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

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 4:24pm

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"

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

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 5:18pm

I am glad to say that I saw it live. It was a wonderful evening, but not a perfect show. With some revisions I think it would be incredible. Having heard Mary Testa some 15+ years earlier on the cast album "In Trousers" I was still overwhelmed by her. God she's good.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 5:22pm

<----

She appreciates your praise!

[butnooneisme]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 5:23pm

I love this show. I am a salior *shout out to anyone from BYC* and always think of my awesome times at camp when i hear sailing. It's such a great song. My personal favorite though is "Heart and Music". I just adore it. but now i have the strange urge for some calamari...

[BroadwayNick]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 6:41pm

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?

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:10pm

Yeah, I can.

But it is so theatrical, in a way.

I love Mr. Bungee
Yes indeedy
Here's your ziti!

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 7:34pm

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.

[CJWesselman]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:07pm

Anyone know where you can see some photos of the original production?

[Pgenre]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:21pm

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

[thez914]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:23pm

I can't resist the chance to show some love for A NEW BRAIN. By far the most listened to recording in my collection. The music is infectious and the lyrics are clever, witty, and poignant.

Gordon and his mother (Mimi?) are some of the best characters ever created. Their emotional depth, vitality, and perseverance throughout result in some of the most cherished moments in the show. The relationships are also some of the best I can think of (Gordon and his mother, Gordon and Roger, Roger and the homeless lady), expressed beautifully through song, providing sufficient development, and really affecting an audience by their committement to each other.

"The Music Still Plays On" is the only song I've ever heard that's brought me to tears...and it's the same every time I listen to it! What a great achievement.

Ok...now I have to break out the recording again. Thanks guys...

[Jon]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 9:44pm

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.

[way_to_spend_the_day]

Posted: 2/6/06 at 10:37pm

I was recently introduced to this show and it has become a favorite already! Norm Lewis is probably my favorite on the cast recording, although he wasn't in the actual performance, correct?? I know that Emerson College in Boston performed this show recently. Unfortunately, I couldn't go to see it, but I think that this show could get a lot more stage life for the college theatre venue.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 6:44am

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.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 8:57am

Lewis replaced Invarr, who had to leave the production due to "vocal problems".

I saw Invarr, who's problem was an inability to sing on pitch.

[timote316]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 9:56am

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

[GetsFan]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 10:15am

I love this show. Saw it 1998. Own the CD. Malcolm Gets was amazing as was Mary Testa. And whoever said Christopher Innovar couldn't sing on pitch was absolutely correct. I love "And They're Off" but "Heart and Music" is one of my favorite songs ever.

[kidmanboy]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 10:58am

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.

[Jon]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 11:19am

The show takes place in NYC. Gordon 's (the lead character) boyfriend Roger is a sailing enthusiast. When Gordon goes for his MRI. the nurse tells him to relax, think of something calming. He thinks about sailing with Roger, which doesn't calm him at all. The song "Sitting Becalmed in the Lea of Cuttyhunk" shows what he's thinking of during the MRI.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 2:04pm

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!

[bially082]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 2:53pm

is this one on video at the library? or is that only shows that have played on broadway?

[sharonkurland]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 7:29pm

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.

[BSoBW3]

Posted: 2/7/06 at 7:43pm

lee, not lea.

Sorry.

[Feathah]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 9:51pm

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?

[keatonbynumbers]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 9:52pm

I always thought it wasn't calm, but it would be calm! Get it? Becalmed? Okay.

[Josh Freilich]

Posted: 3/6/06 at 9:53pm

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.