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| Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| musicals to enhance your enjoyment of our national holiday: HISTORICAL of course, 1776 tops here. Over the years, I've come to hear-see its sometimes misscanned and clonky lyrics and other simple imperfections (for a songwriter first time out on Bway) as slapdash hijinks both diluted in and integral to its brilliance. on the cast album, William Daniels comes thru with revolutionary immediacy as a trail blazing John Adams of crackle-cackle verve and engaging nerve (his inflection of 'magnificent' is as inimitable as Portia Nelson's 'a clown') as does Ken Howard's stalwart Jefferson, Virginia Vestoff's knowing and nurturing and consummate Abigail, and Betty Bucklye's Martha, warm as sexual combustibility and edgy as cut glass crystal about to shatter. "Cool Considerate Men" and "Molasses to Rum" are exceptionally stunning as they capture the alloyed impulses of the Continental Congress, and it's never too late (unfortunately) for "Mama Look Sharp" to gain traction as a singular anti-war anthem. (and hear Roger Livingston established as the frat boy of the colonies with the phrase "not me Johnny!") also ran (historical): Ben Franklin in Paris Robert Preston is a bourbon voiced inventor of the stove, maturing as the rueful begins to infuse the wit: hear "Diane Is." The score includes the rousing piss and vinegar of "Half the Battle," the paean to a salubrious good bender in "God Bless the Human Elbow," and the grounded in romance, lilting toward the skies "To Be Alone with You." BFIP will never come from behind, but it remains in the running as a viable alternative to the classic 1776. (by the way, I've read that John Adams didn't become truly 'obnoxious and disliked' until Franklin was made ambassador to France and so consigned himself to living in the shadow evermore) Set on 4th of July: The Music Man (of course). Preston again in a musical comedy debut marked by all the brash assurance that filled Paul Revere as he called out 'the British are coming.' It would be an audacious display if not for the impeccable talent overflowing both out for him and the writer of book and score Meredith Wilson. Harold Hill arrives in town on July 3 and Tommy Djilas's single firecracker heralds the one of a kind brassy pulse of 76 Trombones at a 4th of July town gathering. Even tho he's a scam artist, MM fills the heart with forthright melody, romance, and an urAmericana that's as heartfelt as a tribute by the VFA and as exhilarating as roman candles swirling skyward. You Got Trouble if "Till There was You" and "Goodnight My Someone" doesn't make you recall a past love or keep you in hopes for one waiting on the drawbridge also ran: Take Me Along-some truly lovely things here in Bob Merrill's musicalization of Ah!Wilderness! In 1900 middle America, you've got Jackie Gleason as alcoholic uncle Sid courting brother's long unmarried sister-in-law with "But Yours," this maiden aunt extemporizing the comforts of a home and marriage that's her own , and Robert Morse as juvenile waiting for his beloved Muriel "Tonight at 8." There's also a truly terrific title song: rousing and deft. It's a quiet show, but a solid 2nd tier from the edges of the Golden Age. As with the milder She Loves Me opening the same season as boldbuster, Hello Dolly!, perhaps TMA would be better know if not for the seminal place the exciting Music Man holds in the canon. Americana: of course there's the R&H American set Oklahoma and Carousel. OK probably the better choice for its exuberance and "you're doing fine" rather than "you'll never walk alone." Of course, South Pacific is a monumental achievement about about world changing WWII and you can't beat Honey Bun and Nothing Like a Dame for lusty American know how about the world and the war (the war between the sexes, too). Paint Your Wagon is Lerner's and Loewe's rustic addition to the lore of American expansion. And tho it's set long ago and far away if never was, there's the one brief shining moment Camelot, acknowledged inspiration for one American president towards liberty and equality and at least a passing thought for us all. also rans: as it captures sheer American gumption, The Unsinkable Molly Brown as its heroine remains pure of heart and manages to climb up the social ladder. there's many other you'd add I am sure for a good listen-watch tomorrow. (No Hamilton here tho, it doesn't need the attention) |
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| What is your Revolutionary Costume For Today? | |
| Posted by: keywslt 11:03 am EDT 07/04/17 | |
| In reply to: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| A red white and blue cape from the duvet is mine. | |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: OldTheaterGuy 10:14 am EDT 07/04/17 | |
| In reply to: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Some forgotten musicals: BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA: This Coney Island set musical starring Shirley Booth has a long sequence on the 4th including a musical tribute to King George (long before Hamilton). DEAREST ENEMY: This early hit for Rodgers and Hart (the lovely "Here in My Arms") is set in New York City during the Revolution and tells a kind of true story. You can find out why a section of Manhattan is known as Murray Hill. Happily a complete version of the score was recorded a few years ago and there is also a DVD of a 50s television production with Cornelia Otis Skinner and Cyril Richard. ARMS AND THE GIRL: Nanette Fabray wants to be a spy for the Revolution, Pearl Bailey is a runaway slave and George Gutery (yes, he did something besides An American in Paris) is a runaway Prussian soldier, who will settle for "A Frau and a Plow and a Cow". |
