December 27, 2011

Johnny the Priest Original London Cast
(Must Close Saturday Records - new import CD)
1960 London cast recording of score by Antony Hopkins and Peter Powell. Arrangements by Gordon Langford. Jeremy Brett, Stephanie Voss, Bunny May. Also included, bonus tracks from the West End revues And Another Thing, Cranks and New Cranks. Booklet contains never before published photographs of the original production. 23 tracks.

Marigold/Melvillainy: Original London Cast
(Must Close Saturday Records - new import CD)
Marigold score by Charles Zwar and Alan Melville. Jeremy Brett, Jean Kent, Sally Smith, Sophie Stewart. Also, Melville and Zwar's recital of their revue numbers, Melvillainy.

Music of the Night - The Ultimate Musicals Album
(Decca - new on 2 import CDs) 
Compilation album of cast album and solo recordings. Michael Crawford, Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Alfie Boe, Patti LuPone, Glynis Johns and more. 38 tracks. Already available in the UK at Amazon UK

Tammy Grimes: Essential Masters
(Vintage Masters - new on mp3/iTunes) 
"I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Lullaby Of Broadway," "Bye Bye Blackbird," "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows," "Rose Of Washington Square," "On The Sunny Side Of The Street," "Gonna Build A Mountain," "You Came A Long Way From St. Louis," "Tom Dooley," "Time After Time," "How Long Has This Been Going On?," "Hi-lili, Hi-lo," "Toot, Toot, Tootsie! (Goodbye)," "Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone," "Java Jive," "I'd Do Anything," "Doodle Dee Doo," "Hold On," "My Man," "If I Had You," "Just Squeeze Me (But Don't Tease Me)," "I'll Be Seeing You," "Anything Goes," "Miss Otis Regrets." Released 10/1/11.

December 20, 2011

Glee: The Concert Movie
(Fox - new Blu-Ray/DVD/3D Blu-Ray)
CDU
Concert footage from East Rutherford, New Jersey, performances, shown in theaters. Cast includes Dianna Agron, Darren Criss, Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, Jane Lynch, Chord Overstreet, Cory Monteith, Heather Morris, Mark Salling, Naya Rivera, Kevin McHale, Harry Shum Jr., Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Ashley Fink. Directed by Kevin Tancharoen. 3D version includes behind the scenes footage, with special guest Gwyneth Paltrow as Holly Holliday.

Godspell Revival Cast Recording Digital
(Ghostlight Records - new on mp3/iTunes) 
2011 Broadway revival cast. Stephen Schwartz score. Hunter Parrish, Wallace Smith, Uzo Aduba, Nick Blaemire, Celisse Henderson, Morgan James, Telly Leung, Lindsay Mendez, George Salazar, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Joaquina Kalukango, Eric Michael Krop, Corey Mach, Julia Mattison. Expected early 2012. Co-produced by Kurt Deutsch and Stephen Schwartz. CD to be released January 31.

Light in the Piazza
(Warner Archive - new DVD-R)
Remastered 1962 film that was the basis for the 2005 musical. Olivia de Havilland, Rossano Brazzi, Yvette Mimieux, George Hamilton and Barry Sullivan. Released 11/2/2011. Also available at Warner Archive.

Macabre Mansion Presents: A Christmas Carol
(MM Media - new on mp3)
Fully dramatized adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic. Sixty-minute audio drama adaptation, in the style of old radio shows. Available at CD Baby.

The People In The Picture
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
Original Broadway cast recording of score by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler (music) and Iris Rainer Dart (lyrics). Donna Murphy, Alexander Gemignani, Christopher Innvar , Hal Robinson, Lewis J. Stadlen, Joyce Van Patten, Chip Zien, Brad Bradley, Rachel Bress, Jeremy Davis, Emilee Dupre, Maya Goldman, Louis Hobson, Shannon Lewis, Jessica Lea Patty, Andie Mechanic, Megan Reinking, Jeffrey Schecter and Paul Anthony Stewart. Orchestrations by Michael Starobin. Produced by Steve Epstein. Full-color 24-page booklet. Available at Kritzerland.com.

December 13, 2011

Bamboozled or the Real Reality Show
(new on CD-R/mp3)
Musical Joseph Vernon Banks & Crystal Field that played throughout NYC for Theater for the New City's award-winning Street Theater Company. At CD Baby.

Dangerous Liaisons
(Melpomene Music - CD set and Vocal Selections)
Dangerous Liaisons score by Malcolm Caluori and Johnathan Daniel Steppe. Concept recording cast includes Maura Carey Neill, Shaun Whitley, Rachael Henderson, Kristie Krabe, Christy Brumfield Baggett, John Young, Ginger Rosen, Tad Wilson. Set includes 3CDs and 56 page booklet with full libretto, color photos. Songbook includes 10 songs from the show, solos and duets for all voice types, with specially adapted authoritative arrangements by the composer. Both items to be released wide in 2012, available now at www.melpomenemusicgroup.com.

Doris Day: My Heart
(Arwin - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
U.S. release. New studio album. Includes eight previously unreleased tracks Day recorded for her 1980s television shows and series, now remastered—four Doris Day classics. Produced by Terry Melcher, prior to his death in 2004. "Happy Endings" was co-written by Terry Melcher, and Day provides a new spoken-word introduction for the song. "Hurry, It's Lovely Up Here," "Daydream," "The Way I Dreamed It," "Heaven Tonight," "My One and Only Love," "My Heart," "You Are So Beautiful," "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries," "Disney Girls," "My Buddy," "Happy Endings," "Ohio." Plus additional track, "Stewball." UK release at Dress Circle

Downton Abbey Soundtrack
(Decca - new on CD/mp3) 
Music from British television drama set in England during the Edwardian era in the fictional estate of Downton, Yorkshire. Features Alfie Boe (Les Miserables) singing "If You Were The Only Girl In The World" and "Roses of Picardy."

Inside Out
(Kritzerland Records - on CD)
Re-mastered and re-packaged original (1994 Off-Broadway) cast recording. Doug Haverty/ Adryan Russ score. Ann Crumb, Harriett D. Foy, Kathleen Mahony-Bennett, Jan Maxwell, Cass Morgan, Julie Prosser. Order at Kritzerland.com.

Learning to Live Out Loud: A Memoir by Piper Laurie
(Crown Archetype - Hardcover Book)
Piper Laurie remembers her long, surprising life as a film, theater and TV star.

Meet Me in St. Louis [Blu-ray]
(Warner Home Video - new on 2-disc Blu-Ray)
CDU
1944 musical film featuring Judy Garland. Directed by Vincente Minnelli. Extras: introduction by Liza Minnelli; commentary by John Fricke with Margaret O'Brien, Irving Brecher, Hugh Martin and Barbara Freed-Saltzman; Meet Me in St. Louis: The Making of an American Classic (Narrated by Roddy McDowall); Hollywood: The Dream Factory (Emmy-Award winning 1972 MGM-TV special, narrated by Dick Cavett; Becoming Attractions: Judy Garland (1996 TCM special); Meet Me in St. Louis (1966 TV pilot with Shelley Fabares and Celeste Holm); Bubbles (1930 Warner Bros. short featuring Judy Garland at age 7); Skip To My Lou (rare 1941 musical short with Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane); Audio Vault: "Boys and Girls Like You and Me" outtake (reconstruction using still photographs), Lux Radio Theater Broadcast from December 2, 1946; CD sampler with "Meet Me In St. Louis" (Ensemble), "The Boy Next Door," "The Trolley Song," and "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas"; illustrated bound-in book.

Melody Hollis: Welcome to Melodyland
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Solo album for thirteen-year-old cabaret artist and musical theatre performer (White Christmas). Recorded live at Sterling's at Vitello's. "Melodyland," "Born To Entertain" (Ruthless!), "Part Of Your World" (The Little Mermaid), "Sherman Brothers Nonsense Words Medley," Reflection/The Girl I Mean To Be" (Mulan/The Secret Garden), "Hit Me With A Hot Note," The Boy From ..." (The Mad Show), "I Know Now" (Snoopy! The Musical), "Children Will Listen" (Into The Woods), "I Want To Be A Rockette (Kicks: The Showgirl Musical), "A Quiet Thing" (Flora, The Red Menace), "Let Me Sing and I'm Happy/Love You Didn't Do Right By Me" (White Christmas), "Fascinatin' Rhythm/I Got Rhythm," "Tomorrow" (Annie), "When You Wish Upon A Star" (Pinocchio). Conceived and Directed by Bruce Kimmel, with musical direction by Steve Hollis. Arrangements by John Boswell and Bruce Kimmel. Orders at Kritzerland.com.

My Time to Fly: Music and Lyrics by Harriet Goldberg
(Hargold Music - new on mp3)
Vocals featuring Krisanthi Pappas and Dane Vannatter singing Harriet Goldberg's original songs in the style of the old standards. Recorded in Boston. Tim Ray on piano, Dave Clark on bass, Bill Reynolds on drums, Ken Cervenka on trumpet and flugelhorn and Billy Novick on tenor sax, alto sax and clarinet.

O Little Town of Bethlehem (Ring out those Bells)
(Dominic Gerrard - new mp3)
Having starred opposite each other in the West End Phantom of the Opera, Gina Beck (West End Wicked) and ENO's Scott Davies reunite for this Christmas song single. At CD Baby.

Olympus the Musical First Cast Recording
(Dr. L's Music - new mp3)
Original workshop recording of Olympus the Musical. Lyrics and book Jenny Tarof, music Larry Tarof.

Ottville (Original Workshop Recording)
(new on mp3)
New :rock-jazz fusion" musical. Score by Edward Bean and Trevor Dorner. At CD Baby.

Playing the Bill: The Original Cast Recording
(Saarens Productions - new on CD/mp3)
Original musical about the waning years of vaudeville by Steve Saari which premiered at Chief Theater in Bemidji, Minnesota in August 2011.

Served with a Twist: Entree Entertainment's Singing Waiters
(Anteater Recordings - new CD/mp3)
By L.A.'s Entree Entertainment's Singing Waiters, the world's longest-running singing waiter act in the world. "From This Moment On," "Friend Like Me," "You Can't Stop the Beat," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Stars and Stripes Forever
(Fox - new 2-disc Blu-Ray)
CDU
1952 film about John Phillip Sousa. Clifton Webb, Robert Wagner, Debra Paget, and Ruth Hussey. 89 minutes. Bonuses on the Blu-Ray disc.

December 6, 2011

Bit Players, Has-Been Actors and Other Posers
(CreateSpace - Paperback Book/Kindle Edition)
By S.M. Stevens. Teen novel set in the world of school musics and show choir. Subtitled A must-read for fans of Glee, High School Musical and Twilight. E-book edition contains YouTube links for songs referenced in the novel, also available at companion website and blog, plus social media content.

Burnt Part Boys Cast album
(Yellow Sound Records - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Score by Chris Miller (music) and Nathan Tysen (lyrics). Book by Mariana Elder. 2010 Playwrights Horizons cast. Charlie Brady, Al Calderon, Andrew Durand, Steve French, Noah Galvin, Michael Park, Molly Ranson, Randy Redd, Asa Somers.

Carol Channing: True to the Red, White and Blue
(new on mp3/and at iTunes) 
New Carol Channing patriotic-themed album. To include "Over There," "Dear Old Glory," "God Bless America," "America," and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." 11 tracks. "God Bless America," "Battle Hymn of The Republic," "Yankee Doodle Dandy/Grand Old Flag medley," "Dear Old Glory," "Before The Parade Passes By," "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" (duet with Lulu Roman), "Battle Hymn Of The Republic," "Don't Sit Under The Apple tree" (duet with T Graham Brown), "Amazing Grace," "St. Louis Blues," "America The Beautiful." A portion of the profits from album sales will benefit the Channing/Kullijian Foundation (ChanningArts.org), which advocates arts education in schools.

Design for Living (The Criterion Collection)
(Criterion - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
New high-definition digital restoration of 1933 film version of Noël Coward play with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Directed by Ernst Lubitsch, with Gary Cooper, Miriam Hopkins and Frederic March. Extras: The Clerk, starring Charles Laughton; selected-scene commentary by film professor William Paul; Play of the Week: A Choice of Coward, a 1964 British television production; new interview with Joseph McBride on Lubitsch. Booklet features an essay by film critic Kim Morgan.

Emily Bergl Live at the Algonquin: Kidding on the Square
(On the Square Productions - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
From Emily Bergl's Oak Room show. "Mad About The Boy," "Confession," "Born In The Wrong Era," "Ten Cents A Dance," "Stealing From MsBurnett," "Zing! Went The Strings Of My Heart," "Something Cool," "Crying," "Is She Still With Us?," "Happy Birthday, MrsParker," "The Fear Of A Material Girl," "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon," "One More Kiss, Dear," "Peel Me A Grape," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "We Just Couldn't Say Goodbye," "Dream A Little Dream Of Me," "Is That All There Is?."

Hat Box: The Collected Lyrics of Stephen Sondheim
(Knopf - new boxed set)
B&N
Boxed set of both Stephen Sondheim lyric books: Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes and Look I Made a Hat: with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes.

Hugh Martin: Hidden Treasures, Songs for Stage and Screen, 1941-2010
(Harbinger Records - new on CD/mp3) 
From Harbinger Records and The Musical Theater Project showcasing the 96-year-old songwriter's gems for Broadway and Hollywood musicals dating as far back as 1941. From Hugh Martin's archives, mostly demo recordings of songs written for such stage and screen musicals as Best Foot Forward, Make a Wish, Athena and High Spirits, and from unproduced musicals including the fascinating Here Come the Dreamers, a 1961 project planned for Jeanette MacDonald and Liza Minnelli. "The Three B's", "Ev'ry Time", "Wish I May", "Gotta Dance", "The Pâttisserie/When Does This Feeling Go Away?,", "Suits Me Fine", "I Can't Get Used To These Clothes", "Imagine", "I Take A Dim View Of The West", "I Like The Feeling", "I Happen To Love You", "Who Is Sylvia?", "Here Come The Dreamers", "On Such A Night As This", "Did I Just Fall In Love?", "A Little Night Music", "I Know Your Heart", "A Manifestation", "If I Gave You", "New York's Good Morning Song", "Heigh-Ho For A Mother", "How Did I Feel?", "Two Is Company", "Salute To New York", "I Hate This Old Town", "When I Join The Circus", "Me An' Ludie", "I Have Something To Say To You", "I Don't Know What I Want." Hugh Martin at the piano. Produced by Ken Bloom and Bill Rudman. Includes 88 page deluxe booklet with foreword by Stephen Sondheim, numerous photos, and notes by Mark Eden Horowitz, Sheldon Harnick, Michael Feinstein, Terry O'Donnell (Martin's music editor for the last 18 years of his life), Bloom and Rudman. Previously only available at Qualiton.

Marcy in the Galaxy
(new on CD/mp3)
Nancy Shayne musical score. Donna Lynne Champlin, Jonathan Hammond, Jenny Fellner, Teri Ralston, Mary-Pat Green, Janet Carroll. The musical was presented in 2008 by Transport Group.

Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Legacy Blu-ray
(Image Entertainment - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
Live concert at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana. 2011 PBS special. Michael Feinstein conjures up the biggest musical legends of a golden era using their extraordinary music, spiced with intimate stories about their larger-than-life personalities. Backed by a thirty-two-piece orchestra, with all-new arrangements. "Once in a Lifetime," "I Thought About You," "Fly Me to the Moon," "Put on a Happy Face/Lotta Livin'," "So In Love," "There;ll Be Some Changes Made," "Begin the Beguine," "Brazil," "For Once in My Life," "New York New York." Special Blu-Ray features: Bonus Track: "Sway"; Journey to the Palladium; Palladium Community Video. 86 minutes.

A Mothers Wish (For Christmas Day)
(new on iTunes/mp3) 
Christiane Noll sings Scott Alan song, which tells the story of a mothers wish for her sons safe return, from his services in the war, for Christmas day. Arranged and orchestrated by Jamey Ray and Jesse Vargas.

The Music Box: The Music and Songs of Gareth Peter Dicks
(new on CD)
Songs by Gareth Peter Dicks (Bluebird: The Musical). Rebecca Lock, Richard Dempsey, Gemma Sutton, Katie Rowley Jones, Abi Finley, Jeff Nicholson, Gina Beck, Sarah Earnshaw, Ross Hunter. Available at Dress Circle and CD Baby.

Georgia Stitt: My Lifelong Love
(Ghostlight Records - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Georgia Stitt's original songs about love, performed by Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Anika Noni Rose, Brian d'Arcy James, Susan Egan, Shoshana Bean, Heidi Blickenstaff, Laura Osnes, Christopher Jackson, Michael Arden, jazz duo Jessica Molaskey and John Pizzarelli, Kate Baldwin and Michael McElroy. CD to be released January 10, 2012.

Playing Dreidel with Judah Maccabee
(Theater 61 Press - Paperback Book)
Play by Edward Einhorn. "A play in eight scenes. A modern boy finds Judah Maccabee in an abandoned room that exists both in his own temple and the ancient Temple in Jerusalem. A celebration of both Hanukkah and its ancient origins, told with gentle humor."

