Big River Revival?
Big River Revival?
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#1Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:50pm
I didn't know there was a revival in 2004! Was it a flop? How was it?
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
#2re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:52pm
Oh I didn't know either.
I strongly dislike that show.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#2re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:54pm
Wow, where have you guys been?
It was spectacular.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 1/2/07 at 09:54 PM
Yankeefan007
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
NathanLaneStalker
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/11/06
#4re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:57pm
Oh, it did look fantastic!
"I'm tellin' you, the only times I really feel the presence of God are when I'm having sex and during a great Broadway musical." - Nathan Lane - Jeffrey
Updated On: 1/2/07 at 09:57 PM
#5re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:58pmBAHHHHHLEETED
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
#6re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 9:58pmIt was a co-production with Deaf West Theatre and the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum and it was spectacular, as LizzieCurry stated. IMHO it was better than the original.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
#7re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:06pmYup had no idea.
"It's a great feeling of power to be naked in front of people. We're happy to watch actual incredible graphic violence and gore, but as soon as somebody's naked it seems like the public goes a bit bananas about the whole thing."
#8re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:08pm
It was really a wonderful and unique production. When it came to Philly, there were 2-3 front rows of hearing impared theater patrons, who loved it. The signing actors were making them laugh by intentionally making siging mistakes that only they could understand. It was fun watching them enjoy the show as well.
Besides, anytime you can sit back with Michael McElroy for 2 hours is a goooood time!
Deaf West's Big River Review- BWW Philly
www.pbentertainmentinc.com
BWW regional writer "Philadelphia/South Jersey"
Updated On: 1/2/07 at 10:08 PM
#9re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:14pmI started taking ASL after I saw Big River, and I thought some of the translations were really nice -- the sign for "friendship" in "Worlds Apart" is actually the sign for "best-friend," not "friend," (it's a different word) and they changed "I gotta need" in "Muddy Water" to "I gotta dream."
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
WalkOn
Broadway Star Joined: 8/7/06
#10re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:21pmI saw it L.A. before it transfered. It was a real pleasure. You the actors "signing" never got in the way. I'll always remember it with fondness.
Walk on, walk on, with hope in your heart; and you'll never walk alone.
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#11re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:33pm
It was an absolutely brilliant production and should have won Best Revival and Tyronne Giordano should have at least been nominated for Best Actor.
It had one of the most heart stopping moments I have ever experienced when the Cast was singing and signing I AM WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO SHINE, at one point they just stopped and the Theatre was dead Silent as the actors continued signing.
For the first second the mixture of being deaf and watching a musical became one and when they started singing again the audience just gasped. Amazing.
It also was Michael Arden's first Braodway show, he played Tom Sawyer and was hysterical.
#12re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 10:50pmI loved that production! I did not (and still don't) like the original production of Big River, but I went to see the show because I am fluent in ASL and loved it. The cast was wonderful and it was really beautiful seeing everyone signing the songs.
#13re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:09pm
The revival got a Tony Honor Excellence Award, but they should have been allowed to perform at Tony Award too 
I love love love love this production, and ended up following the tour almost all over the country :P You can guess where I took my HN from too.
I interviewed many cast/crew members (they were so great) and posted on a fan site.
Big River Fan Site
OasisBroadway
Leading Actor Joined: 9/28/05
#14re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 11:02am
I have to agree with CurtainPullDowner. The silence that came so abruptly in the theater during that song while the actors continued to sign was one of the most stunning things I have ever witnessed in a theater.
It was also great to hear Gwen Stewart singing live again.
#15re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:23pm
Brilliant production. It definitely should have won Revival that year or at least get more nominations, particularly for Actor and Director.
~Steven
theatrespaz
Stand-by Joined: 3/5/05
#16re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:56pmI have to echo the sentiments of CurtainPullDowner when it comes to "Waiting for the Light to Shine". Absolutely breathtaking. I was fortunate to see it on tour 4 times when it stopped by the theatre I work at and was so happy that a good majority of the Broadway cast came along with it. I wish they had made a revival cast recording. Still one of the highlights of my theatre-going life.
#17re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:05pm
I don't think a cast recording would've done this justice, mainly because of the nature of the show.
PBS broadcast? Oh yes.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
theatrespaz
Stand-by Joined: 3/5/05
#18re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:12pmYou know, I completely see your point. A PBS broadcast would have been sublime.
#19re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:22pm
I saw the tour and absolutely loved it. It (finally) made me a fan of the show. I was afraid it would be gimmicky, but it seemed to work, somehow.
And Tyrone Giordano was fantastically cute.
purpleprince101
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#20re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:35pm
saw it...by why was it with some deaf people.....I mean i still liked it in all and i thought it was a fantastic production.
Updated On: 1/4/07 at 01:35 PM
#21re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:40pm
They weren't all deaf.
...aaaaaaand you pretty much missed the point anyway, so does anyone else want to take this?
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
Updated On: 1/4/07 at 01:40 PM
#22re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:42pmHead, meet desk.
Cheyenne Jackson tickled me. AFTER ordering SoMMS a drink but NOT tickling him, and hanging out with Girly in his dressing room (where he DIDN'T tickle her) but BEFORE we got married. To others. And then he tweeted Boobs. He also tweeted he's good friends with some chick on "The Voice" who just happens to be good friends with Tink's ex. And I'm still married. Oh, and this just in: "Pettiness, spite, malice ....Such ugly emotions... So sad." - After Eight, talking about MEEEEEEEE!!! I'm so honored! :-)
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#24re: Big River Revival?
Posted: 1/4/07 at 1:46pmTRUE-BIZ
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
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