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| hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 07:57 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| My high school did it in 1976, for the Bicentennial because 1776 doesn't have enough roles for girls. And our director was a friend of Sidney Michaels, who saw our production. Still cool, after all these years! Love that show,,for all its flaws. Laura |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 09:03 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - showtunetrivia 07:57 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Ah, that's the second post-Broadway production of that show that I have heard about. Neat to have been in one of the few productions of the show. I doubt there have been many others. :) | |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: StageDoorJohnny 12:29 am EDT 07/04/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - AlanScott 09:03 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| there was an Encores style staged reading in LA in either 2010 or 2011 which was delightful. Susan Watson was in attendance as was the son of Mark Sandrich | |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: bearcat 08:54 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - showtunetrivia 07:57 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| wow-did you have a favorite song? | |
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| yes, but you won't know it! | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 09:37 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - bearcat 08:54 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| As I said, our school's drama director (a wonderful character actress named Juliet Rohde--her son Joe has been a lead Imagineer for Disney for years) knew Sidney Michaels. He gave us a chorus number called "Minute Minuet" which had been cut. So I got to dance (badly-I am such a klutz) in 18th century dress, with a replica of the Boston Tea Party on my elaborate wig. All us French ladies were showing our support for M. Franklin and his dashing American rebels. So despite the terrors of dancing with a toy ship on my head, that was my fave, along with "A Balloon is Ascending," because I was onstage the longest in them. :) And you guys all thought I was merely a nerdy historian from Los Angeles! Laura |
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| still looking for those lyrics | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 01:35 pm EDT 07/06/17 | |
| In reply to: yes, but you won't know it! - showtunetrivia 09:37 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Pawed through old box of high school antiquities, but can't find the right theatre stuff. Scary pictures of mid-seventies hair and dress, though. I did find a program for a short play we did called JULIET IN MANUTA, a kind of alternate history in which R&J survive,,and turn into a suburban couple with issues. Wow. Laura, time traveling |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 08:39 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - showtunetrivia 07:57 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Ha! My 6th grade class did 1776 for the Bicentennial, cross-gender casting and all. I auditioned with the hopes of playing Adams - I got to play the piano, lol. (Which, believe me, was absolutely thrilling!) Franklin and even Jefferson were girls - Lee was the girl who lived at the end of my block. We cut the show down, of course - no Molasses, no Cool Considerate Men...and some of the most sexual lines were cut or changed - but still we did it. And still, for all the wonderfully bad school theatre I have done lol, it's one such production I'm intensely proud of having been a part of. ;-) | |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: showtunetrivia 09:41 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - Chromolume 08:39 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| That's awesome! What great memories, Chromolume. And kudos to your daring teacher,,too! Laura |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: mermaniac 11:52 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - showtunetrivia 09:41 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Can I chime in here ? (Shades of "Kean" !) John Adams was always my dream role. I was cast in it in Bay Ridge in the early 80s, but the show was cancelled, because we couldn't get all those men ! BUT - in 1990 in a revue in Sheepshead Bay, I got to do "Is Anybody There ?" My Mom saw it and when I asked how she liked my John Adams, she said: "Well, dear, I can't forget William Daniels." Bonus: at band rehearsal, the gal who was doing "Rose's Turn" was out, so my friend the director said: "Get up there and do it !" When I finished, someone said: "You should be doing it in the show !" Yes, showtunetrivia, great memories ! | |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: bearcat 08:56 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - Chromolume 08:39 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| what year (if you want to say). what was the most salacious line inclined (did you sleep well, did you lie comfortably?) retained ("for the boozin' and the whorin'") just wondering |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:22 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - bearcat 08:56 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| I did say we did it for the Bicentennial, lol - that would be 1976. I'm pretty sure we kept the boozin'/whorin' line. Hopkins got to drink all his rum (until he was cut off, of course). "Virility/sexual combustibility" was there. Saltpeter remained, though of course it's not used as a sexual reference in the show. (We didn't do that "Compliments" reprise near the end of the show, probably because we didn't have that music - we only had the published vocal selections book for music.) I don't remember how many innuendos were kept in the Martha scene, but I'm sure some were cut. I do remember this, though. We did 2 performances - one during the school day for the students, and one at night for the parents/community/etc. We had been leaving out the "and may my wife refuse my bed" lyric in "The Lees Of Old Virginia" - but I remember my friend who played Lee - that girl who lived down the street - asked the director if she could put the lyric back in for the adult evening performance. The answer was no. ;-) Another fun story about the adult elements of the show, though - many years later (the fall of 2006, to be exact), I did a professional regional production of the show in Boston. We did a school day performance for, I assume, middle school and high school students. When Martha first entered and went into that very long kiss with Jefferson, we heard a young male voice from the audience saying "take a breath!" Ah, kids... |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: bearcat 09:28 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - Chromolume 09:22 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| was that at Boston Lyric Stage? I remember that as one fine production with Peter Carey a committed and deeply moving John Adams | |
