Big River Cast Recording

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 4:52pm

Does anyone have the cast recording of Big River from 1986 or whatever date it was? Is it worth getting. I'm disappointed that the newest production didn't make some kind of CD, but is the older one any good?

I've never seen the show, but I've enjoyed the numbers I've heard or scene, and I was thinking about buying the CD. Any opinions?

[emonkeygirl]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 5:04pm

i oddly adore this show & saw it twice the year it originally opened. i will randomly start singing songs from it all the time. for some reason i always start singing the jim parts...
but it's definately worth having in your collection.
i really loved deaf west's production of it out in la, but don't know how the new recording sounds.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 5:06pm

It's an excellent recording and quite addictive. When I first got it, I listened to it constantly and later, performed in the chorus of a local production. One of the most fun experiences I ever had on stage.

[MusicalComedyMan]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 5:06pm

Its a great CD... you can probably find it on half.com.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 5:10pm

Cool. Maybe I'll pick it up one of these days.

[emonkeygirl]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 5:13pm

it's worth it. plus when i was working at the horrible broadway memorabilia store, my friend jesse & i would rechoreograph the whole thing & do pirouettes in the store window. just 'cause.
& how can you not like "she's got one big breast in the middle of her chest & an eye in the middle of her nose."
ha!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 5:31pm

Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go is one of my all-time favorite musical theatre songs. Pretty much every song on there is a gem. Now I'm going to have to break out my CD.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 6:12pm

I have the OBC recording and I really enjoy the music. Even though it's an uneven show.

Updated On: 4/1/04 at 06:12 PM

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 4/1/04 at 7:00pm

I really don't know much about Big River. But it looks like I will find out. The tour is coming to the Acadmey of Music.
Michael McElroy treated us to a song from the show at the Kimmel Center as a sample of what's coming to Philly.

He sang beautifully as well as "signed" (sign lang.) the song. What a dynamic performer. I've heard he will do the tour. Based on all this, I am getting interested in Big River.

Updated On: 4/1/04 at 07:00 PM

Posted: 4/1/04 at 7:59pm

yes the original broadway cast is a great recording with Daniel Jenkins who recenlty sang for Huck on Broadway as Huck on the cd as well!

Huck is a personal favorite role of mine, very dear to my heart. The score, the text, the mood, the show is unbelievably incredible. Playing him 8 shows a week would be an honor.

[AugustBurns2]

Posted: 4/2/04 at 1:22pm

Buy it today!

The cast is brilliant - Daniel Jenkins as Huckleberry Finn and Ron Richardson as Jim. The cast also featured John Goodman as Pap Finn, Bob Gunton as The King, Rene Auberjonois as The Duke.

The score is astounding! From Do Ya Wanna Go to Heaven to Gov'ment, to the Reprise of Waitin' for the Light to Shine, it makes you want tap your feet and sing along.

[son_of_a_gunn_25]

Posted: 4/2/04 at 1:28pm

I am popping it in right now. It is a very fun cast recording. I wanted to go see it this past fall when a local theatre did a production of it, but I missed it. I'm sure it was very good. The director of the Les Mis I teched this summer was in it and he is one of the best stage actors in Indy.

[WillParker]

Posted: 4/2/04 at 2:47pm

definitely purchase it. some of the songs get on my nerves the tiniest bit, but the score is terrific, and in my opinion, it's worth purchasing for Patti Cohenour's vocals alone...and Dan Jenkins doens't suck either :)

[Benzy92]

Posted: 4/2/04 at 4:04pm

you MUST buy this if you love musical theatre. it has some of the most amazing songs-- leavings not the only way to go, you outta be here with me, waitin for the light to shine.. just to name a few!

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 9:18pm

AHHHH! I bought the CD and fell in love. This is a GREAT friggen' score. I'm so happy that I went out and bought it. I assumed it was some old crappy show, but the recording is great and the singers are top notch.

The reprise of 'Waitin for the Light to Shine' is so...inspiring! I'd love to see it staged with all those people singing beneath each other, etc. It definitely charges you up. I also love 'A World Apart' (I think that's the name).

I was so inspired, that I stopped at a store in NYC (while going to see John Tartaglia's Ars Nova Show) and picked up the sheet music for the show as well. I can't wait to start singing it.

I need to play Huck somewhere, somehow. I just need to increase my range a tad and I'll be there. Thanks for all the good comments that helped me to decide to buy this great recording! Hooray for Big River!!

[Auggie27]

Posted: 4/6/04 at 9:38pm

While we're highlighting its treasures: How about Patti Cohenour's beautiful, haunting "Then You Oughta' Be Here With Me." An exquisite, deceptively simple song of mourning, too rarely performed. I think some enterprising country artist ought to do it on an album.

The revival last summer was lovely, and may be too easily forgotten at Tony time.

Posted: 4/6/04 at 11:47pm

I had heard that they were thinking of recording BIG RIVERS revival for pbs. I guess it never happened.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/13/04 at 8:43pm

Sorry, I had to bring this topic back because I've been listening to this CD non-stop in the car, and singing some of the songs with my voice instructor. There are so many meaningful songs in this show that have lovely melodies and harmonies. It makes me feel so good to listen to some of them! I really realyl wanna' see this show now.

[leomaxfrank]

Posted: 4/14/04 at 2:04am

I also really wish they would make a recording of the new cast. I hope Michael wins for Best Featured Actor..he was truly brilliant! I can't wait to see it again once the tour goes up. The revival deserves some kind of memorabilia!

Ya know what I think is strange?
I pretty much despise modern country music,
but I LOVE musicals with a Country/Bluegrass edge!

Violet/Floyd Collins/Big River...

Posted: 4/14/04 at 12:34pm

i have had the unbelievable priveledge to play huck finn with a community theatre in both and 2001 and 2003 at ages 23 and 25. The most challenging role for a young actor. with 13 songs, countless monolgues, and only leaving the stage during "How Blessed We Are" and "Hand For the Hog" it was heaven.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 4/14/04 at 4:19pm

Huck is my new dream role, along with Seymour in LSOH. Two different characters, but still fun.