Original Television Cast – 1966
/ Music by Moose Charlap and lyrics by Elise Simmons
Starring: Judi Rolin, Nanette Fabray, Ricardo Montalban,
Jack Palance, Roy Castle, The Smother Brothers, Jimmy Durante, Agnes Moorehead,
Robert Coote
Rate: 6 (from 1 to 10)
Review: I love when I discover a musical I never heard
before and this television production fits in that category. I don’t’ know how
it work on television, but by listening to this enjoyable recording I hope that
one day I’ll be able to see it.
Composer Moose Charlap (also
known as Mark “Moose” Charlap) didn’t write many scores, but one of those was
for Mary Martin’s PETER PAN, that is without doubt is most famous work. For
this ALICE he was in an inspired mood and the result is the kind of songs I
really like.
The best songs are sung by
the great and almost forgotten Nanette Fabray, “I Wasn’t Meant to Be a Queen”
and “Alice is Coming to Tea” that sounds like a big production number
(according to the notes on the booklet it was “probably the wildest number
choreographer Tony Charmoli ever staged”). As Alice, Judi Rolin shows a sweet
voice with “Come Out, Come Out, Wherever You Are” and with the pretty ballad “Who
Are You?”; she has a good time with Jimmy Durante, “’Twas Brillig” and with the
Smother Brothers, “The Backwards Alphabet”. I don’t know why, but too me Jack
Palance sounds a bit like Alan Cumming on “Jabberwock Song”. Ricardo Montalban give
us a charming “Some Summer Day”. The only song that I don’t like is “Keep on
the Grass”.
This isn’t as good as PETER
PAN and the orchestrations are a little bit dated, but this is very
entertaining and it’s always a pleasure to hear Nanette Fabray. I believe this
deserves a place on every musical fan’s library and, besides that, it’s quiet
enjoyable.
Listened to this on Spotify after reading your review. As you say, very enjoyable!
ReplyDeleteThe Backwards Alphabet is a timeless classic enjoyed by school children everywhere. You will never forget it!
ReplyDelete