The Sound of Music Live!

[carolinakid]

Just wondered if anyone was excited about the upcoming live performance of The Sound of Music on NBC on 12/5/13 with Carrie Underwood? I preordered the CD and was glad to see they seem to be doing the stage show (except they are replacing An Ordinary Couple with the film's Something Good) as opposed to the film version. Audra MacDonald is playing the Reverend Mother and I'm thrilled about that. Any thoughts?

[tsom]

I am soooooooo excited for this!!!! I only wish they included "I Have Confidence" to the production in order to make the score more "complete," but I understand why they left it out. After all, it was written for the movie. I have a feeling this will do very well!

[Disney's Divinity]

I've pre-ordered the recording, just because I own all of Carrie Underwood's albums, but I can't say I'm actually excited. TSoM has never been a favorite of mine and I can't imagine Underwood's voice will suit it. Plus, she's not much of an actor, although, since she's been doing really well as a CMA presenter the past few years, she may have improved.

[tsom]

I've seen clips of the rehearsals and I've heard snippets of Carrie singing the songs, and she sounds great! I also think she will act the heck out of it. I trust Neil Meron and Craig Zadan's choices. They usually make wise producing decisions, and if they have faith in Carrie, then I do too! Maria looks like an easy role, but it is kind of difficult. In 3 hours, the actress has to go from unruly postulant to firm but kind governess to young woman in love for the first time to wife/Baroness and stepmother to 7 children. Whew! That's a lot of pressure.

[UmbrellaFish]

Overall, it was a success and I hope NBC produces more live musicals. Audra McDonald and Laura Benanti were highlights, and while Carrie Underwood sang well, her performance should disprove the argument that Julie Andrews is not an adept actress.

[dvdjunkie]

Overall I thought the acting was inept in every way. The actors weren't actors, I think they picked each role for a singer first, then an actor. I loved the music, and think that being a Julie Andrews snob, I enjoyed the music as much as the movie soundtrack. The acting was so bad that I turned the television picture off and just left the cable on and listened to the whole thing after the first hour or so.

Overall I think that NBC learned a great lesson. First, a televised stage production will work on live television. And, most important, there is an audience out there who wants to see more!

I liked it, will get the soundtrack, but probably won't rent or get close to buying it on DVD.

[carolinakid]

It appears to be a ratings success which is what I was most concerned about. I have the CD which I've been listening to in the car and I pre-ordered the DVD. I will always consider the movie version as definitive but this was a worthy and noble effort at something different.

[Disney's Divinity]

It was good for the most part. Carrie Underwood was the weak link as expected, as an actor, but at least she sounded good.

I think my main issue with TSoM is that it would be much better if it ended with the wedding rather than jumping into the Nazi/Germany storyline. Such a bizarre ending.

[Atlantica]

It's funny isn't it, some things are so emblazoned on peoples minds that it hard to see / listen to a remake or alternate version. It was odd for me going to see the stage show, as my mind literally couldn't process someone else singing for Julie !

I do want to give this one a watch though, when / if it airs over here.

[Musical Master]

If you can put aside the akward acting from Underwood and Myer, this live musical made for TV was the most solid in many years and I LOVED the set design by Derek McLane and Rob Ashford's choreography is shockingly decent compared to his awful and over-the-top work on Broadway. I don't think it is as great as Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella from 1957 but this one comes pretty darn close.

[carolinakid]

NBC will rebroadcast TSOM on Saturday 12/14 at 8pm.

[tsom]

I loved this production. I've seen it over 5 times already because it's on NBC/Time Warner On Demand. Despite Carrie's acting, I thought it was well-done and I give it 3 out of 4 stars. The more I watched it, the more I don't think she was that terrible.

[carolinakid]

Just wanted to say for those who are interested that The Sound of Music Live (2013) is being rerun tonight (12/20) on NBC and the sing-a-long version of the film (1965) is being shown tomorrow night (12/21) on ABC. It's a veritable Sound of Musicpalooza weekend!

[tsom]

You best believe I watched both airings!