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| re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS | |
| Posted by: Chromolume 09:30 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: hey, i was in BEN FRANKLIN IN PARIS - bearcat 09:28 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Yes it was, thank you - and yes HE was. (And he also played the role at Goodspeed, I think the year after that. I still hate that I didn't get to see that.) | |
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| How about Miss LIberty? | |
| Posted by: aleck 06:03 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| I've never seen it, but there are some great tunes in there and an inspiring song at the end. | |
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| re: Tintypes | |
| Last Edit: SidL 11:40 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| Posted by: SidL 11:31 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: How about Miss LIberty? - aleck 06:03 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| TINTYPES a musical revue about this country during the turn of the last century until WWI - it ran for a few months on Broadway 80/81 music included period songs by George M. Cohan,John Philip Sousa,Scott Joplin and Victor Herbert it was nominated for a Tony for BEST MUSICAL |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: keikekaze 04:43 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Richard Miller expects his girl at "Nine O'Clock"--"Tonight At 8" is a different show! | |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: bearcat 05:33 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - keikekaze 04:43 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| yes: for at nine o'clock you will see a site like the sky's first rainbow to appear at night |
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| 'Fireworks': 'I feel like the sky on the Fourth of July' ... from 'Do Re Mi' (1960) | |
| Last Edit: WaymanWong 03:39 am EDT 07/04/17 | |
| Posted by: WaymanWong 03:33 am EDT 07/04/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 05:33 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Here's Tony-nominated Nancy Dussault and John Reardon singing from Jule Styne, Betty Comden & Adolph Green's show ... Happy Independence Day, and may the Fourth be with you! |
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| Link | 'Fireworks' from 'Do Re Mi' with Nancy Dussault and John Reardon |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: AlexanderKat 04:42 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:17 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| I marched around the living room earlier listening to GEORGE M! | |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: bearcat 04:43 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - AlexanderKat 04:42 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| yes I "forgot" that one if you could, you should have used a pushcart |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Last Edit: AlanScott 05:24 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| Posted by: AlanScott 05:23 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:43 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| What about the "Independence Day Hora" from Milk and Honey? Oops, wrong country! Speaking of Cohan, there's Little Johnny Jones. Linking an NYPL page on the show, with links at the bottom to the script. When is Encores! going to do a Cohan? Probably would need all new orchestrations so might be a bit expensive. Still . . . And plays set completely or partly on the 4th include The 5th of July (first act takes place on the 4th, second act on the 5th), and John Guare's one act In Fireworks Lie Secret Codes. And does any of The Miss Firecracker Contest actually take place on the 4th? Not sure. And, obviously, Ah, Wilderness! And going back to musicals, you don't get much more focued on America than 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. |
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| Link | Little Johnny Jones |
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| re: The Will Rogers Follies | |
| Posted by: SidL 11:52 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - AlanScott 05:23 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| not sure if it qualifies as a "July 4th" musical but the "Favorite Son" number in THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES was done with a lot of Red,White & Blue splendor up in Boston, we were treated to a top-notch first national tour with Mac Davis as Mr. Rogers |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: bearcat 05:34 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - AlanScott 05:23 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| would like a real recording of the 1600 score not that 'cantata' permutation |
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| re: Independence Day Musicals | |
| Posted by: HadriansMall 05:48 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 05:34 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| Seconded | |
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| Although I can't recall if it's explicit in the musical... | |
| Posted by: HadriansMall 05:18 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
| In reply to: re: Independence Day Musicals - bearcat 04:43 pm EDT 07/03/17 | |
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| The scene musicalized as "The House We Live In" in Grey Gardens took place on Independence Day. | |
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