As a kid, I completely enjoyed the Mary Martin-Cyril Ritchard version of the boy who didn't want to grow up. That version I knew was done in 1960 on a small budget and rerun often to the delight of tens of millions. Mary Martin was totally into the role - enthusiastic, cheerful and full of energy, fun and mischief. English actor Cyril Ritchard was the definitive Captain Hook - tall, fit, threatening, agile and funny plus he could sing, dance and act.
The very expensive, highly promoted 2014 version of this 110 year old story was such a disappointment. It goes to show that no matter how good a story or a musical score, success comes down to who puts a show together as to whether it flies or not. This show did not fly. After the flop this same team of producers made of Sound of Music in 2013, it's incredible that NBC gave them another shot at a live TV musical.
Allison Williams was barely adequate in the title role and paled by comparison to Sandy Duncan, Cathy Rigby and especially Mary Martin. Williams lacked enthusiasm, emotion and charisma. She certainly did not dominate her scenes nor the show and she was playing the lead character of Peter Pan.
Christopher Walken as Captain Hook was barely making it through every scene. He looked like hell and he was obviously dependent on reading cue cards or teleprompters. He came off as bored and disconnected as though he hated being in the play. He cannot sing and he looked sickly, frail and totally out of shape. What ship's crew would respect him as their leader?
The pirates were as weird as the Indians.
And the lost "boys" of Neverland were in their 20s and 30s. GEESH!
On the production side:
There were some technical glitches with the electronically screen-generated Tinkerbell.
Camera brightness levels didn't always match and feet were cut off at the ankles in dancing numbers. Cameramen got in each other's shots.
The only compliment I can offer is that audio quality was much improved over The Sound of Music done a year earlier.
Did I mention this thing ran 3 FULL HOURS - half again longer than the original and way, way too long.
Not surprisingly, even before the show was over, NBC was already advertising that the DVD would be out on Dec 16. I cannot imagine who would want to buy it.
The very expensive, highly promoted 2014 version of this 110 year old story was such a disappointment. It goes to show that no matter how good a story or a musical score, success comes down to who puts a show together as to whether it flies or not. This show did not fly. After the flop this same team of producers made of Sound of Music in 2013, it's incredible that NBC gave them another shot at a live TV musical.
Allison Williams was barely adequate in the title role and paled by comparison to Sandy Duncan, Cathy Rigby and especially Mary Martin. Williams lacked enthusiasm, emotion and charisma. She certainly did not dominate her scenes nor the show and she was playing the lead character of Peter Pan.
Christopher Walken as Captain Hook was barely making it through every scene. He looked like hell and he was obviously dependent on reading cue cards or teleprompters. He came off as bored and disconnected as though he hated being in the play. He cannot sing and he looked sickly, frail and totally out of shape. What ship's crew would respect him as their leader?
The pirates were as weird as the Indians.
And the lost "boys" of Neverland were in their 20s and 30s. GEESH!
On the production side:
There were some technical glitches with the electronically screen-generated Tinkerbell.
Camera brightness levels didn't always match and feet were cut off at the ankles in dancing numbers. Cameramen got in each other's shots.
The only compliment I can offer is that audio quality was much improved over The Sound of Music done a year earlier.
Did I mention this thing ran 3 FULL HOURS - half again longer than the original and way, way too long.
Not surprisingly, even before the show was over, NBC was already advertising that the DVD would be out on Dec 16. I cannot imagine who would want to buy it.