Those who saw 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 9/4/16 at 9:07pm

...the honor of your presence is requested. I listened to the soundboard recording of the original production on a flight home today and I had the same reaction I usually do, which is that it's really, really good (the audience seems to agree) and that I wish there were more photos and documentation of the original production. Is there anyone here who saw it? If so, what can you recall? What was the set like? Were there any notable theatrical conceits (e.g., the minstrel show)? What was Patricia Routledge doing during Duet For One? Was it really so resoundingly hated to deserve to be shuttered after four days?

 

My ears think it's wonderful, and that the "Cantata" version does a dreary disservice to some of the liveliest and most all-American musical theater songs ever. Maybe the production was at fault.