kdtonbroadway

[kdtonbroadway]

I Never Know When from GOLDILOCKS sung by Elaine Stritch.

Music By Leroy Anderson.  Lyrics By Walter and Jean Kerr.

This is truly one of my all time favorite recordings.  If only I could find the arrangement of this song.  In fact, the entire score is one of my all time favorites as well.  And I have yet to get through a sitting of 'Pussy Foot' without giggling like a 13 year old....

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This is a song cut from the Sarah, Plain, and Tall (Lawrence O'Keefe/Nell Benjamin) cast recording.  It's a beautiful duet with Becca Ayers and (I think) Herndon Lackey. 

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Ok.  Forgive me for posting this, but I had to.  R Kelly and his Trapped in A Closet thing.  I won't call it a musical, although I suppose technically it is.  It never fails to crack me up.  Those riffs.  Those rhymes!

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Lea Salonga singing Lesson Number One from the movie Mulan 2. (stay with me here)

Music by Jeanine Tesori

OK.  Full disclosure.  I am such a fan of Tesori's that I literally have the cheesy disney sequal albums her music can be found on.  And you know what?  It's still really smart music (albeit, in a Disney way).  Here is lovely Lea singing her 'I Want' song.  Judy Kuhn also randomly shows up on another track.  

[kdtonbroadway]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

In the holiday spirit I thought I'd dig up something from my favorite zombie musical, Zombie Prom.  I've always enjoyed the music of Dempsey/Rowe, and kinda think they never got their fair share of NYC success before Cameron Mackintosh whisked them away to London in the mid-90's (The Fix, Witches of Eastwick).

Here we have the short MOVIE adaptation of the musical Zombie Prom (not to be confused with the off-broadway production of '96).  It speeds by (only 36 minutes long), has most of the songs, and even has RuPaul as Ms Strict!  I toured in Les Miz with the girl playing Toffee (Candice Nicole) and enjoyed seeing her sing something other than, "you can guess how she picks up the extra.  you can bet she's earning her keep sleeping around..."

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One of the best musicals I've seen in the last five years opened tonight two years ago: The Scottsboro Boys.  I saw it in previews and then again at closing.  To me, it is exactly why I love theater and why I want to experience it (let alone do it).  The writing, directing, choreo, acting, orchestrations, etc, ALL came together to make this a very special show.  

[kdtonbroadway]

Draussen A.K.A. Out There from the German stage production of Hunchback of Notre Dame A.K.A. Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame.

Sung by Drew Sarich

I did Les Miserables at the Broadhurst with this talented guy. He started off as Grantaire, but also understudied and played Thenardier and Javert throughout the early run. THEN, Cameron Macintosh decided to shake things up a little and he cast Drew as Jean Valjean. They redid all the wigs to make him long haired (this was a slimmer, taller, hipper VJ). And it worked. He eventually traded places with John Owen Jones of England's production. Fortunately, Drew got the better deal because we closed soon after Jones joined while Drew continued his run in the UK long after.

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I have always enjoyed his reviews of operas (and sometimes cabaret).  But here he gives his own incredible (if nerdy) analysis of Sondheim's music. I agree with all.  Also I love Merrily too. 

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Did I mention that I enjoy opera as well?  The Medium by Gian Carlo Menotti played on Broadway in 1947 and was subsequently produced on televesion by CBS the next year starring Broadway cast member, Marie Pawers (among others).  I love seeing vintage productions.  We have come a long way in certain aesthetic (directing/acting) aspects, but overall this is a true work of art.  I love the piano in the orchestration.  And also Lois Hunt playing the daughter, Monica.  

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And I Will Follow sung by Sara Ramirez

She sang this for a benefit JRB did back in 2002.  It was the summer I moved to NYC and we were obsessed with all things Guettel, JRB, LaChiusa, and maybe Lippa.  Imagine the excitement of being able to see it live.  Where did they all go?

[kdtonbroadway]

Adam Guettel singing (and playing) Love To Me from The Light in the Piazza

I have always enjoyed hearing the author sing his own songs, especially with a voice like that (Hero and Leander is still my favorite of his songs).  This is no exception.  I believe this was recorded for a BBC show Nov. 10th 2003.  

[kdtonbroadway]

Sherie Rene Scott singing I Can Do Better Than That from Last 5 Years.

Last night I saw Sherie Rene Scott sing at Below 54 (beautiful venue).  I've seen (and enjoyed) her in previous shows but she was sensational in this little cabaret space.  A true class (and comical) act.  

[kdtonbroadway]

At This Turn In The Road Again sung by Keith Byron Kirk

Music by Georgia Stitt   Lyrics by Bil Wright

This is from a demo I got over ten years ago when I was in college.  Yes, there is Stitt's slightly overproduced This Ordinary Thursday album (made with the help of hubby JRB), but I love the simplicity of this crude-ish demo so much more.  And can we talk about Keith Byron Kirk?  He has always been my favorite since I saw him in the tour of Parade.  He sealed the deal when I saw him in Elegies at Lincoln Center.  That was a night never to forget. 

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He Wanted a Girl from Giant.

Sung by Katie Thompson

By Michael John LaChiusa

This is from Signature Theatre's production of Giant done back in '09.  I'm so excited to see the latest incarnation at the Public later this month.  I am fan of the LaChiusa.  I prefer his Wild Party too.  That's right.  I said it.  

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Why is there no recording of Angela Lansbury singing I'M STILL HERE?!?!!?

[kdtonbroadway]

Bernadette from The Capeman

Music by Paul Simon. Lyrics by Paul Simon and Derek Walcott

Sung by Marc Anthony 

I've always thought The Capeman deserved a better chance.  I like the cast recording (which you can get on itunes) more than the single Paul Simon CD.  This is original cast member (and a pre-JLo) Marc Anthony singing for a very skinny Oprah at her show.  

[kdtonbroadway]

Carol Channing & Pearl Bailey: On Broadway

This should be required watching for all lovers of musical theater.  Carol is so over rehearsed and Pearl is so under rehearsed, but it works perfectly.  Pearl is just barely tolerating Carol the entire time, inserting little asides and comments throughout and doing pretty much whatever she wants.  And then there's Carol, stalwart and steady hitting every mark and note just as they planned.  

Make sure you watch to the end when Pearl makes one last error (probably because she skipped tech...).