If it is to be a holiday event, why not "White Christmas" ( the stage version - not the mediocre movie). My first choice would be "She Loves Me" - a perfect Christms musical, but it is probably not well known enough, but maybe with big stars in the cast...
I think they could have definitely done this one as a 2-hour broadcast. I'd have enjoyed it a lot more if it was't so drawn out and if the pace was a little swifter the questionable aspects may have been less noticeable.
The film version of White Christmas is a classic...it's a movie I've treasured my entire life.
I think it could be a great candidate for a live musical, especially considering the broadcast timing. It's universally known and family friendly. Julianne Hough as Judy Haynes, please and thank you!
Call me crazy- but I've had this idea that (due to Alison Williams' lack of "star power" etc.) they should do Oliver! and cast Lady Gaga as Nancy.
She's got the voice. As long as she doesn't have the costume designers put her in something outlandish...I actually think it would be an inspired choice...
Fantod - I certainly enjoy "White Christmas" ( the movie) for it's stars, colorful visuals and musical numbers, but the script is seriously lacking. Does the whole "appeal to children" thing have to be part of the deal? How many musicls are there that actually do (appeal to children)?
There's a part of me kind of wants them to do Starlight Express, just for the fact that it really could go horribly wrong. I mean, it would be difficult to star cast and it's a ridiculous idea but it would be ultimate car crash tv...and kid friendly lol!
As a dad the 'appeal to the children' thing doesn't work on a Thursday lift until 11. Although I love the idea of a family tradition. And I get Thursday is the biggest ad dollar night
Maybe doing it when the kids are off? Christmas night? Or appeal a few years up in the family ages -Peter Pan skews very young
I like the idea of a live theatrical event being telecast on Christmas eve. But I think the networks would be better off looking for a known property with a cast that is familiar with the work. It would be similar to the BILLY ELLIOT LIVE type of presentation. I am wondering if it could even be a PPV event like boxing or wrestling. Shows currently running on Broadway that would have worked: Cinderella Matilda Pippin
If they are to do something, it definitely should not be something that has already been made. They'd have a significance lest chance of having people hate-watching the broadcast if its a premiere I think.
That being said, I think LSOH would be fun, but they'd never restore the original ending which is ultimately what a reboot would need.
Let's be a bit realistic. Most of the titles in this thread would not, by themselves, attract an audience that would justify the expense of the production. The Sound of Music is a well-known, beloved family friendly property. That, and Carrie Underwood's star power is what brought about the ratings bonanza. Without her (or some other superstar) the show probably would have received the same lukewarm ratings that Peter Pan received. Underwood isn't known as an actress, and Julie Andrews is irreplaceable, so I'm sure a sizeable portion of SOM's ratings were curiosity seekers.
Peter Pan is not as beloved by audiences (at least not this version), and much of its live appeal besides it family-friendliness is the flying effects. Without a superstar in the cast, it wasn't going to do nearly as well. No one knows who Allison Williams is, and Christopher Walken is known for being odd, so the casting turned a lot of people off. And they weren't even good, so there is no justification for this.
NBC now has two live musicals that were poorly received thanks to bad casting decisions. If they want to continue doing these, they need people who can sing AND act, and they will need a property people want to see. How many Cinderellas do we need? How many Peter Pans? How many Annies? How many Music Man's? The bizarre comment they made last year about how they were only going to do so-called classics is pretty much going to doom them, because today's children aren't going to be interested in the King and I or Anything Goes.
Incorrect. They announced that NBC had optioned the exclusive right to broadcast it. Not that it was the next choice. That was conjecture on the part of many bloggers, journalists, etc.
I wish it was Little Shop of Horrors starring Zac Braff as Seymour, Meghan Hilty as Audrey, and maybe someone like Cee Lo Green as Audrey II and Michael C. Hall cameoing as The Dentist
Do we really need another production of Cinerella? It's a great musical and I suppose a good fit for Christmas but like Peter Pan it's been done (better) many times.
