Search - Sherman Edwards, Ken Howard, Betty Buckley :: 1776 (1969 Original Broadway Cast)

One of the best soundtrack CD's available - a must have.

03/01/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"1776 takes what many might consider a dull topic - the events leading to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence - and makes it riveting by exploring the interactions of the men behind it. Each one trying to do his best, and each with his own agenda, often at conflict with everyone else. The music represents a fine mixture of comedy (Lee's of Old Virginia), pathos (Mama Look Sharp) and bone stirring patriotism (Is Anybody There?). William Daniels leads a superb cast with his portrayal of the stubborn and frustrated John Adams. There is one minor detraction, and that is the absence of Howard Da Silva's wonderful interpretation of Ben Franklin. On the CD the part is played by understudy Rex Everhart. Everhart's Franklin is believable and well played, to be sure, but he lacks the sparkle that Da Silva gives Franklin - that twinkle in the eye of a man dealing with serious issues while trying not to succumb to self-importance. If you saw the movie with Da Silva, you will recognize the difference, but still enjoy Everhart's performance. Buy this CD - you will enjoy it thoroughly."

Before Sondheim's COMPANY and after MAN OF LA MANCHA...

Patrick Mccray | Knoxville, TN United States | 04/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For me, 1776 is a great companion to MAN OF LA MANCHA as one of the most entertaining AND intellectually worthy amalgams of music, lyrics, book, theme, plot, characterizations and dialogue to ever come out of pre-1970's Broadway musical theatre. Each song is like a little gem, and displays the broad range of emotions and ideas with which 1776 brims. Satiric, romantic, hilarious, heartbreaking, disturbing, dark, inspiring, thoughtful, humane, and even a little bawdy, the songs glide and tromp all over the map, as does the show itself. As with LA MANCHA, 1776 broke open the Broadway musical, making it a pitch-perfect example of what can truly make a musical more than a toe-tapping time killer... while never becoming tedious, pompous, windy, or dull. If anything, it crackles with suspense.



And as to the reviewer who was shocked that it would win out over HAIR? Listen to "Mamma Look Sharp" or "Molasses to Rum to Slaves" to hear exactly the play's political and often-unflattering ideological landscape. This was definitely a Vietnam-era play whose content was as disturbingly pertinent, then, as it is, now. And, despite all of this, the score and play never become leaden or preachy. On the contrary, each performance is a gem, and each character is witty and unique. Who knew that history could be a passionate and fun adventure?"

Good, but the singing was better in the movie

Patrick Mccray | 11/17/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I almost wholly disagree with Amazon's review of this CD. In the Broadway version, William Daniels (John Adams) is more frantic, almost screaming at moments. By the time he made the movie, his portrayal of Adams was vastly better-- more passionate, more directed, less hollering. Regrettably, it's hard (impossible?) to find the soundtrack version on CD."