Peter Pan Live! Makes a Starlight Connection

NBC announced last week the addition of two new faces to its cast of Peter Pan Live!

Broadway’s Taylor Louderman will join the production as Wendy Darling. Louderman previously played a lead role on Broadway in Bring It On: The Musical, and she also starred as Ariel Moore in Starlight Theatre’s 2013 production of Footloose.

Meanwhile, actress Alanna Saunders will take on the role of Tiger Lily, the Native American who rules her “islanders” on Neverland before being captured by Captain Hook. Her stage credits include roles in Gypsy and A Chorus Line. An NBC press release notes that Saunders is descended from members of the Cherokee Nation.

NBC also released a first look at the production’s take on Peter Pan and Captain Hook. An image tweeted by executive producer, Neil Meron, revealed an almost unrecognizable Christopher Walken as Captain Hook and Allison Williams (HBO’s Girls) armed with a dagger as Peter Pan. Walken’s elaborately dressed Hook towers over Williams’ Pan, providing a taste of what’s to come then they tackle the live production.

The cast of Peter Pan Live! also includes five-time Tony Award® nominee Kelli O’Hara (The Bridges of Madison County) as Mrs. Darling and Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher) as Mr. Darling and Smee. The NBC live musical will be executive-produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who previously worked on Smash and The Sound of Music Live!

Peter Pan Live! is NBC’s second live musical and follows the success of 2013’s The Sound of Music Live! that starred country star Carrie Underwood as Maria von Trapp.

NBC will air Peter Pan Live! at 7 p.m. on Dec. 4.