Scrooge - Music From The Motion Picture
(BSX Records - new on CD
New recording of the soundtrack from the 1970 film version of A Christmas Carol, featuring original music by Leslie Bricusse. Robert Picardo, Chase Masterson, Brian Hacksaw Williams, Katie Campbell. "A Christmas Carol," "Christmas Children," "I Hate People," "Father Christmas," "December the 25th," "Happiness," "You..You," "The Beautiful Day," "Thank You Very Much," "I ll Begin Again," "I Like Life," "Father Christmas," "Thank You Very Much" (Reprise), "A Christmas Carol" (Instrumental), "Happiness" (Instrumental), "You..You" (Instrumental), "Father Christmas" (Instrumental), "Scrooge Speaks" (Bonus, Humbug). Liner notes by Randall Larson. Produced and arranged by Dominik Hauser.

Silence! The Musical Digital
(Ghostlight Records - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Digital release of musical adaptation of he film. Music and lyrics by Jon and Al Kaplan. Brent Barrett, Jenn Harris, Callan Bergmann, Stephen Bienskie, Harry Bouvy, Ashlee Dupre, Deidre Goodwin, Jeff Hiller, Howard Kaye and Lucia Spina. "Silence!," "Thish Ish It/The Right Guide," "If I Could Smell Her C*nt," "Papa Shtarling," "It's Agent Shtarling," "Are You About a Size 14?," "My Daughter Is Catherine," "Quid Pro Quo," "I'd F*ck Me," "It's Me," "Catherine Dies Today," "Papa Shtarling Reprise," "Put the F*cking Lotion in the Basket," "We're Goin' In," "In the Dark With a Maniac/Bill's Death," "Silence!" Reprise and Finale. Recorded 8/8/11. CD to be released 1/10/11.

Soho Cinders - A New Musical
(new on CD)
One-night-only concert was recorded live at the Queen's Theatre on Sunday 9th October 2011. George Stiles and Anthony Drewe score on new take on Cinderella as a "a modern musical fable." Clive Carter, Sharon D. Clarke, Hannah Waddingham, David Bedella, Amy Lennox, Michael Xavier, Beverly Rudd, Jos Slovick, Sandi Toksvig. Dress Circle is donating the profits from sales of the CD to Teenage Cancer Trust charity. Available at Dress Circle.

November 29, 2011

Fings Ain't What They Used T' Be: The Lionel Bart Story
(Omnibus Press - Hardcover Book)
By David and Caroline Stafford. Best known for creating the book, music and lyrics for Oliver!, songs "Living Doll," "From Russia With Love." Authors had exclusive access to Bart's personal archives - his unfinished autobiography, letters and scrapbooks. They have interviewed his personal secretaries, friends, family, counsellors and many of the performers, musicians and producers who worked with him. Available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Follies 2011 Revival Cast
(PS Classics - new on 2 CDs/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
2011 Broadway revival cast recording of Stephen Sondheim score. Danny Burstein, Jan Maxwell, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters, Ron Raines, Don Correia, Christian Delcroix, Rosalind Elias, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Lora Lee Gayer, Michael Hayes, Leah Horowitz, Jayne Houdyshell, Florence Lacey, Mary Beth Peil, David Sabin, Kirsten Scott, Frederick Strother, Nick Verina, Susan Watson, Terri White, Jenifer Foote, Pamela Otterson, Clifton Samuels, Kiira Schmidt, Brian Shepard, Ashley Yeater. Jonathan Tunick's original orchestrations. 52-page full-color booklet includes essay, synopsis, lyrics, production photos. Shipping now from at PS Classics.

Hugh Martin: Hidden Treasures, Songs for Stage and Screen, 1941-2010
(Harbinger Records - new on CD) 
From Harbinger Records and The Musical Theater Project showcasing the 96-year-old songwriter's gems for Broadway and Hollywood musicals dating as far back as 1941. From Hugh Martin's archives, mostly demo recordings of songs written for such stage and screen musicals as Best Foot Forward, Make a Wish, Athena and High Spirits, and from unproduced musicals including the fascinating Here Come the Dreamers, a 1961 project planned for Jeanette MacDonald and Liza Minnelli. "The Three B's", "Ev'ry Time", "Wish I May", "Gotta Dance", "The Pâttisserie/When Does This Feeling Go Away?,", "Suits Me Fine", "I Can't Get Used To These Clothes", "Imagine", "I Take A Dim View Of The West", "I Like The Feeling", "I Happen To Love You", "Who Is Sylvia?", "Here Come The Dreamers", "On Such A Night As This", "Did I Just Fall In Love?", "A Little Night Music", "I Know Your Heart", "A Manifestation", "If I Gave You", "New York's Good Morning Song", "Heigh-Ho For A Mother", "How Did I Feel?", "Two Is Company", "Salute To New York", "I Hate This Old Town", "When I Join The Circus", "Me An' Ludie", "I Have Something To Say To You", "I Don't Know What I Want." Hugh Martin at the piano. Produced by Ken Bloom and Bill Rudman. Includes 88 page deluxe booklet with foreword by Stephen Sondheim, numerous photos, and notes by Mark Eden Horowitz, Sheldon Harnick, Michael Feinstein, Terry O'Donnell (Martin's music editor for the last 18 years of his life), Bloom and Rudman. In stock at Qualiton. Will relist when available at Amazon and iTunes.

Linda Lavin: Possibilities
(Ghostlight - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CDU | B&N
Musical Direction / Arrangements / Piano by Billy Stritch. Produced by John Brown. Recorded at Overdub Lane, Durham, NC. "It Might As Well Be Spring," "Hey, Look Me Over," "There's A Small Hotel," "In Love Again," "Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)," "'Deed I Do," "It Amazes Me," "You've Got Possibilities," "Rhode Island Is Famous For You," "The Song Remembers When," "Walk Between Raindrops," "Two For The Road."

Mrs. Santa Claus
(Masterworks Broadway - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Reissue of out of print 1996 television soundtrack with Jerry Herman score. Angela Lansbury, Charles Durning, Michael Jeter and Terrence Mann. Overture", "Seven Days 'Til Christmas" (Michael Jeter/Kristi Lynes/Jamie Torcellini/Angela Lansbury), "Mrs Santa Claus" (Angela Lansbury), "Avenue A" (David Norona/Grace Keagy/Linda Kerns/Ensemble), "Avenue A (Reprise)" (Angela Lansbury), "A Tavish Toy" (Terrence Mann/The Kids), "Almost Young" (Angela Lansbury), "Almost Young (Reprise)" (The Kids/Angela Lansbury), "Suffragette March" (Linda Kerns/Grace Keagy/Debra Wiseman/Angela Lansbury/The Women), "We Don't Go Together At All" (Debra Wiseman/David Norona), "Whistle" (Angela Lansbury/Lynsey Bartilson), "Dear Mrs Santa Claus" (Charles Durning), "Whistle (Reprise)" (Angela Lansbury/Lynsey Bartilson), "He Needs Me" (Angela Lansbury), "The Best Christmas Of All" (Charles Durning/Angela Lansbury/Ensemble).

The Stingiest Man In Town
(VAI - new on DVD)
1956 Television musical A Christmas Carol. Score by Fred Spielman and Janice Tore. Basil Rathbone, Vic Damone, Patrice Munsel, Johnny Desmond, Robert Weede. 92 minutes. Black & white.

November 22, 2011

12 Angry Men
(Criterion Collection - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
Sidney Lumet's 1957 film version of Reginald Rose teleplay. Henry Fonda, Lee J. Cobb, E.J. Marshall, Jack Warden, Jack Klugman, and more. New high-definition digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack. Bonuses: Frank Schaffner's 1955 television version, with introduction by Ron Simon, of the Paley Center for Media; production history from teleplay to big-screen classic; archival interviews with director Sidney Lumet; new interview with screenwriter Walter Bernstein about Lumet; new interview with Simon about writer Reginald Rose; Tragedy in a Temporary Town (1956) teleplay directed by Lumet and written by Rose; new interview with cinematographer John Bailey about director of photography Boris Kaufman; booklet featuring an essay by writer and law professor Thane Rosenbaum; original theatrical trailer.

All For The Best: How Godspell Transferred from Stage to Screen
(BearManor Media - Paperback Book/Kindle edition)
By Andrew Martin. Introduction by Paul Shaffer. Featuring interviews with composer Stephen Schwartz, producer Edgar Lansbury, star Victor Garber, and all of the film's surviving co-stars and key players from the creative team.

Book of Mormon Piano/Vocal Selections
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Official sheet music collection for Tony Award-winning Broadway blockbuster written by Robert Lopez, and South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Piano/vocal arrangements of all 16 songs from the original Broadway cast recording plus eight pages of full-color photos from the original Broadway production. "Hello! ," "Two by Two ," "You and Me (But Mostly Me) ," "Hasa Diga Eebowai ," "Turn It Off ," "I Am Here for You ," "All-American Prophet ," "Sal Tlay Ka Siti ," "Man Up ," "Making Things Up Again ," "Spooky Mormon Hell Dream ," "I Believe ," "Baptize Me ," "I Am Africa ," "Joseph Smith American Moses ," "Tomorrow Is a Latter Day."

Look I Made a Hat: with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes
(Knopf - Hardcover Book)
Volume II picks up with the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park with George, and his other shows up until the present. In addition is a chapter on Sondheims songs for television and film, which includes the Oscar-winning song "Sooner or Later" from Dick Tracy film.   480 pages.

Making the Boys
(First Run Features - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
Crayton Robey's documentary film explores the enduring legacy of The Boys in the Band, the first-ever gay play and subsequent Hollywood movie to successfully reach a mainstream audience. Featuring interviews with its author Mart Crowley, surviving cast members, and a who's who from stage and screen, this documentary captures the behind-the-scenes drama and lasting legacy of this cultural milestone. Featuring Edward Albee, Mart Crowley, Dominick Dunne, William Friedkin, Carson Kressley, Tony Kushner, Terrence McNally, Robert Wagner and more. 90 minutes.

The Muppets Soundtrack
(Disney - new on 2 CDs/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
2001 Muppet move soundtrack. Songs performed by Mickey Rooney, Paul Simon, Amy Adams, Jason Siegel, and various Muppet characters. 30 tracks.

Other Desert Cities
(Grove Press - Paperback Book)
Jon Robin Baitz' play currently on Broadway. Introduction by Honor Moore.

Songs of The Blue Flower
(new on CD)
Available for a limited, holiday time only, 500 signed copies of the new recordings "Songs of The Blue Flower," the official recordings of music from the show produced by composer Jim Bauer, performed by Bauer, Meghan McGeary, Jen Chapin, David Driver, special guest Hanna Cheek and original members of The Weimarband, recorded at KMA Studios in New York City in 2010 by engineer Mark Rubinstein, and mixed and mastered by producer/engineer Robbie Bronnimann in the U.K. in 2011. Includes all songs from the show. Clips (click Listen) and purchase (click Buy) information at www.jimbauermusic.com.

Stage Door Canteen
(DRG - new on CD/mp3) 
Live recording of 92nd St. Y Lyrics and Lyricists series, featuring songs from the WWII era performed by Anderson Davis, Jeffry Denman, Brandon Victor Dixon, Debra Monk, and Betsy Wolfe.

A Tale of Two Cities In Concert
(Libre Verde - new on DVD)
Concert recording of musical by Jill Santorielli. Filmed on location in London, Paris and Brighton, England. Narrated by Michael York. Featuring James Barbour, Brandi Burkhardt, Natalie Toro, Kevin Earley, J. Mark Mcvey, Simon Thomas, Ed Dixon, Rosemary Leach, Paul Baker, Howard Samuels. With Special Bonus Material: new song "Never Say Goodbye" Music by Frank Wildhorn & Lyrics by Jill Santoriello; "Without A Word" from the Broadway musical - both performed by Brandi Burkhardt. Michael York interview with Dickens' granddaughter at the Dickens Museum. 96 Minutes. NTSC. Wide release.

Transposing Broadway: Jews, Assimilation, and the American Musical
(Palgrave Macmillan - Hardcover Book)
By Stuart J. Hecht. Examination of the relationship between Jews, assimilation, and the changing face of the American musical.

War Horse (Soundtrack)
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD/mp3)
CDU | B&N
John Williams score for new film based on Michael Morpurgo's novel, which also inspired the stage play. "Dartmoor, 1912," "The Auction," "Bringing Joey Home, and Bonding," "Learning the Call," "Seeding, and Horse vs Car," "Plowing," "Ruined Crop, and Going to War," "The Charge and Capture," "The Desertion," "Joey s New Friends," "Pulling the Cannon," "The Death of Topthorn," "No Man s Land," "The Reunion," "Remembering Emilie, and Finale," "The Homecoming."

November 15, 2011

Backward Ran Sentences: The Best of Wolcott Gibbs from the New Yorker
(Bloomsbury USA - Paperback/Kindle)
By Thomas Vinciguerra and Wolcott Gibbs Introduction by P.J. O'Rourke. Biographical sketch of (New Yorker) editor, humorist, theatre critic, playwright and author Gibbs and a generous sampling of his finest work across an impressive range of genres.

Blackbirds of 1928 & Shuffle Along
(Masterworks Broadway/ArkivMusic - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
Songs from Blackbirds of 1928 (1928) score by Jimmy McHugh and Dorothy Fields recorded in 1953 by Cab Calloway and Thelma Carpenter. "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "Diga-Diga Doo," "I Must Have That Man," "Doin' The New Low-Down." Songs from Shuffle Along score by Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle recorded in 1953 by Thelma Carpenter, Avon Long, Laurence Watson, Louise Woods. "Love Will Find A Way," "I'm Just Wild About Harry," "Bandana Days," "Gypsy Blues." 8-track CD-R at ArkivMusic.

Broadway Hopes and Dreams Vol One & Two
(Tenacity Records - on CD-R/mp3)
"Artistic blend of the traditional Showtune with Pop idioms, Country, World Music." Michael Ricciardi, John D. Nugent, Timothy Doran, Randy Louis Ames, J. Eric Schmidt.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Soundtrack
(Kritzerland Records - on 2 CDs)
1968 film score. Music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman. Music Supervised and Conducted by Irwin Kostal. Remastered from the first generation album master. Also includes the "Entr'Acte," the original "Main Title" (longer than the album version, with sound effects) and the film mix of the "Exit Music." Plus the complete song and picture book album tracks, released concurrently with the soundtrack, and which feature Richard M. Sherman himself singing, along with other vocalists, all conducted by Leroy Holmes. The second CD includes the film's demo recordings by Richard Sherman and playback tracks. 1200 copy limited release. Sold out.

Chris Passey: Self Taught; Still Learning The Music of ...
(new on CD)
Debut album of Midlands Musical Theatre composer Chris Passey. Songs from his concept musical Bridges. Zoe Rainey, Siobhan Dillon, Mark Evans, Lauren Samuels, Liam Tamne, Colleen Ballinger, Ross Hunter, Simon Lipkin, Caroline Keiff, Chloe Hart, Trevor Jary, Wayne A Robinson, Allyson Ava-Brown, Kieran Brown, Richard Meek. Profits will be donated equally between Cancer Research and the Multiple Sclerosis Society. Available at Dress Circle

Do Re Mi (Original London Cast)
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3)
CDU
1961 London cast. Score by Jule Styne, Betty Comden, Adolph Green. In stereo and remastered. First time on CD. Max Bygraves, Maggie Fitzgibbon, Steve Arlen, Jan Waters. Bonus tracks include pop versions of songs from the show performed by Bygraves, Arlen and Beatrice Lillie. 22 tracks.

Dorothy Provine: Songs from Warner Bros Television Show "The Roaring 20's"
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU
Soundtrack to the 1960-62 hit TV series :The Roaring 20s" on CD for the first time. Vocals by Dorothy Provine. Songs from wo soundtrack LPs (including the hit single "Don't Bring Lulu,) remastered and in stereo. 19 tracks.

Fresher - The Musical
(new on CD)
Original cast album of Mark Aspinall's score for new pop-funk musical-comedy. Edinburgh Fringe 2010. Natalie Bush, James Darch, Grace Eccleson, Dan Buckley, Alexis Gerred, Natasha J Barnes, Andrew Bryant, Rebekah Hinds, Gary Hughes. At Dress Circle

Funny Girl - Sheet Music from the Broadway Musical: Piano/Vocal
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Updated piano/vocal selections folio, in which the arrangements of several songs have been upgraded to better reflect the familiar original cast recordings compared to earlier printed editions. Also added is the song "Funny Girl," which Styne and Merrill wrote for the 1968 movie adaptation. "I'm the Greatest Star," "Cornet Man," "His Love Makes Me Beautiful," "I Want to Be Seen with You Tonight," "Henry Street," "People," "You Are Woman, I Am Man," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Sadie, Sadie," "Who Are You Now?," "The Music That Makes Me Dance," "Funny Girl."

James Barbour: Bring Me Giants
(GlobalVision - new on CD/iTunes) 
Broadway songs with new arrangements. "Who Will Love This Child," "The Longer I Live," "I Will Be There" (with Morgan James), "Loving You Keeps Me Alive," "If Ever I Would Leave You," "Music Of The Night," "Bring Him Home," "This Is The Moment," "Impossible Dream," "Bring Me Giants," "I Can't Recall."

Making War Horse
(Microcinema - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N Documentary about the National Theatre production.

Michael Ball: Heroes Live
(Region 2 DVD)
Michael Ball's sold out Heroes Tour concert features songs that were hits in the 1950s, 60s and 70s, including "Summer Wind," "Joanna," "Play Me,""New York State Of Mind" and "For Once In My Life." Also included - exclusive Dress rehearsal featurette. Available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

R.R.R.E.D. A Secret Musical
(Adam Pictures - new on CD/mp3)
Katie Thompson score from musical that appeared at NYMF in 2009. Katie Thompson and and Patrick Livingston.

