1776 - He Plays the Violin

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  • čas přidán 8. 09. 2024
  • From the musical 1776 comes this memorable tune, "He Plays the Violin." It is here sung by the immensely talented Sandy Taylor as Martha Jefferson. Accompanying her is David Cantor as John Adams and Michael Kroll as Benjamin Franklin.
    The production is staged at Edison, New Jersey's Plays-in-the-Park. Directed by Gary Cohen, Choreographed by Michelle Massa, with Musical Direction by Warren Helms.

Komentáře • 150

  • @khfan4life365
    @khfan4life365 Před 9 lety +96

    I was half-expecting Thomas to come up and say "What are you doing at my house?"

    • @ChaosX923
      @ChaosX923 Před 7 lety +2

      well in the movie, it shows that it's in the city.

  • @spicy_seagull
    @spicy_seagull Před 5 lety +96

    Franklin’s line about John dancing is hilarious to me because John Adams was an infamously bad dancer

  • @sondheimaniac
    @sondheimaniac Před 9 lety +175

    Marvelous. And props to the unnamed violinist who plays the devilishly difficult violin part with aplomb.

    • @davesmith6815
      @davesmith6815 Před 7 lety +7

      It's not that hard. But he did it very well, yes.

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před 7 lety +26

      Thank you, sir. And I'll tell that violinist! She plays every season.

    • @annmariepocklembo382
      @annmariepocklembo382 Před 5 lety +28

      Ah, thank you. The violinist is me. :-)

  • @Sillygoose14111
    @Sillygoose14111 Před 12 lety +72

    Her singing is phenomenal. I love Adams in this, all his body language is hilarious XD

  • @jmatrixrenegade1971
    @jmatrixrenegade1971 Před 8 lety +128

    Sounds just like the Franklin in the movie version.

    • @geminibuildups1966
      @geminibuildups1966 Před 6 lety +13

      Every guy I've ever seen playing this role sounds like Franklin in the movie version .

    • @tomplantier1044
      @tomplantier1044 Před 6 lety +2

      Yes he does

    • @louismondelli3044
      @louismondelli3044 Před 5 lety +3

      Becaise it is

    • @RisaGreen
      @RisaGreen Před 4 lety +2

      Louis Mondelli no its not the actor that played Franklin in the movie is dead

    • @josephcook6442
      @josephcook6442 Před 3 lety

      He and Adams, sounds and acts like William Daniel's

  • @ARoseRisen
    @ARoseRisen Před 5 měsíci +7

    Jefferson when he wakes up that morning: What Did I Miss?

  • @Mr54nomore
    @Mr54nomore Před 9 lety +81

    Thomas Jefferson so loved his wife Martha that he never married agan. He was the first president to hold office as a widower.
    In April 29, 1962 President John F. Kennedy said this at a dinner in the white house hosting Nobel Peace Prize recipients." I think this is the most extraordinary talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone."

    • @WillScarlet16
      @WillScarlet16 Před 9 lety +18

      ***** Of course, he had plenty of other ways to keep himself "occupied" after she was gone.

    • @sirskye5269
      @sirskye5269 Před 9 lety +8

      ***** well he did carry on a life long love affair with his wife's half-sister AFTER Martha died..it was a love match but he couldn't marry her...despite them having children....the law didn't allow it....she was 1/4 black and technically his slave...they began the affair when she was about 15 and Jefferson was 45...their children were 7/8 European and entered society as white...DNA evidence supports the story.

    • @Mr54nomore
      @Mr54nomore Před 9 lety +7

      All that evidence you just mentioned has proven false. And those that did the findings fail to let the media and academia know of it.

    • @Mousy677
      @Mousy677 Před 8 lety +22

      +SIrskye52 are you seriously calling jefferson raping hemmings a love match

    • @trinisanerd3322
      @trinisanerd3322 Před 7 lety +4

      He didn't rape her.
      Please go and do some research before you make people angry.

  • @SuperFreak2699
    @SuperFreak2699 Před 12 lety +27

    I remember we watched this movie in History and at the very end when she says he plays to violin someone yelled "LIKE A BOSS" very nicee guys :D

  • @Stefernie2
    @Stefernie2 Před 9 lety +63

    Sang this song in voice class in college.
    Got a B in that class.
    Not too shabby.

