"Shenendoah"

#1

"Shenendoah"

Posted: 6/7/05 at 12:11am

I listented to this again today for the first time in over a year, and I was reminded of how much I love the score. It would be great for a theatre group upstate that I work with - and I would love to see this show revived. What does everyone else think of this show?

Sorry about the random thread.

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"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#2

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 12:17am

I, too, like the score and original cast recording. John Cullum is wonderful on it!

#3

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:28am

I have loved this show since I saw the first preview on Broadway in 1974. Beautiful score, and the show is lovely. It is based on the movie of the same name that starred James Stewart. I think this is one of the few instances that a show based on a movie was better than the movie. Am I making sense? Love the show!

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BatonMan

#4

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:41am

ok...what a coincidence. I was JUST thinking about this show (and had not in *more* than a year...maybe 2) and how I wanted to re-find my recording. There was a "vintage" clip from this show on the Tony Breakfast for the Arts on A&E Sunday, right? I could be wrong, it's been a while. I was obsessed with this show when I first found it 10 years ago. In fact it was one of my first 5 musicals that got me so hooked on the genre :)

#5

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 6:15am

The composer & lyricist did this & Purlie & I believe the poorly received Angel & Comin' Uptown (saw both - really all of them) before they vanished from the scene . Having their last 2 shows trashed by the critics probably soured them on Broadway, Anothe promising team done in by what Hugh Jackman correctly dubbed "Twelve Angry Men". What a shame

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Poster Emeritus

#6

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 6:34am

The first show I saw when I actually moved to NYC, I liked it.
I used to have the LP but have no idea where it is now.
How long did it run? I didn't used to pay attention to things like that.

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" ...the happiness in the tune convinces me that I'm not afraid."

#7

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 7:57am

Wasn't a revival recently announced with Jeff Calhoun directing? For Washington, I believe.

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PEACE.

#8

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 8:58am

I took my boys to see this as their 1st Broadway Show Wonderful

#9

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:10am

Comin' Uptown... I haven't thought about that in years.

#10

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:13am

Shenandoah was the first Broadway musical I ever saw. Such a nice, simple show with great songs: Freedom, Over the Hill, We Make A Beautiful Pair, Violets & Silverbells, etc.

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If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#11

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:16am

Did this in High School, played Charlie Anderson...what a great part...loved the score...very pretty and fun to sing!
There was a revival in the early 90s w/ John Cullum reprising his role that didnt do well.
Love this show...Purlie as well...

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"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

#12

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 11:34am

I've only heard a few of the songs because my voice teacher was in the original broadway cast. hehe. he was the corporal(I think that was the part hahah...he sang "only home I know") I mean it did win the tony for best musical so it has to pretty good.

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"You won't fight without layers of armor Suit on up and come brace my sword You look back when the pieces are missing Hollowed out hope that no time can restore."

#13

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 2:45pm

Actually, Cathy, it only won Tonys for Book and Actor for Cullum. The Wiz dominated the musical categories in '75

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"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

#14

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 5:34pm

oh oops...hehe i knew it won a tony...i thought it was best musical.

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"You won't fight without layers of armor Suit on up and come brace my sword You look back when the pieces are missing Hollowed out hope that no time can restore."

#15

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 6:12pm

I saw all of their shows. Comin' Uptown with Gregory Hines was great. Too bad this was not recorded for Lincoln Center

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Poster Emeritus

#16

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 6:18pm

I really dislike the show.

John Davidson is currently doing a production of it in New Jersey, close to where my parents live. Here's the link:
http://www.surflight.org/

#17

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 9:21pm

I've beem thinking of this show a lot recently, too. It's been discussed briefly by me and others on other threads. I think the time is right for a revival, considering its subject matter and this country's post-911 culture. It's the sort of score I'd love to hear Daniel Davis sing. He's got the right sort of magestic voice for Charlie Anderson.

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"And the postman sighed as he scratched his head, you really rather thought she ought to be dead..."

#18

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/7/05 at 10:32pm

Ooh, I know someone who was in the original cast of Shenandoah, but I don't know the musical too well.

#19

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/8/05 at 11:15am

joshua--same with me.

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"You won't fight without layers of armor Suit on up and come brace my sword You look back when the pieces are missing Hollowed out hope that no time can restore."

#20

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/8/05 at 11:23am

AS much as I love this musical, a revival just 10 years after a flop revival is not what we need on broadway...if revivals are necessary, it would be best to see something less recently revived. I feel this way about Sweet Charity as well...just not time for a revival yet.

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"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."

"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS

#21

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/8/05 at 12:17pm

As much as I love this show, I think that a Broadway revival would not be able to sustain itself. It's a very quiet musical, not much dancing, not much spectacle.

It is the type of musical that Roundabout should do, but I don't like Roundabout shows so I don't recommend it.

I've always wondered how London is able to run musicals like this for so many years. For example, Blood Brothers has run for over a decade and it is the same type of quiet musical as Shenandoah.

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If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

#22

re: 'Shenendoah'

Posted: 6/8/05 at 12:49pm

When I was in the Gifted and Talented program at school, I wanted to do "Freedom" so badly with my friend...but we couldn't because we were girls. SO stupid. I was just thinking of this song today.