John Gay: The Beggar's Opera Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy John Gay: The Beggar's Opera? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on John Gay: The Beggar's Opera. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

John Gay: The Beggar's Opera ReviewBenjamin Britten's "realisation" of John Gay's enduring ballad opera, made for the newly formed English Opera Group, had its premiere on 24 May 1948; this remarkable CD presents a substantial portion of a broadcast of 22 September in the same year, apparently with the "1st cast" intact. So even if it were not a wonderful performance - which it is - it would be of tremendous historical significance.
The neglected step-child among Britten's operas, in his hands "The Beggar's Opera" really becomes an opera, rather than a play with interpolated popular songs of the early 18th century. The harmonic and orchestral invention is as strong as in the contemporaneous "Rape of Lucretia" and "Albert Herring," and the way Britten links long stretches made up of short tunes is (no surprise) ingenious and often brilliant. Unlike the discreet Britten/Imogen Holst edition of Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," this isn't just an "arrangement," but a provocative and enjoyable modern re-imagining that is closer in spirit to Brecht & Weill ("Threepenny Opera") than to Frederick Austin's prettily genteel, and famously successful, 1920 version of Gay.
The only complete recording of the Britten came in 1993 (Argo), with Steuart Bedford leading an excellent orchestra and an experienced cast of singer-actors - Philip Langridge outstanding as Macheath. Some questionable dialogue choices aside - rather too much rewriting for my taste - it's an enjoyable 2 CD set in modern sound that lets us hear Britten's fantastic instrumental invention (for 12 players) in all its glory.
But in some ways, both musical & dramatic, this 1948 broadcast makes a stronger case for Britten's work. Although it's a studio performance, not a stage one - an advantage it terms of the sound - the singers have all had several months' experience of touring the show, and give generally lively, assured and even vivid performances, notably Peter Pears (Macheath) & Otakar Kraus (Lockit); Nancy Evans (Polly) is especially affecting in the later, anguished portions of her role. Then, too, it's possible to catch glimpses of original stage director Tyrone Guthrie's influence, especially in the active vocal participation of the "audience" of beggars. Above all, there's the composer leading a superb orchestra in an ideal reading: tempi beautifully chosen, flexible but not indulgent for the singers, and with genuine rhythmic vitality.
This studio version is abridged: musically only slightly - 7 songs and 1 "melodrama" are gone - and verbally a great deal, with narration substituting for dialogue in many places. Also, much (not all) of the dialogue appears to have been handed over to a team of actors - all of Polly, Lucy & Macheath's lines, unless my ears deceive me - and tho the "matching" is done pretty well, it means this can only be a partial record of the singers' performances & of Guthrie's work (his most provocative innovation, making the Beggar/"author" of the piece a woman, has been jettisoned entirely). Also, there are a few missing notes here and there, especially at the start of numbers (including the Overture), and the dialogue has been further shortened in order to fit it all onto one CD, making for some abrupt jumps into numbers. (By the way, the booklet gets the Act One/Two division wrong; Britten's Act One incorporates the "tavern" scene at the start of Gay's Two.) On the other hand, after a slightly rough start, the sound settles down into something quite listenable, with the solo voices excellently present and clear.
So let's count our blessings & be glad this has been preserved for all to hear: essential for Britten fans, "Beggar's Opera" fans, and quite possibly of great interest to others.John Gay: The Beggar's Opera Overview

