Did you see Peter Pan live last night?
Do me a favor and avoid the snarky comments that abound in social media. I want to ring each and every one of their necks and scream in their faces: “Do you have ANY idea how monumental an undertaking that was? Do you have ANY idea how brave each and every person involved in that live production was?”
Don and I are in theater so we know very well indeed how much goes into a live production. But we do it for audiences that number in the hundreds. Imagine doing it for audiences that number in the millions. With special effects. With flying. Live.
Bravo, I say. And snarky people? Get a life.
Did you notice the dollhouse in the children’s bedroom? It looked awfully familiar! In fact, last week when Don and I watched a preview of Peter Pan, I spotted it. I thought it looked like mine, but the attic room hadn’t been attached yet, so I wasn’t sure. But there it was last night, in its Victorian splendor. I thought I heard a sigh of happiness from Hummingbird Cottage. And Caroline.
In the things you might not have known about Claudia category:
I’ve flown. Just like Peter Pan.
When I was in graduate school at Temple University, we did a large and lavish production of the Medieval Mystery Plays, which portray different stories from the Bible. Most of us were very unenthusiastic about these plays being part of our season. I certainly was. Not very exciting for an actor. But then the director told us that two of the roles, the angel Gabriel and the angel Michael, would involve flying.
Hmmm. I knew I would never play Peter Pan, so I auditioned for Gabriel. I grabbed the opportunity to learn to fly.
FYI – almost all productions of Peter Pan or any production that involves flying are supervised by Flying by Foy. One of our faculty members also worked for Flying by Foy, so we already had someone on staff who knew all about the rigging and the harnesses and the wires. Nowadays, it’s also computerized, but then? All done by hand.
I was cast as Gabriel. I wore a harness and rehearsals consisted of working with my handler, Tony – the guy who worked the wire – and learning to read his signals, which were tugs on the wire. The main challenge was trusting the wire. You have to give up a certain element of control and let the wire take over and that’s not an easy thing to do. But once I did, oh my god, it was glorious! I soared and swooped through the air. I felt the rush of air around me as I looked down at the stage below. It was magical and incredible.
Did I mention I’m afraid of heights?
The set consisted of varying levels, some very, very high. The audience was seated on the stage. So, for my first flight, which was to land me smack dab in the Garden of Eden, I was hidden on top of the highest level. I stood there behind a curtain and a stagehand hooked the wire to my harness. Tony tugged, I nodded, and I suddenly appeared and swooped down over the heads of the audience, landing in front of Adam and Eve. Every night, the audience would gasp, even shout out loud. It was spectacular.
I felt like an otherworldly being. There’s nothing like it.
I had several flights during the course of the show, as did my friend Cynthia, who played Michael. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he was flown straight up into the rafters of the stage house, disappearing from view.
Let me tell you, the amazing feeling and wonder that comes from being on the wire, soaring and flying, swooping and tumbling, is something I will never forget. I’m so grateful to have had that experience.
Happy Friday.
Claudia what an amazing experience!! I recorded Peter Pan and Tiger is going to spend the night and I want to watch it with him. Not sure he will watch all 3 hours in one night but I think he will like it. I saw some of it and I’m excited that they did this on TV! Live performances are exciting! Oh the haters should go away for sure!
I’m flying!
hugs,
Linda
It was so magical, wasn’t it? I loved every minute of it and I can’t wait to watch it again!
We saw the show last week about the production but sadly, haven’t watched it yet as we had a commitment last night. Hoping to watch it on the weekend. I also noticed the dollhouse shot and for a moment wondered if it was the same as yours. Found this interesting blog post that you might like: http://littledarlingsdollhouses.blogspot.ca/2014/11/building-dollhouse-prop-for-peter-pan.html
Have a great weekend!
Thanks, Chy. I’ve seen that link – I hope everyone clicks on it to read the story. I’m sure the woman who built the house was very excited to see her handiwork on television last night!
What how did I miss that :( I never watch TV so had no idea it was on, Im so upset I missed it.
They will air it again before Christmas, Dawn. I’ll try to let you know when it’s scheduled.
How thrilling it would be to work in the theatre!
Honestly, I do envy you at times. Apart from attending as often as possible, my only involvement with the theatre was to create the backdrops for the year-end talent show in high school. A young man named Jim Carrey did a stand up routine and was really very funny. I suppose we all find our place in the great scheme of things – he’s still making people laugh and I’ve painted scenery for more school plays than I can remember.
(Thanks to Chy for the link – love to read about dollhouses!)
How neat that you went to high school with Jim Carrey! And also wonderful to know that he was developing his formidable talents even then.
Where would we be without those talented artists (including you) who paint the scenery? I can’t imagine!
Good morning, Claudia. I asked my sister this morning if she noticed the dollhouse last night looked like yours. Oh, that nursery! We loved everything about it. She was talking about the pictures on the wall which I missed. I will have to watch it again just to see. I thought it was a wonderful performance.
