| 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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