Here's another story. My kid watched the video more than 60 times (starting at age 6) so we flew from California to Broadway for opening night of this revival. Brent Spiner invited her back stage and talk to the cast. They even gave her the prop they'd used during the opening - a signed Declaration of Independence! Katie now has a doctorate in political science.
I saw this in previews in '97. It was my first Broadway show. Carol Channing sat in front of us and at intermission, right after "Mama, Look Sharp," we stood up and she said to us, "Washn't that MARVELOUSH?" It was the most Carol Channing thing ever.
Wow! MEMORIES!! Y'all want a little story? I was one of the follow-spot operators for the house left, stage right side of the theatre for this very production. It was a THRILL for me to be in the rafters wearing the climber's harness so I could swing out over the audience like a stealthy lighting ninja during, "He Plays The Violin." I was loving and silently cheering for the cast every night. And YES, I let myself IMAGINE myself playing both Martha Jefferson and Abigail Adams because that is what dreamy, young actresses DO so close to the energy of a live performance they can taste it. I would fantasize, Walter Mitty style, and place myself on the stage of The Roundabout Theatre in NYC singing Abigail's songs, which I did SILENTLY, each night. I was there the night a gel slipped and Mr. Brent Spiner went as pale as his Star Trek character, Data. I was mortified. I left quickly after the show that night. I was a scared young woman with super low self esteem at the time. Now, I own my biffs and do my best to fix them. I was also there the night the wonderful Gregg Edelman temporarily lost his voice in MID performance in the middle of his big number. My heart was breaking for him! By the end of the song he had almost no voice. It was scary. I could only imagine what he might be going through. But he finished the number like a pro and we went to intermission as planned after the number. By the next evening, if memory serves, he was back and sounded lovely. It was just a weird, freaky vocal happening. I've had it happen. It's awful. And you just have to hunker down and keep going. I LOVED working on this show! It was one of the highlights of my young life in New York. Thanks for posting. It was fun to find this video and feel connected with that time in my life. Working on this show, even in a small way, had great meaning for me. It's nice to be reminded that I'm grateful for the experience. xo Leela Vox #ConsciousCountryGirl
Thank you for posting your memories Leela. This show is a great testament to the difficulties of growing and developing into anything, even a nation, and how unexpectedly the manner in which process comes.
I played Abigail Adams in a production of this show in Philadelphia about 30 years ago, and it is one of my favorite roles ever! I saw the Broadway touring company of the original production in 1969 in Pittsburgh, and have loved this show ever since. It is a lyrical and wonderful dramedy, and the music is spectacular!
That’s wonderful! What a lovely role. The high notes were a bit challenging, but I was always “singing” silently, up in the rafters, running the follow-spot.
I would love to see more of this! My father-in-law was Ben Franklin and I would really like my kids to see their granddad's performance. They grew up with the music but no video.
Wow, thank you for posting this wonderfully done opening number. Kudos to Brent Spiner, he has the gravitas for John Adams. I would love to see the whole production. That is an inspired show, the book and music are top notch, take a bow Mr. Sherman Edwards.
Here we are in 2018. It's July 4th. This is the day to watch this great American musical. Love this staging of the opening number. If the rest of the show matched the quality of this first scene then wow, I wish I could have seen it live, it would have been super.
Brent is the master of disguises. In true Spiner form he owns the character. Worthy of William Daniels' performance. I wish I could have seen them both on stage. I had a chance to see the Spiner version in New York, but missed it to my regret.
@@marinarhettsturgill6085 I’ve only been a Trekkie for the past three years almost. I never knew of him until then. But I’m so glad to have discovered him. *sigh*
I've been desperately looking for this since I found out about it in '99...like others if there is any more of this you could or would upload it would be so greatly appreciated! Such wonderful viewing after years of listening to the audio.
I adore William Daniels and the film version of 1776. But I love Brent Spiner and Data is one of my all time favorite characters. I was a little nervous when I first began watching this, but Mr. Spiner is wonderful. I am very impressed and wish I could have had the chance to have seen this entire production. But I must admit...Mr. Daniels is still who I will always think of first as "Sit Down!" John Adams.
In this clip it looks like Spiner is imitating Daniel's role instead of playing it. His timing and inflections are a near duplicate of Daniel's presentation.
+Joe Mellon Yes, the film is great, but it doesn't have Brent Spiner. I'd love to see this version with him in it, so like Jule I'm hoping you have more to share. We'd be very grateful. :)
This was my FIRST Broadway show, saw it in December of 97 all because I liked Brent Spiner, but didn't know the show all that well except for the song "Momma, Look Sharp" which a friend of mine sang in a musical theatre class in college. Well, I ended up getting a student rush ticket. Front row. Brent ended up spitting on me (unintentionally I'm sure) during this song, lol....Great enunciation! Ended up loving the show, and I even DID a production of this a few years later playing the role of Roger Sherman (delegate from Connecticut). Lots of fun and great memories of this show from that. I'm VERY curious of how this new production of 1776 is going to be with only non gendered casting and a great mix of people playing these parts who would have never been able to before. I just really like this show lol
Three questions; 1. Did you manage to keep the spit for prosperity? 2. Just how do you have a great mix of people when they have no gender to claim? 3. Wouldn't only having non gendered people be considered sexist?
@@georgepierson4920 first off, no. That was my literal first Broadway show and I had no idea what it was exactly about more than it was supposed to be patriotic and a musical and it had Brent in it lol Second and Third, you'd have to ask the director and touring company how it worked out for them. I'm all for innovative theatre so I think it'd be interesting to see, but I have not seen it myself.
I have spent my life watching this part played by a Talking Car, now I find this video where it is being done by an Android! Some day I wonder if I will ever see it done by a human.
Saw this on Broadway. Great show, but not quite as good as the original. Brent Spiner has a bit of trouble trying to come off as "obnoxious and disliked", because he's too nice, but otherwise it was a fun time.