How amazing that you were able to fly! I used to have dreams where I was flying over the street lights, etc. I always wondered why.
Best wishes to you, Don and Scout.
I think a lot of people have dreams about flying, Charlene. And yes, it was a wonderful performance!
Hi Claudia!
I LOVED Peter Pan!
It’s Peter Pan! Social media and news media do so much to ruin theatre , movies ( before they release) and music albums! Don’t even get me started on the media bias in news reporting! So believe me I pay it no mind.
Now on with the show!
I watched my grand kids watched and their parents DVRd it for the school kids — it did run late. My husband isn’t into most live theatre productions– but we discussed it. I told him it was going to be good– but campy! I personally like campy. I love Christopher Walken — and Cap’n Hook was perfectly cast! The hubby complained about it being ‘fruity” sorry ( his words not mine) but he came around and was won over by the end. He is also a Chris Walken fan.
It was good. We discussed the difficulty of a live televised production now a days compared to in the beginning. Both eras probably have their share of problems– I would imagine today’s issues fall in line with the technology that plagues us. It might help in some ways but sometimes LIVE might mean LESS technology . A handicap – sort of, if you know what I’m saying. I commend the production studio, background techs, workers and actors! BRAVO!
I’d watch it again.
Also- I spotted the doll house right away! I pulled YOURS UP ON My PHONE! I said “look, it’s Claudia’s doll house!”
Have a great day!
Yes, I think the computerization of technology today would have its own hazards in a live production. I loved, loved, loved Christopher Walken. And as I remember it, Cyril Ritchard (in the Mary Martin version) was a bit campy as well. I think it goes with the story. We’re not supposed to be actually scared by Captain Hook and the pirates – they’re written comedically. So, Walken seemed to me to be the perfect choice. And I always love seeing him dance.
Hi Claudia, what a great story. I watched Mary Martin in Peter Pan on television, and when it became available, I got the VHS. I watched it over and over with my children, then my grandchildren, now my great-grandchildren. We woud dance to the Indian dance. They shoud put it on TV again,
I grew up with that production as well. Loved it.
How did I not know about Peter Pan Live? I guess I’m going to put YOU in charge of letting us know about things like this. We weren’t home…but I could have DVR’d it! Do you think it will be on again? What network? And…you actually flew? That must have been thrilling!! As far as the social media haters go…seems like they always have to have some thing to whine and complain about. I don’t get it! ;)
I wrote about it in yesterday’s post, Donnamae, so I alerted everyone!
It will probably be aired one more time before the holidays. It’s on NBC.
Claudia, I watched most of the peter pan show…I was wore out from my day. I thought I was all fun and I love the costums. I did see the doll house. I think that must have been great fun to fly in a harness rigging. Hope you have a great weekend. xoxo,Susie
It was incredible fun, Susie.
Wow, you have actually flown like the characters in “Peter Pan.” That is so neat, not to mention Brave with a capital B. I can’t imagine doing that myself. I thought they all did very well last night, and thoroughly enjoyed it. I never heard that it was being slammed in social media, but then I’m not really involved in any social media. I once heard Tina Fey say “Why is it that people now feel they need an audience for everything they do?” when she was asked if she had a Twitter account [apparently she doesn’t]. And Tina is someone in “show business” that I really respect. Anyway, what an immense amount of work must have been involved last night, and I thought the casting of Christopher Walken as Captain Hook was especially perfect. There were a lot of nice flashbacks for me too. I remember being absolutely enthralled watching Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard do it on TV, all the way back to 1960 I think, when I was four. I remember that in order to watch it, we were being allowed to stay up way past our normal bedtime which for a four-year old, was a very big deal too. Twas a magical evening all around. And nice to be able to re-live a bit of it last night. Have a great weekend!
Don went on Twitter last night to rave about it and encountered tons of snarkyness (if that’s a word!) We both said how we hate social media in times like these. I agree with wise Tina Fey.
PS – Claudia, I too was curious too, about whether “snark” is an actual word. And according to my MacBook’s dictionary, it is! “Snark” – as a criticism/comment – is actually the second meaning… Who knew?
Now the question is: is it snarkiness or snarkyness?
LOL! Well, the Apple dictionary isn’t any help with this one. So going by English grammar as I learned it, I’d say SNARKINESS.
So let it be written, so let it be done. :>)
We LOVED it!! I thought Christopher Walken was perfect as Capt. Hook. Not too scary for the littlest ones, and campy enough for the oldest of us. We appreciated every minute of it. NBC provided some good questions for teachers to share w/ students, and as you know, my hubs 2nd and 3rd graders were also (hopefully) watching to discuss today. He did receive a couple of emails from supportive parents this morning thanking him for encouraging them to watch together. The TV audience today is used to 1 hour dramas that are filmed with 100 “takes” until each scene is “perfect”. Laugh tracks are their cue as to when to respond. I think people watch something like Peter Pan, done live, like a football game, ready to criticize every play. Unreal.
