A New Brain

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 5:58pm

Did anyone see this show? Was it any good? It's hard to tell by the CD. I like a few songs but I didn't think it was a major hit or anything. Did anyone see it and really like it or not like it??

[VaudevilleVixen]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 6:22pm

I never saw the original cast before, but my brother got the chance to. He actually liked it a lot, while his friend who went with him didn't. I think it got a lot of mixed reviews. Some of the songs are beautiful in the show though.

I saw Point Park College's production of it and I thought it was a great musical. The cast wasn't that great, but I'm sure the show at Lincoln Center with the original cast was.

[GretchaSketh]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 6:36pm

That is such a wonderful song...I feel so much spring!!!

[VaudevilleVixen]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 7:33pm

I know! It's one of my favorites

[dramafreak13]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 8:02pm

i love william finn, i never got a chance to see A New Brain, but they did do it at my college before i got there. Sailing is so gorgeous.

[Jon]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 9:20pm

I saw the original production and loved it. Some folks were turned off by the subject matter. When the MRI machine was wheeled onto the stage, a group of 6 senior citizens got up and left.

That number ("Sitting Becalmed In the Lea of Cuttyhunk") was brilliantly staged. Gordon got into the MRI machine and the nurse closed the lid. There was a tiny video camera inside it, which projected his face onto a screen above, so you could see his expressions during the song. The ensemble then aded a little sail to the MRI machine, turning it into a boat.

[jesseeinstein]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 9:25pm

I LOVE A NEW BRAIN!! One of the best shows ever!

[GovernorSlaton]

Posted: 6/9/04 at 10:06pm

I would love to buy the cd, but can anyone give me a quick summary? Thanks!

[Jon]

Posted: 6/10/04 at 12:33am

Quick summary:

Young, gay, Jewish composer is stricken with a brain ailment. It cpould be fatal. He undergoes surgery, and recovers fully. Happy ending!!!

If you are familiar with FALSETTOS, think of it this way: Marvin gets sick instead of Whizzer, and he doesn't die!

Of course, there's a lot more to the show - his relationship with his mother, his lover, his boss (a kiddie show host in a frog suit), a philosophical bag lady, etc.

Actually, the story is based on what really happened to composer William Finn. Shortly after winning two Tony Awards, he became ill and was basically told by the doctors that he was going to die. Obviously, the doctors were wrong.

[GretchaSketch]

Posted: 6/10/04 at 12:58am

I would have loved to actually have seen it with Malcome. I first heard about when they were on the Rosie ODonnell show. I always liked Malcome from Caroline in the City and then to find out he had an awesome voice was so cool!!

[magic8ball]

Posted: 6/10/04 at 1:02am

The score is absolutely excellent. I have yet to see the show staged. From what I've heard, the book is not as strong as the score, but I would still heartily recommend the cast recording.

[dano]

Posted: 6/10/04 at 10:26am

I'm seeing a community theatre presentation Sat. night in Hammond, IN. I've always loved the CD, looking forward to finally seeing it staged.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/10/04 at 10:36am

I watched a video of the original production at the Lincoln Center library and I played the Minister in Houston. I never got tired of performing that show. We got excellent reviews and William Finn called the theatre to congratulate us. Interesting little fact....Finn's childhood babysitter played Gordo's mother in our production. I would love to do the show again.