  • @honorakelly5289
    @honorakelly5289 Před 5 lety +18

    Omg he NAILED Franklin's voice

  • @71morehead
    @71morehead Před 4 lety +26

    I have directed this, and I must say that the sheer joy of this is infectious. The bit with Martha joining John and Franklin's hands is great. Wonderful light change for Adam's dancing.

    • @71morehead
      @71morehead Před 4 lety +3

      also, not using spotlights contributes to the realism of the scene

  • @goldengreaser
    @goldengreaser Před 12 lety +21

    Euphemisms and inuendos, got to love them.

  • @lavenderotaku2481
    @lavenderotaku2481 Před 6 lety +25

    I’m trying out for Martha in my school’s play. God I’m so excited so now I’m gonna listen to this on repeat. XD

  • @luminarymani
    @luminarymani Před 4 lety +20

    the girl playing martha is soooo talented

  • @timothysmith7888
    @timothysmith7888 Před rokem +3

    Beautifully sung, acted, danced, directed, designed, costumed and produced. I suspect composer/lyricist, Sherman Edwards and book writer Peter Stone, very deliberately chose a 3/4 time signature for this number. Historically, it might be possible that some of the early colonists knew of the German peasant dances done in 3/4 time, and, it is plausible that Ben Franklin may have observed the Nizzarda, the French version of the waltz. But, he would not have experienced those cultures until after the action of this play has concluded, as, his trip to, and service in France happens much later in 1776.
    For the purposes of this musical, an argument can be made for the 3/4 time signature of "He Plays the Violin" being an act of musical revolution and rebellion. With its roots in the servant and peasant classes, the waltz was not yet an acceptable social dance for the palace courts of Europe. And, except for servants and peasants, the closed, face-to-face dance position was considered immoral and scandalous. Touching a partner without the barrier of gloved hands would have been outrageous. So the choice of the waltz for ".....Violin" is in direct contrast to the Minuet & Gavotte used for, and specifically referred to in "Cool, Considerate Men".
    My verbose point is, it would have been a rebellious and revolutionary act, not to mention, scandalously immoral for Benjamin Franklin and John Adams to dance in a closed position with any woman, much less another man's wife. But, Martha is also displaying free-spirited, revolutionary behavior by speaking in innuendo about her husband's lovemaking skills, arguably a cue to Franklin that, if asked, she might just be thrilled to let him lead her in the new, scandalous waltz.
    This is not just a lark for Ben Franklin, Martha and John Adams, they are thumbing their noses at class rules and defying courtly dances by waltzing. They would not just casually slip into a face-to-face dance position. They would certainly know they are being quite daring, but, surely that would only increase their thrill. Technically, this choreography, as staged, doesn't hit the USA for nearly one hundred years. But, as scripted for this show, it is musical and social dance form of treason! I'll bet the Creators may have intended just that!

  • @williamarndt9465
    @williamarndt9465 Před 11 měsíci +2

    Really good job.

  • @HatorBee
    @HatorBee Před 3 lety +17

    This is a really weird comment to leave on such an old video but I come back and watch it so often it barely feels old. I found this song about 4-5 years ago along with this performance of it. It warms my heat so much and it's one of the things that encouraged me to pursue musical theatre when I was younger. I've never even met Sandy Taylor but she's inspired me for years now. I enjoy her performance even more than the movie actresses'. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin are amazing in this performance as well and I wish dearly I could have been in the right time and the right place to see this live. Whenever I doubt myself I come back to the videos of this production and remember why I fell in love with musical theatre in the first place so thank you for posting this :,)

  • @makeittrue
    @makeittrue Před 9 lety +14

    I was in 1776 in college. Wonderful comic timing in the scene and Sandy Taylor as Martha sings beautifully. Thanks for posting!

  • @dhandler19
    @dhandler19 Před rokem +4

    I love Sandy Taylor’s take on this song. While it is sometimes played more naively, her knowingness and warmth work wonderfully here. Very funny and when she gets to the final verse, it’s quite moving and works perfectly in the play. Lovely work!