Want to learn more information about John Gay: The Beggar's Opera?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) Review... why this show flopped the first time around (yeah, yeah, "A Chorus Line"... biiiig deal... wow.). And why people don't realize what an absolutely TERRIFIC recording this is. First of all, just look at the names. GWEN VERDON (which, alone, is enough to make me gape in awe). CHITA RIVERA. JERRY ORBACH. I mean, these are absolutely brilliant performers. Let me tell you a little about each song, maybe that will help you in your decision to purchase this CD.
-The Overture is a LOT of fun. VERY roaring 20's ish.
-All That Jazz. FUN SONG! And, to me, this is Chita's baby. Nobody can perform it like her... BeBe came CLOSE... but this is Chita's song all the way. Such spirit.
-Funny Honey: Gwen does such a great job with this song... and I LOVE to hear her sing "Lord knows he ain't got the smarts!" I prefer Gwen's Roxie to Ann's because... well, as much as I love Ann Reinking, her voice is so grainy and rough hewn on this song. Gwen's is breathy and throaty, but still girlish enough to make you feel kinda sorry for Roxie. Gwen is so fantastic in this song! Marvelous!
-Cell Block Tango: I haven't heard a bad version of this song yet... but this song is my favorite... just to hear Chita go "I didn't do it!" And the Liz is SPECTACULAR with her "So I said to him I said, 'BERNIE! You pop that gum one... more... time.' And he did. So I took the shotgun off the wall, and I fired two warning shots. Into his head!"
-When You're Good To Mama: Mary McCarty does a GREAT job with this song... she and Vicki Lewis sing it very similar, which I think is great.
-All I Care About: Jerry Orbach RULES as Billy Flynn. I mean, he just sounds so much more... sleazy and... sneaky... and like some crooner out of the 20s than James Naughton. The man has an amazing voice, which, up until I heard this, I didn't know. (Idiot me didn't realize he was Lumiere in Beauty & The Beast... go figure!)
-A Little Bit Of Good: Just listen to M. O'Haughey hit those high notes. You'll understand. :o)
-We Both Reached For The Gun: Fun and a half on this one, ladies and gentlemen! Again, the high point in this song is to hear Gwen Verdon go "Are you kiddin'?!" But it's a truly great, fast, fun song!
-Roxie: Okay, FAR SUPERIOR to ANY version I have EVER heard done of this song, including that of Ann Reinking and Ruthie Henshall. This is classic, wonderful, ever-sparklin' Gwen Verdon. I mean, had I ever been around in 1975 to see her do this number... I'd have probably fainted. Her vocals are terrific, and the song is just so much fun... and not as choppy and wavering between speaking and singing as the other versions are. Gwen's absolutely TERRIFIC in this song, she sparkles like no one else ever did and ever will again!
-I Can't Do It Alone: Another rousing rendition of a song by Chita. Lots of fun... you'll run around going "She'd say 'What's ya sista like?!' I'd say 'MEN!' Yuk yuk yuk!" for days!
-My Own Best Friend: Beautiful, beautiful song sung by two beautiful ladies with beautiful voices.
-Me And My Baby: Some people don't like the ballad version that Gwen sings as much as the jazzier version. Oh well, this one's still cute as it can be. Gotta adore Gwen.
-Mr. Cellophane: Barney Martin does a superb job with this song! Chalk one up for him!
-When Velma Takes The Stand: Chita shines again... ya gotta love her.
-Razzle Dazzle: I like this version of Razzle Dazzle more than James Naughton's, and ESPECIALLY more than the way they did it in "Fosse"... all... slow and what not. Jerry Orbach's vocals again work their magic.
-Class: Chita and Mary McCarty belt out this one! Great fun, and great voices!
-Nowadays: Gwen does a GREAT job with the solo at the beginning... I've often heard said that Gwen was not a first rate singer, but I don't see what's so bad about her voice. Maybe she's not Shirley Jones or Ethel Merman, but she's anything BUT off-key and she's got SPIRIT. She brings a lot of spirit to the first half. Then, she and Chita make a harmonious sound together in the second half... it's wonderful just to hear their devilish little laughs after "It's gonnnnna change, ya know... hahaha!"
-All That Jazz Reprise: And it closes with a bang from Chita, belting out "All That Jazz"!
All in all, this is a GREAT CD, and a must have for die hard "Chicago" fans, die hard Gwen Verdon fans (such as myself), and die hard Chita Rivera fans.
This is ALSO a GREAT CD if you just want a recording from "Chicago". It's a masterpiece in my eyes, and you won't regret purchasing it.Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about Chicago - A Musical Vaudeville (1975 Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Oklahoma (1964 Studio Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Oklahoma (1964 Studio Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Oklahoma (1964 Studio Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Oklahoma (1964 Studio Cast) ReviewI liked this 1964 studio cast album of Oklahoma for what it has to offer, but it is lacking the meaning, sincerity, and lustre of all other recordings of the show that preceeded this one. John Raitt and Florence Henderson are both wonderful in their roles, just as good as those that went before them in the film and the original Broadway production. Supporting cast is ideal as well. Entirely new orchestrations have been arranged and really do a disservice to the beautiful original orchestrations in place since 1943 (I believe the 1955 movie version altered some but did not incorporate all-new orchestrations). My first impression when listening to the Overture was that it sounds more like a childrens' sing along record than one of Broadway's greatest triumphs. Sound quality and presentation are wonderful throughout. This is a worthy addition to your collection, but if Columbia/Sony really wants to make my day, they'll remaster and re-release their 1952 studio cast recording of Oklahoma, with Nelson Eddy as Curly, into their "Broadway Masterworks" series. I HIGHLY recommend that recording if you are fortunate enough to find it. I believe it is still in print.Oklahoma (1964 Studio Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about Oklahoma (1964 Studio Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast) ReviewKISMET began life as a 1911 play, filmed as a silent that year and again as a talkie in Vitascope widescreen (65 mm.) in 1930. It got the MGM Technicolor treatment in 1942 and then was adapted into this sumptuous operetta in 1953, followed by a leaden and boring fourth film version -this time of the musical - in 1955. Here is the extraordinary original cast - Alfred Drake Doretta Morrow, Richard Kiley, Joan Diener and Henry Calvin.Sound is excellent, performances both dramatically and musically are superb and the orchestrations are lush, dramatic, sumptuous and breathtakingly beautiful. Too bad the book is humorous fluff - but the score is one of the glories of the musical theatre. This was the first LP designed solely for that format (times weren't trimmed to fit on one side of a 78 or 45 rpm alternate disk) and the first to be recorded in microgroove, allowing for far more recorded sound per LP side than before. Exceptional clarity, the excitement of a live Broadway performance and deserved winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score and Best Actor. It ran for 583 performances on Broadway and was revived in 1978 in an African version, TIMBUKTU. Exceptional conducting. Here are the 18 original musical numbers. Dance music is not included but in any case this is a gem in the recorded annals of musical history. Very worth owning. (Note: This was Kiley's first show and Diener's next to last. Years later he was to star as Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA with Diener costarring in her last role as Aldonza). Note the "theatrical" approach of Alfred Drake from the rear of the recording studio in RYMES HAVE I - another "touch" of Goddard Lieberson, recording producer for Columbia.Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about Kismet (1953 Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer ReviewYou can tell from the overture that this will not be Pirates as written. Yes, most of the material is there, but it is re-orchestrated for synthesizer etc. And the cast appears to be VIPs from Austrailia's theater world rather than G&S singers. Rather like the Ronstat Kline US production. Most are amplified and that is at times distracting. Now if you can accept this you are in for a genuine delight. These folks are wonderful entertainers and the schticks flow fast and free. Not that the original is slighted. Look at it as a way to bring G&S up to date. Accept Australia's premise and prepare to be swept up in inspired lunacy.Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer Overview

