Hollywoodhaha]

that's his real accent...

Lol!!

 

[DWGal210]

....well that explains the lack of warmth....

Ba-Dum-Cha!

 

[JaneBanks]

I really don't understand how people can say Carrie's singing is bad? Her acting I can see but her singing? Ridiculous. She has a beautiful voice and I'm not even a fan of hers.

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

I really don't understand how people can say Carrie's singing is bad? Her acting I can see but her singing? Ridiculous. She has a beautiful voice and I'm not even a fan of hers.

I agree. I mean, everyone has their own preferences, but to claim someone is terrible just bc she's wasn't your taste doesn't really make sense.

 

[Conservative Hippie]

I really don't understand how people can say Carrie's singing is bad? Her acting I can see but her singing? Ridiculous. She has a beautiful voice and I'm not even a fan of hers.

It was pushed, very forced. She was visibly straining. I thought she was going to hyperventilate -- her chest was just heaving and she was breathing 2-4 times for every phrase. On the higher notes I seriously thought she wasn't going to make it. The tone was so far back in the throat it was like she was swallowing her tongue.

Sent from me.