Earlier this month, I was one of many Americans watching The Sound of Music Live on NBC December 5th, and my reaction was a pretty good one. I have seen the more superior 1965 film many times, but this version they pulled off was lavishly entertaining and its spirit connects more with the 1959 original musical than the film. It's was also one of those rare TV events that lives up to its hype. Seeing it filmed and beamed live here in the East Coast (it was filmed from a soundstage in Bethpage) and without any flubbed lines or missed lyrics, it shows us that television can still take chances and excel in this nowadays world of vapid reality shows and less-family oriented shows.
As Maria, Carrie Underwood is not Julie Andrews, but she makes a delightful and engaging acting debut. True Blood's Stephen Moyer is impressive as Captain Von Trapp and works well together with Underwood. Broadway vet and five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald gives her dynamic and operatic pipes to one of Rogers & Hammerstein's best songs, "Climb Every Mountain" as Mother Abbess. Plus, McDonald and Underwood bring a great fine harmony together to "My Favorite Things". As Elsa, the kids' would-be mother, Laura Benanti (late of TV's Go On) is dashing without her character being cartoonish. Also, the actors who are playing the Von Trapp children are cute and charming without being obnoxious. The riveting music direction by David Chase still sustains the perfect sing along spirit that brings the powerful score to life (although "I Have Confidence" from the film is missing from this version).
Thanks to the unexpected and dynamite ratings, NBC has announced that they doing to do another family-friendly musical in December, making it a new holiday tradition for the peacock network, right next to the Macy's Parade and the Rockefeller tree lighting. It's out now on DVD in stores where available. It's worth seeing this piece of television history anytime.
Also this month, I saw the return of Kirstie Alley, Rhea Pearlman (both of Cheers) and Michael Richards (aka Kramer) to their sitcom roots in TV Land's new comedy, Kirstie. Alley plays a Broadway diva actress who suddenly becomes a mother when she reunites with the twenty-five year old son that she gave up for adoption many years ago. Richards plays her limo driver, Frank and Pearlman plays her assistant, Thelma. I saw the first two episodes of the show, and judging from them, the show is likeable and pleasantly funny. A reinstrained, but fine Alley, a sharp Pearlman and Richards at his most wackiest head a fine cast. Watching the show made me think that this could have been NBC's breakout comedy of this season if they could have greenlight it, but instead, they got the dismal Sean Saves the World. Besides that, this is a formula sitcom that works well. Kirstie airs Wednesday at 10pm on TV Land.
Finally, here some good news for both Broadway theatregoers and viewers. Flushing's very own Fran Drescher (aka The Nanny) joins the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, playing Ella's stepmother, Madame, for a ten-week run starting February 4th at the Broadway Theatre. Plus, Annie Potts (of Designing Women fame) takes over the role of Grandma Berthe in the tony-winning revival of Pippin beginning January 21th at the Music Box Theatre. Tickets for both of these shows are available at telecharge.com.
As Maria, Carrie Underwood is not Julie Andrews, but she makes a delightful and engaging acting debut. True Blood's Stephen Moyer is impressive as Captain Von Trapp and works well together with Underwood. Broadway vet and five-time Tony winner Audra McDonald gives her dynamic and operatic pipes to one of Rogers & Hammerstein's best songs, "Climb Every Mountain" as Mother Abbess. Plus, McDonald and Underwood bring a great fine harmony together to "My Favorite Things". As Elsa, the kids' would-be mother, Laura Benanti (late of TV's Go On) is dashing without her character being cartoonish. Also, the actors who are playing the Von Trapp children are cute and charming without being obnoxious. The riveting music direction by David Chase still sustains the perfect sing along spirit that brings the powerful score to life (although "I Have Confidence" from the film is missing from this version).
Thanks to the unexpected and dynamite ratings, NBC has announced that they doing to do another family-friendly musical in December, making it a new holiday tradition for the peacock network, right next to the Macy's Parade and the Rockefeller tree lighting. It's out now on DVD in stores where available. It's worth seeing this piece of television history anytime.
Also this month, I saw the return of Kirstie Alley, Rhea Pearlman (both of Cheers) and Michael Richards (aka Kramer) to their sitcom roots in TV Land's new comedy, Kirstie. Alley plays a Broadway diva actress who suddenly becomes a mother when she reunites with the twenty-five year old son that she gave up for adoption many years ago. Richards plays her limo driver, Frank and Pearlman plays her assistant, Thelma. I saw the first two episodes of the show, and judging from them, the show is likeable and pleasantly funny. A reinstrained, but fine Alley, a sharp Pearlman and Richards at his most wackiest head a fine cast. Watching the show made me think that this could have been NBC's breakout comedy of this season if they could have greenlight it, but instead, they got the dismal Sean Saves the World. Besides that, this is a formula sitcom that works well. Kirstie airs Wednesday at 10pm on TV Land.
Finally, here some good news for both Broadway theatregoers and viewers. Flushing's very own Fran Drescher (aka The Nanny) joins the cast of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella, playing Ella's stepmother, Madame, for a ten-week run starting February 4th at the Broadway Theatre. Plus, Annie Potts (of Designing Women fame) takes over the role of Grandma Berthe in the tony-winning revival of Pippin beginning January 21th at the Music Box Theatre. Tickets for both of these shows are available at telecharge.com.
Comments
Post a Comment