Want to learn more information about Gilbert & Sullivan - The Pirates of Penzance / Jon English, Simon Gallaher, Helen Donaldson, Toni Lamond, Derek Metzger, Tim Tyler, Craig Schaffer?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

NOTRE DAME OF PARIS (1999) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy NOTRE DAME OF PARIS (1999)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on NOTRE DAME OF PARIS (1999). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

NOTRE DAME OF PARIS (1999) ReviewWith the huge success of such grand musicals as LES MISERABLES and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, it was perhaps obvious that sooner or later Victor Hugo's classic of love and fate, NOTRE DAME DE PARIS (AKA "The Hunchback of Notre Dame") would also get the musical treatment. Disney had already done it before as an animated film, but this time, the tragic story would be presented as a big operatic musical production. The end result would be somewhat mixed as NOTRE DAME DE PARIS became a theatrical box-office hit in both France and Canada, while underwhelming British and American audiences. (Part of this could be blamed on an English translation that proved to be both repetitive and banal.)
This DVD of NOTRE DAME DE PARIS presents the production in its original French with the option to access other language sub-titles, including English. There is also a 15 minute documentary covering the making of the musical. NOTRE DAME DE PARIS is indeed a sprawling production on a grand scale. It tells the story of the beautiful gypsy Esmeralda and of the three men who are enthralled by her: the soldier Phoebus, the priest Frollo, and Notre Dame's hunchbacked bell ringer, Quasimodo. When Esmeralda is accused of a crime which she did not commit, Quasimodo rescues and shelters her in the sanctuary of Notre Dame. However, things fall apart with tragic results.
Garou does a wonderful job of capturing the pain and humanity of Quasimodo. With his plaintive gravelly voice, his is a touching performance. Helen Segara makes for a wonderfully beautiful, if somewhat distracted, Esmeralda. Daniel Lavoie is appropriately tortured as the nasty Frollo, while Patrick Fiori is solid as the shallow Phoebus. Julie Zenatti makes the usually minor role of Pheobus' fiancée an effectively strong one, while Bruno Pelletier keeps things united as a poet/narrator. The costumes, which basically suggest the story's medieval timeframe, are only partially successful in that some of the modern touches are far too jarring for the story. The choreography also suffers since some of the numbers become far too sprawling and unfocused. There are wonderful touches throughout, however, including the sobering heart-felt finale which is true to the novel. (Something that most filmed versions of this classic tend to avoid.)
Despite its flaws, NOTRE DAME DE PARIS is definitely a show that respects its source material. As a result, it deserves attention and is definitely worth a recommendation.NOTRE DAME OF PARIS (1999) Overview

Want to learn more information about NOTRE DAME OF PARIS (1999)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway) (Snap Case) (1982) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway) (Snap Case) (1982)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway) (Snap Case) (1982). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway) (Snap Case) (1982) ReviewI have been watching this 1982 production of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" for almost twenty years on videotape, so releasing it on DVD would be greatly appreciated. The cast features three of the original stars of the 1979 Broadway production: Angela Lansbury in her Tony Award winning role as Mrs. Lovett, Edmund Lyndeck as Judge Turpin, and Ken Jennings as Tobias Ragg. Well, you can also add to this list Cris Groenendaal and Betsy Joslyn, who play the young lovers Anthony Hope and Johanna, since they were members of the original company. Len Cariou had been replaced in the title role by George Hearn, who was still two years away from winning the Tony Award for his performance in "La Cage aux Folles." On Broadway Hearn played opposite Dorothy Louden before teaming up with Lansbury for the show's touring company and eventually this Showtime production of the musical.
Stephen Sondheim has said that if people insist on putting "Sweeney Todd" into a category it would be black comic operetta, which is as good a way as any of defining its uniqueness. If you are going to have a barber who slits the throats of his customer team up with a woman who bakes the corpses into meat pies, then black comedy would be the way to go. But what makes "Sweeney Todd" so marvelous is that it mixes the dark comedy with chilling horror. For the most part the comedy is carried by Lansbury's Mrs. Lovett, starting with "The Worst Pies in Lond," while Hearn's Todd provides the chills, beginning with the hauntingly beautiful "My Friends," sung to his razors. Of course, it is "A Little Priest" that brings these two elements together, but while it is no doubt the show's signature piece it is not the supreme dramatic moment. That comes right before that glorious end to Act I when Hearn signs "Epiphany," which for me remains the song I would most like to be able to do on Broadway, although I can forget about matching Hearn's tour-de-force performance.
When you consider that the last three songs of Act I are "Pretty Women," "Epiphany," and "A Little Priest," it is difficult to imagine a show having a stronger ending before Intermission. There is a sense in which Act II does not measure up, but that is become the bloody climax to "Sweeney Todd" rests more on action than songs. I can still remember watching it for the first time, in live performance fortunately, and thinking that they were reaching the point where things were going too far and the tragedy was about to become too complete. The only real complaint about this video production is that unlike the original cast album or what you are subjected to in live performance, the steam whistle that accompanies each slash across a victim's throat does not make your nervous system explode.Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway) (Snap Case) (1982) OverviewTimes are hard in 1846 London and one must make do. So Nellie Lovett adds something extra to the meat pies she peddles on Fleet Street. The secret ingredient: freshly murdered victims of her partner in crime, barber Sweeney Todd. Composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim refashions a macabre tale into a musical masterwork in this dazzling performance of the 1979 Broadway hit originally staged by Harold Prince. In her Tony-winning role (one of eight the show earned, including Best Musical), Angela Lansbury plays Nellie. George Hearn turns his stage role of twisted Sweeney into an Emmy-winning triumph. The score coils around itself in ever-tightening spirals. The lines ripple with black humor and madness. Enter Sweeney's tonsorial parlor. Attend the tale.