Susan Egan - The Secret of Happiness
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3)
CDU
"The Me Of The Moment," "A Musical Apology," "The Secret of Happiness," "Nina Doesn't Care," "Cock-Eyed Optimist," "Children Will Listen" (with Georgia Stitt), "Momsense," "I Have You," "The Wanting of You," "From The Stars (Isla's Song)," "All Things In Time," "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Produced by Georgia Stitt.

Million Dollar Quartet Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songs featured in the Broadway musical.

My Fair Lady Blu-Ray
(Paramount - new on Blu-Ray)
B&N
CDU
1964 film version of Alan Jay Lerner/Frederick Loewe musical version of Shaw's Pygmalion. Extras include audio commentary; Rex Harrison radio interview; alternate Audrey Hepburn song takes; featurettes from 1963 and 1964; poster art & lobby cards gallery; trailers.

The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Collection
(Decca - import 4-CD/1-Region 2 DVD set)
2-CD Original London Cast Recording of the musical, starring Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman; 2-CD concept album of Love Never Dies starring Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess; DVD The Phantom Phenomenon with rare and unseen footage, including the videos of interviews with Lloyd Webber and Brightman, news reports and footage from a 1998 Lloyd Webber tribute and the 2010 celebration of the West End production's 10,000th performance. 160-page exclusive hardback book by Michael Heatley; Phantom "medallion"; replica of the original opening night program book from Her Majesty's Theatre in 1986. At Dress Circle in the full set (Region 2), Blu-Ray and DVD.

Summer and Smoke Soundtrack
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Elmer Bernstein score. World premiere release of the complete soundtrack for 1948 film based on Tennessee Williams play. Remastered from the original, three-track tapes. In film order. Bonuses. Limited 1500 copy release. Also available at Kritzerland.com.

The Teen Pop Broadway Collection
(Cherry Lane - new Paperback Book)
B&N

Venus in Fur: A Play
(Northwestern Univ Press - Paperback Book)
David Ives play on Broadway this season.

Vicki Lewis: East of Midnight
(Betting on the Muse - on CD/mp3) 
Vicki Lewis sings a collection of her own songs. Released in 2010. Also available at Amazon at a higher price.

West Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition
(20th Century - new on 2-disc/4-disc Blu-Ray sets)
CDU | B&N
1961 film version of Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents musical. Four-disc set includes two-disc Blu-ray, newly restored DVD, Tribute CD and collectible memorabilia. Hundreds of hours of restoration, new 7.1 digital audio and extras including featurettes Pow! The Dances of West Side Story, A Place for Us: West Side Story?s Legacy; storyboard to film comparison montage; song-specific commentary by Stephen Sondheim.

The Wicked Education of Henry Holliday: a comic novel of magic, mayhem, and musicals
(CreateSpace - Paperback Book)
By J.J. Tomkins. "A comic novel based upon the age old Faustian tale - but with a gay twist."

With Glee
(new on CD/mp3) 
Original cast recording of Prospect Theatre show. John Gregor score. Zach Bandler, Christopher Davis Carlisle, Jason Edward Cook, Greg Horton, Erin Jerozal, Dan Lawler, Max Spitulnik. Includes a full 16 page lyric booklet and color photos from the Off-Broadway production. Available at CDBaby.

November 8, 2011

Alfie: Alfie Boe
(Universal UK - new on import CD)
New solo album by Alfie Boe (Les Miserable Anniversary concert). "Being Alive," "Maria," "When I Fall In Love," "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "When You Wish Upon a Star," "Music of the Night," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Song to the Siren" (with Robert Plant), "In My Daughter?s Eyes," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" (with Michael Ball), "Wheels of a Dream," "It Was a Very Good Year," "Who Am I," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Available on 10/31 directly from UK at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

The Annotated Peter Pan (The Centennial Edition)
(W.W. Norton - Hardcover Book)
By J. M. Barrie; Maria Tatar, editor. With period photographs, full-color images by iconic illustrators, commentary on stage and screen versions, and supplementary material, including Barrie's screenplay for a silent film. 125 black-and-white and 125 four-color illustrations. Released 10/11/11.

Bebe Neuwirth: Porcelain
(Leopard Works Records - new on mp3/iTunes) 
"The Bilbao," "The Madame," "Invitation to the Blues," "Blackbird," "MrBojangles," "The Coffee Song," "Foreign Affair," "Lucy and Jessie," "Hymn to Love," "Simply a Waltz," "It Only Happens," "Ring Them Bells," "But the World Goes 'round," "Shiver Me Timbers," "I'll Be Seeing You."

Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1962 Alfred Drake
(VAI - new on DVD)
Television appearances. 48 minutes. Released 9/13/11.

Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966 Starring Howard Keel, Ann Blyth, Sally Ann Howes and Martha Wright
(VAI - new on DVD)
Television appearances. 37 minutes.

Bell Telephone Hour 1960-1965 Starring Gordon Macrae and Shelia Macrae
(VAI - new on DVD)
Television appearances. 28 minutes.

Bell Telephone Hour 1960-1966 John Raitt
(VAI - new on DVD)
Television appearances. Released 9/13/11.

"Dig Down Deeper" from Tinker Bell & The Pixie Hollow Games
(Digital single at iTunes/Amazon mp3) 
Single by Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda (Striking 12) from upcoming television special (11/19 on Disney Channel). Sung by Zendaya.

Elf: The Broadway Musical Vocal Selections
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Score from 2010 musical. Chad Beguelin (lyrics) and Matthew Sklar (music). includes photos from the original Broadway production, allows vocalists and pianists to apply their talent to the entertaining songs of this hilarious and endearing holiday tale. Titles: "Christmastown," "World's Greatest Dad," "In the Way," "Sparlkejollytwinklejingley," "I'll Believe in You," "Just Like Him," "A Christmas Song," "Nobody Cares About Santa," "Never Fall in Love (With an Elf)," "There Is a Santa Claus," "The Story of Buddy the Elf."

The First Nudie Musical Soundtrack
Kritzerland - new on CD)
35th anniversary issue of soundtrack from 1976 film. Includes original soundtrack recording as well as the newly arranged soundtrack to Nick Redman's documentary, From Dollars To Donuts: An Undressing Of The First Nudie Musical, arranged by Grant Geissman. Booklet contains liner notes by Nick Redman and Bruce Kimmel. Order at Kritzerland.com for early delivery; also available there with the soundtrack for special price of $39.98.

The First Nudie Musical Blu-Ray
(Kritzerland - new Blu-Ray)
35th anniversary remastered 1976 film. Stephen Nathan, Cindy Williams, Bruce Kimmel, Diana Canova, Alexandra Morgan, Leslie Ackerman, and Alan Abelew. Screenplay, Music, and Lyrics by Bruce Kimmel. Directed by Mark Haggard and Bruce Kimmel. Extras: retrospective documentary co-directed by Academy Award-nominee Nick Redman; three commentary tracks, two for the film—one with Cindy Williams, Stephen Nathan, and Bruce Kimmel, and one with Nick Redman and Bruce Kimmel), and one for the documentary—Nick Redman, Michael Rosendale, and Bruce Kimmel; deleted scene; two deleted musical numbers (one with sound and picture, one with audio only); two theatrical trailers; radio spot; costume tests; stills gallery. Order at Kritzerland.com for early delivery; also available there with the soundtrack for special price of $39.98.

Funny Girl (Complete Vocal Score)
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Complete piano/vocal score for the 1964 Broadway musical with music by Jule Styne and lyrics by Bob Merrill. 184 pages, lay-flat binding.

Marilyn Hill Smith: It Is Really Me
(JAY Records - new on CD/mp3) 
Solo album from British performer of light opera, operetta, and musical theatre. "Is It Really Me?" (110 In The Shade), "Romance" (The Desert Song), "I Could Have Danced All Night" (My Fair Lady), "Waltz Of My Heart" (The Dancing Years), "Gipsy Fiddles" (Gipsy Love), "Woman And Man" (Robert And Elizabeth), "I'll Follow My Secret Heart" (Conversation Piece), "Somebody Somewhere" (The Most Happy Fella), "Glitter And Be Gay" (Candide), "I Know Now" (Robert And Elizabeth), "Oh! La! La!" (The Gipsy Princess), "I Can Give You The Starlight" (The Dancing Years), "Out Of My Dreams" (Oklahoma!), "You'll Never Walk Alone" (Carousel), "Deep In My Heart" (The Student Prince), "Climb Every Mountain" (The Sound Of Music).

The Nutcracker: The Untold Story
(Universal Studios - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
2010 film. Cast includes Elle Fanning, Nathan Lane, Frances de la Tour and John Turturro. Based on the classic story that inspired the Tchaikovsky ballet music; film includes eight new by Tim Rice (The Lion King, Evita). Released 11/1/11.

Out Of Context: The Songs Of Michael Patrick Walker
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD/mp3) 
Songs by composer/lyricist Michael Patrick Walker ( Altar Boyz). Featuring Peter Friedman, Noah Galvin, Andy Karl, Andy Mientus, Jim Stanek, Cheyenne Jackson, Kelli O'Hara, Rachel York, Michael Arden, Lisa Howard, Anne L. Nathan, Kate Wetherhead, Telly Leung, Kerry O'Malley and Natalie Venetia Belcon. "All About Me," "Weird Little Man," "Never Added Up," "Irene," "Different Kind Of Man," "More," "Moonflower," "Someday," "Finding Me," "Pour Poor Me," "The Wall," "Sometimes," "I Believe."

The Road to Qatar!
(JAY Records - new on CD) 
York Theatre Company cast. David Krane and Stephen Cole score. James Beaman, Keith Gerchak, Bill Nolte, Sarah Stiles, Bruce Warren. Orchestrations by David Krane. Previously released digitally.

The Sound of Music Original Australian Cast
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
On CD for the first time. 1961 Australian cast. June Bronhill as Maria. In stereo, digitally remastered. Bonuses: rare bonus tracks performed by various personalities ("My Favourite Things" by Petula Clark, "Climb Ev?ry Mountain" by Dickie Valentine, "Do Re Mi" by Joan Regan, "The Sound of Music" by Edmund Hockridge, "Sixteen Going on Seventeen" by Mark Wynter, "An Ordinary Couple" by Ken Dodd) and Bronhill's own studio versions of highlights ("Do Re Mi," "The Sound of Music," "My Favourite Things," "Climb Ev?ry Mountain") from the score. Available at Stage Door Records.

Tale Of Two Cities: Original Broadway Concept Album
(Libra Verde - on CD) 
J. Mark McVey, Christiane Noll, Nick Wyman, Natalie Toro, Paul Castree, Alex Santoriello. "The Way it Ought to Be," "The Shadows of the Night," "It Won't Be Long," "Up in the Garret," "Who Are You," "You'll Never Be Alone," "No Honest Way," "The Trial," "Reflection," "Round and Round," "The Promise," "All In My Mind," "Resurrection Man," "Out of Sight, Out of Mind," "If Dreams Came True," "Until Tomorrow," "The Tale," "Little One," "No One Else," "The Bluff," "Without A Word," "Let Her Be A Child," "Finale - I Can't Recall." Previously in limited release/out of print.

A Tale of Two Cities International Studio Cast Recording
(Libra Verde - new on CD)
Jill Santoriello musical Recorded at London's Sphere Studios, June 2009. James Barbour, Brandi Burkhardt, Natalie Toro, Kevin Earley, Simon Thomas, J. Mark Mcvey, Ed Dixon, Craig Bennett, And Alex Santoriello with a Chorus of 30 voices and Orchestra of 33. Track Listing: "Prologue" (J Mark McVey), "The Way It Ought To Be (Paris)" (Natalie Toro, Kevin Earley, Ensemble), "Who Are You" (J Mark Mcvey, Brandi Burkhardt), "You'll Never Be Alone" (Brandi Burkhardt, J Mark McVey), "The Way It Ought To Be (London)" (James Barbour), "No Honest Way" (Ed Dixon, Craig Bennett, James Barbour, Ensemble), "The Trial" (William Thomas Evans, Craig Bennett, Nigel Richards, Ensemble), "Reflection" (James Barbour), "Letter From Uncle" (Alex Santoriello), "The Promise" (J Mark McVey, Simon Thomas), "I Can't Recall" (James Barbour), "Resurrection Man" (Craig Bennett, Walter Oneil, Tim Hartman), "Now At Last" (Simon Thomas, Brandi Burkhardt), "Wedding" (Instrumental), "If Dreams Came True" (Simon Thomas, James Barbour), "Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind" (Natalie Toro), "Little One ? Catherine Missal, James Barbour, Kevin Earley, Men), "Until Tomorrow" (Kevin Earley, Natalie Toro, James Barbour, Ensemble), "), "Everything Stays The Same" (Natalie Toro, Kevin Earley, Ensemble), "The Tale" (Natalie Toro, J Mark McVey, James Gillan, Alex Santoriello, Ensemble), "If Dreams Came True Reprise" (James Barbour, Simon Thomas), "Without A Word" (Brandi Burkhardt), "The Bluff" (James Barbour, Ed Dixon), "The Way It Ought To Be Reprise" (James Barbour), "Let Her Be A Child" (Catherine Missal, James Barbour), "The Letter" (James Barbour), "Defarge Goodbye" (Kevin Earley), "Finale" (Kelley Dorney, James Barbour, Ensemble), "Never Say Goodbye (Bonus Track)(Brandi Burkhardt). 78 Minutes. Previously available on show's website.

Tony Bennett - The Complete Collection
(Sony - 73 CD/3 DVD set)
Chronicles the entire career of Tony Bennett as documented in the albums and singles he's made for Columbia Records (beginning in 1952 through the present), as well as his recordings for Roulette (an historic encounter with Count Basie and Orchestra in 1959), MGM (1972-73), Improv (Bennett's own label from 1973-76) and Fantasy (with pianist Bill Evans, released in 1975-76). Barnes & Noble exclusive.

November 1, 2011

About Bill
(new on CD)
Matthew Strachan score for one-woman musical. Kim Ismay. Available at Dress Circle

Apples
(on CD)
Reissue of 1989 Ian Dury solo show recording. Recorded before the show opened and includes twelve of the twenty songs that featured in the show. Frances Ruffelle on vocals. Available at Dress Circle.

Babes in Arms
(Masterworks Broadway/ArkivMusic - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
First CD release of 1951 Goddard Lieberman-produced studio recording of Rodgers & Hart score. Mardi Bayne, Mary Martin, Jack Cassidy. Lehman Engel, conductor. "Overture," "Where or When," "Babes in Arms," "I Wish I Were in Love Again," "Way Out West," "My Funny Valentine," "Johnny One Note," "Imagine," "All at Once," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "You Are So Fair," "Finale." CD-R also available at ArkivMusic.

Elf  OBC
(Ghostlight - new on CD/mp3) 
Original Broadway cast recording. Matthew Sklar/Chad Beguelin score (book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin). Based upon the New Line Cinema film written by David Berenbaum. Sebastian Arcelus, Amy Spanger, Mark Jacoby, Michael Mandell, Michael McCormick, Valerie Wright, Matthew Gumley, Matthew Schecter.

Junior Broadway: How to Produce Musicals With Children 9 to 13 (2nd revised edition)
(McFarland - Paperback Book)
Beverly B. Ross and and Jean P. Durgin. Completely revised and fully updated version of their 1998 step-by-step guide to producing musicals with middle school students. Voice, music, choreography, costumes, make-up, scenery, lighting, props, sound effects, backstage management--all phases of producing a major musical play with children as actors and stage crew are covered here, as well as the program, souvenirs, and photographs, not to mention handling pre-show jitters and throwing the after-the-show party. The techniques are tailored to children?s abilities and needs (e.g., what to do with the "love scene").

Linda Lavin: Possibilities
(Ghostlight - new mp3/iTunes) 
Musical Direction / Arrangements / Piano by Billy Stritch. Produced by John Brown. Recorded at Overdub Lane, Durham, NC. "It Might As Well Be Spring," "Hey, Look Me Over," "There's A Small Hotel," "In Love Again," "Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars)," "'Deed I Do," "It Amazes Me," "You've Got Possibilities," "Rhode Island Is Famous For You," "The Song Remembers When," "Walk Between Raindrops," "Two For The Road." CD to be released 11/29/11.

Lux Presents Hollywood: A Show-by-Show History of the Lux Radio Theatre and the Lux Video Theatre, 1934-1957
(McFarland - Paperback Book)
B&N
By Connie Billips and Arthur Pierce. Show-by-show chronicle of the series, arranged by broadcast season, and showing network affiliation, host, announcer, director, musical director, and adaptation writer. Show listings include title, date first broadcast, cast, cast of the Lux commercials, plot synopsis, and film versions of the story. Also provided are the intermission guests-D.W. Griffith, Theda Bara, King Vidor, Sid Grauman among others-interviewed between acts of the broadcasts.

Out of Oz: The Final Volume in the Wicked Years
(William Morrow - Hardcover/Kindle/Audiobook)
B&N
Fourth and final entry in Gregory Maguire's Oz series; the first was adapted for the musical Wicked.

Tears of Heaven - The Concept Recording
(GlobalVision - new on CD/mp3) 
Frank Wildhorn/Robin Lerner score. Morgan James, Linda Eder, Christiane Noll, Rob Evan, Michael Lanning, Jackie Burns, James Barbour. Arranged and Orchestrated by Jeremy Roberts. Valhalla Symphony Orchestra.

