And NBC’s Next Live Musical Performance Will Be….Peter Pan!

Posted on January 19, 2014 at 3:27 pm

NBC pledged to follow up it’s live production of “The Sound of Music” with another family musical and they’ve announced what the next one will be — another classic that originally starred Mary Martin, “Peter Pan.”

There have been many versions of James M. Barrie’s classic story since he first wrote it as a play and novel in the early 20th century.  It was a revolution in the theater back then — not just the flying but the audience participation as everyone had to clap to bring Tinkerbell back to life.  Mary Martin starred on Broadway in the 1954 musical with songs by Mark “Moose” Charlap, with additional music by Jule Styne, and most of the lyrics were written by Carolyn Leigh, with additional lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.  Martin and her co-star Cyril Richard (who played both Mr. Darling and Captain Hook) performed the musical on television in 1955, setting a viewership record.  Martin did two more versions on television and later productions starred Sandy Duncan and Cathy Rigby, who played Peter on Broadway and on the road from 1990 until 2010.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s3VfxCYqXs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sye2NanCYHI

Who should put on the tights and flying harness for this new production?

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Carrie Underwood’s Live Sound of Music — Dec 5

Posted on December 2, 2013 at 8:00 am

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaNEZkv87FI

Carrie Underwood stars as Maria von Trapp in NBC’s live broadcast of “The Sound of Music” on December 5. Stephen Moyer of “True Blood” plays the Captain, “Smash’s” Christian Borle plays Max, and, thrillingly, Tony winner Audra McDonald plays the Mother Abbess. This is a good time for families to try out the old-fashioned concept of watching everything together in the same room at the same time while it is actually being broadcast. Enjoy!

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Utah NBC Affiliate Rejects “The New Normal”

Posted on September 4, 2012 at 3:59 pm

The Mormon-owned Utah NBC affiliate station KSL-TV is refusing to carry one of the network’s new television series.  It is produced by Ryan Murphy of “Glee” and “Nip/Tuck” and it is the story of a gay couple who use a surrogate mother to have a baby, over the objections of her bigoted grandmother.  Jeff Simpson, the CEO, said, “After viewing the pilot episode of The New Normal, we have made the decision to keep it off our fall schedule…For our brand, this program simply feels inappropriate on several dimensions, especially during family viewing time.”

Simpson insists that the station, which has shown episodes of “Will and Grace,” is not homophobic.  But as many observers have noted, the station shows episodes of “Law & Order: SVU,” which often has very graphic material about sexual crimes.  I’ve seen the same pilot viewed by Simpson.  It seems a bit stereotyped, but it has a strong foundation of family values — love, support, loyalty, honesty, devotion, partnership, sharing.  I believe they owe their viewers the opportunity to make their own decisions about what they want to watch.  Fortunately, they will get that chance.  Another local station has announced they will air it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJfBZxUlzhY
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