Want to learn more information about Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Broadway) (Snap Case) (1982)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) ReviewThe original Broadway cast album of MY FAIR LADY is a mandatory disc in every self-respecting musical fan's collection. It captures the cast at the top of their game, and Julie Andrews at the peak of her Broadway career. Her voice is sparkling and effervescent, with Rex Harrison as a thrilling Higgins and Stanley Holloway a delight as Eliza's erstwhile father Alfred P. Doolittle. The monaural sound is warm and lush in Columbia's best style. This newest remaster of the album sounds better than ever. By the time the London cast album was recorded 4 years later (to take advantage of the new stereo format), a tired feeling had crept into Julie Andrews' singing (or perhaps boredom), so the Broadway edition is the format of choice, despite the technical limitations of the mono mix.My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about My Fair Lady (1956 Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (1995) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (1995)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (1995). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (1995) ReviewWords fail me when I try to describe this video. Les Miz is a glorious play, what with the genius of Boublil & Schonberg. I didn't think I would much enjoy this video because of its lack of actual set & acting and also the few short pieces cut. But it still blew me away. Best of all was the cast. It truly was the definitive edition.
Colm Wilkinson is just the perfect Valjean. His voice has such emotion & resonance to it. And he has such a strong presence as an actor.
Philip Quast was another excellent performer. I've once heard his voice described as "flinty" and I think that that's a good word for it. He really portrays Javert with such coldness, he makes the character quite vivid.
Ruthie Henshall's Fantine is one of those rare performances in musical theatre which simply cannot be surpassed. Henshall's voice is so stirring, heartbreaking, reverberating, deep, chilling, and beautiful. Her "I Dreamed a Dream" is excellent!
Michael Ball's Marius needs to introduction. He's THE Marius, what else is there to say? His voice so, so powerful and he sings with such heart. His "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" is truly captivating.
Michael Maguire's Enjolras is often criticised. Yes, this wasn't the best performance he probably could have given and he did miss a few notes. But he still has a great voice. People argue that Anthony Warlow is a better Enjolras. While I agree that Warlow has the vocal edge, there's something in Maguire's performance that makes him so much like Enjolras and just so perfect for the part.
Judy Kuhn's Cosette was the one performance which I can say is good but not great. She didn't strike me the first time I heard her, though she has grown on me. She does have a lovely voice, but I just don't go for the whole "ringing soprano" thing. In fact, almost all Cosettes & Christines and the like in general just annoy me. I think Kuhn sounded better as Pocahontas.
Hannah Chick's little Cosette was SO adorable! She didn't miss a note during "Castle On A Cloud" which she just sang so sweetly. At the same time, she didn't seem to overact the sweetness, which I've seen all too many Cosettes do. And the way she kept singing after the stage light explosion was very professional.
And Adam Searles, gotta Love him. Similar to Maguire, I have heard Gavroches with better voices that Searles but he just has the part of Gavroche down so well. He just has the perfect street-wise, smart-aleck attitude perfectly.
I was shocked as to how many people disliked Lea Salonga's Eponine. Even more shocking was how people insisted that Frances Ruffelle was much better. I think Salonga was THE most phenomenal singer of the night. To me, Ruffelle sounds terrible! Many have called Salonga too "bitter" or "angry" but Eponine is a bitter, angry character! Salonga sings with such force, and at other times (e.g. "A Little Fall of Rain") with such sad sweetness. Her "On My Own" was so excellent that watching it is an intense experience. I could barely tear my eyes from the screen the first time I saw her sing it. I think there is no question that she's THE definitive Eponine. 'Course that's just my opinion.
All in all, this was the greatest performance of Les Miz I have ever seen!Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (1995) OverviewThe 10th anniversary of the international musical sensation Les Misérables is celebrated in this 1995 concert at London's Royal Albert Hall. The all-star cast features Colm Wilkinson (Valjean), Ruthie Henshall (Fantine), Michael Ball (Marius), Judy Kuhn (Cosette), Lea Salonga (Eponine), Philip Quast (Javert), and Alun Armstrong (Thenardier).Favorite songs from the Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg score include "Who Am I?", "I Dreamed a Dream," "Master of the House," "One Day More," "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "Bring Him Home."