They Can't Take That Away from Me: Musical Memories That Colour Our Lives
(Accent Press Ltd - Paperback Book)
B&N
More than 100 celebrities were asked what songs bring back special memories, including Joan Collins, ("The Way You Look Tonight" reminds her of the first dance at her wedding to Percy Gibson), Joanna Lumley (thinks of her childhood in the Far East whenever she hears Nat King Cole singing "Stardust"). A musical memory tour with the stars to a place where it is yesterday once more. British author Jackie McGregor got her inspiration for this book from when she saw the effect that music had on her ailing father, listening to the old wartime band songs brought him alive again as he relived his courting days. Fundraiser for an Alzheimers charity.

West End Bares Calendar
(2012 calendar)
Oliver Thornton, Ramin Karimloo, Summer Strallen, Zizi Strallen, Natalie Stacy, Luke Jackson, Aaron Renfree and more West End stars. Sold in aid of TheatreMAD The Make A difference Trust. Available at Dress Circle

October 25, 2011

Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Volume 13
(Rock-It Science - new CD)
Cast members from The Addams Family, Anything Goes, Baby It's You, Billy Elliot, Catch Me if You Can, How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (featuring Daniel Radcliffe), Jersey Boys, The Lion King, Mamma Mia, Mary Poppins, Memphis, The Phantom of the Opera, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Rent (off-Broadway), Sister Act, Spiderman, Wicked and John W. Engeman Theater's cast of Camelot. Produced by Lynn Pinto. Can be ordered at broadwaycares.org.

Broadway Musicals, Show By Show - Seventh Edition
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Stanley Green and Cary Ginell. Updated edition of one of the best-selling and comprehensive Broadway reference books, first published in 1985, expanded to include many of the most important and memorable productions of the American musical theater, including revivals. Chronologically arranged beginning with The Black Crook in 1866, the seventh edition adds new entries and photos on numerous musicals from recent years, including American Idiot, Billy Elliot: The Musical, Hair (revival), Memphis, Next to Normal, Rock of Ages, The Addams Family, West Side Story (revival), and Fela! A wealth of statistics and inside information, plus critical reception, cast lists, commentary about each show, and numerous detailed indexes

Follies in Concert/Stavisky
(Masterworks - 2-CD set at Amazon)
CDU | B&N
Re-release of 1985 original cast CD. Concert presentation of Sondheim score. Licia Albanese, Carol Burnett, Liz Callaway, Betty Comden, Barbara Cook, Adolph Green, André Gregory, George Hearn, Howard McGillin, Erie Mills, Liliane Montevecchi, Phyllis Newman, Mandy Patinkin, Daisy Prince, Lee Remick, Arthur Rubin, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton. The reissue also includes Stephen Sondheim's score to the film Stavisky. Eco-packaging. CD available at Arkiv Music.

Footloose The Musical
(Ghostlight - on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Updated and remastered re-release of out-of-print 1998 cast recording. New album artwork by Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo. Reflects changes made to the show by the original writers after their Broadway run and subsequent productions around the world. Tom Snow (music), Dean Pitchford (lyrics) score; additional music was contributed by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. Jim Ambler, Stephen Lee Anderson, Robin Baxter, Rosalind Brown, Bryant Carroll, Paul Castree, Catherine Cox, Kathy Deitch, Hunter Foster, Stacy Francis, Artie Harris, Billy Hartung, Dee Hoty, Jeremy Kushnier, Donna Lee Marshall, Tom Plotkin, Jennifer Laura Thompson. "Footloose/On Any Sunday," "The Girl Gets Around," "I Can't Stand Still," "Somebody's Eyes," "Learning To Be Silent," "Holding Out For A Hero," "Heaven Help Me," "I'm Free/Heaven Help Me," "Still Rockin'," "Let's Hear It For The Boy," "Can You Find It In Your Heart?," "Mama Says (You Can't Back Down)," "Almost Paradise," "Can You Find It In Your Heart? (reprise)," "Footloose (finale)." Cut song "Still Rockin'" newly recorded by Hunter Foster with members of the original orchestra (produced, recorded and mixed by Joel Moss). Album originally produced by Tommy Krasker and Tom Snow, and recorded and mixed by Joel Moss. Already released digitally.

Michael Feinstein: The Sinatra Project, Vol. II: The Good Life
(Concord Jazz - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Feinstein revisits the 1960s music of Frank Sinatra and his circle (Bobby Darin, Ann-Margret, Rosemary Clooney, Sammy Davis, Jr.). "Thirteen Women," "Hallelujah I Love Her So," "C'est Comme Ça," "Is You Is Or Is You Ain't My Baby?," "Sway," "Luck Be A Lady / All I Need Is The Girl," "I'll Be Around," "The Way You Look Tonight," "The Lady Is A Tramp," "For Once In My Life," "The Good Life," "Once In A Lifetime." Recorded May 12 at the Palladium in Carmel, Indiana, backed by a 32-piece orchestra.

The Terence Rattigan Collection
(Warner Home Video/BBC - 5 disc DVD set)
CDU | B&N
Heart To Heart (1962 with Ralph Richardson, Kenneth More, Derek Francis), All On Her Own (1968; Margaret Leighton), Separate Tables (1970 with Geraldine Mcewan, Eric Porter, Robert Harris), French Without Tears (1976;Michael Gambon, Anthony Andrews, Nigel Havers, Tom Woodward), The Winslow Boy (1977 with Eric Porter, Alan Badel), The Browning Version (1985 with Judi Dench, Ian Holm, Michael Kitchen), After The Dance (1992 with Anton Rogers, Imogen Stubbs, Gemma Jones), The Deep Blue Sea (1994 with Colin Firth, Ian Holm, Penelope Wilton), Adventure Story (1961 with Sean Connery, Margaretta Scott). Extras: excerpts from the Apollo's Separate Tables with John Mills and Jill Bennett; Cause Celebre at Her Majesty's Theatre with Glynis Johns.

Winnie The Pooh
(Disney - new on 3 Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
Animated film with voices of Jim Cummings, Craig Ferguson, Peter Cullen, John Cleese, Bud Luckey. Some new songs written and performed by Zooey Deschanel.

Winter Wonderettes
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CDU
Original studio recording. Misty Cotton, Julie Dixon Jackson, Bets Malone and Darcie Roberts. holiday sequel to the off-Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes. Created by Roger Bean. CD wide release; available digitally in January 2011.

With Glee
(new on iTunes) 
Original cast recording of Prospect Theatre show. John Gregor score. Zach Bandler, Christopher Davis Carlisle, Jason Edward Cook, Greg Horton, Erin Jerozal, Dan Lawler, Max Spitulnik.

October 18, 2011

Broadway Stories: Sandi Patty
(Stylos Entertainment - new on CD/mp3) 
With The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Jack Everly conductor. "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," "Smile," "Swingin Love Medley- I Just Found Out About Love, This Can't Be Love, Our Love Is Here To Stay," "All of Me," "The Man I Love," "Sound of Music Medley- Sound of Music, My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Edelweiss, Climb Every Mountain," "A Doll Sings The Guys: Willkommen, If I Were A Rich Man, Ya Got Trouble, Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin', Get Me To The Church On Time, Bring Him Home," "Send In The Clowns," "Love Is Only Love," "You'll Never Walk Alone."

Great Lengths: Seven Works of Marathon Theater
(Univ of Michigan Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Jonathan Kalb. Examination of internationally prominent, marathon-length theater productions, including Tony Kushner's Angels in America, Robert Wilson's Einstein on the Beach, the Royal Shakespeare Company's Nicholas Nickleby, and four other works. This is a book about extreme length, monumental scope, and intensive immersion in the theater in general. Examples are deliberately chosen for their diversity, and range from adapted novels and epics, to dramatic chronicles with macrohistorical and macropolitical implications, to stagings of super-size classic plays, to "postdramatic" works that negotiate the border of life and art. 248 pages.

Heat Wave: The Life and Career of Ethel Waters
(Harper Collins - Hardcover Book/Kindle)
B&N
By Donald Bogle ( Dorothy Dandridge). Traces Waters' rise from poverty through her early musical successes in Harlem, to her film and Broadway career and her later religious conversion as her health declined. Chronicles her intimate relationships with both men and women as well as her stormy relationships with other artists, like Josephine Baker and Lena Horne. 640 pages. Released 2/11.

Melissa Errico: Legrand Affair
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Collection of songs written by Michel Legrand, performed by Melissa Errico with a 100-piece symphony orchestra in Brussels, and produced by Phil Ramone. "I Was Born in Love With You," "The Summer Knows," "His Eyes, Her Eyes," "The Windmills of Your Mind," "I Will Wait For You," "In Another Life," "Martina," "Dis Moi," You Must Believe in Spring," "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?," "How Do You Keep the Music Playing?," "Something New In My Life," "Maybe Someone Dreamed Us," "Once Upon A Summertime," "Celui-La." Recorded in Leuven Belgium, July 5-10, 2005. Orchestra conducted by Michel Legrand. All piano by Michel Legrand. Co-Produced by Richard Jay-Alexander.

Most Likely To: The Senior Superlative Musical
(BroadwayClubhouse.com and Young Pals Music - new at iTunes) 
Original Off-Broadway cast recording of Michael Tester score. Cast members from the Dramatist Guild Workshop and Midtown International Theatre Festival production include Amanda Castaños, (Spring Awakening), Melissa Rapelje (The Awesome 80s Prom), Lyle Colby Mackston (Paper Mill ... Spelling Bee,) Andrew J. Beck, Gina Marie Bilardi, Christopher Hlinka, Alexander Greif, Katie Hoffmann, Lauren Renner, Sarah Sixt, and Jesse Zeidman. Dramatic Publishing Company (dramaticpublishing.com) will be licensing Most Likely To for all professional and amateur theatrical markets in North America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The acting edition of the script will be available at The Drama Book Shop, DramaticPublishing.com and other script sources in October. A CD version of the album with a full-color booklet will be available for purchase in December.

A Party with Turner & Grusecki
(new on CD)
Original cast recording of new musical revue about contemporary life and love. 15 songs written & performed by Anya Turner & Robert Grusecki. Cover art by Robert Risko. Liner notes by Donna McKechnie, Karen Akers and Steve Ross. Available at CD Baby.

Willy Wonka And The Chocolate Factory 40th Anniversary Collector's Edition Blu-Ray
(Warner Home Video - new 3-disc Blu-Ray set)
CDU
In a limited edition tin with scented pencils and a special eraser, 144 page full-color photo booklet, and bonus features on disc including featurettes on Roald Dahl and "Mel Stewarts Wonkavision," and Sing-a-longs, interviews with the cast, and a documentary. Plus a golden ticket game piece will come with the set and can be used to win one of several prizes. DVD edition also being release.

October 11, 2011

The Bad Seed Blu-Ray
(Warner Home Video - new Blu-Ray)
CDU | B&N
1956 film based on the play by Maxwell Anderson, from the novel by William March. With Broadway cast Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack, Henry Jones, Eileen Heckart, Joan Croydon. 129 minutes.

Betty Blue Eyes OLC
(Warner - new on import CD)
Cameron Mackintosh's production of Stiles and Drewe musical, adapted by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman from the Alan Bennett/Malcolm Mowbray film A Private Function. Sarah Lancashire and Reece Shearsmith. Release date undetermined. "Overture - Austerity Britain," "Fair Shares For All," "A Place On The Parade," "Magic Fingers," "Painting By Heart," "Nobody," "Nobody (Part 2)," "A Private Function," "Betty Blue Eyes," "Lionheart," "Steal The Pig," "Another Little Victory," "It's An Ill Wind," "Pig No Pig," "The Kind Of Man I Am," "A Private Function (Reprise)," "Finale Ultimo - Confessions," "Magic Fingers (Reprise)," "Betty Blue Eyes (Reprise)," "Jitterbug." Also available in the UK at Dress Circle.

Big, Easy Style: Creating Rooms You Love to Live In
(Clarkson Potter - Hardcover Book)
Bryan Batt (La Cage aux Folles, Saturday Night Fever, Jeffrey, "Mad Men"). Photographs of New Orleans rooms featuring the work of many designers, with designing commentary by Batt.

Carol Channing: Jazz Baby
(DRG - on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Reissue of 1994 album. "Jazz Baby," "Thoroughly Modern Millie," "Join Us in a Cup of Tea," "Doin' the Old Yahoo Step," "Little Game of Tennis," "Teeny Little Weeny Nest for Two," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "You've Got to See Mamma Ev'ry Night (Or You Can't See Mamma at All)," "Ma (He's Making Eyes at Me)," "You're the Cream in My Coffee," "Baby Won't You Please Come Home," "Good Man Is Hard to Find," "Button up Your Overcoat," "Wouldn't You Like to Lay Your Head upon My Pillow," "Little Girl from Little Rock," "Bye Bye Baby," "Homesick Blues," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend." Arrangements by Robert Hunter.

Death Takes a Holiday
(PS Classics - new on CD) 
B&N
OBC recording of Maury Yeston score. Kevin Earley, Jill Paice, Matt Cavenaugh, Simon Jones, Rebecca Luker and Michael Siberry. "In the Middle of Your Life / Nothing Happened," "How Will I Know?," "Centuries," "Why Do All Men," "Death Is in the House," "Alive," "Life's a Joy," "Who Is This Man?," "Life's a Joy (reprise)," "Shimmy Like They Do in Paree," "Roberto's Eyes," "Alone Here With You," "Something's Happened," "Losing Roberto," "What Do You Do," "More and More," "Finally to Know," "I Thought That I Could Live," "December Time," "Pavane," "Final Scene."

Judy Garland:The London Studio Recordings 1957-1964
(First Hand Records - CD set)
CDU | B&N
Multiple disc set assembles Garland's work done at Abbey Road between October 1957 and August 1964, including previously unreleased alternate takes. Disc 1: "It's Lovely to Be Back in London," "Lucky Day," "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," "Stormy Weather," "Medley - Judy at The Palace: Shine on Harvest Moon, Some of These Days, My Man, I Don't Care," "You Go to My Head," "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby (with a Dixie melody)," "Happiness is a Thing Called Joe," "It's a Great Day for the Irish," "I Happen to Like New York," "Medley: You Made Me Love You, For Me and My Gal, The Trolley Song," "Why Was I Born?," "Do it Again," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "The Man That Got Away," "Chicago," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "San Francisco," "After You've Gone," "Swanee," "Over the Rainbow"; Disc: 2: "Hello Bluebird," "By Myself," "It Never Was You," "I Could Go On Singing," "The Land of Promises," "It's Yourself," "Maggie, Maggie May," "There's Only One Union," "Lucky Day," "Stormy Weather," "Why Was I Born," "After You've Gone," "It's a Great Day for the Irish," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "It's Yourself (intro chat)," "It's Yourself," "The Land of Promises," "Maggie, Maggie May," "Hello Bluebird," "I Could Go On Singing," "It Never Was You," "Please Say 'Ah'!"

Kathleen France: The Book of Love
(Miranda Music - new mp3)
New York based singer Kathleen France in her 2010 MAC Nominated Female Debut Cabaret Show, The Book of Love, recorded live at the Metropolitan Room. Available at CD Baby.

Lost Horizon
(Sony/Columbia Pictures/Screen Classics by Request - new DVD-R)
Newly remastered 1973 musical with songs by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, based on the classic James Hilton novel. Peter Finch, John Gielgud, Liv Ullmann, Michael York, Sally Kellerman, George Kennedy, Charles Boyer, Bobby Van, Olivia Hussey, James Shigeta. Directed by Charles Jarrott. To includes deleted Burt Bacharach songs, sequences restored to the theatrical version, special vintage featurettes, and other bonus features expected. 2 hours 29 minutes.

Scrooge [Blu-ray]
(Paramount - new Blu-Ray)
CDU | B&N
1970 film musical with Albert Finney. Songs by Leslie Bricusse.

Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and Musicals
(Northeastern - Paperback)
B&N
Scott Miller on the triumvirate of postwar social change: sex, drugs, and rock & roll ... from the Roaring Twenties (The Wild Party) to the cultural chaos of the Fifties (Grease) and the sexual revolution of the Sixties (I) and Seventies (Rocky Horror), to the rebirth of the art form in the Nineties (Bat Boy), and up to the present.

Sunday Night at the London Palladium - Vol 2
(new on 2 Region 2 DVDs)
1950s UK television variety show. This volume includes performances by Bruce Forsyth, Jimmy Tarbuck. Cliff Richard and the Shadows, The Searchers, Frankie Howerd, The Hollies, Arthur Haynes, Des O Connor, Cleo Laine, The Johnny Dankworth Seven and more. 384 minutes. Available at Dress Circle

Working in American Theatre: A Brief History, Career Guide and Resource Book for over 1000 Theatres (Backstage)
(Methuen Drama - Paperback Book)

B&N
Career guide for anyone interested in the theatre: the complete A to Z culled from industry expert Jim Volz's experience and interviews with many voices in the theatre community. In addition to advice, inspiration and strategies for all working practitioners, not just actors, it also features extensive listings and directories for regional companies, commercial theatre, festivals, touring companies, university theatres and children's productions. Originally published as "Backstage Guide To Regional Theatre" in limited release - has been completely updated and broadened in scope with 25% entirely new material.