  • @ScrapNfight
    @ScrapNfight Před 8 lety +15

    SO JOYFULL !! Well sung, orchestrated and performed. What a wonderful production of this show. Very talented all of them. Just great.

  • @rheahorvath9274
    @rheahorvath9274 Před 9 měsíci +1

    Delightful clip of a superb cast!!! ♥️

  • @jennymabrey8964
    @jennymabrey8964 Před 5 lety +5

    Thank you! That tune "He plays the violin" was in my head when I woke up this morning and couldn't remember where it came from. So happy to find this.

  • @generalgwok676
    @generalgwok676 Před 11 měsíci +1

    Very enjoyable!

  • @nightowl5475
    @nightowl5475 Před 4 lety +3

    I would love to see this entire production on you tube. The cast and production is first rate and the singing is first rate! They do the movie great justice. Well Done!

  • @Maryloohoo2
    @Maryloohoo2 Před 10 lety +5

    Ran into this on my way to BB's version. This is really good, the singing and the chemistry between all 3. A fun production for sure. Love the violins in this.

  • @jakemarsing2615
    @jakemarsing2615 Před 6 lety +4

    Franklin is AMAZING here

    • @honorakelly5289
      @honorakelly5289 Před 5 lety +1

      I'm in stitches over how much he SOUNDS like the movie version of Ben.

  • @futureghostsmusic
    @futureghostsmusic Před 4 lety +2

    She's insanely good! damn

  • @jethric1
    @jethric1 Před 13 lety +4

    Great sound for the video. Very good performances.

  • @littlecorinthian
    @littlecorinthian Před 13 lety +4

    Gorgeous voice! Her blend is incredible! :0) Well done! This looks like it was a great show!

  • @chaburchak
    @chaburchak Před 3 lety +1

    That was outstanding. I wish I could've seen the whole play...

  • @Forysan
    @Forysan Před 11 lety +5

    Please oh please post the rest of this version of the musical!! You are all wonderful! :D

  • @Cruiserfrank
    @Cruiserfrank Před 8 lety +3

    This was a wonderful production! I wish I had been able to see it.

  • @54nomore
    @54nomore Před 11 lety +70

    Thomas Jefferson kept his word to his wife on her dying bed to never married again.

    • @aaronburr25
      @aaronburr25 Před 4 lety +38

      _are we just going to ignore the fact that he slept with his 14 year old slave & never married her, staying true to his word, sure, but still sleeping with a child like the crooked man he was orrr_

    • @yarrowfilled
      @yarrowfilled Před 4 lety +6

      Aaron Burr
      Well, I mean, it was the 1700-1800s, and Sally was a slave.
      It was kind of normal for older and younger to have relationships, whether it be sexual or romantic. In modern day, yeah, that would be bad-
      Just saying, things were different in the past, so it wasn’t considered as bad back then.

    • @luminarymani
      @luminarymani Před 4 lety +2

      @@aaronburr25 EXACTLY

    • @katrose5179
      @katrose5179 Před 4 lety

      Jasmine Barrett Yup. They were sisters. But “treated well” is debatable.

    • @toni9890
      @toni9890 Před 3 lety +1

      @@yarrowfilled are you seriously excusing this

  • @TheCdecisneros
    @TheCdecisneros Před rokem +1

    In the movie Adam's says now, in the middle of the afternoon and Franklin says not everyone's from Boston john.

  • @EgbertWilliams
    @EgbertWilliams Před 4 lety

    Just magnificent.

  • @nickeymouse33
    @nickeymouse33 Před 13 lety +4

    very well put together! Great voice on Martha...I didn't love Adams and the costumes were not 100 % period but i am impressed! Franklin was very convincible.

  • @EgbertWilliams
    @EgbertWilliams Před 5 lety

    Just wonderful.

  • @darthparallax5207
    @darthparallax5207 Před 7 lety +7

    5:10
    "Am I playing the violin now. o.o "

  • @susansokoloski2233
    @susansokoloski2233 Před rokem +2

    This wonderful actor is no Betty Buckley for sure but she is far superior to Blythe Danner. This looks like a fantastic production! Brava to all!! 👏👏👏👏

    • @generalgwok676
      @generalgwok676 Před 11 měsíci +2

      Anyone is better than Blythe Danner! What a wet noodle she was. No one can beat Betty B, but you’re right…this gal did a good job.

