16 Fascinating Facts About Peter Pan Live!
You watched the live musical on NBC, now check out these 16 fascinating behind-the-scenes tidbits!
1. Alison Williams Was Not the First Choice
The first name thrown out as a contender for Peter was none other than Miley Cyrus. Then Justin Bieber. Then Kristen Bell. Before announcing Girls star Alison Williams in the title role (which we love!), NBC President Bob Greenblatt admitted that the casting was not easy because of the required four months of rehearsals. Good thing Kristen said no, given that she's about to pop out her second bambino! Don't think the OB/GYNs likes flying cables.
2. Why We're Glad It's Not The Biebs...
Peter has always been played by a woman! In the past 60 years of the Broadway version, the role hasn't ever gone to a single male actor. Peter Pan was first cast as a woman in 1904 in London, when the UK had very strict child-labor laws (no child could work past 9 pm). Producers felt a woman would be more to scale, and the role of Peter has remained female, with very few exceptions, ever since.
3. Alison Was Meant to Play Peter
So cute, right? The universe is unfolding as it should.
4. There's Probably No Way NBC Can Repeat Its First Rating
In 1955, NBC aired a live broadcast starring Mary Martin to 65 million viewers (!!). Last year, Sound of Music Live! got 18.6 million viewers.
5. Alison Is Actually Pretty Young for Peter
Alison Williams is 25. Mary Martin was 41 when she originated the role on Broadway in 1955. Mia Farrow was 31 when she played Peter in 1976. And Cathy Rigby (an Olympic gymast) was both the youngest and oldest notable Peter, starting off when she was 24 and retiring from the role just last year, when she was 61.
6. Peter Pan Live! Is Harder Than Sound of Music Live!
"It's much bigger and much more challenging than The Sound of Music last year," executive producer Craig Zadan said. "A lot more musical numbers, a lot more dancing, plus the sword fights and flying. And a live dog." Anyone else a wee bit nervous?!
7. Do Not Question Hook's Dancing Skillz
Believe it or not, Christopher Walken was a dancer first, before he ever acted, and so it makes perfect sense that he will be the first-ever tap-dancing Captain Hook. The 71-year-old studied tap as a kid. At age 7, he was an extra in an amateur production of Madame Butterfly and by age 10, he was regularly appearing in TV variety specials. He also starred alongside a 17-year-old Liza Minelli in Best Foot Forward. And who could forget his mad stylings in Spike Jonze's 2001 video for Fatboy Slim's "Weapon of Choice"? So good.
8. It's a Sorta-Kinda Hairspray Reunion
Walken has worked (and danced) with the Peter Pan Live! producers before, in the 2007 movie Hairspray.
9. Usually, Captain Hook and Mr. Darling Are the Same Actor
As Jason Isaacs did in the live-adaptation in 2003.
10. This Time the Double-Duty Role Was Changed
Smash alum Christian Borle was cast as Mr. Darling and Hook's sidekick, Mr. Smee.
11. Smee Won an Award for Playing Hook
The role Christian Borle won a Tony for in 2002? The pirate Black Stache, who would eventually go on to become Captain Hook, in Peter and the Starcatcher.
12. Hook Wanted to Be Hook
Once Upon a Time's "Hook" himself, Colin O'Donoghue, told us that he wanted to play Captain Hook in the NBC version. "I auditioned and did my best Christopher Walken impression," O'Donoghue cracked, "but it didn't work. They went for the real thing."
13. Allison Wanted to Chop Her Hair
"I was all ready to cut my hair," she wrote on wrote on Instagram, "then was told by the folks who actually know what they're doing that a wig works better for everybody."
14. Tiger Lily Is Legit
Alanna Saunders, who will play Tiger Lily, is an actual descendant of members of the Cherokee Nation. Her previous acting credits include Gypsy and A Chorus Line.
15. At Least One Cast Member Has Never Been on TV
Before she landed the role of Wendy Darling in NBC's huge production, Taylor Louderman's first acting role was playing—drumroll please!—"Obnoxious Girl #1" in Shadowland. She then played the lead in Broadway's Bring It On: The Musical. This marks her TV debut.
16. The Peter Pan Cast Knows You Hate-Watched Sound of Music
"We were all hyper-conscious of what those reactions were," Christian Borle told The Daily Beast. And Allison Williams added, "Peter Pan, you cannot watch cynically. If you do, you're going to hate it, no question. It falls apart instantly." You have your orders! Conjure up that faith and trust, y'all, and enjoy the ride...