Warning: Peter Pan Musings and Rantings Ahead.
After the disappointment of The Sound of Music last year (not that I should've expected it to be good), I almost didn't watch NBC's live musical of Peter Pan this year. But since I have something of a history with Peter Pan and JMB (and since I've been rereading JM Barrie and the Lost Boys lately), I couldn't resist and watched the whole thing live as it aired.
Apparently it got poor reviews, but I didn't think it was that bad. I mean, it wasn't a masterpiece or anything, I thought that it made a sincere effort to do justice to the musical. I liked Allison Williams (Peter Pan), Christopher Walken (Captain Hook), and Christian Borle (Mr. Darling/Smee - first time I've ever seen Mr. Darling split with Smee instead of Hook). Wendy and a few other roles were underwhelming, and some of the songs definitely dragged on too long, but on the whole, it was a good production. Stressing Peter's lack of a memory was an interesting touch, and changing the lyrics of "Ugg a Wugg" to actual Native American words was respectful.
Personally, I suspect the poor reviews came from spiteful Mary Martin fans. Just because she did the musical first, way too many put her Peter Pan on a pedestal and forget what a weak production it was. As a longtime Pan fan, I've never understood the appeal of Mary Martin. She wasn't right for Peter at all, and there were far too many hokey, silly moments. Yes, some of that is due to her production's age, but other things there are just no excuse for. The Mysterious Lady sequence is the worst example. Just watch it and try not to roll your eyes. Cathy Rigby and Allison Williams were both much better. Allison Williams actually looked boyish, something that a lot of stage actresses don't even try to do.
Apparently it got poor reviews, but I didn't think it was that bad. I mean, it wasn't a masterpiece or anything, I thought that it made a sincere effort to do justice to the musical. I liked Allison Williams (Peter Pan), Christopher Walken (Captain Hook), and Christian Borle (Mr. Darling/Smee - first time I've ever seen Mr. Darling split with Smee instead of Hook). Wendy and a few other roles were underwhelming, and some of the songs definitely dragged on too long, but on the whole, it was a good production. Stressing Peter's lack of a memory was an interesting touch, and changing the lyrics of "Ugg a Wugg" to actual Native American words was respectful.
Personally, I suspect the poor reviews came from spiteful Mary Martin fans. Just because she did the musical first, way too many put her Peter Pan on a pedestal and forget what a weak production it was. As a longtime Pan fan, I've never understood the appeal of Mary Martin. She wasn't right for Peter at all, and there were far too many hokey, silly moments. Yes, some of that is due to her production's age, but other things there are just no excuse for. The Mysterious Lady sequence is the worst example. Just watch it and try not to roll your eyes. Cathy Rigby and Allison Williams were both much better. Allison Williams actually looked boyish, something that a lot of stage actresses don't even try to do.