Broadway Legend Joined: 5/16/06
kclahar said: "Who is the actor playing Ralphie's Dad? He is really funny!"
Chris Diamantopoulos, recently on Broadway in Waitress
Matthew Broderick as The Ghost Of Christmas Past is as exceptionally lifeless, as a ghost should be.
Personally, I find this to be unwatchable, heavy handed, cheap dreck. It should be very popular. But I think I’ll read a book.
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/2/14
Is this actually live? It seems pre filmed and is everyone lip synching?
Ana Gasteyer just made this whole thing worth watching.
Ana Gasteyer is terrific. She also would have made a much better mom than Maya.
I'm watching. The beginning looked like a Gap commercial from the 90's. There are things that are funny, but overall I'm glad I'm seeing this on tv and didn't pay Broadway prices to see it on stage.
Stage Door Sally said: "Ana Gasteyer is terrific. She also would have made a much better mom than Maya."
^^
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/10
I am enjoying most of it. The kid playing Ralphie is very good. And the Old Man played by Chris D. is good as well, though I miss Bolton's goofy physicality. And I miss Erin Dilly's great musicality and her way with a song.I think Maya Rudolf is miscast or misdirected. Her "What a Mother Does" seemed to miss the point of the song, which is that the mother LOVES her "job" of taking care of the house and family. Rudolf seemed annoyed. If they were going to set so many scenes outside they should have done something about all the trees with leaves on them. The greenery is distracting. The commercial with Flick getting his tongue stuck clearly had bare trees in the background.
Broderick is his usual bland self.
To the person who said that he was glad he missed the Broadway production, please don't judge that version based on the TV show. The stage show, and in particular the original Broadway cast, was pretty close to perfection.
broadwayboy223 said: "Is this actually live? It seems pre filmed and is everyone lip synching? "
Exactly one of my probs! The production value looks way too good with the HD quality and filters. It looks just like Rocky Horror
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/28/10
had to turn this off. It's terrible. Maya, Matthew, the kid playing Ralphie are all awful. Turned it off before Gasteyer come though, so maybe I waited too soon. The sound is off & the music seems canned. Is it time to give up on these Live musicals?
Stand-by Joined: 5/19/12
mikey2573 said: "I wonder who will play Luke Spring."
I was wondering the same thing. I guess they couldn't find his equivalent. The choreography is just okay, compared to the Broadway run.
Just turned this off too. Jane and the kids killed the tap number, but couldn’t save it. Remembered how great the teacher song was at the Tony’s. Like the show, it’s super boring and long. And I swear they took this cherography right out of Anything Goes
Updated On: 12/17/17 at 08:51 PM
As someone who definitely isn't a fan of the film (and didn't see the show on Broadway), I'm finding the whole thing very charming. The kid ensemble, including Ralphie, is great and the adults are all doing strong work, especially Diamantopoulos, Krakowski and Gasteyer. I like the score and the musicalized moments feel organic.
Updated On: 12/17/17 at 08:55 PMI am going to turn the channel and watch Sinister Minister on Lifetime. The sound mixing is too horrible to spend 3 hours with. Chris is cute though...
I'm actually enjoying Broderick....but that's about it. (Maybe my expectations were low.) But...ugh. I'd never had a desire to see this while it was in NY and this just confirms my choice.
I don't understand the insistence on doing these things live when they don't even film them with an air of theatricality. All you have is a cast running between sets with all of the missed cues and cuts too early. If you're going to film it like a movie, then just let it be a TV movie. For the love of god. Personally, I think The Wiz is the one that pulled off the live musical the best because it was literally a stage musical filmed.
And I thought I was a critic! I’m actually really enjoying this and think Maya is doing superb for someone who isn’t known for singing. What a Mather does was probably my favorite part.
I also can’t believe people had sound issues. Boy people can be picky. At least this is still better than any of NBCs productions.
TheatreFan4 said: "I don't understand the insistence on doing these things live when they don't even film them with an air of theatricality. All you have is a cast running between sets with all of the missed cues and cuts too early. If you're going to film it like a movie, then just let it be a TV movie. For the love of god. Personally, I think The Wiz is the one that pulled off the live musical the best because it was literally a stage musical filmed."
i actually thought the wiz was the worst so far, lol. The proscenium design was a major flaw in my opinion and did not work for film/television
mikey2573 said: "I am enjoying most of it. The kid playing Ralphie is very good. And the Old Man played by Chris D. is good as well, though I miss Bolton's goofy physicality. And I miss Erin Dilly's great musicality and her way with a song.I think Maya Rudolf ismiscast or misdirected. Her "What a Mother Does" seemed to miss the point of the song, which is that the mother LOVES her "job" of taking care of the house and family. Rudolf seemed annoyed. If they were going to set so many scenes outside they should have done something about all the trees with leaves on them. The greenery is distracting. The commercial with Flick getting his tongue stuck clearly had bare trees in the background.
Broderick is his usual bland self.
To the person who said that he was glad he missed the Broadway production, please don't judge that version based on the TV show. The stage show, and in particular the original Broadway cast, was pretty close to perfection. "
This whole thing reeks of a commercial rather than a creative endeavor. Take a beloved movie ( not by I) and put it thru a musicaluzation machine and watch the coin fall from the sky. Why musicalize it if you can't bring something new to it other than it sings. Most of the songs belabor the plot and waxing sentimental for a simpler undiverse time seems like a bad call for 2017 even for Fox. They are counting on those audience members who watch the original for 24 hours once a year.
Up In One said: "mikey2573 said: "I am enjoying most of it. The kid playing Ralphie is very good. And the Old Man played by Chris D. is good as well, though I miss Bolton's goofy physicality. And I miss Erin Dilly's great musicality and her way with a song.I think Maya Rudolf ismiscast or misdirected. Her "What a Mother Does" seemed to miss the point of the song, which is that the mother LOVES her "job" of taking care of the house and family. Rudolf seemed annoyed. If they were going to set so many scenes outside they should have done something about all the trees with leaves on them. The greenery is distracting. The commercial with Flick getting his tongue stuck clearly had bare trees in the background.
Broderick is his usual bland self.
To the person who said that he was glad he missed the Broadway production, please don't judge that version based on the TV show. The stage show, and in particular the original Broadway cast, was pretty close to perfection. "
This whole thing reeks of a commercial rather than a creative endeavor. Take a beloved movie ( not by I) and put it thru a musicalization machine and watch the coin fall from the sky. Why musicalize it if you can't bring something new to it other than it sings. Most of thesongs belabor the plot and waxing sentimental for a simpler undiverse time seems like a bad call for 2017 even for Fox. They are counting on those audience members who watch the original for 24 hours once a year."
Hairspray0901 said: "Not going to lie...The Greatest Showman commercial has been the highlight of this for me so far"
Agreed!
I hope Fred Armisen's costume being wrinkled is a character choice...
The cast and production are great. The songs are boring and go on too long and are getting on my nerves...
Videos