"Peter Pan Live"- Page 23

[Gorlois]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:25am

I enjoyed it. It was miles ahead of last year's The Sound of Music. Yes, this production had a number of its own problems, but at least I could actually stomach a rewatch of Pan.

And, um, the Lost Boys and Islanders...

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:32am

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

[Kad]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:34am

I kept wishing Robin Williams were around to do it.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:43am

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

[jv92]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:50am

Kudos to BroadwayWorld for whitewashing the reviews on their site to make them all look like raves. The Daily Beast was NOT a rave.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:56am

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

[jv92]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 9:58am

The Times liked it, but it was one of those "Oh, it wasn't a train wreck so I liked it" reviews.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:00am

Lots of faint praise going on.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:01am

Not from After Eight. He MEANT it.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:14am

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.

[Monty12112]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:20am

I am seeing a lot of not great reviews about the shoe. Not sure if I should watch it or just delete it from my DVR.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:23am

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

[finebydesign]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:32am

I thought Alison Williams did an ok job, but I disagree with the reviews that "at least she is an actress." I don't think she was all that great as an actress in this part. I felt she was just as out of place as Carrie was, but Carrie at least the "it" factor going on. It was hard to take your eyes off her. Alison's accent and ear-to-ear smile wasn't convincing or engaging at all. It felt one note. I couldn't understand why Wendy was so infatuated, her Peter wasn't likable. I can't see kids watching this "wanting" to be Peter. I know the character is a bit aloof, but at least in the Disney version he can be someone you envy and empathize with. I really think because the book is kinda lousy and the songs can be boring they should have had someone we couldn't take our eyes off of. Allison was VERY polished here, but she looked and acted like a mannequin. I think she may have been better as a Wendy.

It is VERY hard to compare this with last years because the source material was far superior. The songs in SoM are just insanely pleasant to hear.

I did enjoy the last scene. I felt that was actually the best acting in the whole special and the only story-telling I saw.

The accents were terrible and distracting. I hate to throw Kelly under the bus, but her accent wasn't the best and her arc and dialogue was confusing.

I would suggest that Tiger Lily was more offensive in this production than the clips I've seen from the past. Native Americans can have a sense of humor too!

Douglas Carter Bean should have been put on book duties here. I think it was a whimsical production but it really lacked humor. If there were jokes, I couldn't' hear them over the terrible audio mix.

Updated On: 12/5/14 at 10:32 AM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:45am

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

[logan2]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:52am

For me, the big disappointment was Christopher Walken. He was so low energy and most of his line readings didn't do justice to such an iconic, high camp villain. He should have been the highlight of the entire evening, giving a career topping performance.

But anytime any network puts on a live musical - we all win.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 10:55am

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.

[finebydesign]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:00am

I dunno what to say about Walken. Most of his jokes were lost in the audio mix for me. In almost every scene in which he was featured, he was bathed in light. He had no relationship with anyone on that ship.

Walken is funny for being Walken. I don't understand why the actors/script that surrounded him didn't cohesively support him? I really think in this instance it should have been like Fierstein/Edna in Hairspray.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:01am

^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.

[themysteriousgrowl]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:02am

"but PAN's charms have always been lost on me."

I'm with you, Robbie. It's mediocre material at best. It didn't enchant me as a child, and it doesn't entertain me now.

[jemjeb2]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:15am

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.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:18am

I think the song NEVER NEVER LAND is truly, deeply great. It moves me for some reason I can't really explain. But that's really it for me with this show. Not a single over song or moment really works. Funnily, the added material for Mrs. Darling added an emotional resonance that was never in the show before. It really is a show about Wendy preparing for womanhood and being a mother. Of course, the gender politics of that in 2014 is kind of f*cked up. As an allegory for a young woman going on an adventure that while she's young, and then leaving it all behind to take on a traditional role, it's both progressive and retro at the same time.

[perfectlymarvelous]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:32am

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.

[ucjrdude902]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:34am

I didn't expect them to match SOM ratings, I loved Williams but she's no name like Carrie Underwood is.

[Marianne2]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:38am

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.

[promisespromises2]

Posted: 12/5/14 at 11:39am

I agree with the whole "Pans charms are lost on me" thing as well. I've always been weirded out by the story and remember a few years ago babysitting and watching the Disney movie with the kid and thinking how it was even allowed to be a children's movie. And I agree about the commercials as well.