'Peter Pan LIVE!' on NBC

Last year around this time Broadway lovers were looking forward to the telecast of The Sound of Music LIVE! on NBC. More then eighteen million viewers tuned in to watch the live telecast and I for one tuned in again when it was rebroadcast soon after.

This year NBC has decided to sprinkle fairy dust across America when they chose another classic, the musical Peter Pan, which will be broadcast live on Thursday, Dec. 4 at 8:00pm. Allison Williams will star as Peter Pan and Christopher Walken takes on the role of Captain Hook.

The official website promises ”show-stopping stars, stunning costumes, extravagant sets and delightful music that will have everyone in your home singing along.” After watching the special The Making of Peter Pan Live! I can vouch for all of the above. Click the link to watch the 42 minute backstage peek that I found fascinating.

The website also includes lesson plans for teachers, videos and photos and even a map of Neverland.

Broadway World.com announced the entire cast list for the show.

Christian Borle, who appeared as Max in The Sound of Music last year, will play both Mr. Darling and a red-headed Smee. Kelli O’Hara will play Mrs. Darling, Taylor Louderman is big sister Wendy and Alanna Saunders will play Tigerlilly for the live production. Jake Lucas will be John Darling and newcomer John Allyn will fly as young Michael Darling. Caitlin Houlahan will play Wendy’s daughter Jane in the final act. Some of the fine male dancers who play pirates are alumni of Newsies.

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (Smash) will executive produce the broadcast. Emmy nominated for The Sound of Music Live!, director Rob Ashford won an Emmy as a choreographer for the “81st Annual Academy Awards” and earned a Directors Guild of America nomination for The Sound of Music Live!

Glenn Weiss will serve as director for live television. Musical director David Chase was Emmy nominated for The Sound of Music Live! and is one of the busiest music directors working on Broadway today. His current projects include Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella and he will serve as music supervisor for Finding Neverland.

Production designer is Derek McLane, costume designer is Catherine Zuber and lighting designer is Robert A. Dickinson.

Broadway Records will be producing the album of this one of kind event. The album will be available Dec. 16, just in time for holiday giving.