Musicals on Television: Twice-Told Tales

FREE for Paley Center Members
Included with general admission 

As part of the annual New York Musical Theatre Festival (NYMF), the Paley Center will screen different musical “takes” on Cinderella and Peter Pan. Two of these programs made television history; the other two are rarities that have not been seen since their broadcasts in the 1970s. The Paley Center has partnered with NYMF each season since the festival began in 2004.

Bill Rudman, host of Sirius XM Satellite Radio’s “On the Aisle,” will be on-hand to introduce the October 2 screenings.

Saturday, October 1, 2011

2:00 pm

Peter Pan (1960)

In 1954 Mary Martin created the definitive portrayal of Peter Pan in a Broadway production staged and choreographed by Jerome Robbins, with music and lyrics by Moose Charlap and Carolyn Leigh, and additional music and lyrics by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green. This 1960 telecast stars Martin and Cyril Ritchard, and features Margalo Gillmore and Sondra Lee. Directed for television by Vincent J. Donehue. (NBC; 100 minutes; color)

RARE BONUS FOOTAGE! At 3:40 p.m. (during the interval) excerpts will be shown from a 1988 Museum of Broadcasting seminar with Mary Martin, in which she reminisces about the 1960 telecast of Peter Pan.

4:00 pm

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Peter Pan (1976)

This television adaptation of the J.M. Barrie tale includes music and lyrics by Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse, and stars Mia Farrow and Danny Kaye. Directed by Dwight Hemion and choreographed by Michael Kidd, and featuring Virginia McKenna and Paula Kelly—with narration by John Gielgud. (NBC; 105 minutes; color)

Sunday, October 2, 2011
Both of these screenings will be introduced by Sirius XM Satellite Radio's Bill Rudman.

2:00 pm

Cinderella (1957)

The only collaboration for television by composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, this 1957 telecast is a bona fide classic. Starring Julie Andrews, with Edie Adams, Kaye Ballard, Alice Ghostley, Ilka Chase, Jon Cypher, Dorothy Stickney, and Howard Lindsay. Directed by Ralph Nelson and choreographed by Jonathan Lucas. (CBS; 90 minutes; black and white)

4:00 pm

Cindy (1978)

This original musical version of Cinderella—with songs by Stan Daniels—is set in Harlem in 1943. With Charlayne Woodard (in the title role), Clifton Davis (as “Joe Prince”), Mae Mercer, Nell Carter, Alaina Reed, and Cleavant Derricks. Directed by William A. Graham and choreographed by Donald McKayle. (ABC; 100 minutes; color)