  • @josesolismusic
    @josesolismusic Před 11 lety +3

    Excellent, indeed! I played Mr Livingston once. This was well done, well acted, and great music. Bravi! Where was this? Wow.

  • @kayra0yanlaka
    @kayra0yanlaka Před 2 lety +1

    2010 /2021 🥲 so much

  • @GlitteryDinosRAWRgoogleplus

    this Franklin is hilarious
    also not to be that person but is she wearing pantaloons/bloomers under her dress. wasn't that 19th century?
    also did she lower the engine note? it didn't seem correct

  • @laurencelance586
    @laurencelance586 Před 2 lety

    Beautifully done!

  • @MrUndeadEd
    @MrUndeadEd Před 7 lety

    great version,..very well done

  • @kokoken1
    @kokoken1 Před 6 lety

    Well done all around.

  • @disgruntledcashier503
    @disgruntledcashier503 Před 7 lety

    Good lord, your voice is incredible

  • @nursegrace7492
    @nursegrace7492 Před 7 lety +1

    Why is it so AMPLIFIED??

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před 7 lety

      Ah. It's an enormous outdoor amphitheater. Whenever you do outdoor theater there is some sacrifice of quality in exchange for quantity. It gets better every year.

    • @nursegrace7492
      @nursegrace7492 Před 7 lety

      Hmmmm. Thanks. It's very...disorienting. It's people acting in real time...but they sound surreally synthetic.

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před 7 lety

      Yes!

  • @pandapal13
    @pandapal13 Před 11 lety +2

    Ok wow this is insanely good. Almost as good as broadway even. .....almost lol

  • @tishtashtishtash
    @tishtashtishtash Před 8 lety +22

    The line isn't "We still do a few things in Boston." It's "Not everyone's from Philadelphia, Ben."

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před 8 lety +3

      +tishtashtishtash Interesting. Veeery interesting. I wonder if he forgot or if he "improvised."

    • @Delicoms
      @Delicoms Před 8 lety +8

      Its like that in the movie, too

    • @Kate-qi5uo
      @Kate-qi5uo Před 8 lety +6

      it was like that in the movie we watched

  • @livelifefully2day
    @livelifefully2day Před 12 lety +4

    Lol... Who is in the squeaky chair?? Great rendition even with the squeaky accompaniment. Thanks for posting. Cheers!

  • @albionicamerican8806
    @albionicamerican8806 Před 7 lety +9

    I wonder what Martha's half sister Sally Hemings would have made of this scene.

    • @sophietapak1508
      @sophietapak1508 Před 5 lety +4

      Venturist Church Hi!! This is practically the only representation of Martha W. S. Wayles Jefferson ever so like can we not bring someone who everyone always over mentions into this? K thanks

    • @sophietapak1508
      @sophietapak1508 Před 5 lety +4

      ALSO. for the record Sally was born a year in 1771. She would’ve literally been five years old, so like don’t even.

    • @rebeccam4397
      @rebeccam4397 Před 4 lety +1

      @@aaronburr25 It's disgusting that anyone would want to gloss over the truth and try to pretend he was some paragon of virtue.

    • @tealabaker8888
      @tealabaker8888 Před rokem

      @@rebeccam4397 Nobody's trying to pretend that... but it's not relevant to this video in any way, so there's no need to bring it up.

  • @phillgreenland2390
    @phillgreenland2390 Před 6 lety

    What a terrific production of a difficult musical! We are seriously thinking of moving to Edison- this makes me think even more seriously!

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před 6 lety +1

      Do it! Three great musicals every summer!

  • @thetruth4865
    @thetruth4865 Před 6 lety

    ppl bowed to each other back then as a greeting

  • @jamesarnold2899
    @jamesarnold2899 Před 7 lety +30

    1776. New York City.

  • @ashantygomez7898
    @ashantygomez7898 Před 9 lety +3

    i watched the movie

  • @zeuxis9169
    @zeuxis9169 Před 7 lety +1

    So cuddlesome Lol !! ! Beautifully sung! Some of it was a bit over acted just in my opinion... but overall, excellently executed!,

  • @AvalonMorley
    @AvalonMorley Před 11 lety +12

    Not a very nice request on her part. And we all know he honored that promise only to the letter, not in the spirit, and I don't blame him. Though the ethical problems of his relationship w. Sally Hemings & the rest of her family are very troubling, to say the least, it appears there was true affection between the two of them.

  • @Anjuli50
    @Anjuli50 Před 7 lety +17

    Sorry, I don't care much for this portrayal of John Adams. He's too fussy and nervous. I've played Abigail Adams in this show, and seen many productions -- sorry, don't think much of this actor's portrayal. Martha and Franklin are very well done.

    • @Isildun9
      @Isildun9 Před 5 lety +9

      In fairness, Mr. Feeny is a hard act to follow.

    • @rebeccapratt795
      @rebeccapratt795 Před 4 lety +3

      @@Isildun9 That's so funny! Years ago was watching the movie with my neice, who was about 8 at the time, when all of a sudden she sat up and shouted 'That's Mr. Feeny!'

  • @louismondelli3044
    @louismondelli3044 Před 5 lety

    Because it is. Howard DeSilva.

  • @mylesgarcia4625
    @mylesgarcia4625 Před 6 lety +11

    I wish she had a better wig.

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před 6 lety +2

      That's the thing. Good wigs are SO expensive.

    • @lavenderotaku2481
      @lavenderotaku2481 Před 6 lety +1

      Same; that wig looks way too shiny and tacky. But beautiful nonetheless.

  • @livelaughlove0209
    @livelaughlove0209 Před 5 lety

    Not sure if this was the best choice for Martha. She sounds more passionate than floating on air. I never thought it be comedic this song, but more sweet

    • @tealabaker8888
      @tealabaker8888 Před rokem

      She did a great job--not every version of a song needs to be the same!

  • @neilfe1
    @neilfe1 Před rokem +2

    I just saw 1776 on Broadway with an all female LGBTQ cast. What a terrible production. The show in this video looks amazing - wish I was back in Edison - Props to Sandy, David and Michael if you come across this

    • @fododude
      @fododude  Před rokem

      I read some reviews of that production. Sounds like it was a MAJOR s**tshow, onstage and off.

    • @neilfe1
      @neilfe1 Před rokem

      @@fododude it was almost like a mid level high school performance, where the director said "I'm Gonna make a woke version of the show - and since Wokeism is so in, anyone who writes something negative, is automatically going to be chastised as anti

  • @wickedfeylady
    @wickedfeylady Před 11 lety +1

    Featuring walking stick and planters made by me :) (Seriously.)

  • @mikeanderson9205
    @mikeanderson9205 Před 8 lety +23

    Lovely voice, its a shame she is upstaged by that wig. How much worse could her real hair have been?

    • @dorkydancer11
      @dorkydancer11 Před 7 lety +17

      While it may not be the best wig, it is definitely much easier AND less time consuming to wig someone. I'm sure they preferred the wig over the torment of teasing and heat styling her hair to get it that way every weekend during the run.

    • @tealabaker8888
      @tealabaker8888 Před rokem +1

      What do you mean, she's upstaged by a wig? What a ridiculous comment... the problem is you if you're focusing on her hair more than her acting and voice.

  • @josephcook6442
    @josephcook6442 Před 3 lety +2

    Always better than Hamilton

  • @louismondelli3044
    @louismondelli3044 Před 5 lety +3

    What difference if a jew plays adams?? Are you anti semtitic?

  • @Anjuli50
    @Anjuli50 Před 7 lety +4

    Except that people didn't waltz in those days -- it hadn't been invented yet...

    • @megc5812
      @megc5812 Před 6 lety +3

      Anjuli McDonald I looked this up because I thought it was fake but apparently it appeared in the 1800s and people were outraged by it and how close the couples danced lol

    • @louismondelli3044
      @louismondelli3044 Před 5 lety

      Yes they did!!!

  • @GeorgeWTush
    @GeorgeWTush Před 2 lety

    The moment it was handed to her, she should have thrown that wig in the garbage where it belongs.