No surprise, one of my favorite movies ever. OMG, when the Director's Cut came out on laserdisc, it was like an entirely different film.

Some of the restored stuff was a little lame (and not all of it is on the DVD), but most was great. Especially, of course, the fantastic and oh-so-freaking-bizarre musical number Cool Considerate Men ... which, legend has it, was removed from the film at the last minute at the request of then-President Richard Nixon, following a pre-release screening at the White House. The number is not incredibly flattering to the conservative cause ... but the show is so much weaker without it.

Alas, a few of the changes to the DVD version are not so great, and kinda mess up one of the other musical numbers at the end of the film. I keep wanting to screen a stop-and-go version for myself that preserves the best of the DVD and laserdisc versions, but I've always been too lazy.


As JW points out, it's not precise history ... but it's a fantastic dramatization of this pivotal point in Americana - - and, as flippy points out, miraculously manages to convey suspense with an outcome known from the get-go ... and make dramatic what is essentially a parlimentary procedure story.


Great, Weird, and Frelling Fantastic Film.

I've got the laser and the DVD, and I've had similar thoughts, and even the means, to combine them. But, it may have to wait for another fourth.

I first saw this show in a really superior community theater production, and one of the cast became my stepfather many years later. (He still is) Anyway, the show made a big impression on my then nine year old self, and I quickly obtained the original cast album and memorized it. WOW was I ever a geek!

Haha. American History Musical Theater Geeks Unite!! :D

I (obviously) love this movie, too. Several years ago, when H and I went back to New York for a visit, we were lucky enough to see a revival with Brent Spiner. Geek heaven.

The laserdisc featured one of the most bizarre extras ever ... faux "karioke" versions of most of the songs (with the vocals as muted as possible, and the orchestral mix maximized). So, ahem, I hereby announce for next year ... the dramatic reading AND singing version of LoT 1776.


I'm auditioning for the role of John Adams, a part I was BORN to play. Try outs will take place at random throughout the year.



Come to the screening Friday to see what you'll be getting yourself into. Fall in love with a role or a song, and join the cast of LoT 1776 for 2009!

I would love to be the part of Ben Franklin. For all of his accomplishments, one that he was most proud of was to be a printer.

Given the number of male roles in the show, and the paucity of roles for women (there are exactly two), you may end up with some "drag" casting. I nominate NA for Richard Henry Lee.

"The Lees! The Lees of old Virginia!"... I could see that.

I saw that too! I was young enough to get his autograph. I have it in my old playbills somewhere, I think. Indubitab-lee.

Also, I want a part! I'd prefer to be Jefferson, but perhaps that's better-served as a male role. What about the soldier/messenger? Hey, mama...

Who'll play her horse??