Who got to see the 1776 revival with Brent Spiner?

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 10:41pm

I just wanted to hear what you thought of it. I just finished a production of this show.

How was Brent as Adams?
How was Robert Westenberg as Dr. Lyman Hall?

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/12/06 at 11:19pm

I honestly wasn't a big fan of Spiner's performance. It's true that John Adams was an annoying guy, but he's not supposed to be annoying to the AUDIENCE. I found his voice (both singing and speaking) to be particularly irritating.

I did not get to see Robert Westenberg, as he was only in the production during the non-commercial run at the Roundabout. He left when it transferred to the Gershwin (which is where I saw it). I guess he was bored playing an ensemble part after spending most of his Broadway career as a principal.

[TLKfan]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:34am

hehe, Brent, what a hoot, but 1776? hm..

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:58am

Didn't he actually get stellar reviews? I'm not a fan of his voice in the role - it's far too smooth for my taste, but unfortunately I never had the opportunity to see him.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:58am

[double post] Updated On: 8/14/06 at 01:58 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 2:10am

I actually enjoy Brent's performance on the CD. I enjoy the revival recording more over the OBC anyway because it's a more complete recording of the score.

[TomMonster]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 3:31am

OK. I respect the above opinions... I didn't see it at the Gershwin, which probably killed the intimacy of the show, but I did see it at the Roundabout.

Spiner was terrific. The fun part was watching an audience of young Star Trek fans forgetting it was Data.

I love this show, because we ALL know the ending. Yes, the document gets signed. We sit at the edge of our seats. We know what happens. Great theatre.

We also realize that the signing sets up the Civil War. *SPOILER* Um, slavery was the main sticking point! They let it slide to get the South to sign!

Spiner was perfect as Adams: annoying and arrogant. It was so much fun to watch the Star Trek fans (myself, included) forget that he was Data and simply follow the story at hand.

As far as Westenberg is concerned, he also was terrific. He did not leave the show because he's used to being a lead on Broadway or being bored in the production (sorry--Baritone--I think you're terrific too!). The transfer was so sudden and unusual, he had other commitments.

Those who haven't seen the movie: it's great, most of the original Broadway cast. And, hey, Gwyneth Paltrow's MOM is in it!! (For those of you who don't know the brilliant Blythe Danner--ya' know Will's mom on Will & Grace...)

It's a strange "musical" in that it follows no "formula". No big opening, no big closing numbers. However, it tells a story we all know and keeps us on the edge and reminds us what edge we kept.

Peter Stone was a genius.

[scooter38432]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 7:43am

I was really looking forward to Brent's performance, but I ended up being disappointed in it. He just didn't "cut the mustard." At least he didn't during the performance I saw.

It was, overall, a very enjoyable show. Great production values. In hindsight, the only cast members who really stand out for me are Michael Cumpsty and Gregg Edelman (who brought down the house with "Molassess to Rum".

Definitely one of the best books ever written for a musical.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:38am

Who did Michael Cumpsty play? How was the Jefferson? and Richard Henry Lee?

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:39am

Double post

Updated On: 8/14/06 at 08:39 AM

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 8:41am

triple post

Updated On: 8/14/06 at 08:41 AM

[Jon]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 9:29am

Michael Cumpsty was Dickinson. I feel he deserved a supporting nomination even more than Edelman.

I saw the profuction after it transfered to the Gershwin with several replacements - Michael McCormick as Adams, Carolee Carmello as Abagail, David Huddleston as Franklin. It was an excellent production.

My only real complaint was that the first act was too long - it ended after "Mama Look Sharp". I know the original had no intermission, but if you are going to put one in, it should have come after the scene where Adams and Franklin leave to visit New Jersey. Then the second act would start with "Cool Cool Considerate Men".

[ohwillo]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:23am

Merwin Foard was awsome as Richard Henry Lee.

[The Distinctive Baritone]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:30am

I saw Joe Cassidy ("Dirty Rotten Scoundrels") as Rutledge (Gregg Edelmann was out). He was excellent.

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 11:15am

I love this musical, and I liked the production at the Roundabout. Only two disappointments: Foard's Lee and Ward's Martha Jefferson. I disliked both vocal performances, especially compared to the originals. I was blown away by Emond as Abigail, and Spiner, Cumpsty and Edelman were also terrific, imo.

[tgrabon]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 11:48am

It was boring. I have never fallen asleep at a live theatre performance til I saw 1776 at the Gershwin. Which is too large for this show.

[HOUFlip04]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 12:09pm

Who took over Dr. Lyman Hall at the Gershwin after Robert Westenberg left?

[Magdalene]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 12:15pm

"It was boring. I have never fallen asleep at a live theatre performance til I saw 1776 at the Gershwin. Which is too large for this show."

If you think the Gershwin is large, try some of the theaters that touring shows hit---2500+ is too large for many shows!

[Nydiva]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 1:16pm

See it? Sigh...I practically lived there during that time. My all time favorite musical and cast- and I speak from more years of theatregoing experience than a good number of people on this board have been alive.

I thought Spiner did a truly excellent job, but I must confess once Michael McCormick took over the role, that was when I was totally blown away.

For me, the only weak link was Pat Hingle as Franklin. I respect him as an actor and I've been told he's a lovely person, but I thought his Franklin lacked energy and finesse.

And for the people who asked, Brian Sutherland took over the role of Lyman and Cumpsty's role was Dickinson.

Nydiva
(sighing nostalgically)