Big River Question

[BroadwayBaby21]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 2:41pm

Hey, I just saw a local high school's production of Big River and fell in love with the show. (it helps that I'm in the middle of reading Huck Finn, but anyway...) I was wondering, was there a cast recording of Roundabout's broadway production of Big River? Because I read that Michael Arden was Tom Sawyer, and seing how I LOVE him and the show's music, I want to find that recording. (if there even was...) Thanks!

[uncageg]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 2:49pm

I think just the 1985 recording exists. I could be wrong though. But I can't seem to find a recording for the Roundabout's production.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 3:14pm

Roundabout didn't record, which was a smart move in my point of view. The original is all they have, but it's far superior to the arrangements and orchestrations of the revival. Plus, the revival cut some stuff.

[riv]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 4:00pm

I know there is also an Australian cast recording from the fairly recent past. I've never heard it so I don't know if it's better than the Broadway original or not.

The score is not exactly high on my list. Updated On: 3/12/05 at 04:00 PM

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 8:26pm

I wouldn't say that the original is far superior, they both sound lovely. But I think a cast recording of the revival defeats the purpose of the show's concept, where it's a bilingual production in both English and ASL. And since many of the actors are deaf and hard-of-hearing, it wouldn't be fair to those actors. So yeah, I think that's why they decided against another cast recording. Although Michael McElroy and Gwen Stewart were phenomenal and I would love to have their renditions of the songs on record. ~Steven

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 3/12/05 at 11:57pm

It just should've been taped for PBS. That's all there is to it...

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/13/05 at 1:05am

Well, yes, this is true.

~Steven

[lite2shine]

Posted: 3/14/05 at 2:24pm

They recorded the video of the Roundabout production, you have to go to Lincoln Center Library to view it
Light To Shine fan site for Big River

[Justice]

Posted: 3/14/05 at 3:24pm

It makes sense that they didn't record the revival, being that it was a Deaf West production, and some cast members didn't sing. Again, it was a show performed for deaf people (even though it was performed for the hearing, as well), so why would they record it? The deaf wouldn't be able to buy it.

Updated On: 3/14/05 at 03:24 PM