Customer Reviews

Peter Pan: Original Broadway Cast Recording (1954 New York Cast)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As I played 1st trumpet in the Broadway production of PETER PAN as well as for this original cast recording, I hope the show is appreciated for the melodies and the story line. During the run of the show on Broadway, I was always amazed how the children would cheer and support Tinker Bell especially when Mary (Peter) would ask the children if they believe in Tinker Bell. They would shout yes and applaud. The show captured their imagination and of course Mary Martin and Cyril Richard were unbeatable as Peter Pan and Captain Hook. Enjoy the show and long live the energy and enthusiasm of PETER PAN.

Of all versions of Peter Pan that have been performed since the play was written, this is by far the best one. The tale of the boy who wouldn't grow up has appeared in various forms on Broadway since at least 1907 or 1908. This musical version is the one people are most familiar with, as it played for a short run on Broadway and was then broadcast on television (with Martin and Richards) on 3 separate occasions and lives in videotape form. Sadly, many of the children of today are familiar only with Disney's cartoon version (Grrr...), as has happened with so many other tales and stories. The original 1954 recording is the true gem of the Peter Pan legend. This musical Peter Pan has also enjoyed several revivals (one in the late 70s, one in 1991, and one in 1997, the former featuring Sandy Duncan and the latter 2 starring Cathy Rigby) and was restaged on television in 2000 (with Rigby). The most recent television production prior to that was in 1960 (with Martin).

That said, this Original B'way Cast Recording is definately the album of choice. It features the original stars of the 1954 musical version (including the personal favorite, Mary Martin) and sound quality is excellent. Sound is in mono, but one would never know that listening to this album. Too bad they didn't make the recording 4 or 5 years later when stereo recordings appeared.

First of all I would like to clear up a popular misconception about the original Broadway production of PETER PAN as several people here have noted that it only ran 152 performances and therefore conclude it was a flop. Not so!

The original Broadway engagement of PETER PAN was only scheduled to play 4 months. It was sold to NBC BEFORE it even opened on Broadway, so the scheduled run was strictly limited to 19 weeks. The first (live) telecast happened barely two weeks after the final Broadway performance. (The telecast, by the way, was not done from the Winter Garden theatre but rather from a TV studio.) Because of the money advanced by NBC, PETER PAN was also a financial hit. It was a Hit in every sense of the word!

As for the recording, this was one of the best in the early years of RCA Victor who were not having the same luck with their show albums as Columbia was achieving. From the opening bars of the overture right through the finale the album gives you delightful potted version of the show with welcome bits of dialogue here and there. Even without the advantage of stereo imaging you can hear Peter and the children fly across the room.

It's no wonder the role of Peter Pan was to be Mary Martin's favorite. She is obviously having the time of her life and for once her recorded performance captures for the ears alone what she must have been like on stage: It's not always the case with her cast albums. Cyril Ritchard is the most perfect of Captain Hooks relishing the wordplay in his his Tango and Tarantella numbers. Also enjoyable is Margalo Gilmore playing one of those loving mother roles that made up most of her career.

The CD remaster is good though not quite the best. The old tapes reveal some technical limitation of the day (The original recording was made in November 1954.) There's not a lot of high end here and the bass is a bit muddy. Happily the performances provide the needed sparkle.

Just to hear Mary Martin sing "Never-Never Land" is well worth the purchase of this cd. She was a truly magical performer. The songs are wonderful and the supporting cast is great. 5 Stars! In glorious monaurel sound!

Like a message in a bottle, this excellent recording speaks to us across the decades, and transcends changes in popular tastes. If the manipulative kitchiness of the Disney cartoon (errr, "animated feature film") and Spielberg's Hook left you flat, just listen to Mary Martin, Cyril Ritchard and the rest of the excellent cast transport you to a world that really was innocent enough to believe that a kid could fly.

Just recently my high school did the production of Peter Pan and I had the pleasure of being the student-producer. I fell in love with the play as we worked on it and recived this CD as a gift from the head producer. We were very lucky to cast an extremely talented Junior as Peter Pan. When I first listened to this CD I thought that she was singing and not Mary Martin. Anyway I just wanted to say that I really enjoy listening to this CD and every time I do it reminds me of all the fun and magic that goes with Neverland.

When I think of "Peter Pan," Mary Martin is always the Peter I remember. And when I hear the soundtrack, with Mary and Cyril Ritchard, I am drawn back to my childhood in East Liverpool, Ohio. My cousin Bill Smith owned, or managed "Smith & Phillips," which was the premier furniture store in our town. They also sold musical instruments. Charlotte and Bill lived across the street from us, in a house that is still painted blue, with their children, Carolyn (b.1950), Joanne (b. 1952), and Martha (b. 1954). When NBC announced that it was going to broadcast "Peter Pan" in COLOR, my cousin Bill was inspired. He sent invitations to all the children on the street to see the production IN COLOR at his house. Even though Charlotte and Bill had the first Amana Radarange on our street (but that's another story) they didn't own--nor could they afford--a color TV. But Smith & Phillips sold them.

Bill brought a color TV home from the store and set it up with his TV antenna to receive NBC's broadcast of "Peter Pan." All the children from Elson Street came, and brought their chairs to watch. Carolyn and Joey, Sherri and Gary Woods, Sherri Miller, Beth and Valerie Wolfe, Georgie Turkel and I all converged on the Smith home to watch "Peter Pan" in color.

We will never see that production again: the 1960 re-creation of it is the earliest recording that's available. But I can tell you that on that night in 1954 (or was it -5?), each of us, tears streaming down our faces, clapped our hands until they hurt, because we believed in fairies.

Television, like movies and like the theatre, had the power to move us then. No medium may ever have that power again. Ask me about "Winky Dink and You."

I've loved this movie and seen it over 100 times, and each time I've adored it even more. I love the fact that a women (Mary Martin) plays peter. My school did Peter Pan, and I got the part of Peter because I showed this film to my drama teacher. (she didn't think girls could play peter) So all I want to say is Thanks Mary Martin for your inspiration

Mary Martin was a Broadway star when performers had real talent. No electronic wizards helping! Peter Pan is classic Martin and let's not forget the wonderful Cyril Richard as Captain Hook. This original cast recording has been remastered so we can now enjoy these talented actors in this classic show. This show was performed on tv in the 1950's and was available on VHS. Worth a look.

If you ever watched and loved the Mary Martin version of Peter Pan as I did when it used to come on TV you will love this CD. It is just like watching the show once again. The music is wonderful and kids today will love to sing along.