Original Cast Recording of
the Birdland Concert Performance – 2015 / Music by David Evans and Lyrics by
Stephen Cole
Starring: Klea Blackhurst, Elizabeth Teeter, P. J.
Benjamin, Anita Gillette, Eddie Korbich, Bill Nolte, Brian Charles Rooney,
Austin Colby, F. Michael Haynie, Desi Oakley and Sarah Sesler
Rate: 7 (from 1 to 10) / Photos by Kevin Alvey
Review: “Once upon a time” are the first words we hear
in this recording that take us to a time where Musical Comedy ruled Broadway
and Ethel Merman was queen. Thankfully, composer David Evans got his musical
style right and gives us the kind of old fashion score that I enjoy. The lyrics
by Stephen Cole are fun, clever, character driven and a perfect match for the
music, but they leave me wondering if Merman was really such a bitch.
Songs like “A Broadway Star”,
“Chums”, “Better Than Life”, “Listen to the Trumpet Call”, “Taking the Veil”,
“Now You’re Gonna Sing” and “I Really Like It” sound like they could have been
written by Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Jule Styne or Jerry Herman. The simple
but evocative orchestrations by Lynne Shankel help to take us back to more
innocent and joyful times.
In the role of Ethel Merman,
Klea Blackhurst sounds exactly like her and seems to have a terrific time. As
her young fan, Elizabeth Teeter is a perfect match for her and together they
make show business sound entertaining. Bill Nolte has fun in the role of David
Merrick.
It’s true, this isn’t a new
classic not even a terrific score, but it’s the kind they usually don’t write
anymore and that’s a shame. I enjoyed it and I’m sure you will too!
No comments:
Post a Comment