Caroline, or Change: "That old copper statue?... 'Honorin' the brave Confed'rate Soldier'"

[round2]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:25pm

Would love to see a major revival of this brilliant musical. Been haunted very recently by this part of the show:

Dotty:

That old copper statue?

By the courthouse downtown?

"Honorin' the brave Confed'rate Soldier,

The South's Defender," the Civil War...

Ain't there no more, 

it ain't there no more.

Caroline:

Well where is it?

Dotty: 

Last evening,

Somebody heist the hateful thing,

unscrewed it,

carried it away.

Dotty:

No witness,

don't got no one's name.

Don't know who's to blame.

Standin there one hundred year,

now that statue, he just disappear.

Things change everywhere, even here.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:33pm

I don't know this show too well, but your lyrics alone seem to be rather topically accurate, don't they?

There's a mention of Stonewall Jackson in the context of American glory in "Motherhood" in Hello, Dolly! Wonder if they'll cut that out.

[yeah]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:43pm

I love this show and would love a revival.  #aheadofitstime

[raddersons]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:45pm

Love this show, and I've been thinking about it a lot too due to recent events. In 2004, race issues were considered "solved" by most people. In 2017, we're learning they aren't. I think its themes would resonate a lot more with today's audience. Maybe it's a little too soon for a Broadway revival, but I'd love an off-Bway production in a more intimate setting.

Updated On: 8/18/17 at 12:45 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 12:52pm

Was lucky enough to see the show in previews on Broadway. 

Valentina3, the cast recording is pretty much the entire show. It is excellent.

[raddersons]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 1:07pm

uncageg said: "Was lucky enough to see the show in previews on Broadway. 

Valentina3, the cast recording is pretty much the entire show. It is excellent."

Cast recording is excellent. I think I have the little ditty that the washing machine sings stuck in my head at least once a week. There's also a bootleg up on Youtube if you want to see.

[mpd4165]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 1:20pm

Now. Like right now. 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 1:22pm

For your viewing pleasure, here is footage of that scene in the original 2004 Broadway production of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE featuring Tonya Pinkins as Caroline, Chandra Wilson as Dotty and Aisha De Haas as The Moon. 

Enjoy! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhaVNAXxcHY

 

[JBroadway]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 1:27pm

Oh man I would LOVE a revival of this show. This cast recording is excellent, but I've always felt that the music would be even more impactful live and in context. And yes, I agree it would be very relevant. I don't think it's too soon at all. Considering we had Spring Awakening and The Color Purple revived so recently and so successfully. It's been 13 years since the original production, and by the time a revival could realistically be planned and come to Broadway, it will have been longer. Interesting to think that Wicked and Avenue Q, its 2 biggest "Best Musical" rivals, will most likely still be playing if/when it does return to NY. 

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 1:38pm

The Caroline, or Change cast recording is probably my favorite cast recording of all time. I think even the critics didn't quite understand the relevancy and gravity of the themes of this show and it went over their heads. I have a feeling they're quite far-removed from 1960s and even present-day Louisiana and places like that and the people inhabiting it.

Updated On: 8/18/17 at 01:38 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 2:17pm

Tesori told me semi-recently, that she's been talking to Kushner a lot about bringing the show back. They realize the following it's gotten since the original and think it's time for it to be seen again. 

[round2]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 2:21pm

Jordan Catalano, can you get Tesori and Kushner on a conference call with us right away?

[MoveOnGypsy]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:16pm

We need to start a go fund me page. I'd be willing to put in a good deal of money for this revival. It's the single most important piece of theater in the past 20 years if not more.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:25pm

Anika performing I Hate the Bus was one of the most devastatingly beautiful moments I've ever witnessed in the theatre.  I walked out of the show and said, "She's winning a Tony for that" and later, was overjoyed to see that she did.

[Felm_heart]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:30pm

Looking forward to the Erivo-led revival in 10 years.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:36pm

I really would not like to see Erivo do this.

Matt, I agree with you. Anika took my breath away when she sang it and surely deserved that Tony for her entire performance.

[Valentina3]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:37pm

Felm_heart said: "Looking forward to the Erivo-led revival in 10 years."

But we want one now lol. No reason there can't be a second one a decade later with Erivo. There's so many talented black stars I'd love to see back on Broadway. Renee Elise Goldsberry? Heather Headley?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:47pm

Here is Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose's "I Hate the Bus" in the original 2004 Broadway production of CAROLINE, OR CHANGE: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIO3x-zORCo&list=PL6143502C3E0C79A6

As a bonus, here is the opening section of the show itself.  I remember my mouth dropping open when all this started unfolding on stage as I had NO idea what the show sounded like as I only went to see the show because it was closing.  My mouth remained open the entire Act 1.  Yes, Tonya's voice was a bit shot at times which was the case during her run due to the difficult sung-thru score she had to sing 8 times a week.    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXZ1w4qESGY&list=PL5507354B26A0A5C3

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:55pm

By the way, Ben Platt played Noah when the production was recreated in Los Angeles several months later with Tonya Pinkins and most of the original Broadway cast: 





 

[rcwr]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 4:58pm

raddersons: In 2004, race issues were considered "solved" by most people.

**by most white people. (Who have considered them solved/fine for centuries.)

And YES to the Caroline revival right now.

[JBC3]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 5:42pm

Yes! So ready for this to be revived. Saw the original production twice but sadly it had really taken its toll on Pinkins voice and some numbers were really ragged.

It had gotten a fair amount of regional play. Loved the Guthrie production years back during their Kushner festival. And the Round House production last year in the DC area was superb.

[MarkBearSF]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 6:46pm

I think the same mini-tour played SF. I assume Ben Platt was in the cast here as well. Cool!

[broadwayboy223]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 6:47pm

I wish we could get Anika back on Broadway somehow. What a talent 

[sing_dance_love]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 6:53pm

This is by far one of my favorite shows. It is so wonderfully powerful, emotional, and tuneful. I used to obsess over the bootleg I had, and in it, Tonya's voice cracks quite a bit. But, she rolls with it and it feels like it becomes a physical manifestation of her character's sorrow and brokenness, stubbornness, and humanity. I think it's one of the bravest performances ever. I. Love. This. Show. 

Updated On: 8/18/17 at 06:53 PM

[oncemorewithfeeling2]

Posted: 8/18/17 at 7:02pm

I would for The Actor's Fund or BCEFA or someone to do this as a concert benefit right now. I'd love a revival, but I'd like to see so many different people sing this show. 

I'm just going to ponder this with a sheet cake.