Want to learn more information about Les Miserables - The Dream Cast in Concert (1995)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Camelot (Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Camelot (Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Camelot (Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Camelot (Original Broadway Cast) ReviewThe original cast of "Camelot", Richard Burton as Arthur, Julie Andrews as Guinevere, Robert Goulet as Lancelot, is one of those rare coming togethers of great talent in a Broadway show that all you can do is wonder why in God's name (a) the show wasn't recorded in its entirety back then on film or tape and (b) none of these participants reprised their roles in the dreadful 1967 movie version. What was Joshua Logan smoking when he insisted on Richard Harris instead of Burton? It remains one of the most baffling stories in the history of Broadway musicals mucked up by Hollywood.
This CD of the original cast is therefore all the more precious because its your only chance to sample this wonderful assemblage of talent performing the best Lerner-Loewe score next to "My Fair Lady". The remastered CD is a must, putting the songs back in their right order and sounding much better than the earlier CD pressing did.
Ultimately, the CD gets only four stars from me not because of its presentation, but because of the manner in which this recording was first produced back in 1960. Goddard Lieberson, the head of Columbia Records who produced cast recordings back then was notorious for damaging the essence of what a cast recording was supposed to be, i.e. a document of the show and its music and instead often made some very bad tamperings with the material in order to achieve a supposedly "purer" musical listening experience. This meant (a) always eliminating all dialogue snippets that led into a song or was spoken between verses (b) sometimes eliminating whole musical sections that didn't sound "musical" enough and were more stage bound. In the case of "Camelot" this supposedly more "artistic" decision results in the loss of Julie Andrews lines and contributions in the title song so that it's a Burton solo. We also lose Burton's angry prelude to "How To Handle A Woman" where he rails against Merlin, and finally the ending which reprises the title song has been tampered into something it wasn't and never was on stage. Goddard Lieberson's aversion to dialogue from the play in this case not only harmed the integrity of this recording as a document of the play, but also robs us the ability to hear how really good Burton, Andrews etc were in their performances as well as their singing. The end result is still magnificent in the form its presented, but should have been more definitive than it turned out to be.Camelot (Original Broadway Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about Camelot (Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) ReviewIt's been a long time since a show has had as memorable a score as Urinetown. Having seen the off- Broadway show twice I can say that the recording has preserved the fun and sprit of the show and performances. The cast headed by John Cullum is steller, every member is perfect and gives a standout performance. Mark Hollman and Greg Kotis must be given standing ovations for their score. You really leave the the theatre humming the score! Don't let the title turn you off - nothing is that offensive or crude -neither is the musical a one joke show overdone to death, it's a clever mix of Threepenny Opera meets The Cradle Will Rock with a generous helping of Broadway self parody thrown in for good measure. You would die with laughter if you only saw the number "Snuff that Girl" let alone the whole show. Hats off also to the orchestrator and the 5 musicians who sound like a full pit orchestra. If you get to New York after the show opens on Broadway RUN and get a ticket- but for now get the CD and start to relish a truly original, funny, tuneful, well sung and performed rare gem of a show.Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about Urinetown (2001 Original Off-Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Gospel At Colonus (2008) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Gospel At Colonus (2008)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Gospel At Colonus (2008). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Gospel At Colonus (2008) ReviewThis original performance of Oedipus at Colonus is truly one of the most remarkable adaptations of an ancient work for the the modern stage. Other reviewers have commented on the content and the action of the performance; I can only second their enthusiasm. I was blessed to see Gospel at Colonus live in 1996 when it was in Seattle. Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama are amazing live, and much of their unique energy powers this production.
I must now, unfortunately, turn my review to the production values of this long awaited DVD. They are abysmal: poor video and inexcusably bad audio. I disagree with other reviewers who assert that this quality is 'typical' of recordings of the time. (by contrast, look at the Great Performances live recording of the The Flying Karamazov Brothers production of Shakespeare's "A Comedy of Errors" at the Vivian Beaumont theater about the same time. The two are in different worlds of recording quality.)
Running several off the shelf video processing tools would have substantially improved the video quality of this presentation. And while items like vision mixing, camera placement, etc. can't be fixed in post production, the audio certainly could have been: the performance that was recorded live for broadcast was the same one that was recorded live for the excellently produced cast album, which has been available for years. Patching in the crystal clear audio of the album as an alternate audio track on the DVD is the work of about 3 days in a post production studio. Clearly the producers of this DVD were more interested in ringing the cash register than in providing the best archival quality recording of production. I'm tempted to do the work myself and put it up on fanedit.com because after listening to the album for years, listening to the DVD is almost painful.
So 4 stars for finally getting off the pot and getting this seminal work published. But one star lost for not giving a damn about what the quality of the product that they published. I'll be watching this production company closely from now on and be more prone to *RENT* their works before I commit to buying them.Gospel At Colonus (2008) OverviewA renowned collaboration between experimental theater director Lee Breuer and composer Bob Telson, THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS retells Sophocles' classical tragedy Oedipus at Colonus through the medium of modern gospel. This filmed version of the much-lauded 1985 Philadelphia performance traces the epic storyline of the original text, while also interweaving aspects of Oedipus Rex, Antigone, and the Christian salvific narrative. Taking up the dramatic tension and emotional turmoil of classical tragedy and infusing it with passionate, inventive performances and an electrifying gospel and soul inflected musical montage, the production also features an unforgettable cast, including Javetta Steele, Isabell Monk, Robert Earl Jones, Carl Lumbly, Clarence Fountain and the Blind Boys of Alabama (who collectively play Oedipus), and, as the Messenger (and here Pentecostal preacher), Morgan Freeman. Freeman's commanding oratory to a rapt live audience recasts classical rhetoric in an African-American gospel mode, impressively fusing Hellenistic myth and Christian parable. Finally available on DVD, THE GOSPEL AT COLONUS showcases the pinnacle of postmodern theater and captures live drama at its most vibrant, daring, and innovative.

