This week we go fat and take a step beyond theatre. Oh, don't worry, there's still a musical comedy behind it all, but some of the links will be a little more far ranging this week. In honor of the PBS documentary, Liberty! The American Revolution and the transfer of the musical 1776 from the Roundabout Theatre (where it closed on November 11th) to the Gershwin (where it begins performances on December 3rd), this week we look at some American Revolution links.
Our first stop is the source,
the Declaration of Independence. The National
Archives provides shots of the mighty document itself, as
well as information about its preservation and how you can view
it. They also have links to two fascinating essays: one, a
history of the document -- before and after the writing; the
other, "The
Stylistic Artistry," examines the Declaration on its
artistic merits. The Indiana University School of Law provides
a
transcription of the document.
The Institute for Learning Technologies at Columbia University has a Timeline of the Revolutionary War.
And for more details and a whole mess of links, data, games and info, check out PBS' site for Liberty! The American Revolution . You get a chance to actually read the credits which go by way to fast when you're watching the series. Here you'll discover that many of the performers in the documentary are well-known theatre actors, including, Donna Murphy, James Naughton, Terrence Mann, and Philip Bosco (as who else but Benjamin Franklin).
But back to the theatre.
1776 is one of the best written musicals of our time. Who says so? I do. You'll be amazed, first off, at how suspenseful a musical can actually be. And then you'll be surprised that a show hyou already know the the ending of could have caused you to work up such a sweat.
The Bergen Record is the site of an article about the current revival of 1776, featuring interviews with bookwriter Peter Stone, director Scott Ellis, and Roundabout Artistic Director Todd Haimes. The Roundabout site also has some sketchy info about the production and the move to the Gershwin here and here.
Music Theatre International rents out the show, but their site is still young and you won't find much in the way of details yet.
Look, if you don't believe me, check out the reviews of the Roundabout version at the New York Times and the New York Post.
Oh, and here's a site with some info about the film version. In Chinese (I think).
The Links to the Reviews concept of the last few weeks has proven to be successful enough to have become a distraction. It has been moved to its own area, where it will have room to breathe and grow. This week adds links to reviews of Ivanov and The Old Neighborhood, as well as some more reviews of Lion King.
Hey -- go see a show!
While you're waiting for the transfer of 1776, go see Two Pianos, Four Hands. This brilliant tour de force, splendidly performed by its creators, filled with glorious music and pathos, just arrived in New York after a successful Canadian run. Directed by Gloria Muzio. Don't miss it!
See you at the theatre.
Originally published at Suite101.com Theatre, 11/25/97
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