TABLE OF CONTENTS:

I. SYNOPSIS

II. CHARACTERS

III. MUSICAL NUMBERS

IV. CAST

V. MAIN PRODUCTIONS

VI. EXTRA

VII. MY OPINION

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:notebook: I. SYNOPSIS :notebook:

A New Brain follows frustrated songwriter Gordon Michael Schwinn and his confrontation with a terminal illness. He finds comfort in his writing, family, and his boyfriend, Roger.

A New Brain dealt directly with Finn's brain disorder and how he recovered with the healing power of art.

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:eyes: II. CHARACTERS :eyes:

Gordon Michael Schwinn

(A lovable but sarcastic composer)

Mr. Bungee

(The slightly tyrannical director/producer/star of his own children's television show)

Mimi Schwinn

(Gordon's loving yet unstable mother)

Rhoda

(Gordon's agent and best-friend)

Roger Delli-Bovi

(Gordon's charming and affectionate boyfriend)

Richard

(A kind and comionate nurse)

Lisa

(A homeless lady)

Waitress/Nancy D.

(The waitress is overbearing; Nancy is a mean nurse)

Dr. Jafar Berensteiner

(An unsympathetic doctor)

The Minister

(A somewhat clueless man of the cloth at the hospital)

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:notes: III. MUSICAL NUMBERS :notes:

"Frogs Have So Much Spring Within Them" (The Spring Song) (Gordon)

"Calamari" (Gordon, Rhoda, Waitress, Mr. Bungee)

"911 Emergency/ I Have So Many Songs" (Richard, Waitress, Doctor, Rhoda, Minister, Lisa)

"Heart and Music" (Minister and Gordon with All but Mr. Bungee)

"Trouble in His Brain" (Doctor and Mimi)

"Mother's Gonna Make Things Fine" (Mimi and Gordon)

"Be Polite to Everyone" (Mr Bungee)

"I'd Rather Be Sailing" (Roger with Gordon)

"Family History" (Nancy D, Richard, Mimi)

"Gordo's Law of Genetics" (Nancy D, Doctor, Minister, Rhoda, Richard, Lisa)

"And They're Off" (Gordon with Nancy D, Doctor, Minister, Rhoda, Richard, Lisa)

"Roger Arrives" (Gordon, Roger, Mother, and Rhoda)

"Just Go" (Gordon and Roger)

"Poor, Unsuccessful and Fat" (Richard, Gordon, Mr. Bungee)

"Sitting Becalmed in the Lee of Cuttyhunk" (All but Mr. Bungee)

"Craniotomy" (Doctor, Nancy D, Minister)

"Invitation to Sleep in My Arms" (Gordon, Roger, Rhoda, Mimi)

"Change" (Lisa)

"Yes" (Gordon, Mr. Bungee, Nancy D, Doctor, Minister, Rhoda)

"In the Middle of the Room" (Gordon, Mimi)

"Throw It Out" (Mimi)

"Really Lousy Day in the Universe" (Roger and Lisa)

"Brain Dead" (Gordon and Roger)

"Whenever I Dream" (Rhoda and Gordon)

"Eating Myself Up Alive" (Richard with Nancy D, Doctor, Minister, Lisa)

"Music Still Plays On" (Mimi)

"Don't Give In" (Mr. Bungee with Gordon, Roger, Rhoda, Mimi)

"You Boys Are Gonna Get Me in Such Trouble/ Sailing (reprise)" (Richard, Gordon, Roger)

"Homeless Lady's Revenge" (Lisa, Gordon, Roger)

"Time" (Roger and Gordon)

"Time and Music" (Minister, Gordon, and All)

"I Feel So Much Spring" (Gordon, Lisa, Minister and All)

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:busts_in_silhouette: VI. CAST :busts_in_silhouette:

(OOBC - Original Off-Broadway Cast)

(EOCC - Encores! Off-Center Cast)

Gordon Michael Schwinn

OOBC - Malcom Gets

EOCC - Jonathan Groff

Mr. Bungee

OOBC - Chip Zien

EOCC - Dan Fogler (Christian Borle on the recording

Mimi Schwinn

OOBC - Penny Fuller

EOCC - Ana Gasteyer

Rhoda

OOBC - Liz Larsen

EOCC - Alyse Alan Louis

Roger Delli-Bovi

OOBC - Christopher Innvar (Norm Lewis on the recording)

EOCC - Aaron Lazar

Richard

OOBC - Michael Mandell

EOCC - Josh Lamon

Lisa

OOBC - Mary Testa

EOCC - Rema Webb

Waitress/Nancy D.

OOBC - Kristin Chenoweth

EOCC - Jenni Barber

Dr. Jafar Berensteiner

OOBC - John Jellison

EOCC - Bradley Dean

The Minister

OOBC - Keith Bryon Kirk

EOCC - Quentin Earl Darrington

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:closed_book: V. MAIN PRODUCTIONS :closed_book:

1998 Off-Broadway

2002 St. Louis

2015 Encores! Off-Center

International Productions

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:dizzy: VI. EXTRA :dizzy:

There are two recordings!

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:star: VII. MY OPINION :star:

A New Brain tells a wonderful and inspiring story of William Finn. It shows his perseverance and the message of making the most out of life. I've listened to the 1998 and 2015 recording. Both of them are equally amazing. A New Brain is easily in my top five favorite musicals.

My favorite songs are Heart and Music, And They're Off, Just Go, and I'd Rather be Sailing (of course)!

I highly, highly recommend listening to this musical! You can listen to the 1998 recording on Youtube, and the 2015 recording on Spotify! (Jonathan Groff is amazing in this one!)

IF I GOT ANY INFORMATION WRONG, PLEASE TELL ME.