Customer Reviews

A New Brain (1998 Original Cast)

5 star:		(49)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a musical about one of the most unlpleasant topics imaginable: a young man's brush with death as he goes under the knife for removal of a brain tumor. But don't let that awkward yet accurate description dissuade you from picking up "A New Brain." William Finn, the musical genius behind the three "Marvin Musicals" (In Trousers, March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland) once again plunges head-first into devastating territory, and presents a moving story with great humor and amazing theatricality. The talents on this recording are top notch, but above them all, Finn reigns supreme with glorious melodies and smart lyrics. This is more than a musical about our mortality. It is a musical about lovers, mothers, good nurses, bad nurses, show-biz charlatans and, as the song says, "Time and Music." I dare you to listen to the soaring finale, "I Feel So Much Spring" and not feel better about your situation, your day or your life. Finn's lesson? Sometimes life sucks, but it's how we deal with the lot we're given that counts. Sooner or later, it does get better. Personally, "A New Brain" goes in the CD player when I need a pick-me-up. It works every time!

I think most of the people that would buy this album are already probably familiar with William Finn's work. And to be a fan of William Finn means you probably are already a discriminating musical theater lover. However, it is those people that don't know Finn well that need to buy this album. Moreover, they need to give it a chance. Finn may inherit Sondheim's place in musical theater as being one of the most delightfully frustrating composers/lyricists on the scene. You really want to hate the songs when you first hear them--they are so uncoventional that I've had friends describe them as "noise." But after repeated listenings, you discern the meaning behind the song and out of all the supposed noise soars some of the most beautiful melodies to be heard in today's musical theater. I put the song "Heart and Music" as my contribution to a staff CD we made at work. Everyone hated it at first, and by the end of a few weeks, even the biggest naysayers admitted it was their favorite song. I think that's what makes Finn's musicals a tough sell on the stage--audiences only get one chance to listen. Give this CD a chance. If you hate it after repeated listenings, fine. It's probably not for everyone's taste. But don't give up after just one shot.

Brain surgery? In a musical?

Call me old-fashioned, but when I first heard of the subject matter for this new mucial, I thought it was rather...well, strange. How could a composer handle writing effective music about brain surgery and then combine it with a story that...made sense. William Finn was able to handle it and then some in his masterpiece, "A New Brain".

The three-part introduction, which probably gets at least partially ignored by many, does a tremendous job of setting the tone for the musical. In the three or four minutes that are taken up my the introduction, there are about one-hundred different emotions expressed by various members of the cast. These emotions pop up again in reverse chronological order throughout the remainder of the musical. I thought it was fascinating how the first line and the last line of the musical, while they have the same musical structure and have all but three words in common ("Frogs have so much spring within them" to "I feel so much spring (within me)"), perfectly represent the journey taken by the main character throughout the course of the musical.

The first complete song is "Heart and Music" and that song alone is worth the $13.99 you pay for the entire CD. It begins as a duet between Gordon, the main character, and the minister, but gradually builds to an end filled with lush harmony provided by the entire cast. I could probably go on forever discussing each individual song, but that would take hours. And becasue each song seems to be better than the previous, I can't really mention any standouts.

When it comes to the cast, there are also no real standouts because each cast member is equally fabulous. Kristin Chenoweth, Chip Zien, Malcolm Gets, Mary Testa, Penny Fuller, Norm Lewis and the rest of the cast give performances of a lifetime. After Norm Lewis' sensitive rendition of the gorgeous "I'd Rather Be Sailing", I was nearly reduced to tears. Krsitin Chenoweth made me laugh with just her two verses in "Calamari". Mary Testa absolutely blew me away with "Change". And don't get me started on the show-stopping job done by Malcolm Gets on "And They're Off" and "I Feel So Much Spring"...