You're Not Alone: Sean McDermott
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
"You're Not Alone," "Danny Boy," "Magic of Stars," "Walking in Memphis," "Beautiful Heartache," "Whiter Shade of Pale," "One Lifetime's Not Enough," "Ordinary Man," "Open Arms," "Worth the Wait," "You Raise Me Up," "I Walk the Night," "Sing," "Danny Boy" (Bonus Track).

October 4, 2011

Arthur Miller: 1962-2005
(Univ of Michigan Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Christopher Bigsby. Sheds new light on one of the 20th-century's most acclaimed literary figures. His marriage to photographer Inge Morath, his activism in support of political and social causes, and his work in support of dissident writers in Russia, Czechoslovakia, China, and elsewhere throughout this period. Bigsby's follow-up to Arthur Miller: 1915-1962. 616 pages.

Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On
(Image Entertainment - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
Taped at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. She performs "Big Noise from Winnetka," "The Showgirl Must Go On," "Friends," "The Rose," "Do You Wanna Dance," "From a Distance," "Boolya JaDa," "Hello in There," "Pretty Legs/Hot in Here," "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Wind Beneath My Wings" with the "Caesar Salad Girls" and a 13-piece band. 70 minutes.

Drama: An Actor's Education
(Harper - Hardcover/Kindle/Audio Book)
B&N Memor
Memoir by John Lithgow. A backstage view of his own struggle, crisis, and discovery, revealing the early life and career that took place out of the public eye. Released 9/27/11.

Broadway MVPs: 1960-2010: The Most Valuable Players of the Past 50 Seasons
(Applause - Paperback Book)
B&N
Peter Filichia names his choices for the MVPs of each of the past 50 Broadway seasons —they might be performers, producers, directors, or choreographers. Also included are awards in categories such as Comeback Player of the Year, Reliever of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Led League in Errors. From Tammy Grimes, MVP of the 1960-61 season for The Unsinkable Molly Brown, to Joe DiPietro, MVP of the 2009-10 season for Memphis, Filichia recognizes the best and the brightest that have appeared on Broadway. 210 pages.

Footloose The Musical
(Ghostlight - digital release on mp3/iTunes) 
Updated and remastered re-release of out-of-print 1998 cast recording. New album artwork by Frank "Fraver" Verlizzo. Reflects changes made to the show by the original writers after their Broadway run and subsequent productions around the world. Tom Snow (music), Dean Pitchford (lyrics) score; additional music was contributed by Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steinman. Jim Ambler, Stephen Lee Anderson, Robin Baxter, Rosalind Brown, Bryant Carroll, Paul Castree, Catherine Cox, Kathy Deitch, Hunter Foster, Stacy Francis, Artie Harris, Billy Hartung, Dee Hoty, Jeremy Kushnier, Donna Lee Marshall, Tom Plotkin, Jennifer Laura Thompson. "Footloose/On Any Sunday," "The Girl Gets Around," "I Can't Stand Still," "Somebody's Eyes," "Learning To Be Silent," "Holding Out For A Hero," "Heaven Help Me," "I'm Free/Heaven Help Me," "Still Rockin'," "Let's Hear It For The Boy," "Can You Find It In Your Heart?," "Mama Says (You Can't Back Down)," "Almost Paradise," "Can You Find It In Your Heart? (reprise)," "Footloose (finale)." Cut song "Still Rockin'" newly recorded by Hunter Foster with members of the original orchestra (produced, recorded and mixed by Joel Moss). Album originally produced by Tommy Krasker and Tom Snow, and recorded and mixed by Joel Moss. CD release set for 10/25/11.

Ocean's Kingdom
(Telarc - new on CD/mp3/vinyl) 
CDU | B&N
Paul McCartney's orchestral score for dance commissioned by the New York City Ballet. Collaboration with New York City Ballet's Master in Chief Peter Martins for the September 22 world premiere of the ballet.

Seasons Greetings: A Jersey Boys Christmas
(Rhino Records - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Christmas classics in the style of The Four Seasons. Features performers from Jersey Boys productions around the world, including Tony winner John Lloyd Young, Jarrod Spector (Broadway), Ryan Molloy (London), Travis Cloer, Rick Faugno, and Travis Cloer (Las Vegas), Bobby Fox (Australia), Joe Leo Bwarie (National Tour), along with Erik Bates, Kristofer McNeeley, and Michael Ingersoll. "Joy To The World," "Winter Wonderland," "Little Drummer Boy," "Santa Medley ," "Holy Night/Rise Up Shepherd," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "Jingle Bell Rock," "A King Is Born," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas ," "White Christmas," "I'll Be Home For Christmas," "Angels From The Realm Of Glory," "Silver Bells/Silent Night," "Do You Hear What I Hear," "Breath Of Heaven/We Three Kings," "Carol Of The Bells/Angels We Have Heard On High ," "Auld Lang Syne."

Seth MacFarlane: Music Is Better Than Words
(Universal Republic - new on CD/mp3/vinyl) 
CDU | B&N
Big band album; MacFarlane singing with 20-piece orchestra under the direction of Joel McNeely. From televised concert. "It's Anybody's Spring," "Music Is Better Than Words," "Anytime, Anywhere," "The Night They Invented Champagne," "Two Sleepy People," "You're The Cream In My Coffee," "Something Good," "Nine O'Clock," "Love Won't Let You Get Away," "It's Easy To Remember," "The Sadder But Wiser Girl," "Laura," "You And I," "She's Wonderful Too." Released 9/27/11.

Sweat, Tears, and Jazz Hands: The Official History of Show Choir from Vaudeville to Glee
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
B&N
By Mike Weaver and Colleen Hart. Featuring more than 100 competitive show choirs from around the United States in photos, quotations, and stories ... details the pop culture and theater influences that, over time, built this unique entertainment genre into the mecca of music lovers that it is today. Real-life accounts of show choir performers, directors, and choreographers. 208 pages.

What's New at the Zoo?
(Blue Apple Books - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Betty Comden and Adolph Green from lyrics from their song in Do Re Mi. Illustrated by Travis Foster. Ages 4-8.

September 27, 2011

Anastasia Barzee: The Dimming of the Day
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Singer/actress Anastasia Barzee (White Christmas, Henry IV, Urinetown, Jekyll & Hyde) reimagines an eclectic range of Broadway, pop and jazz-infused songs, and showcases a diverse array of her favorite contemporary artists/ "The Man with the Child in His Eyes" (Kate Bush), "Summer Me, Winter Me" (Bergman/Bergman/LeGrand), "Lilac Wine" (James Shelton), "Dinner at Eight" (Rufus Wainwright), "The Dimming of the Day" - duet with Brian D'Arcy James (Richard Thompson), "Company" (Jones/Johnson), "American Tune" (Paul Simon), "Nothing Like You've Ever Known" (Black/Lloyd Webber), "Feels Like Home" (Randy Newman), "Don't Go to Strangers " (Kent/Mann/Evans), "All I Know" (Jimmy Webb), "Terrible Things" (April Smith), "April Moon" (Robert Lee/Leon Ko)" (bonus). Produced by Matt Pierson. Arrangements by Gil Goldstein. Recorded by Meredith McCandless at Flux Studios, NYC Liner notes by John Patrick Shanley.

Barbara Cook: You Make Me Feel So Young
(DRG/Koch - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Recorded live at Feinstein's at Loews Regency on June 17. Hugh Fordin producing. The show's song list included "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise," "Are You Havin' Any Fun," "You Make Me Feel So Young," "I've Grown Accustomed to His Face," "Wait 'Til We're Sixty-Five," "Frim Fram Sauce," "When I Look in Your Eyes," "What Did I Have I Don't Have Now," "Live Alone and Like It," "This Can't Be Love," "I'm a Fool to Want You," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Love Is Good for Anything That Ails You," "More Than You Know," "Here's to Life," "I Got Rhythm," "Imagine."

Betty Blue Eyes OLC
(First Night - new on CD)
Cameron Mackintosh's production of Stiles and Drewe musical, adapted by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman from the Alan Bennett/Malcolm Mowbray film A Private Function. Sarah Lancashire and Reece Shearsmith. Release date undetermined. "Overture - Austerity Britain," "Fair Shares For All," "A Place On The Parade," "Magic Fingers," "Painting By Heart," "Nobody," "Nobody (Part 2)," "A Private Function," "Betty Blue Eyes," "Lionheart," "Steal The Pig," "Another Little Victory," "It's An Ill Wind," "Pig No Pig," "The Kind Of Man I Am," "A Private Function (Reprise)," "Finale Ultimo - Confessions," "Magic Fingers (Reprise)," "Betty Blue Eyes (Reprise)," "Jitterbug." Available at Dress Circle. See October 11 for U.S. import info.

Breast Wishes An Uplifting Musical - Original Australian Cast
(new on CD)
A celebration of breasts and those who support them, written by Australian comedic and dramatic writers including Merridy Eastman, Jonathan Gavin, Richard Glover, Wendy Harmer, Sheridan Jobbins, James Millar and Debra Oswald, with music and lyrics by Bruce Brown. Cast includes Valerie Bader, Chelsea Plumley, Anne Looby, Gretel Scarlett and David Harris. Musical direction by Michael Tyack. 18-page full color booklet with production photos and complete lyrics. Proudly supporting the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Available at Middle Eight Music.

Carl Davis: Up In Lights - Broadway —Hollywood —West End
(new on CD)
The BBC Concert Orchestra conducted by Carl Davis. "New York, New York," "Carousel Waltz," "Cats Suite" (World Premiere), "Hollywood Theme," "Keystone Kops," "Summertime," "A Woman is a Sometime Thing," "Bess, You is My Woman Now," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "West Side Story Overture," "My Fair Lady —Ascot Gavotte," "The Fiddler on the Roof —Wedding Dance," "Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head," "Aquarius," "What a Piece of Work is Man," "Let the Sun Shine In," "One." Available at Dress Circle

Catch Me If You Can Piano/Vocal Selections
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
172-page collectible songbook contains piano/vocal sheet music for each song by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, complete with color photos. "Live in Living Color," "The Pinstripes Are All That They See," "Someone Else's Skin," "Jet Set," "Don't Break the Rules," "Butter Outta Cream," "The Man Inside the Clues," "Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year," "Doctor's Orders," "Don't Be a Stranger," "Little Boy, Be a Man," "Seven Wonders," "(Our) Family Tree," "Fly, Fly Away," "Goodbye," "Stuck Together (Strange But True)," "Fifty Checks."

Drama: An Actor's Education
(Harper - Hardcover/Kindle/Audiobook)
Memoir by John Lithgow. Released 9/27/11.

The Dybbuk
(Entertainment One - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
1960 TV broadcast of S. Ansky play, directed by Sidney Lumet, with Theodore Bikel, Vincent Gardenia, Carol Lawrence, and Gene Saks. 100 minutes.

Follies (tie-in 2nd edition)
(Theatre Communications Group - Paperback Book)
Reprint of libretto by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim musical. New cover, new bio of Goldman

Footloose (Deluxe Edition)
(Paramount - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
1984 film with Kevin Bacon, Lori Singer, John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Chris Penn. Directed by Herbert Ross. Written by Dean Pitchford. Blu-Ray extras: Commentary by Craig Zadan and Dean Pitchford; commentary by Kevin Bacon; Let's Dance! Kevin Bacon on Footloose (HD); From Bomont to the Big Apple: An Interview with Sarah Jessica Parker (HD); Remembering Willard (HD); Kevin Bacon's Screen Test (HD); Kevin Bacon Costume Montage (HD); 2004 DVD Archive; Theatrical Trailer (HD).

Footloose: New Soundtrack
(Atlantic - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
"Footloose" (Blake Shelton), "Where The River Goes" (Zac Brown of Zac Brown Band), "Little Lovin'" (Lissie), "Holding Out For A Hero" (Ella Mae Bowen), "Let's Hear It For The Boy" (Jana Kramer), "So Sorry Mama" (Whitney Duncan), "Fake ID" (Gretchen Wilson)" (Big & Rich), "Almost Paradise" (Victoria Justice and Hunter Hayes), "Walkin' Blues" (Kenny Wayne Shepherd)" (CeeLo Green), "Magic In My Home" (Jason Freeman), "Suicide Eyes" (A Thousand Horses), "Dance The Night Away" (feat Denim).

Mitchell Butel - Killing Time Live in Concert
(new on CD)
Debut album by one of Australia's top cabaret and musical theatre stars (Avenue Q, Dusty, The Venetian Twins and Hair). Available at Middle Eight Music.

Michael Cormick - Smooth Sessions
(new on CD)
Debut album from one of Australia and the West End's favourite leading men (The Rocky Horror Show, Cats, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Grease, Falsettos, Eureka, Sunset Boulevard, Mamma Mia, Beauty and the Beast). "Closer," "Cool Change," "Summer Breeze," "Burn For You," "Light My Fire," "We Can Work It Out - with Margaret Urlich," "Can't Help Falling In Love," "Feel Like Makin' Love," "Superstar," "Everybody's Talking At Me," "I'm Not In Love," "Norwegian Wood," "All In Love Is Fair." Available at Middle Eight Music.

Music from The Happy Elf: Harry Connick Jr
(Marsalis Music - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
The Happy Elf is a Harry Connick, Jr. project that was first a song, then an animated film, then adapted for the stage (fully produced workshop at Montgomery College, Rockville MD in 2010 with Michael Rupert).

Playbill 2009 - 2010 Broadway Season Puzzle: 1000 pcs
(Playbill - Jigsaw Puzzle)
More than 72 Playbill logos repeated throughout the design. Assembled Puzzle Measures Approximately: 19.25 x 26.75

Sing On Through Tomorrow: The Songs Of Matthew Robinson - 2011 Original Australian Cast
(new on CD)
New musical revue. Matthew Robinson, Shaun Rennie, Kate Maree Hoolihan and Hollie Andrew. Peter Rutherford Musical Director. Available at Middle Eight Music.

Wicked 1000 Piece Puzzle
(Jigsaw Puzzle)

What's New at the Zoo?
(Blue Apple Books - Hardcover Book)
By Adolph Green and Betty Comden (based on lyrics in their Do Re Mi score) and acclaimed illlustrator Travis Foster. Introduction by Newman. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book will go to the Phyllis Newman Women's Health Initiative. Released 9/13/11.

The Wizard of Oz Wall 2012 Calendar
(Day Dream - Wall Calendar)

The World of Sholom Aleichem
(Entertainment One - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
1959 TV broadcast of Arnold Perl Off-Broadway play with Zero Mostel, Nancy Walker, Sam Levene, Jack Gilford, Lee Grant, Charlotte Rae. Directed by Don Richardson. 101 minutes.

September 20, 2011

Anything Goes 2011 Broadway Revival Cast
(Ghostlight - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, with Colin Donnell, Adam Godley, Laura Osnes, Jessica Stone, Walter Charles, Robert Creighton, Andrew Cao, Raymond J. Lee, Clyde Alves, Ward Billeisen, Joyce Chittick, Nikki Renée Daniels, Margot De La Barre, Daniel J. Edwards, Kimberly Fauré, Josh Franklin, Justin Greer, Tari Kelly, Shina Ann Morris, Linda Mugleston, Kevin Munhall, Adam Perry, William Ryall, Jennifer Savelli, Anthony Wayne, Kristen Beth Williams, with John McMartin and Jessica Walter. Liner notes by Melissa Rose Bernardo and 36-page booklet of full-color photos and additional material. Already available on on mp3 and iTunes)  with digital booklet

bitter/sweet
(Harbinger Records - now at iTunes) 
Singer Eric Comstock and guitarist Randy Napoleon. "I Have Dreamed," "If I Had You," "Somewhere In The Night," "Goodbye," "Living On Dreams," "Gone With The Wind," "Two For The Road (with Barbara Fasano)," "Too Late Now," "This Can't Be Love," "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," "Goodbye Is A Lonesome Sound," "Bittersweet (Ballad for Very Tired & Very Sad Lotus-Eaters)," "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams." CD released on Amazon 1/11.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (50th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]
(Paramount - new on Blu-Ray)
CDU | B&N
1961 film based on Truman Capote novella. Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Buddy Ebsen, Martin Balsam. Directed by Blake Edwards. Score by Henry Mancini. Extras: original theatrical trailer (HD); commentary by Producer Richard Shepherd; A Golightly Gathering (HD); Henry Mancini: More Than Music (HD); Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective (HD); The Making of a Classic; It's So Audrey: A Style Icon; Behind the Gates: The Tour; Brilliance in a Blue Box ; Audrey's Letter to Tiffany; galleries.

Divine Hair/Mass in F
(Masterworks Broadway/Arkiv Music - on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
1971 live performance at Mass in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The Choir of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, St. Martin's Choir, St. Mary's Choir, Delores Hall, J. Faulton Hodge, Jack W. Jones, Reverend Richard R. Kirk, Reverend Richard Ragni, Reverend Howard Stone & the Broadway Cast of Hair. Includes selections from the Broadway musical as well as a new work by Galt MacDermot titled Mass in F. CD-R also selling through ArkivMusic.com.

Dumbo: 70th Anniversary Edition Blu-Ray
(Disney - new Blu-Ray)
CDU | B&N

1941 animated musical film.

Forever Plaid The Movie
(New Video Group - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
Film version of Stuart Ross Off-Broadway musical. Shown on some PBS stations. Stan Chandler, David Engel, Larry Raben, Daniel Reichard. David Hyde Pierce narrates. David Snyder musical director and pianist. Written and directed by Stuart Ross and Alan Helm.

