1776 Cut Songs

[jagfkb]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:26am

I remember reading tha when the original production of 1776 was playing out of town, they had cut over 10 songs from the show, leaving them with only 13 songs. For my school project, we are supposed to find a play and re work it. I always thought a re work of 1776 so that the show became as good as the music in it, however it's almost impossible to rearrange the songs without more songs, since some songs in that show could never be reprised (The Egg, Cool, Cool, Considerratte men, Is anybody there?) So I was wondering, does anybody know of any songs that were cut from the show? If so, could you give me the lyrics.

[jasonf]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 7:50am

I've heard the composer's demo for 1776 - I don't recall there being any different songs - just slightly different versions of what we know - and a disco version of Is Anybody There.

Besides that, you're barking up the wrong tree here. 1776 is one of the very few nearly perfect shows we have. The music absolutely fits the show, and the book is considered by many (critics and those here on the board) to be the finest there is. I think you answered your own future protests of this post by saying "it's almost impossible to rearrange the songs without more songs, since some songs in that show could never be reprised." If that's not a hallmark of a great show, I don't know what is! If you want to tinker with a show, there are MANY MANY choices that would be more suitable than 1776!

[best12bars]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:08am

1776 is one of the best written musicals ever. Good luck.


"...and a disco version of Is Anybody There"

jasonf---Dear God, I may shoot myself.

[madbrian]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:25am

'Reworking' 1776 would be treason!

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:57am

Yeah, I agree. 1776 is extremely well-written,

Do everyone a favour and re-write Gypsy. Cut Goldstone and make Little Lamb a fantasy Ballet. THAT I would watch.

Posted: 10/25/07 at 10:30am

Reworking 1776 is a lost cause for a variety of reasons- you hit on a couple. But it also is based on a true event- some things were changed and rearranged for the show but it's not like you can change too much- everyone knows how it has to end.

But put me in the camp that it doesn't need it. Try to fix Merrily we Roll Along.

[Alphadog2]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:13am

I think most on this thread have hit the main points, but another big problem with your premise is your statement that you wanted to rework 1776 "so that the show became as good as the music in it." If there is one common critical rap on 1776, it's that the songs are weaker than the book scenes, so, if you insist on "fixing" 1776 (and as others have said, there are many musicals in dire need of fixing but this isn't one of them), you should probably take on the challenge of making the music as good as the show around it.

[singingbackup]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:11pm

HIGH TREASON! Leave it be.

[husk_charmer]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 12:31pm

I've got the demo somewhere, and there aren't any cut songs, or even different lyrics.

As others have said, this show does not need fixing. At all. If you want to fix something, take a look at:
Carrie
Chess
Mary Poppins (At least, IMO.)
Merrily We Roll Along
Seussical

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 5:00pm

Go on ebay and see if Paul Ydstie (Broadway!!!) has a copy of the pre-opening program. He always lists the changes and cut songs in his descriptions. (The guy is a goldmine of great info).

[musicow]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:03pm

I have a copy of the original rehearsal script, and the differences from the New York opening night version are tremendous.
This script was given to me by a leading player of the original cast. I assume I will be donating it to the Lincoln Center collection; however, collector's have offered me a great deal of money for it. So while I decide, it stays in my library.

A big number for Franklin called: M'sieu' Ben! Ben! Ben! (Scene 4)

An extended verse for Jefferson in scene 5 before BUT MR. ADAMS

Jefferson's DRINKING SONG in scene 6

Franklin and Doxy do a big number called DOOZY DOOZY LAMB in scene 9 - an INN in New Brunswick

The SOLDIER'S SONG: Manuel of Arms (sung by the Colonel), the drummer boy and fifer interjections,the "choregoraphed bedlam" sequence in scene 10
This is the famous MILITARY TRAINING GROUND scene that showed the American soldiers uinreadiness for war.

McKean's DOOM, DOOM GLOOMY DOOM after MOLASSES TO RUM

John's TIME IS RUNNING OUT in scene 12 an extended song that bleeds into IS ANYBODY THERE.

The book itself is VERY DIFFERENT! AN amazing transformation from the over-written bore that premiered in Washington before New York. Quite a bit of work was done!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:21pm

Huh,

Saw the original. Th music may have it's lame momnts and the lyrics often sound like they were written by a college professor (hey, wait a minute, they were) but what an amazing night in the theatre. People don't realize how friggin' commanding it was live. William Daniels was riveting. And Ken Howard when he was hot AND talented. And the 46st Street Theatre (The Richard Rodgers)is so intimate for a big house, I felt like I was in the hall with the company.

But that many changs? Wow, that's a great deal of work on the road.

And who thought of calling a number "Doozy, Doozy Lamb?"

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:28pm

"Doom, Doom, Gloomy Doom"?

[ggersten]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 6:57pm

Don't know where I read the anecdote, but someone watching the show, as the tension mounts, supposedly leaned over to their seatmate and said "I don't see how they're ever going to get that Declaration passed" which is the ultimate compliment to the show, that you can watch it and even though you know the Declaration gets passed, you don't see how it's going to happen until it does. It's pure magic.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 7:25pm

Why don't you rework Lestat as a musical version of Interview with the Vampire.

[jagfkb]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 9:09pm

Would it be possible to PM those lyrics to me? The first Franklin song you mentioned, the extended verse, the drinking song, doom doom, gloomy doom, as well as Time is Running Out. The soldier stuff as well as the doozy lamb song aren't of value to me, but those other songs sound very interesting.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 10/25/07 at 11:44pm

"Time Is Running Out" is in the script that's available nowadays for purchase. It's just a lot of people going "Talk and talk and talk." I'd love to see that rehearsal script though!