Critic at Leisure

It’s summertime and the listening is easy: newest cast recordings

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If the price of gas has you seeking summer pleasures closer to home, then the place to find them is in the spate of newly released CDs and digital releases of a number of the past seasons best scored musicals.
The Bridges of Madison County” had too short a Broadway run, but its gorgeous score was recognized with a slew of nominations and awards at the recent seasons end. The Ghostlight Records original cast recording debuted as No. 1 on Billboards’ Cast Recordings and stayed there a goodly while! “Rapturous, Lush and Romantic” were just a few of the superlatives that greeted the arrival of a score that told the story of a married woman and her visitor who found themselves overwhelmed by desire, and with wrenching choices to make. It’s final soaring track ,”Always Better” is a classic that will put tears in your heart. To purchase visit www.sh-k-boom.com or Amazon.com.
“If/Then” was not the best received Broadway musical debut of the season, but both the show’s star, the exquisite-voiced Idina Menzel and its compelling score scored Tony nominations. Menzel’s spellbinding sold out New York concert boosted sales, especially among teens, as did, surely, her soaring closing rendition at the recent July 4 Macy’s fireworks. In the musical, Menzel plays a young woman who rebuilds her life in New York’s jumble of possibilities, which leads to some tough choices. These are reflected in numbers like “Best Worst Mistakes” and the searching “What If?” Tickets for the show, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre at ifthenthemusical.com, ticketmaster.com or 877-250-2929. Visit MasterworksBroadway.com for release info.

Happy days are here again

The new original cast recording sure to have you thrilled, chilled and singing along is Ghostlight’s “Beautiful: the Carole King Musical” (featuring Tony winner Jessie Mueller). Likely best available on Amazon.com. One customer’s review read simply “Five Stars Are Not Enough”! At Amazon you’ll find a deluxe package offering a full color booklet with lyrics, show photos, rare archival content, and a show synopsis and essay by book writer Douglas McGrath (An MP3 Music version is also available with a digital booklet) You can rock with “I Feel the Earth Move,” sigh with “So Far Away” and get real nostalgic with “You’ve Got A Friend “ (the one’s you have will be thrilled to get this hot mega-hit cast album as a gift.)
The other dazzling new original cast recording and digital download of golden oldies just available is the new Woody Allen comedy “Bullets Over Broadway” from Masterworks Broadway. Its zany, hilarious plot, set in the 1920s tells the tale of a fledgling Broadway playwright forced to cast a mobster’s talentless ‘moll” in the authors new drama to get it produced. Songs revived in the musical include such gems as “Up a Lazy River,” “She’s Funny That Way” and “Yes, We Have No Bananas.”

‘Forbidden Broadway’ comes out swinging

The new cast album, available in stores and online July 22, is the 12th DRG release of Gerard Alessandrini’s inspired, uproarious spoofing. Since this genius creator’s “first edition” in 1982, theater aficionados have been laughing themselves unto hiccups via the comic wunderkind’s take-offs on the best — and very occasionally the worst — of Broadway musicals; And their stars who’ve often stopped by to join in the hilarity!
What began as a cabaret act up on West 72nd Street has become one of New York’s greatest theater treasures; As has its creator, with Alessandrini and his brilliant parodies honored by the Tonys, Drama Desk Circle, Drama Desk, Outer critics Circle, Obie, Drama League and Lucille Lortel Awards.
This new DRG edition release, featuring current stars Carter Calvert, Scott Richard Foster, Mia Gentile and Marcus Stevens, with David Caldwell on piano runs through July 20 at off-Broadway’s Davenport Theater before stints in San Francisco and London. “Forbidden Broadways” have also been applauded in 10,000-plus shows on four continents and counting!
In the current edition stars that take it on the chin (courtesy of the performers) include ‘newbies’ “Cinderella”(spoofing wicked stepmother Fran Drescher),”Rocky” (think Sylvester Stallone),”Bullets Over Broadway” (think Woody Allen) and a hilarious “Idina-Let it Blow”—in homage to “If-Then’s” lead. Stars from former productions and revivals find barbs tossed at such as “Cabaret’s” Alan Cummings, “Liza-So What” dousing you know who, and a “Sound of Music” lampooning, of all superstars: Audra McDonald! Finally, the now and forever’s from Cabaret’s Cummings to “Kinky Boots”— giving a comic razz to author Harvey Fierstein, ”Hedwig’s” Neil Patrick Harris and Stark Sands (actually a star of “Kinky Boots!).
Catch “Forbidden Broadway Comes Out Swinging” at the Davenport, 354 W. 45th St. For tickets, www.telecharge or (212) 239-6200. Enjoy the shows freshest (and vintage) recordings now and forever!