The most brilliant moment of 1776...

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 10:28am

...(and there are many of them) has to be Molasses to Rum. It's such a pivotal moment in the show, and brilliant in that Rutledge exposes the hypocrisy of many of the delegates. Each time I've seen the number performed onstage, it's made the audience visibly uncomfortable, which is exactly the point.

I never saw the original production because I wasn't alive, but Cullum performed it brilliantly in the film. Greg Edelman did a magnificent job in the revival, but my favorite performance of the song has to be James Barbour in the Papermill production, who knocked it out of the park, both vocally and dramatically.

I wish I could find a video of Cullum's performance in the film to post, but there doesn't seem to be one on youtube.

Anyone else love this number?

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 11:09am

I second the choice.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 11:13am

Agreed. Barbour was stunning. It was like being punched in the gut. Cullum is a close second.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 11:19am

When I saw the show as a child in 1971 (the first national tour), it was without a doubt the moment I remembered the most. It scared the crap about of me, and it was so powerful.

When I was an adult, I had the opportunity to audition for the show, and I specifically went after that role (not Adams or Jefferson, etc.). I wanted to be Rutledge and see if I could "go there" with an audience. See if I had what it took to strike that balance of "excess within control."

I got the part, and it remains one of the most satisfying experiences I"ve ever had as an actor.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 11:45am

It made me extremely uncomfortable the first time I saw the show. I wasn't familiar with the show at all so I didn't know it was coming, and it felt like it went on and on forever. It was brilliant but agonizing. I remember looking around the theatre attempting to gauge other people's reaction.

[tazber]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:05pm

I agree!

It's my least favorite song out of context (i.e. just listening to the obcr) but it is by far and away my favorite scene in the play.

[PattiLover]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:06pm

I love 1776. I walk past Independence Hall every week and can't help but think about a cantankerous John Adams running down those stairs from the bell tower.

I have a friend who hates the show/movie because of its historical inaccuracies though. But it is an engaging story and it makes you crave learning more about our Founding Fathers. At least, that's how it's always felt to me.

I'll probably be down in the Historic district a little later today. Surely the Tea Party AND Occupy Philadelphia will be down in front of Independence Hall today, causing their own drama.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:08pm

On a related topic, how is the movie of 1776? I see it's on TCM later today and I've never seen it or the show. Worth a watch for a first time 1776er?

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:09pm

Great show, and a great play with or without it's fine score. I love Molasses to Rum but I am also crazy about the final tableau and all of the Abigail/John scenes. Politically, what really gets to me, and unfortunately never goes out of fashion and more unfortunately was cut from the original release of the film, is Cool, Cool Considerate Men, as vitally true today as it was in 1776.

[PattiLover]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:11pm

The movie is fantastic. It's nearly word-for-word the original book. Very little is cut. It's pretty much the original cast too, except for the addition of John Cullum who is amazing in anything.

Watch it and have a blast.

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:24pm

Well, I'm convinced! And excited to see it!

[Owen22]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:29pm

I too am getting my 1776 on today at 5pm on TCM. Can't wait!!

[Jon]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 12:39pm

Blythe Danner is no Betty Buckley vocally, but in a movie, you don't have to belt it out to the balcony. Danner had the looks for the part.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 1:05pm

I know that one of the major complaints about the show is the 35 minute gap between songs in act 2, but I think if the cast is strong and plays it right, you don't even notice.

I can see how it could be dreadful, however, if it's played too slowly.

Speaking of the last revival, does anyone know what ever became of Paul Michael Valley, who made his Broadway debut as Jefferson? According to ibdb, it was his one and only credit. I thought he was quite good and am surprised he never returned to Broadway.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 1:48pm

"1776" used to be performed without an intermission, but if there is one in place, the gap you speak about is still early in Act 1. It's right after "The Lees of Old Virginia" and before "But, Mr. Adams."

There's no music during that long continental congress scene, and it can really make or break a production with the pacing of it. It's very difficult to hold an audience's interest while watching a musical ... with no songs for over half an hour!

[adamgreer]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 1:56pm

Oops! That's the gap I meant. I don't know why I was thinking it was I act 2.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 3:48pm

I agree with henrik that it's hard to beat that final tableau. I don't know if that painting is so ubiquitous that kids today recognize it, but it was universally known during the original production.

What was NOT known (unlike another musical about 10 years later) was that the cast would form the tableau. It was rather a thrill when it suddenly came together before you.

John Cullum had taken over the role of Routledge by the time I saw the original production. He was spellbinding. Yes, I was uncomforble, but I was also strangely relieved since I had never been able to make out the lyrics on the album.

[madbrian]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 3:55pm

Molasses To Rim is clearly a highlight, but I refuse to choose any one scene as most brilliant from this show. I think it belongs in any conversation about the best American musicals. Thank goodness those performances were preserved on film.

[Smaxie]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 3:57pm

I'm partial to the "full bosomed" reprise of "Lees of Old Virginia," myself.

[Owen22]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 6:59pm

Virginia Vestoff.

[MikeInTheDistrict]

Posted: 7/4/12 at 10:11pm

At the beginning of this evening's broadcast on TCM, Robert Osborne mentioned that there are 35 minutes worth of extra footage in this director's cut. Does anyone know where I could find out what was cut from the previously-released versions? Obviously, "Cool, Considerate Men" is one that hasn't been on previous DVD issues.

[f13overture]

Posted: 7/5/12 at 12:22am

I've never seen the play, but have seen the movie.
I have to agree with Owen22: Virginia Vestoff was brilliant.

BTW, has anyone here ever read David McCullough's John Adams biography? Having read the book before I saw the movie, I enjoyed the extra emotional it brought to the movie for me.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 7/5/12 at 12:36am

On top of "Molasses to Rum", I also love the usage of "Is Anybody There?"

The words should just speak to every audience. "Is anybody there? Does anybody care?"

[givesmevoice]

Posted: 7/5/12 at 12:39am

I third Virginia Vestoff. She was so warm and lovely and perfect.

Other than her, the whole show is brilliant.

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/5/12 at 7:13am

At the beginning of this evening's broadcast on TCM, Robert Osborne mentioned that there are 35 minutes worth of extra footage in this director's cut. Does anyone know where I could find out what was cut from the previously-released versions? Obviously, "Cool, Considerate Men" is one that hasn't been on previous DVD issues.

First of all, there has been only one DVD release, and that's the "director's cut" with the footage restored.

The VHS release was the theatrical release (before the 35 minutes were added in), and the Pioneer Laser Disc has even more missing footage than this director's cut. It restores everything from the stage show, including the remaining bits of dialogue and the second verse of "Piddle, Twiddle" for John Adams.

The theatrical release (VHS) was shorter by 35 minutes. The missing footage was mostly dialogue scenes. Musically, the number Cool, Considerate Men, the reprise of The Lees of Old Virginia, the intro/verse to He Plays the Violin, and sections of Yours, Yours, Yours. Also the opening visuals with the illustrations (very much like Oliver!). All had not been seen prior to the Pioneer laser disc.

When the DVD (director's cut) came out, I was disappointed they didn't just add the remaining footage in and make it complete (like the laser disc). As of now, there's not much more than five minutes still missing, most notably the second verse of Piddle, Twiddle.

Updated On: 7/5/12 at 07:13 AM