George Dvorsky: All Through the Night
(JAY Records - new on iTunes) 
Solo album with National Symphony Orchestra. "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'," "Lucky To Be Me," "All Through The Night" (with Rebecca Luker) "She Was There," "I Wish I Could Forget You," "All I Care About Is Love (With Girls), "Lonely Town," "Soliloquy," "Almost Like Being In Love (with Janis Kelly), "The Impossible Dream," "Bring Him Home," "Something Wonderful," "I've Come To Wive It Wealthily In Padua (With Men), "Younger Than Springtime," "The Happy Time," "There But For You Go I." CD to be released 1/10/12.

Grease: Music on Film Series
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Stephen Tropiano takes a fascinating and revealing look at Grease as a cultural phenomenon - from its humble beginnings as a fringe musical in Chicago, to its unparalleled success on Broadway, to the making of the film that became the highest-grossing movie musical of all time. 128 pages.

The Inspector General (Special Edition)
(Shout Factory - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N

Remastered 1949 musical-comedy film based somewhat on Nikolai Gogol play, with Danny Kaye, John Carradine, Alan Hale, Elsa Lanchester, Walter Catlett, Gene Lockhart, Walter Slezak, Barbara Bates, Rys Williams. Songs by Sylvia Fine. Extras include home movie footage by director Henry Koster.

Life Is Not a Stage: From Broadway Baby to a Lovely Lady and Beyond
(Center Street - Hardcover/Audiobook/Kindle)
B&N
Florence Henderson memoir, written with Joel Brokaw. Covers her entertainment life, which includes Broadway, the "Brady Bunch" and "Dancing with the Stars." And she writes with candor about the challenges she has faced and overcome, including a Dickensian childhood in rural Indiana as the last born of ten children; struggles with religious faith; nightmarish post-partum depression; the collapse of her marriage and infidelity; and the death of her soul mate. She also reveals the valuable lessons both the triumphs and adversities have taught her about enjoying life to its fullest.

Masterworks authorized digital recordings: Original Off-Broadway Cast By Jupiter (mp3 | iTunes), Original Cast Recording of Paris '90 (mp3 | iTunes) plus Noël Coward at Las Vegas (mp3 | iTunes) and Noël Coward In New York (mp3 | iTunes)

Matilda OLC
(new on CD/iTunes) 
Based on the children's novel by Roald Dahl. Score by Tim Minchin. First produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company December 2010, opens at the Cambridge Theatre, London on the October 18. Recorded in a studio by the original cast from the sensational sell-out season at The Courtyard Theatre. 28-page booklet with song lyrics. Lauren Ward Bertie Carvel Melanie La Barrie Josie Walker Nick Searle Marc Antolin Verity Bentham Paul Kaye Michael Kent Matthew Malthouse Alastair Parker Emily Shaw. Available at Footlight, Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Million Dollar Quartet OLC
(Rhino/Warner Bros UK - new on CD)
West End cast recording recorded live at the Noel Coward Theatre. Bill Ward as Sam Phillips, Ben Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Hagen as Johnny Cash, Francesca Jackson as Dyanne, Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins, and Michael Malarkey as Elvis Presley. Also available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Mister Magoo's Christmas Carol: Piano/Vocal/guitar
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Songbook for Bob Merrill/Jule Styne score from 1962 NBC animated show. Historical foreword by animation expert Darrell Van Citters is included. Songs include "It's Great to Be Back on Broadway," "Ringle, Ringle," "The Lord's Bright Blessing," "Alone in the World," "Winter Was Warm," "We're Despicable," "The Lord's Bright Blessing" (Reprise).

The Road to Qatar!
(JAY Records - new at iTunes) 
York Theatre Company cast. David Krane and Stephen Cole score. James Beaman, Keith Gerchak, Bill Nolte, Sarah Stiles, Bruce Warren.

Those Lips, Those Eyes
(MGM - DVD on Demand)
1980 film. Frank Langella, Glynnis O'Connor, Tom Hulce, Jerry Stiller. Released 4/4/11.

Tony Bennett: Duets II
(Columbia - new on CD/iTunes) 
CDU | B&N
"The Lady Is A Tramp" (with Lady Gaga), "One For My Baby (And One More For The Road)" (with John Mayer), "Body And Soul" (with Amy Winehouse), "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" (with Michael Bublé), "Blue Velvet" (with k.dlang), "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" (with Aretha Franklin), "The Girl I Love" (with Sheryl Crow), "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" (with Willie Nelson), "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)" (with Queen Latifah), "Speak Low" (with Norah Jones), "This Is All I Ask" (with Josh Groban), "Watch What Happens" (with Natalie Cole), "Stranger In Paradise" (with Andrea Bocelli), "The Way You Look Tonight" (with Faith Hill), "Yesterday I Heard The Rain" (with Alejandro Sanz), "It Had To Be You" (with Carrie Underwood), "When Do The Bells Ring For Me" (with Mariah Carey).

September 13, 2011

August Wilson: Pittsburgh Places in His Life and Plays
(Paperback Book)
By Laurence A. Glasco and Christopher Rawson. Introductions by Kimberly C. Ellis and Sala Udin. Essays on the life and work of August Wilson and Pittsburgh;s Hill District; a guide to 45 places in the Pittsburgh area associated with Wilson's life and plays; summaries of the 10 plays in Wilson's Pittsburgh Cycle and a bibliography. 166 pages. 104 photos and maps. Available at Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation.

A Connecticut Yankee
(Video Artists Int'l - new on DVD)
March 12, 1955 television production of Rodgers and Hart musical. Eddie Albert, Janet Blair, Gale Sherwood, John Conte, Boris Karloff. Directed by Max Liebman. Black & white. Released June 2011.

Doris Day: My Heart
(Sony - new on import CD)
B&N
Authorized remastered compilation of eight previously unreleased tracks Day recorded for her 1980s television shows and series—four Doris Day classics. Produced by Terry Melcher, prior to his death in 2004. "Happy Endings" was co-written by Terry Melcher, and Day provides a new spoken-word introduction for the song. "Hurry, It's Lovely Up Here," "Daydream," "The Way I Dreamed It," "Heaven Tonight," "My One and Only Love," "My Heart," "You Are So Beautiful," "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries," "Disney Girls," "My Buddy," "Happy Endings," "Ohio." UK release; U.S. release to be announced. Already available in UK at Dress Circle

The Face of America: Plays for Young People
(Univ of Minnesota Press - Paperback Book)
B&N
Editors Peter Brosius, Elissa Adams. Four plays—written for the Children's Theatre Company of Minneapolis: Snapshot Silhouette, Brooklyn Bridge, Esperanza Rising, Average Family. 304 pages.

For the Good of the Show
(The Impress Group - new Book)
A memoir by Peter Neufeld of Gatchell & Neufeld, Ltd (No, No, Nanette, Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Annie), met or worked with Claudette Colbert, Ruby Keeler, Cherry Jones, Ethel Merman, Linda Lavin, Alfred Drake, Noel Coward, Lynn Fontanne, Judith Ivey, Madeline Kahn, Martin Charnin, and many more. To order, and for more information, visit www.forthegoodoftheshow.com/. Also available through Broadway Care.

Glee: Season Two
(20th Century Fox - new on 4 DVDs)
CDU | B&N

Judy Garland Smilin' Through: The Singles Collection 1936-1947
(JSP Records - new on 4 import CDs)
Compiled and annotated by Lawrence Schulman. Remastered master and alternate takes. Already available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Kristin Chenoweth: Some Lessons Learned
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Album of country-pop songs. Songs by Diane Warren, Desmond Child, Tom Douglas, Hillary Scott, Jodi Marr, Victoria Shaw, Dolly Parton, Eric Bazilian, Gary Burr, Shane McAnnally, and Kristin Chenoweth ("What Would Dolly Do?" and "Mine to Love"). Produced in Nashville by Bob Ezrin.

Little Did I Know: A Novel
(Prospecta Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By producer Mitchell Maxwell. The story of "... a young man with an outsized dream —to refurbish a dilapidated but historic theater and produce a season's worth of vibrant musicals."

A Little Princess
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD)
CDU 
B&N
Andrew Lippa/ Brian Crawley score for musical loosely adapted from Frances Hodgson Burnett's novel. Sierra Boggess, Will Chase, Julia Murney, Laura Benanti, Nikki Renee Daniels, Titus Burgess, Remy Zaken, Morgan James, Michael McElroy and many more. "Overture," "Good Luck, Bonne Chance," "Soon, My Love," "Live Out Loud ," "Let Your Heart Be Your Compass ," "Isn't That Always the Way," "Lucky," "If the Tables Were Turned," "Soldier On," "Another World," "Almost Christmas," "Once Upon A Time," "Broken Old Doll ," "Timbuktu ," "Soon," "Finale." Produced by Andrew Lippa, edited and mixed by Joel Moss. Recorded at MSR Studios November 30th and December 1st, 2010, and John Kilgore Sound and Recording, August 14, 2009.

Lynne Wintersteller: Prelude
(new digital 3-single EP)
Singles from upcoming album (A Woman's Touch) from Wintersteller (Closer Than Ever, A Grand Night for Singing). Three songs written by Richard Maltby Jr. and David Shire: "With You" (Amazon/iTunes), "I'd Rather Be Rich" (Amazon/iTunes) and "Little Susan Lawrence." (Amazon/iTunes). All proceeds will be used in producing the new album. Also available at CD Baby.

The Midtown Men: Sixties Hits
(new on CD/mp3) 
Touring show featuring Jersey Boys performers Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencer. "Lets Hang On / Working My Way Back To You / Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Can't Buy Me Love," "Happy Together," "Ain't That Peculiar," "Dawn," "Candy Girl," "Up On the Roof," "California Dreamin'," "Time of the Season," "Big Girls Don't Cry / Sherry," "Bye Bye Baby." Available at CDBaby.

The Pee-wee Herman Show on Broadway
(Image Entertainment - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
CDU | B&N
Pee-Wee Herman's Broadway show, as presented in an HBO special. Paul Reubens, Lynne Marie Stewart, Phil LaMarr, Lexy Fridell, Jesse Garcia, Josh Meyers, John Moody, John Paragon. Drew Powell, Lance Roberts, Caesar Samayoa, Oliver Dalzell, Haley Jenkins, Matt Leabo, Eric Novak, Adam Pagdon, Jessica Scott, Amanda Villalobos, Chris de Ville. Written by Paul Reubens and Bill Steinkellner. Additional material by John Paragon. Music by Jay Cotton. Directed by Alex Timbers. 89 minutes. Trailer and teaser spots.

The Playbill Broadway Yearbook: June 2010 to May 2011: Seventh Annual Edition
(Playbill/Applause - Hardcover Book)
B&N
Taking the form of a college yearbook, the seventh edition is packed with photos - more than 4,000 of them, many in color - and memorabilia from the entire 2010-2011 Broadway season, including headshots of all the actors, and photos of producers, writers, designers, stage managers, stagehands, musicians - even the ushers. A new feature this year is plot summaries of each of the shows, as well as stats, Playbill covers, and inside stories. Chapters on nearly 80 Broadway shows - not just new shows, but also the season's long-running ones. Also photos from Broadway insider events. Reports on opening night presents, embarrassing moments, memorable ad-libs, who got the Gypsy Robe, daily rituals, celebrity visits, favorite health tips and regimens, and so on.

Songs from Ragtime 2009 Cast
(JAY Records - new at iTunes/mp3) 
Songs from the 2009 revival production, recorded after the show closed. Full symphonic orchestra with original orchestrations by William David Brohn, the main leads and chorus from the 2009 production. Stephen Flaherty on piano in the opening track as a bonus. James Moor, music director. Track list: "Ragtime" (Stephen Flaherty And Company), "New Music" (Ron Bohmer, Christiane Noll, Robert Petkoff, Quentin Earl Darrington, Stephanie Umoh, Bobby Steggert and Company), "Wheels Of A Dream Quentin" (Earl Darrington, Stephanie Umoh), "Buffalo Nickel Photoplay, Inc." (Robert Petkoff), "Our Children" (Christiane Noll and Robert Petkoff), "Back To Before" (Christiane Noll and Girls), "Make Them Hear You" (Quentin Earl Darrington). Custom-pressed CD available at www.jayrecords.com.

Top Banana
(MGM/UA - new on DVD-R)
CDU | B&N
1954 film version of Broadway musical with Phil Silvers. Johnny Mercer score.

The Very Best of John Barrowman: Tonight's the Night
(Sony UK - import CD)
CDU
16-song collection featuring two new tracks: Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night" and the single "I Owe It All To You." Already available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Wishful Drinking
(HBO - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
Carrie Fisher's Broadway show, as shown on HBO. Bonuses: My Alleged Mother exclusive and candid interview with Debbie Reynolds; and deleted scenes.

September 6, 2011

Alice the Girl In the Glass: BJ Faulkner
(Hawthorne House Productions - new on CD/mp3)
French and Cabaret songs sung by chanteuse BJ Faulkner. "C'est Magnifique - Allez Vous En," "Chanson" (The Baker's Wife), Our Language Of Love" (Irma La Douce), Ne Me Quitte Pas," "Alice, The Girl In The Glass," "Watch What Happens," "I Will Wait For You" (The Umbrellas Of Cherbourg), If That Was Love," "Who'll Buy My Memories," "Je Ne T'aime Pas," "Le Roi D'aquitaine," "I Loved," "The Day They Closed the Carousel," "La Vie En Rose."

Best of The Lion King
(Walt Disney Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CDU
Tracks from the original soundtrack album, The Lion King 2 album, the Broadway cast recording, and other "spin-off" Disney CDs.

Diana Rigg at the BBC
(BBC Warner - new 5 DVD set)
CDU | B&N
1977 TV series Three Piece Suite, plus 1982 Little Eyolf (with Anthony Hopkins, Peggy Ashcroft), 1989 Unexplained Laughter (with Elaine Paige), 1994 Genghis Cohn (with Anthony Sher, Robert Lindsay), and the five episodes of the 1998-2000 series Mrs. Bradley Mysteries.

Fine and Dandy: The Kay Swift Songbook
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book/iBook)
"Calliope," "Can This Be Love?," "Can't We Be Friends?," "Etiquette," "Fine and Dandy," "Fine and Dandy (Concert Paraphrase)," "I'll Hit a New High," "Jig-Hop," "Let's Go Eat Worms in the Garden," "Nobody Breaks My Heart," "Once You Find Your Guy," "One Last Look," "Rich or Poor," "Sagebrush Lullaby," "Sawing a Woman in Half," "Starting at the Bottom," "Up Among the Chimney Pots," "Whistling in the Dark." Released June 2011.

Godspell: 40th Anniversary Celebration
(Sony Masterworks - on 2 CDs/mp3/iTunes) 
CDU | B&N
Newly remastered set. Stephen Schwartz score. 1971 original Off-Off-Broadway cast recording (Lamar Alford Peggy Gordon, David Haskell, Joanne Jonas, Robin Lamont, Sonia Manzano, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Stephen Nathan, Herb Simon) and 1973 film soundtrack (Victor Garber, Katie Hanley, David Haskell, Merrell Jackson, Joanne Jonas, Richard LaBonte, Robin Lamont, Gilmer McCormick, Jeffrey Mylett, Stephen Reinhardt, Jerry Sroka, Lynne Thigpen).

Josh Young: Still Dreaming of Paradise
(ASD Music - new on mp3/iTunes) Second album from Josh Young (currently appearing in the Stratford Festival Jesus Christ Superstar). "Memory," "When She Loved Me," "Heaven Bound," "Not A Love Story," "It Feels Like Home," "Listen to My Heart," "This Nearly Was Mine," "Measure of a Man," "Golden Slumbers," "Heaven On Their Minds," "The Man That I Could Be," "The Rainbow Connection," "High Flying Adored."

That's Entertainment: A Celebration of the MGM Film Musical (CD & Luxury Edition)
(new on import CD)
John Wilson's televised 2009 BBC Prom celebrating 75 years of MGM Musicals. conductor John Wilson and are performed here by the John Wilson Orchestra. Luxury Edition is a casebound book with: 14-track CD; DVD (music videos, behind-the-scenes documentary, featurette on John Wilson's re-orchestration of the lost MGM scores —and selected karaoke tracks); extensive liner notes (English, French and German); song texts; photos. "MGM Jubilee Overture" (orchestral)), "The Trolley Song" (Meet me in St Louis; Kim Criswell & chorus), "Steppin' Out With My Baby" (Easter Parade; Curtis Stigers & chorus), "The Heather On The Hill" (complete ballet sequence from Brigadoon; Matthew Ford), "Barn Dance" (Seven Brides for Seven Brothers; orchestral), "You're Sensational" (High Society; Seth MacFarlane), "I Got Rhythm" (An American in Paris; Kim Criswell & chorus), "Singin' in the Rain" (Singin' in the Rain; Seth MacFarlane), "An American in Paris" (main title; orchestral), "Love is here to Stay" (An American in Paris; Curtis Stigers), "The New Moon" sequence (The New Moon; Matthew Ford & Sarah Fox), "Well, Did You Evah?" (High Society; Seth MacFarlane & Curtis Stigers), "Broadway Melody Ballet" (Singin' in the Rain; Matthew Ford & chorus), "That's Entertainment" (That's Entertainment; Matthew Ford, Sarah Fox, Kim Criswell & chorus). Already released in the UK at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Vice Palace
(Lascivious Records - new mp3)
Cast recording of the 2011 Thrillpeddlers' revival of Vice Palace, the last Cockettes' musical, written in 1972 for Divine, Mink Stole, and many of the Cockettes, based on Poe's The Mask of the Red Death, in Fellini-Italian style. Scrumbly Koldewyn on piano. MP3 album/tracks and clips at CD Baby.