Want to learn more information about Gospel At Colonus (2008)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

South Pacific: In Concert From Carnegie Hall (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy South Pacific: In Concert From Carnegie Hall (2006)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on South Pacific: In Concert From Carnegie Hall (2006). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

South Pacific: In Concert From Carnegie Hall (2006) ReviewWhat superlatives are left to describe this concert? This is a truly exhilirating, incandescent performance filled with an all too rare quality, passion. The New York Times review described it best as "near complete rapture." For those who belittle the idea of Reba McEntire in a Broadway musical, take a look at this first before passing unjustified comments. It doesn't matter if she's a country singer, an opera singer or a rap singer, or if she is older than what Nellie Forbush should be. Anyone who can perform with this level of passion and conviction deserves unstinting praise. What a pity it was a one-night only performance. At least we have this DVD as a permanent keepsake. Brian Stokes Mitchell is in equally fine form as Emile de Becque, the French plantation owner, who deservedly brings the house down (and the concert itself to an almost minute-long standstill) with his moving rendition of "This Nearly Was Mine." It may only be a concert performance, without costumes or sets, but it puts many fully staged musicals to shame. All the supporting cast are equally commendable. My one tiny criticism is that the voice coach should have taught the children to sing "Dites Moi" with a more "neutral" accent. The children are supposed to be French Polynesian, children of "a cultured Frenchman." However, they sound more American than Nellie Forbush.
The picture quality on this DVD is absolutely gorgeous. When you consider that it was practically a last minute decision to film the concert at all, the camera crew, sound crew and all the technicians involved did a truly remarkable job. One of the finest live performance recordings I've had the pleasure to watch. The picture is presented in its original 1.78:1 widescreen (enhanced for widescreen TV) with razor sharp images, vibrant, natural colors & perfect black levels. Two soundtracks are provided, one in 2.0 Dolby Stereo and the other in 5.1 Dolby Surround. Rich, sumptuous sound throughout. This is a performace to treasure for years to come. Already I've watched it through thrice, two occasions back-to-back. It always has me singing and whistling along from start to finish. Guaranteed to raise a smile on even the dreariest day. A deliriously joyful DVD. There are no extras but I don't begrudge the lack one bit. This will be my favorite DVD for many months to come.South Pacific: In Concert From Carnegie Hall (2006) OverviewBroadway, like everyone, loves Reba McEntire. The redheaded Oklahoma firebrand took on the one-night-only concert role of Nellie Forbush on June 9, 2005-the role Mary Martin immortalized in the 1949 Rodgers & Hammerstein classic South Pacific-and the rialto's toughest critics, led by The New York Times' Ben Brantley, instantly surrendered. "Open-voiced and open-faced, she was born to play Nellie," Brantley wrote of the Carnegie Hall benefit performance, adding that the entire production was performed "in a state of nearly unconditional rapture. It was one of those nights when cynicism didn't stand a chance." Happily that enchanted evening can be shared with fans everywhere when "SOUTH PACIFIC" IN CONCERT FROM CARNEGIE HALL comes to DVD. Completing the luxury casting are Broadway and Hollywood icons Brian Stokes Mitchell and Alec Baldwin, as, respectively, French planter Emile de Becque and wise guy sailor Luther Billis. The performance also aired on Thirteen/WNE! T New York's GREAT PERFORMANCES on PBS in April/May.

