How calm is the lee of Cuttyhunk? (A New Brain)

Who else is completely addicted to A NEW BRAIN?

I love the surprising use of comedy for the story.

Not to mention the powerful (literally) performance by La Testa.

Was anyone fortunate to see this live?
Anyone in it?

And - John Jellison - is great!

Favorite songs:

"Eating Myself Up Alive"
"Heart and Music"
"Change"
"Sailing"

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Updated On: 2/6/06 at 04:24 PM

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She appreciates your praise!

I also JUST got addicted to this show, and I can't listen to it enough! Can anyone else besides me see this as a movie?

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I also love it. wish more community/regional theaters would do it. but i guess it has a very big and diverse cast. i love the cd.

I LOVE this show as well... I feel it is Finn's most consistent score (with FALSETTOS a close second). The original production was very well done (ESPECIALLY the way they did the MRI), with very innovative choreography and direction by Graciela Danielle.

It requires a cast of about 10 to 15... depending on doubling roles or not (the waitress/nancy the nurse). I think part of the reason it is not done regionally is that it is a very New York show in a lot of respects, and the whole gay relationship may be a problem for those in the hinterlands. Frankly, many audiences in middle America simply do not enjoy the notion of two men singing a love song to eachother while having sex in the shower. There's also the issue of language (there's a shouted "F*CK" within the first minute of the show, as well as many other moments of profanity). PLUS, it's a one act musical (use the search function to find my views on how the show could be done as a 2 act piece) which is not the preferred form for many amateur theatre companies due to concessions being very profitable. Despite all of this, it SHOULD be done more often! What a score!

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre

I saw the original production. A bunch of people walked out when the MRI machine was wheeled onstage. Maybe people are too squeamish for a show about brain surgery.

By the way, the "Sitting Becalmed In the Lea of Cutthunk" sequence was brilliantly staged. The MRI machine had a tiny video camera built into it, pointing at Gordon's face. During the song, you were able to see his face projected onto a screen on the back wall, as he sang, squirmed, tried to deal with an itchy nose, etc. Meanwhile, the ensemble gathered around the MRI unit and atrtached a little sail, turning it into a sailboat.

Norm Lewis is probably my favorite on the cast recording, although he wasn't in the actual performance, correct??

That is correct. Christopher Innvar originated the role of Roger on stage.

Cuttyhunk? Does 'A New Brain' take place on Cuttyhunk?

I have to say, based on things I've read about the original production and things I've seen from it, I think the production was at fault for many of the flaws people saw in the show. Being involved in an amateur production of the show, I think our production was able to even the tone and bring out the brilliance of Finn's writing. I'm personally not a fan of Graciela Daniele's work with other shows either, so my theory seems to make sense.

I adore this show, was blessed to see it with all the originals and then again in Los Angeles at a benefit reading. Kevin Early's "I'd Rather Be Sailing" brought down the house, and 'Nita Whitaker as the Homeless Woman was a knockout. Malcolm reprised his leading role, so that was a rare gift, to see him again.

"A Really Lousy Day In The Universe" is so heartwrenching.

The whole score is wonderful.

I heart A New Brain!

I saw Orlando Theatre Project's rendition of "A New Brain" in mid-2004. EXCELLENT show and it was my first introduction to Will Finn's talents. "Heart & Music" is my favorite.

Ooh I Love A New Brain! I sadly didn't see the production here in NYC but have been addicted to the cast recording for a few years now. I have nop lcue how it was staged so these posts are really interesting! More details please!

Is there a lot of dialogue in the show?

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Every member of my family is ATTRACTED to this show.
There's nothing else that can heal them from troubles than this show.
We LOVE it.

I REALLY want to play Gordon Schwinn.

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