Never underestimate the magic of live theater, and I had to remind myself of that ten years ago when I saw a touring production of "Peter Pan" with Cathy Rigby. I had of course seen the Mary Martin T.V. production when it was brought back years after the original broadcast, and simply expected a fun, unchallenging night at the theater. What I came out with was the sense of joy and delight, feeling like a kid again and reminding myself why we should never grow up to the extent of finding pleasures in simple things. A simple story, but exquisitely told through song and dance, and some of Jerome Robbins' greatest choreography that deserves re-discovering beyond Peter's ability to fly.
For NBC's second live broadcast of a musical, "Peter Pan" seems likely to be the icing on the cake following last year's "The Sound of Music" which I enjoyed and found many great things in even if it lacked the cinematic scope of the 1965 movie. That is not at all an issue with "Peter Pan" because it has only been filmed as a T.V. special with two of its Peters, and not done with the cinematic magic of Hollywood. This makes the audience utilize their imagination, and even if strings are visibly attached, there are no strings between the performers and the audience. It is a love match all round.
Once you get past the obvious knowledge that it is a young lady playing the role of Peter, Allison Williams will take you along side him/her in Peter's journey to Neverland with the innocent London kids in need of an adventure. Williams is so androgynous in the part after you get used to her, it makes me wonder how she'd be in "Victor/Victoria". She's not as tomboyish as Martin, Rigby or Sandy Duncan, and there is definitely evidence of a slight bosom, but she really gives it her all. Promotional shots of her did no justice; You have to see her entire performance to totally appreciate her.
The real triumph in this production is Taylor Louderman as the sweet Wendy, chosen by Peter to mother himself and the boys he joins with to remain a boy forever. She is absolutely charming in the part, Unlike other young actors thrown into the spotlight, she brings much subtlety into the role, never mugging or overacting, especially in the singing department. Leave the mugging for the wonderfully funny Christopher Walken as Captain Hook, perfectly cast and delightfully over the top without ever being too much in your face. Alanna Saunders is a likable Tiger Lily, and Christian Borle is adorable as Smee, a nice surprise, having seen him playing the pre-Hook version of Captain Hook in the Broadway comedy "Peter and the Starcatcher". He even brings humor to the usually overly serious part of Mr. Darling, reminding me of David Tomlinson in "Mary Poppins" as the droll Englishman who does on occasion allow himself to have a light-hearted moment. Broadway's sweetheart, Kelli O'Hara, is an absolute delight in the small part of Mrs. Darling. Everything I see this young woman in has been memorable, from her early Broadway performances to the recent "Bridges of Madison County". May Anna in "The King and I" bring her that long over-due Tony! With delightfully animated like sets, "Peter Pan" goes into overdrive every time the characters begin to dance.
There's some definite moments of gay camp here, especially with Peter's pals and Tiger Lilly's macho Indians who get together for a big dance number that seemed like the Village People and their chorus boys from "Can't Stop the Music!" put into a Candyland setting. Even with my praise, I can still see the criticisms coming here, because there is a ton of corny moments, especially the fate of the pirates. Minnie Driver adds some class as the narrator and the older Wendy, and in her brief moment, Caitlin Houlahan takes on the presence of Mame Dennis's great-nephew Michael as she is lead off by another variation of the Pied Piper.
NBC's live musicals, long may they continue to shine!
For NBC's second live broadcast of a musical, "Peter Pan" seems likely to be the icing on the cake following last year's "The Sound of Music" which I enjoyed and found many great things in even if it lacked the cinematic scope of the 1965 movie. That is not at all an issue with "Peter Pan" because it has only been filmed as a T.V. special with two of its Peters, and not done with the cinematic magic of Hollywood. This makes the audience utilize their imagination, and even if strings are visibly attached, there are no strings between the performers and the audience. It is a love match all round.
Once you get past the obvious knowledge that it is a young lady playing the role of Peter, Allison Williams will take you along side him/her in Peter's journey to Neverland with the innocent London kids in need of an adventure. Williams is so androgynous in the part after you get used to her, it makes me wonder how she'd be in "Victor/Victoria". She's not as tomboyish as Martin, Rigby or Sandy Duncan, and there is definitely evidence of a slight bosom, but she really gives it her all. Promotional shots of her did no justice; You have to see her entire performance to totally appreciate her.
The real triumph in this production is Taylor Louderman as the sweet Wendy, chosen by Peter to mother himself and the boys he joins with to remain a boy forever. She is absolutely charming in the part, Unlike other young actors thrown into the spotlight, she brings much subtlety into the role, never mugging or overacting, especially in the singing department. Leave the mugging for the wonderfully funny Christopher Walken as Captain Hook, perfectly cast and delightfully over the top without ever being too much in your face. Alanna Saunders is a likable Tiger Lily, and Christian Borle is adorable as Smee, a nice surprise, having seen him playing the pre-Hook version of Captain Hook in the Broadway comedy "Peter and the Starcatcher". He even brings humor to the usually overly serious part of Mr. Darling, reminding me of David Tomlinson in "Mary Poppins" as the droll Englishman who does on occasion allow himself to have a light-hearted moment. Broadway's sweetheart, Kelli O'Hara, is an absolute delight in the small part of Mrs. Darling. Everything I see this young woman in has been memorable, from her early Broadway performances to the recent "Bridges of Madison County". May Anna in "The King and I" bring her that long over-due Tony! With delightfully animated like sets, "Peter Pan" goes into overdrive every time the characters begin to dance.
There's some definite moments of gay camp here, especially with Peter's pals and Tiger Lilly's macho Indians who get together for a big dance number that seemed like the Village People and their chorus boys from "Can't Stop the Music!" put into a Candyland setting. Even with my praise, I can still see the criticisms coming here, because there is a ton of corny moments, especially the fate of the pirates. Minnie Driver adds some class as the narrator and the older Wendy, and in her brief moment, Caitlin Houlahan takes on the presence of Mame Dennis's great-nephew Michael as she is lead off by another variation of the Pied Piper.
NBC's live musicals, long may they continue to shine!