"We're thrilled to have Minnie as part of this 'Peter Pan' adventure," said Robert Greenblatt, chairman, NBC Entertainment, in a statement. "She appears in the final emotional scene when Peter returns to the Darling home years later only to realize Wendy is now grown up and has a daughter of her own, but you'll also hear her voice throughout the movie since Adult Wendy is also our narrator. She's a classy addition to our wonderful cast."
NBC has also announced that it will air "The Making of Peter Pan Live!" Nov. 26 at 8 PM, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the live television event. According to NBC, "The hourlong special will go behind the scenes and give viewers an inside look at the incredible teamwork it takes to put this enormous television event together. From casting to dress rehearsals, from costume designs to learning to fly, from watching the actors hit their marks to sword fighting, this is an all-access pass to whet viewers' appetites for all things Peter Pan Live!"
As previously reported, Christopher Walken will star as Captain Hook with "Girls" actress Allison Williams set to fly in the musical's title role. The cast also includes five-time Tony Award nominee Kelli O'Hara (The Bridges of Madison County) as Mrs. Darling, Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Mr. Darling and Smee, Taylor Louderman (Bring It On) as Wendy and Alanna Saunders (Gypsy) as Tiger Lily.
The Lost Boys will be played by Ryan Steele (Curly), Jason Gotay (Tootles), Jacob Guzman (Twin 1), David Guzman (Twin 2), Chris McCarrell (Nibs), F. Michael Haynie (Slightly), Dyllon Burnside (Prickles), Daniel Quadrino (Bunting), Garett Hawe (Patches) and Michael Hartung (Sniffler).
The Pirates will be played by Bryce Ryness (Starkey), T. Oliver Reid (Oliver Shreeks/Islander), Michael Park (Cecco), Chris Sullivan (Noodler), Alan H. Green (Cookson), Austin Lesch (Bill Jukes), Gary Milner (The Vicar/Islander), Matt Wall (Skylights/Islander), Ryan Andes (Admiral Chrichton) and John Arthur Greene (Robert Mullins/Islander). Assuming multiple roles are Dominique Kelley, Marty Lawson, Charlie Williams, Michael Munday, CJ Tyson, Alex Wong, Andrew Pirozzi, James Brown III and Keenan Washington.
Also joining the cast are young actors Caitlin Houlahan as Jane, Jake Lucas as John Darling and John Allyn as Michael Darling.
The original Broadway production of Peter Pan, directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins and featuring the songs “I’m Flying,” “I’ve Gotta Crow,” “I Won’t Grow Up,” and “Never Never Land,” opened on Broadway in 1954. The show had a book by J.M. Barrie and a score by Mark “Moose” Charlap and Carolyn Leigh, with additional songs by Jule Styne and Betty Comden and Adolph Green. It starred Mary Martin as Peter and Cyril Ritchard as Captain Hook, both of whom won Tony Awards for their performances.
Martin and Ritchard reprised their Broadway roles in a live telecast of the production, which aired on NBC in 1955. The production was so popular that NBC followed it in 1956 with a second live telecast — and in 1960 with a videotaped version, both also starring Martin and Ritchard. The 1960 videotaped version was rebroadcast in 1963, 1966 and 1973 and was released on home video in 1990.
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