My default icon is on television tonight. Sort of.
Obviously, the movie version of the Sound of Music isn't on right now. NBC's "live" version of The Sound of Music is on right now. There are plenty of reasons why this is a fantastic idea. Kids never really had anything like this on television in their generation. I grew up with three essential theater experiences on my television. I love the idea of people becoming exposed to something they've never seen before because it's on a primetime channel and therefore, accessible. I love that theater is getting this kind of coverage and actors and stars like Audra McDonald, Laura Benanti, and Christian Borle are front and center. But, you don't always need a known star to lead a show. This is what we call stunt casting and sometimes it can be a great idea and sometimes it can be really, really terrible.
I'm going to talk about three live televised theater programs that I used to watch when I was a kid. Prepare yourself for a whole lot of Cinderella.
Cinderella (1957)
I remember watching this version of Cinderella starring Julie Andrews when it aired on PBS in the early 90s. When those very first black and white images popped up on the screen, I was riveted. It sounded like angels were flying out of Julie Andrew's perfect throat. Every note was full, every sound hit my eardrums like an explosion of goodness and traveled straight down to my heart. I was hooked.
What I loved in this version in particular was that it was television at its infancy. It was the camera moving on a dolly to catch shots, it was transitioning from one scene to the next, and everything just felt so raw. I must've seen this for the first time when I was 5 or 6 years old but I've been watching television since I was 2 and even I knew what television looked like then and what it looked like in the 90s. It was like I was actually inside a theater but just enjoying it from the comfort of my own home. There's nothing like your first theater experience.
Peter Pan (1960)
I was obsessed with this movie. Ob... sessed. I don't know what it was. I think I was mind boggled that this show was a gender bend and it was a WOMAN playing a MAN'S part. Oh, the things kids are aware of. This used to air over and over again on the Disney Channel and I must've watched it every time it aired. I have two favorite scenes. When Peter's asking the children to think happy thoughts -- one thing you have to know about me, I have this thing for diction. Mary Martin had this way of speaking that was so clear and so clipped. She sang beautifully and spoke beautifully and that's why this was one of my favorite versions of Peter Pan.
My second favorite scene was a Lost Boy scene and "shooting Wendy" and they had these make-shift tents. I loved the idea of having to use my imagination to think of more elaborate sets. But in my head, the entire scene came to life for me. Everything felt so real. It was such a beautiful production. Glad it's accessible on YouTube to watch it over and over!
Cinderella (1965)
Now, Julie is a goddess. This is fact. But this was my Cinderella. Again, the Disney Channel is responsible for this. Repeated viewings made me a huge fan of this version. There's something about the wide eyes and unpolished voice of Lesley Ann Warren that put a different spin on Cinderella. Add to that, the comedy stylings of the two stepsisters made this version gold. The crick in the knee, the uncontrollable awkward laughter of the other stepsister? Comedy gold.
And this version was in color. The color of the mid-60s just made the whole experience feel different than the black and white version. I couldn't get over it -- as if I was just experiencing color for the first time. A very "Wizard of Oz" moment for me. When I think of Cinderella on television, I think of this.
All right, I know I said I'd only talk about three but very notable mentions go to Disney's Babes In Toyland with Annette Funicello and Tommy Sands. I used to watch it so much, I had a dream that I kept the characters in a box, and for the longest time, I thought that dream was real. It also introduced me to the beautiful voice of Ann Jillian.
Speaking of Ann Jillian, she makes another appearance in my second honorable mention -- Alice in Wonderland, the CBS version that aired in 1985. Again, another Disney Channel favorite. The classic story of Alice in Wonderland set to music with celebrity Wonderland characters, and a Jabberwocky that scared the shit out of me when I was a kid? Who wouldn't want to watch that?
Finally, yet another Cinderella... yes. The Brandy version produced by Whitney Houston. I mean, stage queen Bernadette Peters was the stepmother who sang Falling In Love With Love. You cannot go wrong with this version. There was a Filipino prince, a black mother, and a white father. Talk about colorblind casting! It was brilliant. It was hilarious. It's an instant classic. It was also ABC's attempt to revive the Wonderful World of Disney series. I'm just sorry it didn't continue on.
What were some of your television favorites?