Want to learn more information about South Pacific: In Concert From Carnegie Hall (2006)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast) ReviewIf you are going to be audacious enough to try and make a musical of Huckleberry Finn, then choosing Roger Miller of "King of the Road" fame to write the songs is certainly an inspired move. "Big River," the Tony Award winning musical, owes as much to Miller as it does to Mark Twain for writing the classic story in the first place. Of course when you are talking Roger Miller you are talking fun songs, from John Goodman's ripping diatribe on "Guv'ment" as Huck's Pappy and Tom Sawyer's (John Short) "Hand for the Hog" to the two songs by the King (Bob Gunton) and the Duke (Rene Auberjonois), "When the Sun Goes Down in the South" and "The Royal Nonesuch" ("She's got one big breast in the middle of her chest/And an eye in the middle of her nose/So says I, if you look her in the eye/You're better off looking up her nose"). Even when Miller offers us the tender country ballad, "You Oughta Be Here with Me," Mary Jane Wilkes (Patti Cohenour, who later went on to play Christine in "Phantom of the Opera" on Broadway) sings the song to her father's coffin. "The Crossing" is a nice spiritual, but clearly the best songs are reserved for the Huck (Daniel Jenkins) and Jim (Ron Richardson): "Muddy Water," as they shove off on a raft for Freedom, "River in the Rain" as they spend their last moments alone on the river, and "World's Apart" as the recognize the gulf that exists between them. They also do a trio with Mary Jane on "Leavin's Not the Only Way to Go." The only shortcoming of this musical comes at the end, when we get to the greatest passage in American Literature, when Huck declares he will help Jim to freedom even if it means going to hell; Miller offers a reprise of "Waitin' for the Light to Shine" rather than coming up with a new song to capture this epic moment. Similarly, Jim's "Free at Last" echoes too much of the old spiritual instead of offering something more unique. However, while this is somewhat disappointing it is not entirely unsatisfying, and I do not mean to downplay Miller's monumental success with this score. After all, Leonard Bernstein never came up with a final aria for Maria at the end of "West Side Story," and that did not take away from the greatness of that musical. At the end of "Big River" what stands out are the moments between Huck and Jim captured in song; those are the ones you are going to want to hear over and over. With his wide variety of songs for this show, Miller perfectly matched the breadth of Twain's writings. It is a monumental achievement and a lasting legacy for Miller, who proved himself to be a writer of much more than novelty hits.Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast) OverviewNo Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: CDArtist: BIG RIVERTitle: ORIGINAL CASTStreet Release Date: 06/23/1988

Want to learn more information about Big River: The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn (1985 Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Stormy Weather (1943) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Stormy Weather (1943)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Stormy Weather (1943). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Stormy Weather (1943) ReviewVaguely based on the life of Bill "Bojangles" Robinson himself, STORMY WEATHER offers the story of a WWI vet who falls in love with a singer--and under her influence goes into show business, only to find that their careers draw them in different directions. As a story, it is pretty slim stuff... but as a collection of musical turns by some of the early 1940s best black talent, it simply can't be beat.
Robinson was, of course, one of the truly great dancers of his era. Made late in his career, this film doesn't really manage to capture the scope of his talents, but he remains a constant joy to watch. A very young and remarkably beautiful Lena Horne also offers several enjoyable songs, including one that she would go on to perform with increasing sophistocation and ultimately make entirely her own: the title tune "Stormy Weather." In addition to Calloway and Horne, STORMY WEATHER offers great performances by such under-filmed artists as Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham, Fats Waller (performing his signature tune, "Ain't Misbehaving"), the brillant Nicholas Brothers, and Ada Brown, as well as the popular comic actor Dooley Wilson. Expect nothing from the story, but you won't be disappointed by this rare glimpse at some truly remarkable talents.Stormy Weather (1943) Overview

Want to learn more information about Stormy Weather (1943)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival. Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival ReviewThis is the version done at the Stratford Festival in the late 80s with Eric Donkin and Marie Baron. The staging is very sparse, but quite well done. This new version is not as high quality as the earlier (more expensive) version, but well worth the $17. Purists beware -- some of the songs have been gutted and the lyrics have been changed!Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival Overview

Want to learn more information about Gilbert & Sullivan - The Mikado / Donkin, Saks, Stratford Festival?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film) Review~
~ - ~ For the most complete set of songs from Cabaret, I recommend the 1998 Broadway version. But for the most memorable performances, this Movie version with Joel Grey and Liza Minelli is a winner.
~
~ - ~ However, the one thing you will miss most in any other version of Cabaret is Liza Minelli belting out the title song, and even more importantly, her rendition of "Maybe this time". I've seen the show twice, and have 3 different sound tracks, but no one anywhere can sing these two songs like her. Another bonus is Liza Minelli and Joel Grey singing "Money, Money, Money".
~ - ~ This version, while it has fewer songs, (and some lyrics were cut), is remarkable for the quality of the singing. It is especially good if you've seen the movie. Then such numbers as "Tomorrow Belongs to Me" will really carry an emotional impact.
~
~ - ~ Overall, not the most complete collection of songs from Cabaret. But I have to give it 5 stars because I keep this tape in my car along with the Broadway version, just so I can hear Liza sing "maybe this time I'll win..." one more time.Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film) Overview

