When watching live productions like Peter Pan Live or last year's Sound of Music Live, you need to have realistic expectations.
In no way could last year's event, for instance, have lived up to the Julie Andrews' movie. That's just wrong to expect.
Nor should either movie be compared to a fully produced Broadway show. A Broadway show often has the luxury of running a number of performances off Broadway to work out all the kinks. And they only have to contend with one visual perspective, looking straight on from an audience.
These NBC events have attempted to put the home viewer right in the middle of the action, including sweeping scene changes moving from one set to another. They are breathtakingly audacious. When you realize that, it's remarkable that you never see a camera or even the obvious shadow of a camera.
If you want to enjoy these, you really need to go into it pulling for the actors to do well, hoping along with them. With that in mind, both of these performances were very enjoyable.
Christian Borle as Mr. Smee was the strongest performance, but Allison Williams did a great job as Peter, and Taylor Louderman was a standout as Wendy. The choreography of some of the scenes was very gutsy for a one-shot live performance. And the dog was spectacularly well- trained.
I am a huge Christopher Walken fan, and I will admit to being disappointed by his performance. I found myself wishing that they could have had him 10 years ago when he would have been more up for the physicality that the role should have aimed for. The role felt like it was probably made less ambitious at the last moment, especially the dismal sword fight between Hook and Pan.
It was also a bit disappointing to see the flying paraphernalia too often, particularly the distortion in the youngest child's shirt. It's too bad that some real-time digital removal of the wires wasn't possible (or attempted, since I suspect it may have been possible).
But, seriously, think of all they achieved. I am glad they went for it, and I will keep tuning in for future attempts. Bravo, NBC!
In no way could last year's event, for instance, have lived up to the Julie Andrews' movie. That's just wrong to expect.
Nor should either movie be compared to a fully produced Broadway show. A Broadway show often has the luxury of running a number of performances off Broadway to work out all the kinks. And they only have to contend with one visual perspective, looking straight on from an audience.
These NBC events have attempted to put the home viewer right in the middle of the action, including sweeping scene changes moving from one set to another. They are breathtakingly audacious. When you realize that, it's remarkable that you never see a camera or even the obvious shadow of a camera.
If you want to enjoy these, you really need to go into it pulling for the actors to do well, hoping along with them. With that in mind, both of these performances were very enjoyable.
Christian Borle as Mr. Smee was the strongest performance, but Allison Williams did a great job as Peter, and Taylor Louderman was a standout as Wendy. The choreography of some of the scenes was very gutsy for a one-shot live performance. And the dog was spectacularly well- trained.
I am a huge Christopher Walken fan, and I will admit to being disappointed by his performance. I found myself wishing that they could have had him 10 years ago when he would have been more up for the physicality that the role should have aimed for. The role felt like it was probably made less ambitious at the last moment, especially the dismal sword fight between Hook and Pan.
It was also a bit disappointing to see the flying paraphernalia too often, particularly the distortion in the youngest child's shirt. It's too bad that some real-time digital removal of the wires wasn't possible (or attempted, since I suspect it may have been possible).
But, seriously, think of all they achieved. I am glad they went for it, and I will keep tuning in for future attempts. Bravo, NBC!