Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
There's an allure about live theater. The moments are spontaneous and the audience watching it will have a unique experience. It is why the idea, as novelty as it may seem, of NBC finding family friendly musicals and turning them into holiday specials is kind of an ingenious move. While many left The Sound of Music Live! last year with very little fondness, it was the start of something more ambitious than another pointless special featuring the big animated movie of that year. Sure, there is something artificial about the orchestration, especially since there isn't an actual audience and there's a plethora of commercial breaks, but what works out is something purer and nostalgic. It is performance without any post-editing of special effects. Everything that happens is there in the moment. Was Peter Pan Live! actually live? Nobody would know and frankly shouldn't care.
Based on the J.M. Barrie's famous novel and most recognizable from the Disney adaptation, this story of eternal youth has charmed children for generations. This is why it makes sense that NBC would tackle it next. With Allison Williams as the titular Pan and Christopher Walken as Captain Hook, the musical had about as much charisma as a live show could. Where Williams emphasized too much enthusiasm, Walken was a looming, lulling ball of menace. There's small idiosyncrasies that can be ridiculed throughout. Some of it is source material though there's occasional performance tics (The Lost Boys are especially unformed) that make it a little clunky.
Yes, there is a feeling of cheat that the live nature is immediately sucked out by the lack of a theatrical audience. True, in order for the show to get the camera angles that it did, it wouldn't exactly work. However, the hooting and hollering of the crowd is a staple to any live show and is sorely missed here. Yes, it makes several moments crisper, but there's no sense of tone in a scene. It is a lot of youthful boy characters running around while singing songs and doing barrel rolls. Visually, it is pure and works. The amount of practical effects in this show is evidence that whimsy and wonder can be made with no more than a few wires and lights. This may be the most endearing feature of all.
Some of the mechanical effects are questionable (the crocodile), but for the most part the show works because of its enthusiasm. With Williams giving her all while wearing a smile the entire time, she turns in a worthwhile performance as Pan and does some kooky yet enjoyable spins through the air. While her accent may be a little too distracting for some, it works to establish her dominance over the other characters. It also helps that she can sing and brings life to a bunch of songs that are more upbeat than they are interesting. She makes the whole show worthwhile by simply being game for anything. Everyone else does their best, but the show is definitely Williams' for the taking.
Is there a longevity in putting on these live shows? While it seems to have gotten more negative attention than good, there is something charming about it that should keep this an annual tradition. For starters, it exposes a wider audience to musicals that are often saved for high-priced Broadway shows. It may lack the feel of being in the audience, but it has a feeling of working in the moment and giving it your all. The sets and costumes are so elaborate that it almost enhances the story. Where film musicals have the advantage of grand set designs and special effects (Les Miserables, Into the Woods), a live show has limited time for set changes. That means that each piece of scenery must count. For that, more creativity is involved. Still, there's something pure and honest about practical effects that seem to be missing from almost every other filmed special out there. Even the troublesome Tinker Bell character has a realistic insertion into Peter Pan Live!.
In terms of longevity, there is hope that this is the case if for no other reason than it is a creative and fun use of time. Sure, the musicals will differ on overall quality. Sometimes headlining actors will get unnecessary roles (though is Allison Williams really that attention-grabbing?), but it gives off something authentic and fun. It also exposes an audience to theater in ways that variety shows and holiday specials don't. Yes, some sung notes may be off, but that's theater. Yes, there's a removal of the audience, but the filmed structure gives it a nice structure with its ability to do tight close-ups and pan over luscious set pieces. Peter Pan Live! may have a little bit of a dated appeal and is kind of goofy, but it brought charm and whimsy in ways that really work in this inventive format.
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