Want to learn more information about Cabaret: Original Soundtrack Recording (1972 Film)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast) Review"Next to Normal," with music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, is the kind of cast recording I respond to immediately, in which the music is in perfect synch with the plot. The songs are not just "songs," but extensions of the characters--direct outpourings of their emotions. Musical fans know it's not just about a catchy melody or lyric--the music has to hook into your emotions in an almost intangible way. On the best cast recordings, you don't have to listen to an entire "song"--sometimes just a mere musical phrase or dramatic moment can tingle the spine. I suppose, in theory, good musicals should always do this, but the last time I felt a musical worked this well, particularly in a sung-through style, was "Caroline, or Change." There are no clunky moments here--just two discs of musical theater bliss.
Like "Caroline," "Next to Normal," features a nimble, varied score--here it ranges from pop, rock, to folk, even a waltz and a hilarious Rodgers and Hammerstein parody. It's hard to pin down the sound exactly-- which is one of the great pleasures of the recording. Another pleasure is the cast. The fantastic (and soon-to-be Tony winner) Alice Ripley is Diana, a suburban mom in the throes of bipolar disorder. She's well matched with J. Robert Spencer, affecting as her well meaning but hopelessly enabling husband. Jennifer Damiano and Aaron Tveit make strong impressions as the struggling teens rounding out the family, and Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson add fine support in smaller roles. Singing Yorkey's smart and perceptive lyrics, the cast gives full due to the weighty subject matter. This is certainly the best new Broadway score of the year, and a superb cast recording. Not to be missed.
Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast) Overview

Want to learn more information about Next to Normal (Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Chess in Concert (2009) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Chess in Concert (2009)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Chess in Concert (2009). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Chess in Concert (2009) ReviewFour items make this a must-have. The first is Josh Groban singing the classic "Anthem", where, as the Russian chess champion, Anatoly, he avows his love for his homeland. As Anatoly's discarded wife, Svetlana, the amazing Kerry Ellis totally nails "Someone Else's Story." There's "The Story of Chess", where the Chorus perform Tim Rice's witty take on the evolution of the game. Finally, the Quartet, where Florence (Idina Menzel), Anatoly, his minder Molokov and the Arbiter deplore how chess has sunk from "a model of decorum and tranquillity" to "a battleground for rival ideologies to slug it out with glee."
Having seen the original London West End production in 1986 with Elaine Paige, I was lucky enough to witness this superb 21st Anniversary production in the Royal Albert Hall, London, last year. Tim Rice has tightened up the plot of love and betrayal played out in the setting of chess championships in the Cold War. Florence, who manages the American champion, falls for the Russian; complications - political, ethical, personal - ensue. From the moment the outstanding Chorus bursts into "Merano" - blending chess with commercialism as a tiny Central European town prepares to welcome the world - right to the devastating "Endgame" and final twist, the dramatic pace never lets up.
In this DVD, hopefully the sound difficulties of this production will have been ironed out. As to the cast - they were fantastic!! Groban is a revelation: a brilliant actor as well as singer. Kerry Ellis was a showstopper. As Florence, Idina Menzel, (so good in Wicked (2003 Original Broadway Cast), was too strident for my taste, lacking subtlety and roundness in acting. ("Heaven Help My Heart" doesn't register, and "Nobody's Side" pales away.) However, her "You and I" with Groban still tugs the heartstrings: "we go on pretending / Stories like ours Have happy endings."
The wonderful David Bedella (Jerry Springer: the Opera), makes a great, sinister Molokov. And Adam Pascal gives his charismatic ALL as Freddy, the tormented American bearing luggage from the past: "Pity the Child." Marti Pellow (of pop group Wet Wet Wet) was a disappointment as the Arbiter, a little under-performed I felt.
Rice's lyrics are trenchant, tender, intelligent, witty. The music, by Benny and Bjorn of ABBA, is a perfect rock score, conveying all the emotions and tensions necessary and fully matching the lyrics.
In the main, this is a superb production of a classic and underestimated musical.Chess in Concert (2009) Overview

Want to learn more information about Chess in Concert (2009)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...

Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Are you looking to buy Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)? Here is the right place to find the great deals. we can offer discounts of up to 90% on Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast). Check out the link below:

>> Click Here to See Compare Prices and Get the Best Offers

Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) ReviewI saw this on Broadway without having heard this recording. In this particular case I'm glad I didn't as my experience of total shock and surprise and wonderment may somehow have been diminished. As I sat in my seat at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre I was held spellbound by the energy, talent and beauty of this cast (which features multiple Tony winner Stephen Spinella). However, as great as the cast is (and they are indeed great), the stars of the night were director Michael Mayer, choreographer Bill Jones and the composing team of Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater.

A teenage angst musical set in Germany circa 1890 and featuring a rock n roll score didn't actually sound like something that would interest me. Yet, in the hands of these grossly talented people, this material has been reanimated into a work of fabulous art, rooted in tradition and yet wholly original.
I picked up this CD after I returned home and have listened to it several times - and still cry. The music and lyrics are top drawer. The cast in dynamic. This is quality rock and roll - the high energy numbers are terrific, but the ballads (and they are plentiful) are what keep me listening again and again. Buy this CD (see this show).Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) OverviewDecca Broadway presents the cast recording for the acclaimed new Broadway production, SPRING AWAKENING. Written by pop music composer Duncan Sheik and playwright/lyricist Steven Sater, the musical explores emotional earthquakes in the lives of teenagers. SPRING AWAKENING is based on Frank Wedekind's controversial 1891 drama, which was scandalous in its day for addressing sex violence and suicide. The story, dialogue and costumes suggest the 19th Century, and are perfectly wedded to a beautiful alternative pop music score by Grammy® nominated singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik. The creative team also includes Tony® Award Winning director Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Modern Millie) and legendary choreographer Bill T. Jones.

Want to learn more information about Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast)?

>> Click Here to See All Customer Reviews & Ratings Now

Read More...