What the GRAMMY'S Mean for MUSICal Theatre

Tonight is music's biggest night, the Grammy Awards. While that may be, it is by no means even close to the biggest name for musical theatre. That award goes to the Tony's which happen in June. So why does tonight even matter to the theatre community? Well, there is one award given for musical theatre (Best Musical Theatre Album).

It used to be that this award solely went to the producers of the album, meaning not too much actually happened for those involved in the show. But as of last year, principle vocalists now take home Grammys as well. For example, last year Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad also took home statues in addition to the producers of the BOOK OF MORMON cast album.

This gives a much stronger argument for why the Grammys mean anything for musical theatre actors. It is nice to see the mainstream world giving credit to the actors who are featured in Broadway shows, but also who lend their voices and influence the success of cast albums.

Here are the nominees for tonight's broadcast:

Follies

Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters & Ron Raines, principal soloists; Philip Chaffin & Tommy Krasker, producers (Stephen Sondheim, composer/lyricist)
(New Broadway Cast With Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters, Ron Raines & Others)
Label: PS Classics

The Gershwins' Porgy And Bess

David Alan Grier, Norm Lewis & Audra McDonald, principal soloists; Tommy Krasker, producer (George Gershwin, composer; Ira Gershwin, Dorothy Heyward & DuBose Heyward, lyricists)
(New Broadway Cast With Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier & Others)
Label: PS Classics

Newsies

Jeremy Jordan & Kara Lindsay, principal soloists; Frank Filipetti, Michael Kosarin, Alan Menken & Chris Montan, producers (Alan Menken, composer; Jack Feldman, lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast With Jeremy Jordan, Kara Lindsay & Others)
Label: Ghostlight Records/ Razor & Tie

Nice Work If You Can Get It

Matthew Broderick & Kelli O'Hara, principal soloists; David Chase, Bill Elliott & Robert Sher, producers (George Gershwin, composer; Ira Gershwin, lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast With Matthew Broderick, Kelli O'Hara & Others)
Label: Shout! Factory

Once: A New Musical

Steve Kazee & Cristin Milioti, principal soloists; Steven Epstein & Martin Lowe, producers (Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova, composers/lyricists) (Original Broadway Cast With Steve Kazee, Cristin Milioti & Others)
Label: Masterworks

And my thoughts:

SHOULD WIN: FOLLIES - this is one of my favorite cast albums because it sums up the show so well and features great vocals and production value

WILL WIN: ONCE - it was critically acclaimed and is the most "mainstream" of the albums.

UPDATE: As I predicted, ONCE won the Grammy! Congratulations to all involved!

The Grammy's! Broadway Style

The Recording Academy announced its nominees for the 55th Annual Grammy Awards last night. While most of the nominations are not too related to the theatre world, one category is: Best Musical Theater Album.

What is interesting now, starting this past year, is that the Grammy not only goes to the producers and writers but also to the primary vocalists. Here are the nominees and (of course) my opinions!

FOLLIES (Jan Maxwell, Danny Burnstein, Bernadette Peters, Ron Raines, & Elaine Paige) - I think this one has a good chance of winning. In my opinion, leaving out opinions on the performers themselves, this is probably the best cast recording I have ever heard in terms of preserving a show and mirroring the true theatrical experience.

THE GERSHWIN'S PORGY AND BESS (Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, & David Alan Grier) - I really like this recording and it has some great performances. That said, I think it deserved a nomination, but won't win the award.

NEWSIES (Jeremy Jordan & Kara Lindsay) - Similar to P&B, it is a great recording that deserved to be nominated, but doesn't stand up to some of the other nominated recordings.

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (Matthew Broderick & Kelli O'Hara) - I thought this recording was pretty boring with so-so vocals. This is like LEAP OF FAITH getting nominated for the Best Score Tony Award.

ONCE (Steve Kazee & Cristin Milioti) - "Falling Slowly" has already won awards, and even though it lost the Grammy, it has a good chance this time. This is a gorgeous recording of gorgeous music. I also think it has broad enough appeal to be noticed by Grammy voters who won't appreciate some of the other recordings due to their very musical theatre feel.

Also, "Let Me Be Your Star" from SMASH was nominated for Best Song for Visual Media. Do I think it will win? Probably not. Should it? Probably.

FIRST LISTEN: NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT Cast Recording

Here is a first listen for the new cast recording of NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, starring Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Broderick.

The recording will be released on September 25th through digital retailers and October 30th through phyiscal retailers.

The first listen is courtesy of WNYC

NICE WORK If You Can Record It

Shout! Factory has announced that it will release the original Broadway cast recording of NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, starring Kelli O'Hara and Matthew Broderick on September 25th through digital retailers and October 30th physically.

What is curious to me is why this recording is being released so late. The album, recorded in May, is being released almost 5 months later, a good six months after opening and any major buzz about the show was around. I am not sure how well a cast recording will sell that is for a show that could, for all we know, close in the near future. Regardless, I am still intruiged to hear a great Gershwin score and some great performances and vocals.

The track listing for the album is as follows:
1. Overture
2. “Sweet and Lowdown”
3. “Nice Work If You Can Get It”
4. “Nice Work If You Can Get It” (Reprise)
5. “Demon Rum”
6. “Someone to Watch Over Me”
7. Ritzy Bathroom – Instrumental
8. “Delishious”
9. “I’ve Got to Be There”
10. Ritzy Bedroom – Instrumental
11. “Treat Me Rough”
12. “Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off”
13. “Do It Again”
14. “’S Wonderful”
15. “Fascinating Rhythm”
16. “Lady Be Good”
17. “But Not for Me”
18. “By Strauss” / “Sweet and Lowdown” (Reprise)
19. “Do, Do, Do”
20. “Hangin’ Around With You”
21. “Looking for a Boy”
22. “Blah, Blah, Blah”
23. “Will You Remember Me?”
24. “I’ve Got to Be There” (Reprise)
25. “I’ve Got a Crush on You”
26. “Someone to Watch Over Me” (Reprise)
27. “They All Laughed”
28. Crate Dance

NICE WORK Recording Cast Album

The cast of the new Musical using the songs of George and Ira Gershwin, NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT, will go into the studio to record a cast album on May 20th. The album will be produced on Shout! Records with a release date to be announced.

NICE WORK stars Kelli O'Hara (Spoith Pacific) and Matthew Broderick (The Producers).

I'm interested to hear a recording of this show and I love both leads, so this should be great.

Kelli O'Hara to Join Broderick in New Show

Kelli O'Hara (South Pacific) is going to be joining Matthew Broderick (The Producers, How to Succeed in Business) in a new musical directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall (Anything Goes). The show, Nice Work if You Can Get It, is projected to open on Broadway this spring and features a book by Joe DiPietro (Memphis) and hit songs from George and Ira Gershwin. I know I'm excited for this!