<p>OOPS!! My third mistake in the same thread. 
In any event, he was well known after Chariots of Fire. We assumed that was why he was cast in Guys and Dolls…we’re we ever wrong!</p>
<p>I actually saw Ian Charleson in All’s Well that Ends Well in the West End some years before COF. In the US, it seemed as if more attention was paid to Ben Cross who played Harold Abrahams, who was the more “modern” character, but I thought Charleson gave a superior performance as Liddell. It is incredibly difficult to play someone who is genuinely good without coming across as a prig. But I’m veering OT. :)</p>
<p>I’m just using Charleson as an example of someone who was a first rate actor who was also a good singer. How many people can excel as both Hamlet and Sky Masterson? He did. </p>
<p>But I am confident that somewhere out there there are actors and actresses who can both act and sing. If I were CBS–or any other network for that matter–I’d be out there searching for them.</p>
<p>Hooray: There will be more live theater on TV!!</p>
<p><a href=“NBC Plans Live ‘Peter Pan’ for Next Holiday Season - The New York Times”>NBC Plans Live ‘Peter Pan’ for Next Holiday Season - The New York Times;
<p>Here’s hoping it will help launch some new young talented performers!</p>
<p>Yes. And at the least, it will be a very fun performance to watch!!</p>
<p>That’s actually a stage production I’ve never seen!</p>
<p>Apparently we were prophetic regarding the show chosen. :)</p>
<p>I wonder who the mystery Peter is…hope to god it isn’t Justin Bieber.</p>
<p>Miley Cyrus? LOL!</p>
<p>Yeah, maybe they were inspired by her swinging around naked on that wrecking ball. :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I’ve seen the stage performance of Peter Pan. It is fabulous. Good choice!</p>
<p>It wasn’t enough that they ruined “The Sound of Music”? “Peter Pan” has a very special place in my heart so the mere thought of NBC messing up this makes me ill. Let’s hope that they actually audition young performers with the proper qualifications- there are so very many of them who work hard and deserve a fair shot- and don’t go with an untalented “star” or relatives of staff members. The jury will remain out…</p>
<p>Interesting that BOTH of these shows starred Mary Martin. </p>
<p>I saw the stage production with Cathy Rigby and she was terrific! And I wasn’t expecting her to be.</p>
<p>Mary Martin had that “it” factor on stage- not the best voice nor beautiful to look at but when she was up there, she was a STAR! My mother was her understudy several times, so I, of course, adored Ms Martin.
I agree ,thumper1, Cathy Rigby was an unexpected delight as Peter!</p>
<p>Oh, they didn’t ruin The Sound of Music. </p>
<p>I look forward to the release of the cast members and seeing Peter Pan</p>
<p>The good news - it won’t be Carrie Underwood again. Depending on whom they choose, the bad news may be that it won’t be Carrie Underwood again.</p>
<p>I noted the Mary Martin factor also. :)</p>
<p>I never saw Cathy Rigby in the part, but I did see her sing some of the songs on tv. She was very good.</p>
<p>Maybe the dream cast includes Johnny Depp. Can he sing?</p>
<p>Yes, he can!</p>
<p>Well, that’s debatable. Sweeney Todd. So sad.</p>
<p>Wouldn’t it be loverly (to quote another show’s lyric) if they cast legit Broadway professionals in all the roles and showed those who have never seen a live B’way show (other than SOM) what real musical theater stars can do? I know, it’ll never happen…</p>