Oh Calcutta - Original Broadway Cast

Advantages: A Toe-tapping burst of song!
Disadvantages: You should see the film or show first.

...Well, I've seen the film (starring Julie Andrews), watched the stage show in London at The Shaftesbury Theatre, and now, I've bought the music CD! Only the T-shirt left to buy! If you are a lover of all things musical then you will like this music CD of the Original Broadway Recording of Thoroughly Modern Millie, based on the film made famous by Julie Andrews in the 1960's. The show premiered at the Marquis Theatre in New York City in April, 2002 before coming to Britain. The CD cover, is as pictured, a very eye-catching red text with a 1920's flapper dancing girl, against a white background. The back cover shows a scene from the stage play, with Millie, Jimmy, Mrs Meers, Trevor Graydon, and Muzzy Van Hossmere. The CD also includes a handy little booklet with all the information you need to know about the cast, orchestra... Read review

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Advantages: Fun songs, great cast
Disadvantages: Not for children or the easily offended

...of the characters live. Then there are the puppet characters, some of whom are human, some of whom are something else. These are portrayed by a quartet of performers who are seen on stage alongside the puppets (though obviously not on the CD). One of these does not really feature on the CD, but the other three take several important roles each. Oh, and the show picked up three Tony Awards (which are to Broadway what the Oscars are to Hollywood) for Best Book (i.e. script), Best Score (i.e. music) and Best Musical at the 2004 ceremony, having moved from a smaller venue to a Broadway theatre half way through 2003 once it became clear how popular it was. Finally, on to the CD. The music and lyrics are written by newcomers Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, and one hour's worth of their compositions are featured here, covering 21 tracks. For the most... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, Robert Goulet, Alan Jay Lerner's lyrics, Frederick Loewe's music-most of it.
Disadvantages: Some shopworn, predictable tunes and weak orchestrations.

..., 'What Do the Simple Folk Do?' in which they wonder how non-royals deal with marital ennui such as theirs. It's deceptively lighthearted in tone, ends on a sombre note, and suggests the beginning of the end for Arthur and Guenevere. My fondness for 'Camelot,' especially this original Broadway cast recording, may stem from my childhood exposure to it. Having now understood many of the situations portrayed in the play, I've come to appreciate the plot more. Yet, I've grown more critical of the music, too, beautiful as some of it remains. The spare and skeletal orchestrations serve only to shadow the singing lines, without offering any interesting emotional or musical counterpoint in the harmony, unlike the music of that towering genius on Broadway, Richard Rodgers ('The Sound of Music,' 'Carousel,' etc.). My final assessment is... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful