Titanic--Original Broadway Cast album on CD

This show really reminds me of Ragtime for some reason. I think it might be the historical setting of the show, the range of social and economic levels it tries to portrays and the fluidity with which both shows move from setting to setting--very film-like. While I generally liked, Ragtime, however, Titanic left me a little cold.

The opening is very well constructed, introducing us in succession to the crew and each class of passengers, and building into a climax as the ship sets sail (do you still call it that when there is no actual sail?). From then on, however, the score and the characters left me flat.

One wonderful discovery is the singing of Brian d'Arcy James, who had not appeared as yet in my Year, but who has a wonderful voice. Mr. James has loads of Broadway credits (including the current Shrek), so I hope to squeeze him into my Year again before the 12 months end on May 31.

Titanic
Music and lyrics by Maury Yeston
Book by Peter Stone
Opened in 1997
Cast: Brian D'Arcy James, Martin Moran, John Cunningham, Ted Sperling, Allan Corduner, Michael Cerveris

1776 film on dvd

Vote for independency! American history meets the American musical theater in 1776.

This 1972 film version captures the performances of much of the original cast from the Broadway show which ran from 1969 to 1972. This was composer/lyricist Sherman Edwards's only show on Broadway, and he won the Tony for Best Musical for 1969. The ensemble gets great stuff in this show (sorry ladies, but it's all men) due to that fact that each is portraying a specific historic personage, with a documented point of political view. And the music for small groups is wonderful.

Howard da Silva, who portrays Ben Franklin, is a bone fide Broadway legend and McCarthy era black-listed actor. Due to his being black-listed, this is one of his few film credits, and (I think) the only musical one. But on stage--besides originating Franklin in 1776--Mr. da Silva was in the original, banned production of Marc Blitzstein's The Cradle Will Rock, as well as the original Fiorello! and Oklahoma!, where he was Jud Fry. He did a ton of "straight" plays on Broadway, too, including Shakespeare when he was only 21. Exclamation points all around!

Most of this show really works for me. Although I don't really care for the voices of many of the actors, most of their portrayals and the strength of the material make up for that. And the cherry on top of the Sundae is that I have baritone favorite John Cullum singing the best and most powerful song of the score.

An alternative soundtrack on the DVD with discussion by creator Peter Stone and director Peter Hunt is really interesting, if you can devote the time to it. I'm currently also watching the HBO miniseries John Adams which stars Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney. Expect a historical/musical compare and contrast at some point.

1776
Book by Peter Stone
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Columba Pictures film release directed by Peter Hunt
Cast: William Daniels, Howard da Silva, Ken Howard, Blythe Danner, John Cullum, Virginia Vestoff