RE: I was inclined to constantly wondering what they might’ve changed from the original to ascend to some narrative being preached by the handlers at NBC.
Well let’s see...
1) They sang MY FAVORITE things at the Abbey...
2) The song I HAVE CONFIDENCE was never sang.
3) They sang THE LONELY GOATHERD in Maria’s bedroom instead !! (What happened to the great puppet show?)
4) Since this was a live stage production ( made in the Gruman Studios in Long Island ), DO RE MI was sang in the Captain’s House instead of outdoors.
5) Although I love Audra McDonald ( A wonderful Broadway performer ), I just cannot help but wonder... would Austria in the 1930’s really have a BLACK Mother Abbes?
In terms of having Audra McDonald, a very talented singer and performer, in the show. Then I guess we should not have a Canadian playing Captian Von Trapp and a Brit playing an Austrian nun turned governess.
Since this has been mentioned several times now, let me just say...
When it comes to musical theater, there already comes a certain expectation of "willful suspension of disbelief," if only that people do not break out into song and dance in the middle of a serious conversation in real life.
Given that we already agree to suspend belief at the theater door, what's wrong with looking past the race of the actor for the character, too, and just enjoy the talented performance?
Why suspend the belief of choreographed interactions, but not anything else?
-PJ
Plays and opera use “blind casting” which often puts blacks in the part of a white character. This is probably why the mother abyss was cast with a very talented black singer.