This album is a real gem. Buy it and give it a chance to grow on you. Although there's no denying this CD is for the open-minded and the people who have already experienced a wide range of musical theatre. If all you know is "Oklahoma" and "Guys & Dolls", you're probably not someone who can appreciate the the rich, effective blend between music and lyrics that is so truly rare these days or the skill it takes to take such a delicate, complicated story and weave it into that blend of music and lyrics. If however you are one of these people, I assure you that you'll fall in love with "A New Brain" as I did.

With the new musicals coming out today on Broadway (everything from "Footloose" to "Saturday Night Fever"), something as thought-provoking and intelligently written as "A New Brain" is a refreshing and welcomed surprise.

I had the very great honor of being cast as Richard, the Nice Nurse in my university's production of this show. Not only was I in love with this show's soundtrack, I was given the honor of singing my favorite song, "Eating Myself Up Alive". The show is beautiful and awe-inspiring, with a dash of Broadway star-power and wicked humor.

William Finn has crafted the surreal yet very realistic world surrounding him during a life-threatening brain condition. After miraculously surviving, he claims that he just couldn't stop writing.

Malcom Gets heads this show off as the main character, a sarcastic jerk named Gordon Schwinn. His performance is strong, and leaves nothing to be desired. In fact, the entire cast is sharp and create memorable, fun characters. Penny Fuller, Chip Zien, Michael Mandell and the lovely Kristen Chenoweth make this a musical filled with gorgeous songs that will have you humming for weeks on end. If you get an opportunity to see this show, don't pass it up. This is a sharp, fantastic musical. Don't miss "Sailing", "Gordo's Law of Genetics", "An Invitation to Sleep In My Arms", "Eating Myself Up Alive" or "Time and Music". Perhaps the only hang up in the album is the overrated theme of the show, "Heart and Music" which is a bit corny, and definitely feels a little hollow. Otherwise, you're in for a treat.

William Finn's semi-autobiographical, sung-through piece "A New Brain" is something of a challenge for listeners. At times it can be maddeningly unmelodic and non-conventional, yet at the same time it possesses some absolutely gorgeous songs and melodies. The premise of the show is certainly interesting and unique. How many other musicals deal with a man coping with a brain tumor, his gay boyfriend, overprotective mom, a thin nurse, a "nice" nurse, a crazy homeless woman and a frog named Mr. Bungee (see, unconventional)?

The off-beat humor is not for everyone, but if you "get" it the show can be laugh out loud funny. The aforementioned Mr. Bungee is a hoot and a half, and any composer who dares to rhyme "virginity" and "affinity" gets points in my book (there's a really good bit involving this rhyme and Mr. Bungee that I won't spoil). And if nothing else, numbers like "Schwinn's Law of Genetics" and "Eating Myself Up Alive" are fun diversions from the main plot.

However, the show also packs a few emotional punches, some of which sadly go underdeveloped. I personally felt Penny Fuller could have done more with the role of Gordon's mother. She nails the comedy, but doesn't go as far with the emotional turmoil as she could on the songs "Throw it Out" and "The Music Still Plays On." Although I can't see her point in the narrative, Mary Tetsa displays her excellent belt on the song "Change," sung by the homeless woman. And in the lead, Malcolm Gets shows he has what it takes to carry a musical.

"A New Brain" has flashes of brilliance, but like most experimental musicals doesn't quite click as a show. However, the positives outweigh the negatives and the CD is definitely worth a listen or two. The score will grow on you, and for the most part the performers do an excellent job (especially with the tricky harmonies and rhythmes). If your a musical theatre fan, buy it. If not, you might enjoy it as long as you're in the mood for something far from the norm.

I cannot recommend this musical enthusiastically enough.

Andre Bishop, in the CD's booklet, says "the score contains four or five of the most beautiful melodies EVER." I read this before listening and felt sure he was exaggerating. Upon listening, however, I realized he was not overstating his point at all. Several of the songs are as good as I have ever heard.

