"Peter Pan Live" — Page 23

Kevin Kline as Hook would have been a joy. I was also thinking John Lithgow.

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At last, a silver lining -- Robin Williams isn't around to do it.

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I think I'd almost be embarrassed to have this on DVD. No way in heck could any critic think this was good.

Lots of faint praise going on.

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It was a live one time only performance. For what it is worth it was great. Yes "oops" happen as they do in any live theatrical performance. It is also too easy after the fact to be an armchair casting agent.

I didn't love Allison Williams but she did a good job. She got too butched up and then was never boyish enough.

Walken was funny and yes I thought he read off cue cards from time to time.

Borle - I've never liked him. I know he has a big following but I'm tired of seeing him. Kudos to his agents for keeping him involved in everything...or else he has some pretty sturdy knee-pads.

Surprised at the outrage that the wires were noticed. Really? We knew this is how it is done. Was only made all the more noticeable because the cameras were so close as opposed to us being at a distance in a dark theater looking in one direction with striped wall paper helping the illusion.

Flying scene was disappointing. Had hoped for more of a long uncut transition from nursery to flying over London and then to Neverland. The Sound of Music was much better with this type of direction and camera work. Swinging like a pendulum bothered me too. I blame the camera angles and direction more than the choreography.

Loved the sets!

From time to time I did find myself a bit bored and that the show seemed to drag a bit. In part I blame the commercials as well as a specific time frame to fit into 8-11pm. I imagine watching this on DVD would make this more enjoyable because you won't be pulled out of it.

I'm not familiar enough with the music and book to have noticed the +/-.

Disappointed that they did not do a curtain call with bows and the actors names.

SNAFU - KUDOS on Croc! Loved him. Fantastic work! Glad they showed more of him during the credits!

Did anyone notice during one of the Neverland scenes something white falling from the ceiling on the right side of the screen. I should have noticed the time. I'll go back to my DVR.

Also saw one poor camera angle in particular that distracted me from the show. When Peter was in the nursery on the mantle it was shot up and the bright light over the set was visible.

Again - this was live so I loved the imperfections! This is why we go to a live performance and not the movies.

It's on your DVR. The only thing it will cost you at this point might be a little time. I'd say...put it on and do some chores. If it interests you then you will notice if you want to pay more attention to the TV or paying your bills, folding laundry etc

The initial ratings are in. No surprise, they outright won Thursday night. But they did not meet or exceed last year's SOUND OF MUSIC ratings.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/NBCs-PETER-PAN-LIVE-Ratings-More-Than-Doubles-Networks-Thursday-Season-Average-20141205

I've been without heat or hot water for the last eight days. In other words, I'm vulnerable to just about anything. A walking nerve ending.

I quite enjoyed it. I actually liked Allison Williams as Pan. Yes, she gave off a Brandon Teena vibe, but I bought it. Walken was amusing...not necessarily in the way I think he was hoping for, but still.

I just have a problem with the enterprise known as Peter Pan. It's a strange show. I remember when they re-aired the Martin version in the 80's and I thought it was absurd. I thought SHE was absurd. My opinion on the show has not changed since. I think SOM worked better because it's an infinitely better, more emotionally engaging show. I think MUSIC MAN, if done next year, will be the same. It's just a great f-ing show. I enjoyed this...and enjoyed seeing some friends in it...but PAN's charms have always been lost on me.

^Astute. I'd add: stretching it to fill three hours only exposes more of the perverse gender (and age) confusion issues to the oxygen. The solution should be a tight and taught 90 minutes, that races through the non-plot plot. When it's attenuated, as it was last night, the damned thing begins to crumble before your eyes. And appear very, very strange. Still, a really charismatic center can compensate. Competence was there, a thrilling risk-taking performance, no.

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I agree with Robbie - though I didn't enjoy as much about the production. I thought it came alive during the dance numbers and I did like Allyson's vocals, but "Peter Pan" the musical? Not much there to begin with - never was. At least this time it wasn't played by a menopausal woman.

I think the thing that was missing for me last night was the joy and, as others have said, the storytelling. I thought Christian Borle (in both his roles!) and Kelli O'Hara were both lovely, and I enjoyed Taylor Louderman in what is normally a complete throwaway role as well. I grew up on the Mary Martin version of the show and I have to say I wished I was watching both her and Cyril Ritchard, who was brilliant and campy as Captain Hook. Nearly everyone involved with this seemed to have missed the memo that the show is supposed to be silly and fun. The camera angles and staging also really did nothing for the piece. The 90-minute Mary Martin version is perfectly paced; at three hours, the thinness of some of the material really starts to show, unfortunately.

I actually liked the 1960 production when I was younger. Unfortunately, I watched it again recently to prepare myself for last night and found it boring. That's why some of the updates were okay with me. Without the updates it would have been a complete snooze fest for me. But, it definitely did drag at points. Like as soon as the pirates came out and we were away from Peter and Wendy, it was too long. I guess I like some of the music better than the show itself now.

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