NBC's next tv stage play - Peter Pan

[mvk]

NBC is going back to the Disney vault (yes, I know Disney didn't create Sound of Music or Peter Pan, but they made them famous on the big screen) with Peter Pan on December 4, 2014.

http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/01/19/peter-pan-to-be-nbcs-next-holiday-stage-production/230405/?utm_campaign=WP%20>%20Twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

 

[Alice Royal]

I don't understand the draw of these...Sound of Music was decent, but Carrie Underwood was no actress and the public was shocked to find out that NBC decided to go with the original script (which had some of the more popular songs in different places than in the film).

If they were so dead-set on using the original text to preserve the integrity, why didn't they cast a Broadway-caliber actor in the lead? Laura Benanti and Audra McDonald KILLED it (in a good way), but they were left to supporting roles. Back when shows like Peter Pan and Camelot were broadcast live in the 50s and 60s, either the original or current Broadway cast were used.

I foresee many families tuning in expecting Disney and being disappointed no matter who they cast, as well as many Broadway fans being disappointed by casting again.

 

[mvk]

I don't understand the draw of these...Sound of Music was decent, but Carrie Underwood was no actress and the public was shocked to find out that NBC decided to go with the original script (which had some of the more popular songs in different places than in the film).

If they were so dead-set on using the original text to preserve the integrity, why didn't they cast a Broadway-caliber actor in the lead? Laura Benanti and Audra McDonald KILLED it (in a good way), but they were left to supporting roles. Back when shows like Peter Pan and Camelot were broadcast live in the 50s and 60s, either the original or current Broadway cast were used.

I foresee many families tuning in expecting Disney and being disappointed no matter who they cast, as well as many Broadway fans being disappointed by casting again.

They didn't cast a Broadway-caliber actress in the lead because Carrie Underwood could bring in viewers. She did okay, and she sang the songs really well.

They used the original text because it was a production of R&H's Sound of Music, not a production of Disney's Sound of Music.

The minute the television ratings came in, another stage play was ensured for 2014. 18 million viewers on a Thursday night don't lie.

 

[tbia]

But how exactly is Sound of Music a Disney film?

 

[mvk]

But how exactly is Sound of Music a Disney film?

Hmmm, sorry, thought it was. I thought Julie Andrews did that and Mary Poppins for Disney together. My mistake.

 

[robinb]

I loved Julie Andrew's Sound of Music and I really enjoyed the NBC stage play. I'm looking forward to watching Peter Pan and I really don't care if they cast a mainstream star over better Broadway talent.

 

[chartle]

I don't understand the draw of these...

I read that they are doing these live events to get people to well watch them live instead of DVRing it and watching later, fast forwarding through the commercials.

Making it live makes it more like a sporting event.

 

[JoWiJo]

I read that they are doing these live events to get people to well watch them live instead of DVRing it and watching later, fast forwarding through the commercials.

Making it live makes it more like a sporting event.

I watched The Sound of Music a few days after it aired. I had my DVR record the show and then I sped through the commercials, pausing when I felt it was time for a break.

It's hardly like a sporting event. Unless an important prop falls and shatters, an actor trips and has a wardrobe malfunction, the power supply fails and the stage is rendered into darkness, etc, you have a pretty good idea of how it's going to go if you already know the story. No, it's not like a sporting event. It's more like a live musical frequently interrupted by commercials.

 

[chartle]

I watched The Sound of Music a few days after it aired. I had my DVR record the show and then I sped through the commercials, pausing when I felt it was time for a break.

It's hardly like a sporting event. Unless an important prop falls and shatters, an actor trips and has a wardrobe malfunction, the power supply fails and the stage is rendered into darkness, etc, you have a pretty good idea of how it's going to go if you already know the story. No, it's not like a sporting event. It's more like a live musical frequently interrupted by commercials.

I should have explained my post better. NBC send it was more like a sporting event in that it was live and I think they meant that if you didn't see it live it would lose something and not be as good.

 

[JoWiJo]

I should have explained my post better. NBC send it was more like a sporting event in that it was live and I think they meant that if you didn't see it live it would lose something and not be as good.

No, I understood. At least I think I did. I just wasn't sure how to explain my post better without being wordy.

I'm sure that some people just "had" to see it live. As for me, a production is only better live when I'm actually there to witness it in person. Don't get me wrong, the live aspect is an intriguing nuance. It has it's dangers that a movie set doesn't. But the mere fact that it's live won't compel me to view it live. The only thing I missed by viewing it on the DVR was the commercials. And I really didn't miss those, lol.

On the other hand, had NBC aired a different story, perhaps one new to the world, then maybe, just maybe I'd want to see it live. After all, I wouldn't know the outcome of the story until the end. Like a sporting event. Only scripted.

 

[xie]

I don't understand the draw of these...Sound of Music was decent, but Carrie Underwood was no actress and the public was shocked to find out that NBC decided to go with the original script (which had some of the more popular songs in different places than in the film).

If they were so dead-set on using the original text to preserve the integrity, why didn't they cast a Broadway-caliber actor in the lead? Laura Benanti and Audra McDonald KILLED it (in a good way), but they were left to supporting roles. Back when shows like Peter Pan and Camelot were broadcast live in the 50s and 60s, either the original or current Broadway cast were used.

I foresee many families tuning in expecting Disney and being disappointed no matter who they cast, as well as many Broadway fans being disappointed by casting again.

Because as great as Laura Benanti and Audra McDonald were, they aren't household names that would bring a lot of viewers. As sad as saying this makes me, there was so much controversy over Carrie Underwood's role prior to the night of the show that I bet people tuned in just to see how she would do. Her presence no doubt helped the ratings from all kinds of different perspectives. (And IMHO she did fine, especially given how cruel people were to her and about her in the days leading up to it - she's got nerves of steel, apparently.)

They will always have 1 or 2 household names involved, and stack the rest of the cast with more veteran stage talent, I expect.