1776 (1969 Original Broadway Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Sherman Edwards (Composer, Orchestra), Betty Buckley (Performer), Clifford David (Performer), Ken Howard (Performer), Ron Holgate (Performer), Virginia Vestoff (Performer), William Daniels (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Betty Buckley, Clifford David, Ken Howard, Ron Holgate, Virginia Vestoff, et al.
• Orchestra: Sherman Edwards
• Composer: Sherman Edwards
• Audio CD (May 19, 1992)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000027WJ
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,689 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Evidence that one can make a musical about anything, Exhibit A: 1776. As one might expect, the whole concept of making a musical about the creation and signing of the Declaration of Independence was greeted in the late 1960s with, well, ridicule. The show debuted on Broadway in 1969, and three years later, when its run finally ended, it was its producers who had the last laugh. In addition, it toured for an additional two years and beat out Hair (in 1969 yet!) for a Tony Award. This recording, with the original Broadway cast, includes many of the same actors who went on to star in the film, the version with which most audiences today are probably familiar. One notable exception is Rex Everhart, who replaced Howard da Silva at some performances and on this recording. But there's still William Daniels as John Adams, though in some cases his performance is more subdued than it was on film. Musically, 1776 is an odd creation, considering when it came into being. As one might expect, there's a lot of fife and drum going on, especially in the opening number and during "The Lees of Old Virginia." For those less than familiar with the plot, it hinges on the idealism of Adams, who's trying his best to back up the American Revolution with some legislative action, and spends much of his time arguing with either the Continental Congress or God, as in "Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve": "A second flood, a simple famine / Plagues of locusts everywhere / Or a cataclysmic earthquake / I'd accept with some despair / But no, you sent us Congress / Good God, sir, was that fair?" (One could argue that he gets further with God.) While not entirely historically accurate, and containing some rather peculiar numbers (Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams sitting around debating what their new country's national bird is going to be ranks among the oddest), there's no questioning 1776's staying power. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best soundtrack CD's available - a must have., March 1, 1999

By A Customer

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Founding Fathers sing their way to Independence, July 4, 2001

By	Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

I had an opportunity to see the stage version of "1776" and said I was not interested because making a musical about the signing of the Declaration of Independence struck me as ridiculous. Then one day I was flipping around channels and stumbled on the Continental Congress arguing about something and then suddenly breaking into song. Sherman Edwards' songs range from the cute "The Egg," where the Founding Father argue over which bird should be the symbol of the new nation, to the poignant "Momma Look Sharp," as a young soldier tells of his best friend being killed in a battle, to the dramatic "Molasses to Rum," as a Southerner signs about the Triangle Trade. I find "The Lees of Old Virginia" where every word ends with "LY" to be obnoxious, but that is just me. "Sit Down, John" perfectly sets the town for this mix of history and song, while "But, Mr. Adams" will ensure that you will always remember who was on the Declaration Committee and which states they all came from.! The book by Peter Stone is fairly faithful to what really happened (John Dickinson and his supporters were absent on purpose the day of the crucial vote so that the Declaration would be adopted), but none of that matters all that much when all you are doing is listening to the songs.

This Original Broadway Cast recording offers William Daniels in the role of a lifetime as John Adams, Rex Everhart as Benjamin Franklin and Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson. Virginia Vestoff plays Abigail Adams and young Betty Buckley is Martha Jefferson. Many of the cast made it to the film version as well. The best testimony I can give for "1776" is that there are precious few moments when I can get teary-eyed listening to a musical on CD. When Adams sings "Is Anybody There?" is one of those moments. The idea of Adams, all alone in the dark chamber, seeing a vision of America's future, still strikes me as a powerful one. Besides, every time John and Abigail say goodbye to each other at th!e end of their "letters" I get choked up as well. No wonder I got my first degree in History. At least I got to finally see "1776" on stage when a touring company came to town last year.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Before Sondheim's COMPANY and after MAN OF LA MANCHA..., April 29, 2007

By	Patrick Mccray (Knoxville, TN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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?