Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Encores! GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES Recording with Hilty Gets Release Date


City Center Encores! production of Jule Styne's GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES starring Megan Hilty (Smash) will recieve a cast recording, to be released on September 4th through Masterworks Broadway. The show also stars Rachel York who will star in the upcoming tour of Anything Goes.

The tracklisting for the album is:
1. Overture
2. It's High Time
3. Bye Bye Baby
4. A Little Girl from Little Rock
5. A Little Girl from Little Rock: Encore
6. I Love What I'm Doing
7. I Love What I'm Doing (Dance)
8. Just a Kiss Apart
9. Scherzo
10. It's Delightful Down In Chile
11. Sunshine
12. Park Scene
13. Pas De Deux
14. Sunshine: Reprise
15. I'm A' Tingle, I'm A' Glow
16. You Say You Care
17. Finale Act 1
18. Mamie is Mimi
19. Coquette
20. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend
21. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend: First Encore
22. Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend: Second Encore
23. Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
24. Homesick Blues
25. Keeping Cool With Coolidge
26. Button Up With Esmond
27. Finale Act 2

I know I'm excited to hear Hilty belt out this score!!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

UPDATED!! COMPANY With Neil Patrick Harris to Get DVD Release!


The NY Philharmonic production of Stephen Sondheim's COMPANY, which was filmed and shown live in movie theaters last year, will get a DVD this fall according to director Lonny Price. The concert featured Neil Patrick Harris as Bobby and Patti LuPone.

UPDATE: The DVD will officially be released on November 13th according to a listing on Amazon. The picture above is the official DVD cover. It will be released in both DVD and Blu-Ray.

According to Playbill, the concert also featured "Martha Plimpton (as Sarah), Tony winner Anika Noni Rose (as Marta), Stephen Colbert (Harry), Jim Walton (as Larry), Jon Cryer (as David), Craig Bierko (as Peter), two-time Tony winner Katie Finneran (as Amy), Christina Hendricks (as April), Aaron Lazar (as Paul), Jill Paice (as Susan), Jennifer Laura Thompson (as Jenny) and Chryssie Whitehead (as Kathy)."

I am so upset I missed this in theaters and am so excited for a DVD release!!

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

REVIEW: EVITA New Broadway Cast Recording

I am going to preface this review with the statement that I have never loved EVITA, but can appreciate its artistic value. That being said, this new recording, like what I've heard of the new production itself, mostly misses the mark.

Listening to the recording, the leads leave much to be desired. Martin's Che is extremely pop-y and when he is paired with pros like Michael Cerveris and Max Von Essen, it is hardly redeeming. That said, he isn't as bad overall as I expected, but his vocals still aren't "good."

Elena Rogers' Eva has gotten a lot of scrutiny from critics and fans alike. While she is no Patti, I think there are a lot of positives in her performances. The Argentinian authenticity she brings to the recording is great and makes it sound much more real. Also, her ballads, like "You Must Love Me," are gorgeous. The true standout of her performance is the Spanish version of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." anyone who has been her critic will have a new appreciation for her after hearing the track. Roger does struggle in the early part of the show, with "Buenos Aires" being the true let down.

The standouts on the recording for me are the two supporting actors: Max Von Essen and Rachel Potter. Anyone who follows my twitter knows I'm a huge Rachel Potter fan and her "Another Suitcase in Another Hall" is beautiful and stirring. Von Essen is someone I've never really known, and now I'm glad I do. His songs as Magaldi are fantastic and his voice is stronger than either of the male leads in my opinion

Overall, this is an album you could skip in its entirety, but there are definitely some standout tracks worth downloading

REVIEW: Scott Alan - Live


Scott Alan's fourth album, LIVE, which was recorded live at Birdland, boasts the most star power of any of Alan's album. Alan has recruited some of Broadway's biggest stars (and some foreigners too) to perform a grouping of new songs and old favorites.

From start to finish, this two disc set will be a favorite for any fans of Alan's music, and will make anyone who listens a newfound fan. Unlike the original performances, these performances are raw and sung by artists who truly feel a connection to the songs. Frequently genders were swapped with the original artists which give the songs a brand new feel.

Some highlights for me were Natalie Weiss's "I'm a Star," which has been a favorite on YouTube for a long time now. I also truly love Laura Osnes' rendition of "Now." She performs the song with such finesse, I couldn't even imagine anyone giving the song any more justice. Ben Fankhouser's "Over the Mountain" is one of the male standouts for me. It fits his voice so well.

While, I could write compliments about every track on the two disc album, I'll leave you with those highlights. This album is a DEFINITE MUST for any musical theatre fan.