1776: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1997) [CAST RECORDING]

Sherman Edwards (Composer), Brent Spiner (Performer), Danny Marcus (Performer), Gregg Edelman (Performer), John Herrera (Performer), Lauren Ward (Performer), MacIntyre Dixon (Performer), Merwin Foard (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Brent Spiner, Danny Marcus, Gregg Edelman, John Herrera, Lauren Ward, et al.
• Composer: Sherman Edwards
• Audio CD (December 16, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Tvt
• ASIN: B000000GU0
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (57 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,923 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better in some ways than the original, less in others..., December 11, 2003

By	"Big Band" John "bigbandjohn" (NC United States) - See all my reviews

I am a huge fan of the original play. Rather than review the play, I would like to compare the 2 recordings strengths and weaknesses.

The strength of the new cast recording is the quality of the singing. Every single performance is phenomenal and strong. There really isn't a weak or bad voice in the bunch. Brent Spiner suprisingly does a fine job as Adams.

Yet it's weakness is the very thing that makes this recording strong. Much of the charm of the original cast was that it was as much the performance behind the singing as the singing itself. Perhaps it's my bias from what I grew up to and am use to hearing, but I still prefer the original.

Still, I think more people may find this recording more enjoyable, especially if they haven't seen the play. I guess it's personal preference which you would choose. So if you prefer better singing, this is the album for you.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From Skeptic to Fan in one listen, June 4, 2002

By	Zack Davisson "All Good Things" (Seattle, WA, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

I was surprised at how much I liked "1776." The concept (a musical about the signing of the Declaration of Independence) seems so ludicrous at first, that I was sure it must be a bad musical. I was wrong, wrong, wrong.

The CD hooked me first, with the musicals elegant tunes and poignant lyrics. The excitement of this period is fully captured in the characters and story. "1776" manages that rare blend of comedy, drama and romance. Historical characters that I had never thought much of come alive, without mockery.

I have no particular attachment to Brent Spiner or Pat Hingle, and I have never heard the original recording. I felt that both men sang proudly and well. Their voices did justice to the songs and the story.

After loving the CD so much, I had the chance to see "1776" performed. Wow! It's a great musical.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!!!!, March 31, 2001

By	Judy Morris (Brick, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This is my absolute favorite musical, ever! The characters are wonderful interpretations of the members of the 2nd Continental Congress, and the history in the show is surprisingly accurate. I have both this version and the original, and it's hard to decide which one is better. I must admitt, John Cullum is the best Edward Rutledge, even though Gregg Edleman does a wonderful job, and Ronald Holgate will always be Richard Henry Lee to me. William Daniels and Brent Spiner are almost equal. All in all, this is a wonderful CD, for anyone interested in the history of our nation, or just in a funny and thought-provoking musical.