Growing up, my brother, sister, and I wore out our VHS recording of one of Mary Martin's TV productions of PETER PAN. Mixed in between viewings of APOLLO 13 and THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, we learned every word to every song, and while I don't remember dancing along with the Lost Boys, there is no doubt that we could have, if asked. I've never seen the musical on stage, so, for me, PETER PAN simply belongs on TV; and producers Neil Meron and Craig Zadan spared no fiary dust in creating a magical PETER PAN that reinforced why this holiday tradition should never grow up and fly away. Despite a handful of hiccups that befall many live productions, simply put, PETER PAN LIVE! is a triumph for children young and old.
Good morning, BroadwayWorld! Because we know all our readers eat, sleep and breathe Broadway, what could be better than waking up to it? Today's big news: NBC broadcasts PETER PAN LIVE! tonight, THE ILLUSIONISTS opens on Broadway, DISENCHANTED! raises the curtain off-Broadway and more!
With Thanksgiving now past, we are less than one week away from the television event of the season, at least for musical theatre fans, PETER PAN LIVE!. As anyone who reads BroadwayWorld or watches NBC knows, PETER PAN LIVE! is the follow up to last year's enormously successful THE SOUND OF MUSIC LIVE!. Allison Williams (GIRLS) will play the boy who wouldn't grow up, while legendary actor Christopher Walken will play the scourge of the seven seas, Captain Hook. Also in the company are Tony winner Christian Borle (Mr. Darling and Mr. Smee), five-time Tony nominee Kelly O'Hara, Broadway's Taylor Louderman, and an ensemble full of some of the theatre's best young talent.
The 88th Annual Macy's THANKSGIVING Day Parade will air Thursday, Nov. 27 - and Broadway's best will be represented! Performances by HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, THE LAST SHIP, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER, ON THE TOWN, and SIDE SHOW are currently on tap for the big day. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you an inside look at the second day of rehearsals!
Louderman took time out from rehearsals for PETER PAN LIVE! to speak exclusively with BWW about learning to fly, the new original song she will perform in the show and what she is most looking forward to when the cameras go live on December 4th!
NBC's PETER PAN LIVE, the network special from executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, will air on December 4. Preparing to sprinkle fairy dust across America, NBC presents a bold new LIVE television production of the classic Broadway musical that will gather friends, families and anyone who refuses to ever grow up. As BroadwayWorld previously reported, the special will star Allison Williams, Christopher Walken, Christian Borle, Kelli O'Hara, Taylor Louderman and Alanna Saunders for the live production.