A New Brain

[spiderdj82]

A New Brain#0

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:14pm

I just bought this cd and WOW!!!!!! I love it so much. It is Sondheim-ish with it's complexity but it is Webber-ish in it's memorable melodies. I mean, I bought MARCH OF THE FALSETTOS a while back and while I liked it, it isn't one of those "listen to it all the time" recordings. But, A NEW BRAIN is fantastic and the subject matter is heartbreaking (since you know it actually happened to Willian Finn). If you do not have this recording.....GET IT NOW. For those Wicked fans, it has Kristen Chenowith in it. But, everyone in the cast is amazing. I have listened to it many many times since I bought it yesterday. Anyone else love it?

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

[MagicToDo82]

re: A New Brain#1

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:19pm

I adore "A New Brain" especially "And they're off" and "Don't give in." What a fantastic show!:)

There's always room for pathos - and jazz hands.

[honeyhoney]

re: A New Brain#2

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:19pm

I saw the original production and LOVED IT! Yes it was thrilling and I knew Kristen would be a huge star one day. However, the audience did not get it, at all! I was the only one in tears after the show. Updated On: 11/14/04 at 08:19 PM

[Mattio98]

re: A New Brain#3

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:22pm

A word to the wise: Get onto iTunes and buy Liz Callaway's rendition of Sailing and Norm Lewis singing Anytime from Infinite Joy, which is the recording of a concert of Bill Finn music. You won't regret it.

[spiderdj82]

re: A New Brain#4

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:24pm

Infinite is going be my next musical recording purchase after the POTO movie soundtrack. I have heard clips of that and it sounds amazing. I wonder why you do not hear anything about William Finn? He is amazing.

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

[Mattio98]

re: A New Brain#5

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:35pm

His new musical, Spelling Bee is coming to Broadway this spring I believe. I've heard very good things about the workshop so I'm really looking forward to it. Updated On: 11/14/04 at 08:35 PM

[Blonde]

re: A New Brain#6

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:42pm

I bought it off of amazon and am so glad that i did. Heart and Music always puts me in a good mood :)

shalom kitty

[BWIDB Charlie]

re: A New Brain#7

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:46pm

I love this show, and think that the majority of the songs are amazing. However, the song "Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk" still seems random to me.

The show is great though, I would have loved to have seen the original cast.

Charlie
[e-mail]

[spiderdj82]

re: A New Brain#8

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:49pm

"Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk" is random, but it is a neat song. I love it.

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

[BWIDB Charlie]

re: A New Brain#9

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:53pm

Oh, I like it too - I just find it random in the score! Though, in its abstract nature, it fits that point of the plot perfectly.

Norm's "Sailing" is priceless.

Charlie
[e-mail]

[spiderdj82]

re: A New Brain#10

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:56pm

I am listening to the recording right now and "A Really Lousy Day in the Universe" is on and it is GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!

"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2

[GovernorSlaton]

re: A New Brain#11

Posted: 11/14/04 at 8:59pm

I love A New Brain. Quirky, fun, and beautiful.

"I feel so much spring..."

[kidmanboy]

re: A New Brain#12

Posted: 11/14/04 at 9:18pm

My school, Tufts University, is doing a New Brain next month (December 2, 3, and 4th). Those in the Boston area should see it! Go to http://ase.tufts.edu/tornticketii for more info.

[Mattio98]

re: A New Brain#13

Posted: 11/14/04 at 9:56pm

Where can I hear Norm doing Sailing???

[BWIDB Charlie]

re: A New Brain#14

Posted: 11/14/04 at 10:10pm

Norm sings "Sailing" on the A New Brain cast recording...

Charlie
[e-mail]

[VeuveClicquot]

re: A New Brain#15

Posted: 11/14/04 at 11:47pm

Ooh, I loved A NEW BRAIN. Mary Testa and Liz Larsen singing a William Finn score? That was a terrific evening in the theatre.

Norm Lewis wasn't playing that role when I saw the show, I think it was Christopher Invar. Whoever it was, he had really horrible vocal problems that night, and massacred "Sailing." (Which was the only down spot on an otherwise terrific experience). I don't remember if Invar was fired and replaced with Lewis during the run, or if Lewis just stepped in for the cast album. I do remember it being one of the worst things I've ever heard sung on a stage, he couldn't find the key, and kept reaching for notes that were invariably the wrong ones.

Spider, that "Cuttyhunk" number may seem random on the cast album, but it was staged beautifully, with Malcolm Gets lying in an MRI tube with a video screen of his face on top of it. It's hard to explain, but it totally worked. Updated On: 11/14/04 at 11:47 PM

[BJC899]

re: A New Brain#16

Posted: 11/15/04 at 7:25am

I love Mr. Bungee yes indeedy here's ur ziti!

my all time favorite line ever.
i admit, I love A new brain. I heard one of the songs on BWW Radio and i bought the CD a week or two latter.

[dano]

re: A New Brain#17

Posted: 11/15/04 at 9:47am

Love this show. Finally had a chance to see it about 4 months ago. If you don't have the CD, get it.

"Singing is the lowest form of communication" - Homer

[Jon]

re: A New Brain#18

Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:11am

Invarr was fired, his understudy did it for a week or two while Norm Lewis learned the role. He actually did the cast album on like two day's notice, and then had to learn the blocking and memorize the score before doing it on stage.

For those who didn't see the show, an explanation of "Sitting Becalmed in the Lea of Cunnyhunk" will help you understand this somewhat "random" number:

An MRI machine is rolled out onto the stage, and Gordon gets inside. Theree was a tiny video camera inside it so as he sang, a close-up image of his face was projected onto a screen above the actors. The camera had sort of a "fish-eye" effect, so there were these very funny, distorted images of him as he sang. During the song, the ensemble gathered around the MRI machine, and stuck a mast with a sail into the top of it, turning it into a sailboat.

[Mister Matt]

re: A New Brain#19

Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:14am

Isn't Spelling Bee opening Off-Braodway?

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

[scotty]

re: A New Brain#20

Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:23am

What a terrific production. This show has been captured beautifully on the recording. Cant wait for more FINN.

[BwayTheatre11]

re: A New Brain#21

Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:25am

I was planning on this being my next purchase...I am glad to hear it is really good.

CCM '10!

[scotty]

re: A New Brain#22

Posted: 11/15/04 at 10:26am

buy it, and let us know what you think. Updated On: 11/15/04 at 10:26 AM

[BwayTheatre11]

re: A New Brain#23

Posted: 1/9/05 at 2:28pm

I absoulutely love this show! The score is WONDERFUL!

CCM '10!

[musicalgal3]

re: A New Brain#24

Posted: 1/9/05 at 3:07pm

hey i hav th cd of a new brain and altho i havnt listened 2 it much yet, im slowly fallin in luv with it. fav songs r heart and music, sailin, and th bad trait will always predominate (duno what its actually called!) Would any1 b so kind as2 provide me with a brief outline of th plot? I think i get th jist but sometimes its confusin (like whats with 'weneva i dream, i dream pornographically explict etc')Also whats this about it being based on what happened 2 william finn??? I also luv keith byron kirks voice, such a lush rich tone, has he been in anything else i cud listen 2?