It has been tradition for a woman to play Peter on stage since, well forever. Suggestions? We got plenty!
NBC recently announced plans to follow the successful live broadcast of The Sound of Music with a live adaptation of the musical Peter Pan.
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This won't be the first time NBC has televised the famous story based on J. M. Barrie's mischievous character, Peter Pan. Following the original stage production in 1904 – and countless following that one – there have been a number of successful film and television versions.
"In the hopes that lightning strikes twice, we think we've landed on another great Broadway musical — which ironically also starred Mary Martin — that is a timeless classic for all audiences, young and old, who just never want to grow up," said Robert Greenblatt, NBC Entertainment chairman. No casting decisions have been announced, though it is rumored that NBC is looking for a male lead.
In nearly all stage productions of Peter Pan, the title character is played by a woman. Originally it was logistics that lead to a female playing the title character – English law prohibited children from being on stage in the evening. It has also been argued that an element incorporated into pantomime in the 1850s was the practice of cross-gendered roles. Soon, casting a woman as Peter became a well-honored tradition.