Walken was pitch-perfect, I think. Hopefully, airing these once-a-year live musicals will start to educate a viewing public that needs it desperately!
Can’t wait to hear about the discussion in your husband’s classroom today.
I hope NBC keeps doing these productions. Even though people love to find fault, at least they are watching musical theatre. I liked it, but am more of a traditionalist, so the portrayal of hook and the never land set were a little too campy for my taste. I thought the pirates were fabulous though!
If you watch Cyril Ritchard in the Mary Martin version, I think you’ll find he was campy, as well. Although I think of it as comedic. At least, that’s my memory of his performance. The role is written as highly comedic, so actors, if they’re being true to the script, have to play it that way. That probably differs from Barrie’s version (which I have to say I’ve never read, but now realize I must read), but it is the way the musical script is written.
And, of course, I’m a big Christopher Walken fan. Saw him onstage at Stratford when he was a young actor and have followed his career ever since.
I watched last night and was totally captivated. That is until about 20 minutes before it ended when my aspirin for my achy legs kicked and I passed out. I did enjoy it and look forward to more productions like it.
Me too, Deanna! I think they have the rights to The Music Man for next year (one of my all-time favorites.)
Thank goodness for the DVR :-) Was prepared to watch last night, but resident 7 yr. old had a commitment and had to be gone for most of the evening. Tonight is the night! As for ‘social media’ and everyone and their grandmother’s dog giving their opinions….my grandmother had a perfect quote–“everyone has an opinion and everyone has a nose, and they both smell”. That is why this old dinosaur avoids social media :-) Christopher Walken is a comedic genius, so I am all about taking in his version of Cap’n Hook. Also, cannot WAIT to see the mentioned dollhouse!!!! And as for your flying on stage…I bow to you sweet woman!!! Hubby and I spent many an hour painting stage sets for our childrens’ elementary creative arts department. Bless those dear teachers who gave so much of themselves and their after school time (for which they received no extra pay) to give our kids a bit of culture :-) And to think, they somehow managed to squeeze in time to teach the kids cursive handwriting, math skills and such as well! Sadly, public schools in our area do not “have the time” as they say!!!
I bet the reason they don’t have the time is because they constantly have to administer tests per the Board of Ed and the the State. Ridiculous!
I think that we are all spoiled by too many special effects in movies. You cannot compare a live production to a movie. My husband, and I, watched it and felt transported to the stage. The only thing that bothered me were all of the commercials. It would have been nice to be able to limit them, but I’m sure that it cost a small fortune to put this production together.
Yes, they do need the sponsors. But almost every time a commercial happened, I had already anticipated it because of the actors having to be unhooked from the harnesses or a major set change was happening at that time. They all made sense to me.
I learned a long time ago to form my own opinions rather than excepting those of other people..I too had to go somewhere so please let me know if and when it might air again..I have never forgot the night I saw Mary Martin on TV..It was simply unforgettable..I don’t doubt that I will enjoy this time as well..How sweet that Wendy has the same dollhouse as you..what a pleasant surprise..As for you flying Claudia..you are a much braver woman than I am..lol
Mary Martin is indelibly stamped in my memory, that’s for sure.
I really enjoyed the show! I thought everyone did a great job. My daughter thought Christopher Walken was hysterical (in a good way) and my grandson did watch it with me until about 10:00. He liked when the kids first flew and he liked the crocodile. I wish people would stop making all those rude comments on Twitter and elsewhere. They have no idea how difficult it is to put on a production like that.
They are completely ignorant about the subject and it shows in the tone of their comments. Everyone is a critic nowadays and, sadly, most of the ‘critics’ don’t know what they’re talking about.
Love the story of you flying….what an awesome memory! Any chance you may have a photo or two you might share?
And I must tell you, my Paperwhite was delivered today! Yay! I am so excited. Thank you so much for your input and gentle nudging. I’m going to wait for a quiet moment later tonight to officially turn it on and “start playing”. I do believe this is going to help me in so many ways. So thanks again for sharing your experiences and recommendation!
I wish I did, Deb. But if I do…I have no idea where it might be!
I’m so excited for you. You will love the Paperwhite. I think it’s really going to help make your reading experience a rewarding, and not frustrating, one. I’m reading a novel on mine right now! Let me know what you think, Deb.
I refuse to read any social media snarky comments. Yes, it wasn’t perfect, people, it was a LIVE production. They didn’t get to do retakes. I loved the singing and dancing. The first act has always been my favorite and I loved the dollhouse. I am so jealous that you got to fly. I have always wanted to. xo Laura
And that ‘imperfection’ that in-the-moment, not-like-any-other-night quality is what makes it so exciting!
How fun that you got to experience that! I might be a bit jealous, LOL :-P
Sorry – I’m very late reading this. It sounds like a great experience. I’m also afraid of heights which I find gets worse as I get older. When I was a child I used to dream regularly about being able to fly. I don’t any more – there must be some deep meaning in that!!