GIRLS Star Allison Williams To Play Peter Pan In NBC Production

[DigificWriter]

Women are ALWAYS going to be featured as Peter Pan in this show for two reasons:
1) That's the gender for which the musical's score was written
2) It's in keeping with the tradition started way back with J.M. Barrie's original play

[LizzieCurry]

I am sure there are many community theatres that have done this as well, but in terms of major productions (not to mention the intentions of the authors), it has always been a female part.

So don't use the word "never."

[finebydesign]

"Finebydesign, you do realize that this role in this show has never been played by a male actor, right? This version of Peter is always a woman,most notably Mary Martin, Sandy Duncan, and Cathy Rigby. "

Never? Really? I understand women play the role but I don't care for it.

[promisespromises2]

I'm an enormous fan of the show Girls and the first episode that Allison sung in I was super impressed. Hate her character in the show but I like her. I'm excited for this!

[Starship]

I prefer women in the role. I've found that they are able to capture the gentleness of a young adolescent boy more so than any male I've ever seen (in professional productions). Whenever I see a male play the role, they overact the role and it comes off more like a 10-year old that just downed 3 cans of Red Bull. That's not to say a man couldn't pull it off, but I've preferred it played by a female. And this isn't at all biased. I've only seen the production a handful of times and I'm always open for different interpretation of roles.

[lovebwy]

Who are they gonna get for Captain Hook? Luke Russert?

[DigificWriter]

"Who are they going to get for Captain Hook?"

Christopher Walken.
http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/13/peter-pan/

[SweetLips]

Please excuse a totally ignorant question-how is the role 'musically written' for the role-is it the music key or is there some dialogue that says 'I am actually a girl'. Apart from 'tradition' which is always there to be changed/updated. I cannot understand how Peter Pan is not genetically a Boy, or perhaps he is asexual. That makes the likes of a Justin Bieber a perfect fit.

[DigificWriter]

The best way to answer your question is to refer you here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Pan_(1954_musical)

[Mr. Nowack]

I've never seen Girls, so I am completely unfamiliar with her.

I am somewhat surprised that they didn't go for a bigger name (although apparently they tried), but the title was always the big selling point anyway. Perhaps this is a less risky attempt at testing out the "lesser known but talented person with stars in the supporting role" formula. Based on the internet information available and all of the opinions shared here she seems very capable. Maybe if it works they'll go for a super talented Broadway star next time!

Although to be clear I'm still not thrilled about this choice of show in particular. I definitely don't think it would have worked with a boy, but I don't think it really works (at lest today) with a girl either. It's just too grounded in its time.

[ShakinBaconGirl]

I've never liked Peter as a middle age woman either. It's just weird. It should be a boy.

[Sutton Ross]

The vocal part is written for a soprano, so that rules most men out. The role is female originated so it makes sense, I guess. Allison is good on Girls and she was funny on The Mindy Project, but she got the job because of Daddy Williams. I mean, come on.

I guess they are letting the show be the star here.

[DigificWriter]

"The vocal part is written for a soprano"

Mary Martin, for whom the score was written specifically, was an alto, not a soprano.

[Sutton Ross]

That's cool she was an alto, and I will edit my statement and say the role is usually performed by a mezzo soprano. Looking up some casting notice on Peter Pan, they ask that Peter Pan is petite and can sing in that range.

[best12bars]

Mary Martin had a huge range, from low and sultry to (practically) coloratura.

In fact, the original Peter Pan has that echo section where she sings incredibly high (and legit).

[kade.ivy]

I have never seen Allison in anything, but I trust this casting.

Saying that she got this job because of her father totally discounts her talent and the vetting that was presumably done. It's really disrespectful. Why can't we just think someone can be individually talented even though her parent is in a powerful position?

[Starship]

^ praise that post.

[Sutton Ross]

It's all about who you know, and the connections one has. I'm sure she'll be good, but to discount that entirely? Please.

[darquegk]

I'm assuming there are going to be a few more Broadway and television names appearing in the supporting cast. Besides, everybody says "nepotism, nepotism, nepotism," but the casting last year was similar: an A-list performer with large fan base (although Underwood and Walken are worlds apart, they are both superstars), two performers from popular or cult television series (Grey's Anatomy and True Blood last summer, Girls now), and a supporting cast of (not just Broadway stars) talented performers with NBC contracts and connections.

Don't forget that Christian Borle and Megan Hilty both had significant NBC exposure, and Audra McDonald is famous as a television actress at least as much, if not more, than as a Broadway star. They are not going to go get Santino Fontana or Laura Osnes, to name two young, good-looking and talented Broadway people. They're going to get very talented people who happen to have some NBC connection. Williams fits the bill, plus, she is arguably more famous than Borle and Hilty were.

[Sutton Ross]

"Williams fits the bill, plus, she is arguably more famous than Borle and Hilty were."

Are you talking about before or after Smash happened? Also, if these posts are any indication, a lot of people don't know her or her work.

[SweetLips]

Maybe 'they' should just call it Pan then anyone could have a go at it.

[KathyNYC2]

I doubt the majority of people know who Allison is..but the majority of people didn't know Christian Borle or Megan Hilty either..not that many people watched SMASH.

That said, Carrie Underwood is a huge star and she got panned all over the place in SOM. Now they don't have a name, and that's a problem? It's hard to have it both ways...a famous name that's not too famous ( to distract from the vehicle)..but enough to get viewers to turn in...and then someone who is not too soprano, not soprano enough, too much boobage, too tall, too pretty, too (fill in the blanks), not a girl, not a boy?????. It's a pretty impossible task.

I think a show about Peter Pan is enough to get the kids to watch..and then if you have more adult possible viewers who watch Girls and will be interested to see Allison do something else like this, good for them.

Congrats to Allison..who graduated from the Yale Drama school and can sing...we have a shot at a good Peter...as good as with anyone else. I wish her all the best (and the pic of her at 3 years old in her Peter Pan costume is the cutest thing ever).

[cknick]

I don't understand everyone crying about Peter being played by a male. That's like saying pants roles in operas should be played by men. The music, and the show itself, was conceived with a female in mind...as dozens of people have said. Those wanting a male to play Peter Pan must be wanting a new musical with new music and songs written in a male vocal range.

[PalJoey]

Allison just made me love her even more. She posted a picture of herself as Peter Pan on Instagram.

http://instagram.com/p/rE8KxMmU0v/?modal=true

[HorseTears]

I like to imagine that it's "Marnie" playing Pan and that on set the wires are going to get entangled, someone will get inadvertently stabbed and then Marnie will sleep with Christopher Walken and then have a nervous breakdown at the craft services table.

And who ARE you people who don't watch Girls?

[mikey2573]

meh.....She looks awfully "girly". At least Martin, Duncan and Rigby had a squarish and boyish looking core (meaning they did not have huge hooters I guess).
Sounds like nobody of worth was interested in the part.
I hope she can pull it off; it is not an easy part to play convincingly by any means. Why do you think they keep using the same actresses over and over?
I still wish that NBC had televised the Duncan version back in the 80s. it almost happened until Tartikoff left NBC.