Rank the TV LIVE musicals

[mikey2573]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 9:37am

With at least one new LIVE musical set for this year (A Christmas Story) this ranking could expand.

1.  GREASE LIVE --I have never been a huge fan of this show, but this was by far the best live presentation, aided by a great cast, smart direction, and (for the first time ) a live audience.  When the cast ended the show at the fair, with all the spinning rides, that just brought this one out of the stratosphere. 

2.  THE SOUND OF MUSIC--this gets second place for the simple fact that it was the first and it wasn't as bad as everyone claims.  Yes, Underwood's acting was wooden, but her singing was perfect and the rest of the cast all brought their A game.  

3.  HAIRSPRAY LIVE --this one benefited by coming in after GREASE raised the bar, so the producers felt the pressure to really bring some greatness to this production.  The fact that we finally had Harvey recreating his Tony winning performance (what were the producers of the movie thinking by casting a bland John Travolta?) really made this one special. 

4.  THE WIZ --I vaguely remember this one as I've never been a fan and it did not keep my attention, but so many people loved this that I guess it had to have some quality.  But I really don't remember much of this one. 

5.  THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE UK version--dry and dusty.  TSOM as done by Masterpiece Theater. 

5.  PETER PAN LIVE--who the HELL is Allison Williams and why would anyone think of casting her as Peter Pan?  With that uninspired casting (was Brian Williams pulling strings to get her the part?) this was doomed before it even aired.  But add to that a comatose Christopher Walken making the most uninteresting Capt. Hook ever, horrible effects, a comical looking crocodile and sloppy direction, this is the one LIVE production where there is really NOTHING good to say.  A complete disaster. 

I know that there have been other LIVE musicals presented in the past, but I am just looking at this recent trend.  I don't think I missed any of the live events (sorry "Rocky Horror" and "Dirty Dancing".  And I don't consider "The Passion" in the last since it was not bringing a classic Broadway musical to the small screen and just used pop songs to tell its story. 

Productions I would love to see in the future:  Well, I was one of those who said that "A Christmas Story" was a no-brainer.  I am glad Fox was listening. Would love to see CAROUSEL,  OKLAHOMA!, OLIVER! , and, I know it is not a Broadway musical, but AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS with Audra as Amahl's Mother.  

[jenn3258]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:12am

I loved Grease, The Sound of Music and Peter Pan. Still hoping that some classics like My Fair Lady, The King and I, Fiddler on the Roof, Gypsy will follow. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:15am

Grease was brilliant and every other one doesn't even compare. 

[Itonlytakesajourney]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:29am

Grease- Amazing production in every way. Not the hugest fan of the show in general, but my god, what a brilliant cast and stunning direction.

Hairspray- Hairspray is one of my favorites, and I was excited to see the live take on the show. I enjoyed it! It was really good and had some great high-energy moments, but was kind of brought down by Ariana's performance. I guess she was fine, but not the ideal Penny. Plus they cut some stuff (why does Big Dollhouse ALWAYS get cut?) out.

Sound Of Music- This one was good too. Not the best, but certainly much better than Peter Pan. Laura Benanti still remains one of the best parts.

Peter Pan- So dull and really bad althogether. None of the cast worked, and it was a bore from start to finish.

I can't comment on The Wiz since I've never seen it.

Updated On: 9/3/17 at 10:29 AM

[ggersten]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:40am

Sigh.  No love for Cinderella with Julie Andrews or Peter Pan with Mary Martin?

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 10:43am

I doubt the people on this thread were alive then. What were the broadcast dates? Im not sure I was born yet.

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 11:38am

BEST

Grease

Hairspray

The Sound of Music - except for Carrie Underwood

The Wiz

Peter Pan

WORST

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 12:42pm

Here are my rankings:

1. Grease
2. Hairspray
3. The Wiz
4. Peter Pan
5. The Sound of Music

While I did enjoy both The Sound of Music and Peter Pan, I do agree that they might not have been home runs.

[Danster]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 1:08pm

Both NBC and FOX choose two good titles to start with, but from then things went downhill. And ratings proof it. Titles that were not adapted for television before gets my vote. But I sure would love to see both White Christmas and the king and I

[ozjust4]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 1:20pm

My rankings are:

1. Grease (Don't like the show, loved this production)

2. The Wiz

3. Hairspray

4. The Sound of Music

5. Peter Pan

[jonahke]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 2:09pm

I loved the UK version of The Sound Of Music in every way! The cast was great, the sets were beautiful and the camerawork was amazing! 

[BroadwayMan5]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 2:22pm

1. Grease - by far

2. The Wiz

3. The Sound of Music

4. Hairpsray

5. Peter Pan

[Broadwaywest]

Posted: 9/3/17 at 2:50pm

BEST

1. Peter Pan - Mary Martin and Cyril Richard version. Yes it's very much of it's era, but Mary Martin's performance is extraordinary and it's done beautifully.

2. The Sound of Music (UK Edition) This as so far been the best version of the sound of music I have ever seen. Yes, even better then the big screen adaptation.

3. Grease Live! - I think the expectations were so low for this, and then bam it beyond exceeded it. There were surprises around every corner of this and energy was on another level

4. The Wiz - Basically for the performances which were uniformly terrific. This really would have worked on stage, but for me didn't really use camera for it to be on television

5. Cinderella - Leslie Ann Warren - Once again, I think are some really great performances and a really unique set design to this. Some of it does drag.

6. Cinderella - Julie Andrews - This one I think for being the first of the live musicals, is groundbreaking for an original musical for television. However, I don't really care for Juile Andrews in this. But props for solid work by Kaye Ballard and Alice Ghostly

7. The Sound of Music - Carrie Underwood - For me this was not a terrible production, it looked beautiful and there were some great performances by Audra McDonald and Laura Bennati, but oh lord the leads killed this thing.

8. Hairspray - Arrgg this was such a mess for me. Some great performances by Kristen Chenoweth, Jennifer Hudson, and Harvey Fierstein. With a break-out star turn for Dove Cameron. But there seem to be a lack of energy with this production. Plus, a lot of technical difficulties and Maddie Baillo sweet girl, but did not have it.

9. Peter Pan - Alison Williams - Yeah, I think the consensus is right on this one. It's awful. I've tried to sit through it again, and it's virtually impossible. Everyone is miscast or terrible. Thank god for a few segments with Kelli O'Hara

WORST