The story follows an aspiring broadway musical writer who is currently writing for a kids TV show about a frog - Mr. Bungee. He finds this premise less than inspiring and feels he is wasting his talent. He then gets sick and is worried that he may die before writing a great song. The story is touching, funny, witty, and ultimately very inspiring.

Malcolm Gets does a fantistic job in the lead. His voice is beautiful - I had no idea "Richard" from "Caroline in the City" could sing so well.

There are a few songs that I do not enjoy so much (a couple by his mother and a homeless lady). But, in general, the score and lyrics are so well done that most of the songs are "can't miss."

William Finn's creative genius is exemplified in the fourth track, "Heart and Music." Not only is the song wonderfully melodic and singable, but the lyrics hint at the story you are soon to hear in the rest of the musical. Ingenius!

I highly recommend this musical to everyone who loves this genre.

A New Brain is amazing. If you like only musicals of the Oklahoma! or Phantom of the Opera varities, this show may not be for you. But it literally saved my sanity.

I'm a Broadway nerd who had a year-long health crisis, and I bought this soundtrack because I'd heard it was set in the middle of someone else's crisis. It's brilliant. First, "And They're Off," has to be one of the best Broadway songs I've ever heard--it's this amazing combination of Menken (from Little Shop...) and lyrics that would make Sondheim proud...or even a little jealous. Maybe I'm crazy, but I think I can hear the beat of the MRI machine behind "Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk,"...that's so different and cool.

I can hear a little bit of formula in the show--"Heart and Music" reminds me of "Welcome to Falsettoland," "Brain Dead" is reminscent of "The Chess Game," from March. There are other similarities too--you'll hear strains of "Anytime" from Elegies near the end (which, I believe, was originally cut from this show). But this show is far from formulaic--"Gordo's Law of Genetics," "Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat" and "Yes," are laugh-out-loud funny. "Sailing" is a gorgeous ballad that I'd like to hear more men sing in auditions...and then there's "Eating Myself Up Alive," which is, simply put, amazing.

Finn fans will love it--Sondheim purists might, too. I know I do.

I really love this piece! My only complaint is Kristen Chenowyth is underutilized, but other than that, some really great songs. "Heart and Music," "I Feel So Much Spring Within Me," and "Gordon's Law of Genetics" (really fun) are all great. My favorite, however, is "And They're Off." Amazing!
I wake up with a song from this musical in my head almost every morning. I haven't listened to it since last weekend, but today (5 days later), I awoke with Kristen singing "I love Mr. Bungee" in my head. It makes waking up early a lot easier!
Thank you, William Finn, for another wonderful musical that makes being a theatre fan so worth it!! I hope I'm able to see a production of this piece one day...

While listening to this, you'll be a little (okay, a LOT) hesitant at first. BUT! It is great. Once you've heard Will Finn's music, you will be changed. Creative, darkly humerous, just corny enough to not scare you off. Think of music from a basic book musical mixed lyrics from something like Avanue Q. It's a great combination and a HIT!

A few years ago my drama teacher made a copy of A New Brain for me. I let the tape kick around for a few months, and then one day when my CD player broke I decided to pop it into the tape player. From the first few piano chords, I was hooked! I recognized some of my favourite actors on the recording- Chip Zien of Into the Woods fame and Kristin Chenoweth who was a sensation in You're A Good Man Charlie Brown-and the talent that was brought together for the show makes the recording absolutely electric! You've never heard, nor will ever hear again, a musical whose villain is a frog named Mr. Bunjee. "Sailing" by far is my favourite song; its simplicity is absolutely moving. "I Feel So Much Spring" is the perfect end, it's touching with a note of hope and confidence for what is to come in life. I would have liked it, however, if they could have made the recording complete; in the live version there's a hillarious song sung by Mr. Bunjee called "Be Polite," which never fails to make me laugh. You'll identify with Gordon, laugh over Lisa, sympathize with Roger, and then reach over and hit "Play" on your CD player again.