1776 - He Plays the Violin

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.

[@sondheimaniac]

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

[@davesmith6815]

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

[@fododude]

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

[@annmariepocklembo382]

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

[@Sillygoose14111]

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

[@spicy_seagull]

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

[@khfan4life365]

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

[@ChaosX923]

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

[@jmatrixrenegade1971]

Sounds just like the Franklin in the movie version.

[@geminibuildups1966]

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

[@tomplantier1044]

Yes he does

[@louismondelli3044]

Becaise it is

[@RisaGreen]

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

[@josephcook6442]

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

[@ARoseRisen]

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

[@LadyStoryteller]

😂😂😂

[@Stefernie2]

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

[@Mr54nomore]

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]

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

[@sirskye5269]

***** 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]

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]

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

[@trinisanerd3322]

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

[@SuperFreak2699]

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

[@honorakelly5289]

Omg he NAILED Franklin's voice

[@71morehead]

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]

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

[@goldengreaser]

Euphemisms and inuendos, got to love them.

[@lavenderotaku2481]

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

[@fododude]

Break a leg!

[@luminarymani]

the girl playing martha is soooo talented

[@HatorBee]

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 :,)

[@timothysmith7888]

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!

[@ScrapNfight]

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

[@rheahorvath9274]

Delightful clip of a superb cast!!! ♥️

[@makeittrue]

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

[@williamarndt9465]

Really good job.

[@dhandler19]

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!

[@jennymabrey8964]

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]

Very enjoyable!

[@nightowl5475]

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!

[@jethric1]

Great sound for the video. Very good performances.

[@Maryloohoo2]

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.

[@Cruiserfrank]

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

[@littlecorinthian]

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

[@chaburchak]

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

[@Forysan]

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

[@futureghostsmusic]

She's insanely good! damn

[@nickeymouse33]

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.

[@jakemarsing2615]

Franklin is AMAZING here

[@honorakelly5289]

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

[@susansokoloski2233]

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]

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]

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

[@darthparallax5207]

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

[@laurencelance586]

Beautifully done!

[@EgbertWilliams]

Just magnificent.

[@EgbertWilliams]

Just wonderful.

[@54nomore]

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

[@aaronburr25]

_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]

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]

@@aaronburr25 EXACTLY

[@katrose5179]

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

[@toni9890]

@@yarrowfilled are you seriously excusing this

[@MrUndeadEd]

great version,..very well done

[@disgruntledcashier503]

Good lord, your voice is incredible

[@TheCdecisneros]

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

[@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

[@pandapal13]

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

[@kokoken1]

Well done all around.

[@kayra0yanlaka]

2010 /2021 🥲 so much

[@nursegrace7492]

Why is it so AMPLIFIED??

[@fododude]

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]

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

[@fododude]

Yes!

[@livelifefully2day]

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

[@zeuxis9169]

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

[@albionicamerican8806]

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

[@sophietapak1508]

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]

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]

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

[@tealabaker8888]

@@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.

[@jamesarnold2899]

1776. New York City.

[@fododude]

What you mean, New York City?

[@jamesarnold2899]

😂 It's a Hamilton thing

[@fododude]

Oohhhhhh! I'm out of it!

[@jolifelix6913]

pardon me, are you aaron burr, sir?

[@fey2577]

that depends who asking?

[@ashantygomez7898]

i watched the movie

[@phillgreenland2390]

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

[@fododude]

Do it! Three great musicals every summer!

[@thetruth4865]

ppl bowed to each other back then as a greeting

[@Anjuli50]

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]

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

[@rebeccapratt795]

@@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!'

[@neilfe1]

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]

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

[@neilfe1]

@@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

[@tishtashtishtash]

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

[@fododude]

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

[@Delicoms]

Its like that in the movie, too

[@Kate-qi5uo]

it was like that in the movie we watched

[@mylesgarcia4625]

I wish she had a better wig.

[@fododude]

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

[@lavenderotaku2481]

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

[@louismondelli3044]

Because it is. Howard DeSilva.

[@AvalonMorley]

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.

[@wickedfeylady]

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

[@livelaughlove0209]

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]

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

[@josephcook6442]

Always better than Hamilton

[@mikeanderson9205]

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

[@dorkydancer11]

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]

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.

[@louismondelli3044]

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

[@Anjuli50]

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

[@megc5812]

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]

Yes they did!!!

[@GeorgeWTush]

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