Victor Herbert: A Theatrical Life
(Fordham Univ Press - Paperback Book)
Paperback version of 2008 biography by Neil Gould, who not only gives a revealing portrait of Herbert the artist, entrepreneur, and visionary, but also recreates the vibrant world of the Herbert's Broadway. Gould takes us inside the music itself, with detailed guides to each major work and recreations of great performances. He also makes strong connections between Herbert's breakthrough compositions, such as the operetta Mlle. Modiste, and the later contributions of Rudolf Friml,Sigmund Romberg, Jerome Kern and other giants of the musical theater. This book is also a chronicle of American popular culture during one of its most creative periods.

Where the Boys Are
(Warner Archive - new on DVD)
CDU
1960 beach musical film. Dolores Hart, Yvette Mimieux, Paula Prentiss and Connie Francis, George Hamilton, Jim Hutton and Frank Gorshin. Previously available directly from Warner Archive.

August 30, 2011

Doctor Selavy's Magic Theatre
(Rounder - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
1972 Off-Broadway musical. Score by Stanley Silverman and Tom Hendry. Denise Delapenha, Mary Delson, Jessica Harper, George McGrath, Steve Menken, Jackie Paris, Barry Primus, Ron Schlee, Amy Taubin. First complete recording, with some tracks left off the original LP and James Taylor's "Life On The Inside." 29 tracks.

Matt Zarley: Change Begins With Me
(new CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Original songs from songwriter-singer-actor Matt Zarley (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tommy, A Chorus Line). Includes his new single, "WTF."

A Minister's Wife
(PS Classics - new on CD)
CDU | B&N
Original Off-Broadway (Lincoln Center Theatre) cast recording of musical based on Shaw's Candida. Marc Kudisch, Kate Fry, Bobby Steggert, Liz Baltes and Drew Gehling. Score by Joshua Schmidt (music) and Jan Levy Tranen (lyrics).

Mixing a Musical: Broadway Theatrical Sound Techniques
(Focal Press - Paperback Book)
By Shannon Slaton (Broadway and tour sound designer). Guide to live sound mixing for theatre. Written in a clear and easy to read style, and illustrated with real world examples of personal experience and professional interviews, Slaton shows you how how to mix live theatre shows from the basics of equipment, set ups, and using sound levels to creating atmosphere, emotion and tension to ensure a first rate performance every time.

Oxford Companion to the American Musical: Theatre, Film, and Television (Paperback Version)
(Oxford Univ Press - Paperback Book)
Authoritative reference that covers stage, film, and television musicals in one volume. More than two thousand entries; musicals, performers, composers, lyricists, producers, choreographers, and more. 704 pages.

The Wizard of Oz: Selections from Andrew Lloyd Webber's New Stage Production
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
B&N

August 23, 2011

13: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical The Applause Libretto Library
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Jason Robert Brown musical. One of the most frequently produced new musicals of the last decade.

Anything Goes 2011 Broadway Revival Cast Digital release
(Ghostlight - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Sutton Foster and Joel Grey, with Colin Donnell, Adam Godley, Laura Osnes, Jessica Stone, Walter Charles, Robert Creighton, Andrew Cao, Raymond J. Lee, Clyde Alves, Ward Billeisen, Joyce Chittick, Nikki Renée Daniels, Margot De La Barre, Daniel J. Edwards, Kimberly Fauré, Josh Franklin, Justin Greer, Tari Kelly, Shina Ann Morris, Linda Mugleston, Kevin Munhall, Adam Perry, William Ryall, Jennifer Savelli, Anthony Wayne, Kristen Beth Williams, with John McMartin and Jessica Walter. Digital booklet included. CD to be released September 6.

Half-Past Wednesday
(Masterworks Broadway/Arkiv Music - on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
1962 Off-Broadway musical. Music by Robert Colby and lyrics by Robert Colby and Nita Jonas. Dom DeLuise, Robert Fitch, Sean Garrison, Audre Johnston, David Winters. CD-R is also available at ArkivMusic.

Jason Graae: Perfect Hermany
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Jason Graae Sings Jerry Herman. Recorded live at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, California. Directed by Lee Tannen, with musical direction by John Boswell. Album produced by Bruce Kimmel; recorded and mixed by John Adams. Introduction, Overture, "Just Leave Everything to Me" / "There's No Reason in the World," "You I Like," "One Person," "It Only Takes a Moment" / "Loving You," "Before the Parade Passes By," "Tap Your Troubles Away," "You're My Best Girl," "Marianne" / "Mrs. S.L. Jacobowsky," "I Don't Want to Know," "I Am What I Am," "Hello, Dolly!," "You I Like" Reprise, Encore: "Jerry Medley", "I Promise You a Happy Ending" and patter. First 100 copies signed by Graae. Expected 3rd week in August; reorders placed directly through Kritzerland usually ship one to five weeks earlier..

Lend Me a Tenor OLC
(First Night - import CD/mp3/iTunes) 
OLC recording of Brad Carroll/Peter Sham score for new musical based on the 1986 play by Ken Ludwig. John Stacey, Gay Soper, Joanna Riding, Cassidy Janson, Michael Matus, Matthew Kelly, Damian Humbley, Sophie-Louise Dann, Jane Quinn, Michelle Bishop. Available in the UK at Dress Circle

The Shaw Festival: The First Fifty Years
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By L. W. Conolly. With stunning photographs and illustrations generously donated from the Shaw Festival Archives and the L.W. Conolly Theatre Archives, a tribute to the fifty-year development of Niagara-on-the-Lake and of Brian Doherty's Shaw Festival.

Standing Ovation - A Tribute to Dress Circle
(new on CD)
Produced by Danny Davies of Pirate Management. Works from artists and songwriters who share in the concerns for Dress Circle's future. Featuring Rosemary Ashe, John Barr, Ruthie Henshall, Stephen Weller, Lara Pulver, Shona White, Jack Shalloo, Julie Atherton, Stuart Matthew Price, Gemma Atkins, Daniel Boys, Ramin Karimloo, Jon Robyns, Stephen Ashfield, Samantha Barks, Jonathan Eio, Patrick Smyth. Available at Dress Circle

Wendy and the Lost Boys: The Uncommon Life of Wendy Wasserstein
(Penguin Press - Hardcover Book)
Author Julie Salamon explores the life of playwright Wendy Wasserstein (-The Heidi Chronicles).

What Matters Most - Barbra Streisand Sings The Lyrics of Alan And Marilyn Bergman
(Columbia - new deluxe 2 CD set/iTunes 2CD/single CD/mp3/iTunes single) 
CDU | B&N
Collection of 10 newly-recorded songs with lyrics by Alan and Marilyn Bergman.  Single version includes "The Windmills Of Your Mind," "Something New In My Life," "Solitary Moon," "Nice n Easy," "Alone In The World," "So Many Stars," "The Same Hello, The Same Goodbye," "That Face," "I'll Never Say Goodbye," "What Matters Most." Deluxe Edition includes second disc with 10 previously-recorded songs by the team: "The Way We Were," "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?," "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," "Papa, Can You Hear Me?," "Pieces Of Dreams," "The Island," "The Summer Knows," "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?," "After The Rain," "A Piece Of Sky." Produced by Barbra Streisand. Jewel box packaging with 24-page color booklet.

Where the Boys are (1984)
(Scorpion Entertainment - new on DVD)
Remake of 1960 beach musical film. Lorna Luft,  Lisa Hartman, ft, Lynn-Holly Johnson and Wendy Schaal. 94 minutes.

August 16, 2011

The Best of Nancy LaMott: American Popular Standards, Vol. 1
(Portico Music - new on mp3/iTunes) 
"Moon River," "The Best Is Yet To Come," "Come Rain Or Come Shine," "Autumn Leaves, When October Goes," "Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "P.S I Love You," "You're Getting To Be A Habit With Me," "Blue Skies," "I Got The Sun In The Morning," "The Shadow Of Your Smile," "Not Exactly Paris." With Michael Feinstein, Christopher Marlowe, Jay Leonhart, John Redsecker, Bruce Samuels, Glenn Drewes, Debra Assail-Migliore, Elman Anderson, Ken Sebesky, Jim Miller, Peter Matz

The Best of Nancy LaMott, Vol. 2: Great American Songbook
(Portico Music - new on mp3/iTunes) 
"You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby," "Talk To Me Baby," "Accentuate The Positive," "On The Atchison," "Topeka and The Santa Fe," "That Old Black Magic," "Cheek To Cheek," "Hit The Road To Dreamland," "The Days Of Wine And Roses," "Whistling Away The Dark," "Ordinary Miracles," "I Have Dreamed & Two For The Road." With Christopher Marlowe, Jay Leonhart, John Redsecker, Bruce Samuels, Glenn Drewes, Debra Assail-Migliore, Elman Anderson, Ken Sebesky, Jim Miller, Peter Matz, T-Minus 2, Mukund Marathe, Michael Brown, Gregory Powell, Frank Barr.

Bright Young People: The Songs of Noël Coward
(new on CD)
Four artists (from Writers' Theatre production of Oh Coward!) perform seventeen of Coward's finest songs. Kate Fry, Rob Lindley, John Sanders, Doug Peck. Doug Peck, musical director, arranger and pianist. "Bright Young People," A Room With A View/Sail Away," Uncle Harry," London Pride," Mrs. Worthington," I Travel Alone," Mad Dogs And Englishmen," Three White Feathers," You Were There," A Bar On The Piccola Marina," If Love Were All," Mad About The Boy," World Weary/Twentieth Century Blues," I'll Follow My Secret Heart," The Party's Over Now." Available from Writers Theatre.

Health and Safety Guide for Film, TV, and Theater (Second Edition)
(Allworth Press - Paperback Book/Kindle)
B&N
By Monona Rossol. Expanded and updated to address new hazards, unique health and safety problems, and particular regulations that threaten anyone working in the entertainment industries today.

London Road
(National Theatre - new on CD)
Original cast recording of score by Alecky Blythe (book and lyrics) and Adam Cork (music and lyrics). The musical is about the serial killer Steve Wright who murdered five prostitutes in Ipswich, and is written in "verbatim style." Clare Burt, Rosalie Craig, Kate Fleetwood, Hal Fowler, Nick Holder, Claire Moore, Michael Shaeffer, Nicola Sloane, Paul Thornley, Howard Ward, Duncan Wisbey. For order at UK's National Theatre website.

The Muppets Take Manhattan
(Sony - Blu-Ray/DVD combo)
CDU | B&N
1984 film. Cameos by Lonny Price, Linda Lavin, James Coco, Gregory Hines and others, songs by Jeff Moss. Also released on Blur-Ray this week, Muppets from Space.

One Man Two Guvnors - The Music
(National Theatre - new on CD)
Music from the National Theatre's production, written and performed by the band The Craze. Grant Olding, Phil James, Richard Coughlan, Ben Brooker. 35.5 minutes. For order at UK's National Theatre website.

Sex and Aesthetics in Samuel Beckett's Work (New Interpretations of Beckett in the Twenty-First Century)
(Palgrave Macmillan - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Paul Stewart. s Places sex and sexuality firmly at the heart of Beckett's ouevre ... the author uncovers a profound mistrust of procreation and a surprising variety of non-reproductive forms of sex—the solitary, the homoerotic, and the geriatric#151;which challenge established notions of propriety and identity politics ... ably and amply shows that sex, so long overlooked, is an integral, and troubling, facet of Beckett's art.

August 9, 2011

archy and mehitabel Studio Cast
(Masterworks Broadway - mp3/iTunes) 
1957 cast. George Kleinsinger/Joe Darion score (later retitled Shinbone Alley for Broadway). Carol Channing, Eddie Bracken, David Wayne, Percival Dove.

Chanteur
(LML Music - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Studio recording of Less Lessack concert conceived and directed by Brian Lane Green. Features songs by Michel Legrand, Jacques Brel, Gilbert Bécaud and Charles Aznavour and more. "The Summer Knows / Between Yesterday and Tomorrow," "I Will Wait For You," "The Importance of the Rose (L'important C'est La Rose)," "She," "The Sound of Your Name," "The Windmills of Your Mind / Autumn Leaves," "Yesterday When I Was Young," "Pieces of Dreams," "What Now My Love," "Hymne à l'Amour," "Song of Bernadette," "If We Only Have Love." Arrangements by John Boswell. CD available now at LML Music.

David Burnham: One Day
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
2nd solo album from David Burnham (The Light in the Piazza, Wicked). "I Can Fly," "Already Gone," "Unchained Melody," "Three Little Words ," "Fly Again (Mom's Song) ," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Beautiful," "If We Believe," "If I Loved You," "Always Have You And Me," "One Day," "I Can Fly" (with Camp Sing). CD available now at LML Music.

Ernest in Love Off-Broadway Cast
(Masterworks Broadway - mp3/iTunes)
 
1960 cast of musical based on The Importance of Being Earnest. Lee Pockriss/Anne Croswell score. Louis Edmonds, John Irving, Leila Martin, Gerrianne Raphael, Sara Seegar, Lucy Landau, George, Christina Gillespie and Alan Shayne. Official digital release.

Halloween: The Musical
(new mp3)
John deHaas' parody of John Carpenter's Halloween. Recorded fall 2010 by the Orlando, Florida, cast and musicians.

Jim Van Slyke: The Sedaka Sessions
(LML Music - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
"That's When The Music Takes Me," "The Other Side Of Me," "Brighton" (Duet with Neil Sedaka), "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do," "Pray For Rain/Laughter In The Rain," "Gone With The Morning," "Wish I Was A Carousel/One More Ride On The Merry Go Round," "Love Will Keep Us Together," "Lonely Night" (Angel Face), "The Hungry Years," "Should've Never Let You Go," "The Diary," "Solitaire," "Working On A Groovy Thing," "The Immigrant" (Duet with Neil Sedaka). Executive Producer Tony McAnany. Producer Dan Weiner, Jim Van Slyke. Piano Tim Di Pasqua. Jim Van Slyke ("Solitaire"); Bass Malcolm Gold; Drums Dan Weiner.

Judy: A Legendary Film Career
(Running Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By John Fricke. Tells the story of Garland's movie work in unprecedented detail. Hundreds of never-before-published photos, newly-assembled contemporary reviews, insight from her costars and coworkers, and production histories are provided for each film in which she appeared. The text is illustrated by more than five hundred photos, encompassing poster art; costume tests; behind-the-scenes candids; onstage and backstage glimpses of her theatrical successes; and personal snapshots.

Lea Salonga: The Journey So Far
(LML Music - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Recorded at the Café Carlyle with musical director Larry Yurman on piano, Jack Cavari on guitar, John Miller on bass, and Dave Ratajczak on drums. Selections include "My Romance," "Let's Fall In Love," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Salamat Salamat Musika," "I Have Dreamed," "Something's Coming" and "There'll Be Time."

Say, Darling OBC
(Masterworks Broadway - mp3/iTunes) 
1958 cast. Richard Bissell, Abe Burrows, Marian Bissell musical. David Wayne, Vivian Blaine, Johnny Desmond. Official digital release.

The Mad Show Off-Broadway Cast
(Masterworks Broadway - mp3/iTunes) 
Original 1966 cast. Music by Mary Rodgers. Lyricists include Larry Siegel, Marshall Barer, Steven Vinaver, Stephen Sondheim. MacIntyre Dixon, Linda Lavin, Dick Libertini, Paul Sand, Jo Ann Worley. "Overture - Opening Number," "Academy Awards For Parents," "Eccch!," "The Boy From...," "Well It Ain't," "Misery Is," "Handle With Care," "Hate Song," "Entr'acte," "You Never Can Tell," "The Real Thing," "Looking For Someone," "Kiddie T.V.," "The Gift Of Maggie (And Others)," "Football In Depth," "Finale." Official digital release.

Memories of Chekhov: Accounts of the Writer from His Family, Friends and Contemporaries
(McFarland & Co - Paperback Book)
Peter Sekirin, editor. Documentary biography of Anton Chekhov (1860-1904) ... over 100 memories of Chekhov's close friends, family and colleague writers and artists, such as Ivan Bunin, Konstantin Stanislavsky and Maxim Gorky. Utilizing material from the archives and rare periodicals from the 1900s-1930s ... new discoveries for both specialists and general enthusiasts.

The Nervous Set Original Broadway Cast
(Masterworks Broadway - mp3/iTunes) 
1959 cast. Tommy Wolf/Fran Landesman score. Tom Aldredge, Del Close, Larry Hagman, Richard Hayes, Gerald Hiken, Tani Seitz. Official digital release.

Now Is the Time For All Good Men Off-Broadway Cast
(Masterworks Broadway - mp3/iTunes) 
Original 1967 cast. Nancy Ford/Gretchen Cryer score. Sally Niven, Judy Frank, David Cryer, Donna Curtis, David Sabin, Margot Hanson, Regina Lynn, Art Wallace, John Bennett Perry, Murray Olson, Anne Kaye, and Steve Skiles. Official digital release.

Tom Michael: Let Me Be Your Home
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Collection of pop songs, standards, and movie and Broadway favorites by award-winning vocalist. Includes three duets with his long-time singing partner Beckie Menzie. "If I Never Met You," "It's A Most Unusual Day," "The Shadow Of Your Smile," "If," "Chicago / Celebrate Me Home / Where You Lead," "Too Late Now," "Out Of This World," "Let Me Be Your Home," "Give Me The Simple Life • Oh How I Hate To Get Up In The Morning," "So Many People," "Somewhere," "The Perfect Cup Of Coffee." CD available now at LML Music.

