Shenandoah at the Ford's Theatre

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 10:12am

Did anyone else see the first public performance last night? This production is directed by Jeff Calhoun, who did the production of Big River last year. The cast included some "names" in the theatre world- Scott Bakula, Megan Lewis, Andrew Samonsky, and Noah Racey among others.

It was very well done. As a very plot-driven show, I was quite impressed by the acting and the singing, even down to the two young boys who played Robert and Gabriel. Standdouts for me included Megan Lewis as Jenny and Scott Bakula as Charlie. I had only heard a few songs from the show prior to seeing this, so I was happy to see the diversity of styles presented.

Sets were simple, but made very effective use of the space. The fact that the show was staged in this particular theatre added a little something, I think.

The original producer/director/writer (one of them) of the original broadway production was in attendance also.

If you are in the DC area, I would recommend this show. Tickets were only $25 last night, but I am not sure if that is the case for the entire run.

[JoizeyActor]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 10:14am

I sang Meditation II for my last audition. Beautiful song. I'd love to see this show sometime.

Posted: 3/18/06 at 1:45pm

who is playing the woman who sings "Freedom?"

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 4:04pm

Anne, who sings "Freedom", is played by Garrett Long.

Updated On: 3/29/06 at 04:04 PM

[Thesbijean]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 4:06pm

Love FREEDOM, such a fun song

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 4:07pm

Yeah, it was one of my favorite numbers of the show.

Posted: 3/18/06 at 4:24pm

sorry..i knew Anne sang Freedom..but who played Anne?

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/18/06 at 4:46pm

Garrett Long played Anne.

Posted: 3/18/06 at 8:23pm

What an underrated show-- Isn't the time ripe for the revival of this brilliant anti-war musical?

Posted: 3/18/06 at 8:28pm

i'm with joe..it was the first broadway show i went to starring John Collum! it was amazing!!! i will never forget it.
hey..you guys should check out Garrett Long's website...there is video on there of her from other shows. she is really good!!

[Glebb]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 12:33am

I saw the original Broadway production too.
God that was long ago!

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 1:36am

"The dream has turned to ashes, the wheat has turned to straw, and someone asks the question, what was the dyin' for. The livin' can't remember, the dead no longer care. But next time it won't happen, upon my soul I swear."

You haven't lived till you've heard John Cullum rip through that song in full voice. That man was an amazing singer, all the way back to Camelot in '60. The Broadway show had stupidly simple sets, like a child's cutout. They didn't work for me - but only when I see pictures of them. When I was in the theatre, there wasn't one minute when I looked at the sets. Every song, but a guy names Gary Geld, I believe, was amazing. Freedom is infectious. (He also wrote Purlie).

Did you know the songs the soldiers sing at the ebginning are authentic songs from the period (does it mention it in the program).

And yes, now would be ideal to re-do this show. Look at the mess we'ge gotten into. It's amazing how history repeats iteslf when we are led by people too dumb to learn the lessons of the past.

Sometime, just for the fun of it, you should watch the original movie with Jimmy Stewart. What's interesting, no amazing, is how the captured every element and detail of the story and put it onstage - civil war battles, train wrecks, without any special effects.

ANd there's another show with a fantastic lullabye (like Rex). Great subjects tonight.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 1:42am

Anti-war song? Why, "Freedom" is the theme for Operation Iraqi Freedom and OIF2: Operation Swarmer.

Freedom is the notion
Sweepin the nation
Wah wah wha wha wha

It's on the march.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 1:50am

Fredom has been adopted by the Bush army? Pardon me while I vomit.

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 3/19/06 at 9:31am

I wish I could have seen the original production, but that happened a few years before I was born. I am going to try to get the OBCR though.

Freedom was actually the song that got the most response out of the audience.

[allofmylife]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 1:47am

It's hard to say which song got the best response. I remember quite a few long ovations, especially as I said before, for the lullabye which was just Cullum's pure voice. One of the great advantages was the theatre itself. I love the Alvin (now called the Neil Simon). The shortened house is wide, not deep, so it's very intimate and that really made you feel part of the show.

Hurry up with that damn time machine, there are shows I wanna see again...

[sidneybruhl]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 9:27am

One of the first shows I ever saw as a kid was a summer stock production of "Shenandoah." This was probably around 1978 at a a summer stock theatre in New Hampshire that used to be on the "straw hat" circuit (I forget the name of the playhouse). Interestingly enough, Scott Bakula was in this production--he played one of Charlie's sons.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:01am

Shenandoah was the first Broadway show that I ever saw. I still enjoy the score. I think the song "Over the Hill" is a hidden comic gem. I never see anyone perform it.

In the original Broadway cast was Craig Lucas, later author of Reckless, Prelude to a Kiss, and Light in the Piazza.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 10:14am

"What an underrated show-- Isn't the time ripe for the revival of this brilliant anti-war musical?"

There was a run at the Virginia in 1989 w/ John Cullum reprising his role. I dont think it did very well, but it may have been a limited run..not sure.

It is a great show...with a wonderful book.

[grizzabella]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 11:50am

This is such a great show. I agree, Joe, it's time for a revival. The point has been raised that there was a revival in 1989 that didn't do particularly well, but the political climage then was entirely different. I think the time is right now.

[batchels]

Posted: 3/20/06 at 12:40pm

I saw the Sunday night performance at Ford's and was very impressed. I would efinitely recommend this show, the $25 preview only price is a deal! The strongest auidance reaction Sunday was for "Why Am I Me?" and "Next to Lovin (I Like Fightin". I spotted Jeff Calhoun taking notes in the back of the theatre following the performance, but thought the show was in excellent shape being only the second preview. There were especially strong performances from Noah Racey as Sam and Kevin Clay as Robert. I am wondering if this is the musical running in DC that should be heading to Broadway instead of "Hot Feet"?

[DeeDee2]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 9:29am

Scott has played most of the supporting roles in the show. I don't remember the exact productions or years, but at other times, he's played James or Jacob (maybe both), Sam, and the sniper.

I too saw the preview shows this weekend. Awesome. I recommend it. BTW, ticket prices are now $25-$52.

This country needs Shenandoah back on Broadway. It was the right time in the 1970's. It's the right time now.

[Enjolras77]

Posted: 3/24/06 at 1:01pm

I agree that this show should be revived on Broadway soon. I think that the timing would be right for this show to succeed. I think Shenandoah has one of the most underrated scores in Broadway history. The score includes powerful heartwrenching numbers like the two Meditations, "I've Heard it All Before", and "The Only Home I Know", comic numbers like "Over the Hill" and "Next to Lovin', and gentler numbers like "Papa's Gonna Make it Alright" and "Violets and Silverbells". If not a Broadway revival, then at least a concert version (as I mentioned in the thread referenced below).
http://www.broadwayworld.com/board/readmessage.cfm?boardname=bway&thread=878502

[HJ2]

Posted: 3/26/06 at 8:52pm

I saw the show during previews, as well, and was blown away by it. Although I was familiar with some of the numbers, I'd never actually seen the whole show before. The cast was extremely strong; Scott Bakula, who I knew started out in musical theatre, floored me by just how good he was. Strong voice/strong performance.

If you can catch it in DC, I'd say definitely go for it. Personally, I'm hoping it has legs......

[DeeDee2]

Posted: 4/2/06 at 4:10pm

Scott's reviews have been fantastic! It would be especially nice to see him back on Broadway in this show. He has a real love for the piece.