Tom Wopat: Consider It Swung
(LML Music - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
"That's Life," "Spinning Wheel," "But Not For Me," "Ode To Billie Joe," "2 Grey Rooms," "Maybe Someday Baby," "Thailand Sea," "You'd Rather Have The Blues," "Deacon Blues," "50 Checks," "You Fascinate Me So," "42nd Street," "Natural Man," "The Last Night Of The Year."

August 2, 2011

Skidoo
(Olive Films - new on DVD)
CDU
1968 film with Jackie Gleason, Carol Channing, Mickey Rooney, John Phillip Law, Peter Lawford, Frankie Avalon, George Raft, and Groucho Marx. Directed by Otto Preminger. Score by Harry Nilsson. 98 minutes. Released 7/19/11.

Wizard of Oz Scanimation: 10 Classic Scenes from Over the Rainbow
(Workman Publishing - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Rufus Butler Seder.

July 26, 2011

Barbara Carroll: How Long Has This Been Going On
(Harbinger - new on CD)
CDU | B&N
Recorded live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

The Best American Short Plays 2009-2010
(Hal Leonard - Hardcover Book)
Edited by Barbara Parisi. Red Light Winter by Adam Rapp, Ella by Dano Madden, Pair and a Spare by Avi Glickstein, and plays by Charlene A. Donaghy, Jill Elaine Hughes, Samuel Brett Williams, Joan Lipkin, and Joe Tracz. The final play, Seven Card Draw by Daniel Gallant, features writing from Clay McLeod Chapman, John Guare, Neil LaBute, Daniel Frederick Levin, Quincy Long, and Laura Shaine.

Freckleface Strawberry The Musical (Vocal Selections)
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Songs by Gary Kupper for family musical based on best-selling book by Julianne Moore. "Little Freckleface Strawberry," "I Like Danny," "Perfect," "Lonely Girl," "I Can Be Anything," "We Wanna Be Like Them," "Kid in the Mask," "Be Yourself," "Basketball," "Hey It's Me," "Once Upon a Time," "When You Got Friends," "Different," "Happily Ever After."

Ghost the Musical
(import CD/iTunes) 
OLC recording of Dave Stewart, Bruce Joel Rubin score. Sharon D. Clarke, Richard Fleeshman, Caissie Levy. Overture, "Here Right Now," "Unchained Melody," "More," "Three Little Words," "Sam's Murder," "Ball Of Wax," "I Can`t Breathe," "Are You A Believer?," "With You," "Suspend My Disbelief /I Had A Life," "Rain / Hold On," "Life Turns On A Dime," "Focus," "Talkin' ‘bout A Miracle," "Nothing Stops Another Day," "I'm Outta Here," "Unchained Melody (dance) / The Love Inside." Also available at Dress Circle

Oh, Wild West!: Three New Plays
(Theatre Communications Guild - Paperback Book)
B&NThree Culture Clash plays: Chavez Ravine, covering the land grab that uprooted an entire community and built Dodger Stadium; Water & Power, about the assimilation of Latinos and their rise to political influence; and Zorro in Hell, a re-imagining of early California through the eyes of the original masked man. Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza.

Million Dollar Quartet (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
(EMI - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Eddie Clendening, Lance Guest, Levi Kreis, Rob Lyons. Wide release, previously available at theatre.

Much Ado About Nothing
(new on mp3/iTunes) 
Cast recording of Wyndham Theatre production with David Tennant and Catherine Tate. Music composed by Michael Bruce. "Sigh No More," "Light Of Love," "It Was A Lover And His Lass," "Who Is Hero?," "The Rain It Raineth Every Day," "Pardon, Goddess Of The Night," "Sonnet Rap (Hannah Warren Green & Natalie Thomas)," "Come Away Death," "Seals Of Love," "Sigh No More" (Bonus Track), "We Go Together" (Bonus Track).

July 19, 2011

John Gielgud: Matinee Idol to Movie Star (Biography and Autobiography)
(Methuen Drama - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Jonathan Croall. Complete account of Gielgud's life and career on stage in classical plays; plays by contemporary dramatists; and in films. Throws fresh light on his turbulent ups and downs, events that nearly shattered his career, and on his great rivalry and complex relationship with Laurence Olivier. Research includes more than one hundred new interviews with key people from Gielgud's life and career, including Peter Brook, Kenneth Branagh, Alec Guinness, Joan Plowright, and Eileen Atkins, and draws from hundreds of letters that have never before been published. 688 pages.

Memphis
(new streaming video)
2010 filmed performance of the Broadway production. Available in streaming format at Netflix. DVD release unknown.

The Saint of Bleecker Street
(Masterworks Broadway/Arkiv Music - on 2 CD-Rs/mp3/iTunes) 
OBC recording of Gian Carlo Menotti score. Leon Lishner, Maria Di Gerlando, Maria Marlo, Catherine Akos, David Poleri, Gabrielle Ruggiero, Gloria Lane, David Aiken. Double album.

July 12, 2011

Greetings From Yorkville
(Anya & Robert Recordings - new on CD/mp3) 
Original cast recording of show presented at the SoHo Playhouse in 2007, directed by Thommie Walsh and Baayork Lee and performed by the writers, Anya Turner & Robert Grusecki. Available at CD Baby.

Irene Dunne Sings Kern and Other Rarities
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CDU | B&N
Irene Dunne's only solo album. Plus previously un-issued tracks from the vaults and alternate takes from the Great American Songbook. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "I've Told Ev'ry Little Star," "All the Things You Are," "Why Was I Born?," "Babes In the Wood," "They Didn't Believe Me," "Lovely to Look At," "When I Grow Too Old to Dream," Show Boat Exploitation Disc 1, Show Boat Exploitation Disc 2, "I Have the Room Above Her" (with Allan Jones), "Make Believe" (previously un-issued), "They Didn't Believe Me" (alternate and un-issued take), "Why Was I Born?" (alternate and un-issued take), "The Folks Who Live on the Hill" (previously un-issued), "All the Things You Are" (alternate and un-issued take), "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes" (alternate and un-issued take), "Babes in the Wood" (alternate and un-issued take), "If Love Were All," "Sing My Heart," "You Couldn't Be Cuter."

Liz Callaway and Ann Hampton Callaway's BOOM!
(PS Classics - new on CD/iTunes) 
B&N
Their live show, which "celebrates the soundtrack of these sisters' childhood with unforgettable songs from the '60s and '70s." To includes songs from writers such as Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Barbra Streisand, Jimmy Webb, Stevie Wonder and others. Backed by musical director, arranger and pianist Alex Rybeck, bassist Jared Egan, and drummer Ron Tierno, with Rybeck and Egan doubling on background vocals Also at PSClassics.com.

The Music Man OLC
(Sepia Records - new on CD/iTunes) 
CDU | B&N
Complete 1961 Original London Cast recording in stereo, with Van Johnson, Patricia Lambert, Denis Waterman. Plus previously-unreleased demo recordings of an early version of the score performed by Meredith Willson ("The Blue Ridge Mountains," "Too Soon Old And Too Late Smart," "In Love With The Memory Of You," "A Wonderful Plan," "You Don't Have To Kiss Me Goodnight," "I Want To Go To Chicago," "Mother Darlin'," "River City, Go, Go, Go."). 27 tracks total.

She Loves Him: Kate Baldwin Sings Sheldon Harnick
(PS Classics - new on CD/iTunes) 
B&N
Recorded live at Feinstein's in March 2011. Includes songs from Fiddler on the Roof, She Loves Me, Fiorello! and rarely-heard songs from Harnick's early Off-Broadway career, film scores and unproduced musicals. Harnick joins Baldwin on several selections.

Sweet Bye and Bye
(PS Classics - new on CD/iTunes) 
CDU | B&N
Studio cast recording of 1946 musical by Vernon Duke and Ogden Nash (the libretto was by S.J. Perelman and Al Hirschfeld) that closed out of town. Marin Mazzie (in the role originated by Delores Gray), Danny Burstein, Philip Chaffin, Sara Jean Ford, Telly Leung, Michele Ragusa, Graham Rowat, Jim Stanek. Prologue, "Sweet Bye and Bye," Scientists Scene, "Born Too Late," Pope's Entrance, "Ham That I Am," Solomon at Futurosy, "Diana," "Yes, Yes," "As You Were Saying," "Factory Ballet," "Too Enchanting," "I Says to Him," "Let's Be Young," "Round About," "Executives Anonymous," "Knife's Recitative," "Our Parents Forgot to Get Married," "My Broker Told Me So," "Just Like a Man," "Utility Polka," "It's Good," "Where is Bundy?," "The Sea-Gull and the Ea-Gull," "Eskimo Bacchante," "Sweet Bye and Bye (reprise)." Orchestra conducted by Eric Stern. David Dabbon vocal director. "A futuristic farce sending up big business, telecommunications, self-help groups and even the traditions of courtship and matrimony." Album produced by Tommy Krasker. Orchestrations by Jason Carr. To be recorded in May with an early summer release. Also at PSClassics.com.

West End Stars in Conversation
(Dress Circle exclusive - all-region DVD
Celebrity interviewer Neil Sean interviews some of the biggest names on the West End stage today. Exclusive interviews never before aired on TV. John Barrowman, Elaine Paige (talks about Follies), Jason Donovan, Summer Strallen. 75 minutes.

Winnie the Pooh
(Disney - new on CD/mp3)
Soundtrack for new animated film, featuring some songs by Bobby Lopez.

July 5, 2011

Baby Jane Dexter: The Real World Live at the Metropolitan Room
(new on CD)
"In The Real World," "You've Got To Hurt Before You Heal," "She's Too Good For Me," "Hurt / I'll Be Around," "Baby, You've Got What It Takes," "Do Right Woman," "Why Did You Promise Me The World," "I Won't Cry Anymore," "Dialogue / Who," "I learned From The Best," "Reckless Blues," "Everything Must Change," "Some People's Lives," "Getting Some Fun Out Of Life," "Love So Beautiful," "Had A Dream," "Everybody Hurts." Available at www.babyjanedexter.com/albums.html.

Better Day: Dolly Parton
(Dolly Records - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
Includes "I Just Might," "Shine Like the Sun," "Get Out and Stay Out" and "Let Love Grow," written for 9 to 5 musical. 12 tracks. Released June 28.

Dracula The Musical Studio Cast Recording
(GlobalVision - new on CD/new on iTunes/mp3) 
Score by Frank Wildhorn, Don Black and Christopher Hampton. James Barbour, Kate Shindle, Lauren Kennedy, Rob Evan, Norm Lewis, Euan Morton. "Prologue/Over Whitby Bay," "Fresh Blood," "The Mist," "A Perfect Life," "The Master's Song," "Loving You Keeps Me Alive," "Life After Life," "Mina's Cry (instrumental)," "Please Don't Make Me Love You," "Before The Summer Ends," "The Heart Is Slow To Learn," "Deep In The Darkest Night," "The Longer I Live," "At Last," "There's Always A Tomorrow." Valhalla Symphonia conducted by Jeremy Roberts. Previously released digitally.

Playbill on Broadway 2012 Wall Calendar
(Time Factory - Calendar)
2012 wall calendar.

Wicked: A Musical Biography
(Scarecrow Press - Hardcover Book)
By Paul Laird. Explores the creation of the popular Broadway musical Wicked through an examination of draft scripts, interviews with major figures, and the study of primary musical sources such as sketches, drafts, and completed musical scores. 304 pages.

June 28, 2011

Catch Me If You Can OBC
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/at iTunes/Amazon mp3)) 
CD Universe
Marc Shaiman-Scott Wittman score. Aaron Tveit, Norbert Leo Butz, Tom Wopat, Kerry Butler, Rachel De Benedet, Linda Hart, Nick Wyman. "Live in Living Color," "The Pinstripes Are All That They See," "Someone Else's Skin," "Jet Set," "Don't Break the Rules," "Butter Outta Cream," "The Man Inside the Clues," "Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year," "Doctor's Orders," "Don't Be a Stranger," "Little Boy, Be a Man," "Seven Wonders," "(Our) Family Tree," "Fly, Fly Away," "Goodbye," "Stuck Together (Strange But True)," Bonus: "Fifty Checks." Produced by Marc Shaiman and Scott M. Riesett. Album Executive Producer Kurt Deutsch. Recorded and mixed by Lawrence Manchester. Recorded at MSR Studios, NYC, 4/18/11. Booklet contains full album credits, plus a liner note by Frank Abagnale, Jr. To be released digitally May 23, at the Neil Simon Theatre in May or early June.

Christopher & His Kind
(Bfs Video - new on DVD)
CD Universe
Matt Smith, Christopher Isherwood. 2011 BBC television film adapted by Kevin Elyot from the autobiography by Christopher Isherwood, produced by Mammoth Screen and directed by Geoffrey Sax. Isherwood played by Matt Smith; with Toby Jones, Douglas Booth, Imogen Poots and Iddo Goldberg. 90 minutes.

Joseph Leo Bwarie: Nothin' But Love
(Red Banister Productions - new on CD/mp3)
Debut solo album for Joseph Leo Bwarie (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys tour). "Old Devil Moon," "Stand By Me," "If I Had You," "Frenesi (featuring Bucky Pizzarelli)," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "A Lot of Livin' to Do," "I've Never Been In Love Before," "Night and Day," "When the Sun Comes Out," "Umbrella/A Fella With an Umbrella (Medley)," "What'll I Do? (featuring Bucky Pizzarelli)," "Falling in Love With Love," "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?" Available at CD Baby.

Knickerbocker Holiday
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
January 2011 semi-staged performance at Alice Tully Hall of Kurt Weill/Maxwell Anderson musical. Announced cast includes Victor Garber, Kelli O'Hara, Bryce Pinkham, Christopher Fitzgerald, David Garrison, Ben Davis. Ted Sperling, director. James Bagwell, conductor. Ted Sperling director. Recorded live.

Masterworks Broadway digital releases: The Girl In Pink Tights, Kean (OBC), Maggie Flynn (OBC), Runaways (OBC)

Out of our Heads: The Music of Kooman & Dimond
(new on iTunes, Amazon mp3/iTunes) 
Album by new songwriting team Michael Kooman and Christopher Dimond. With Heidi Blickenstaff, Kerry Butler, Anderson Davis, Matt Doyle, Chris Mann, Kyle Dean Massey, Patina Miller, Christopher Sieber, Phoebe Strole, Natalie Weiss. "Blue Horizon," "Random Black Girl," "Out of My Head," "Drift," "Walking Without You," "The Temp and the Receptionist," "I Think That He Likes Me," "Lucy's Laugh," "To Excess," "Beautiful Mistake," "Lost In the Waves." Orchestrations by Michael Kooman. Album produced by Jesse Vargas and Michael Kooman. CD can be purchased at www.koomandimond.com/store.

Playbill on Broadway 2012 Wall Calendar
(Time Factory - Calendar)
2012 wall calendar.

Tangled - Easy Piano
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songbook for film soundtrack. Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.

The Wizard of Oz London Paladium Recording
(Polydor - new on CD) 
CD Universe
All the songs from the movie score, and new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Michael Crawford, Edward Baker-Duly, Hannah Waddingham, Helen Walsh, Emily Tierney, Danielle Hope, David Ganly, Paul Keating, Stephen Scott. Overture, "Nobody Understands Me," "Over The Rainbow," "Wonders Of The World," "The Twister," "Arrival In Munchkinland," "Munchkinland / Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead," "Follow The Yellow Brick Road," "If I Only Had A Brain / We're Off To See The Wizard," "If I Only Had A Heart / We're Off To See The Wizard," "If Only I Had The Nerve / We're Off To See The Wizard," "We're Outta The Woods," "The Merry Old Land Of Oz," "Bring Me The Broomstick," "Haunted Forest," "Red Shoes Blues," "Bacchanalia," "Red Shoes Blues" (Reprise), "Over The Rainbow" (Reprise), "If I Only Had A Plan," "The Rescue," "Hail-Hail! The Witch Is Dead," "The Wizard's Departure," Finale. CD is available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK. U.S. release date; already on iTunes

Zamar: Best of Broadway
(Merchant Records - new on mp3)
Zamar was founded in the heart of Stellenbosch when energetic young musicians from across the country (and the world), equally passionate about their music, came together to create a style which is both traditional and cosmopolitan. Veronica (vocals & violin), Lyuda (vocals & accordion), Danica (djembe & percussion), Ignatius (bass) and Brian (vocals & guitar). "Some Enchanted Evening," "Grease Reprise," "I Dreamed A Dream," "If I Were A Rich Man," "Lion King Reprise," "Mama Mia Medley," "Cabaret," "Any Dream Will Do," "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," "Memory," "West Side Story Reprise," "Summer Time," "Takes 5," "Hic-Up Song," "Tico-Tico." Available at CD Baby.

June 21, 2011

Michael Feinstein with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra: We Dreamed These Days
(Duckhole Records - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Includes world premiere recordings of two songs composed by Feinstein himself: "We Dreamed These Days," set to words by Dr. Maya Angelou; and "With You," with lyrics by Lindy Robbins and arrangement by Alan Broadbent. Plus theater songs from Oliver! ("As Long As She Needs Me") and Stop The World —I Want To Get Off ("What Kind of Fool Am I?"), classics by Henry Mancini ("Two For The Road"), and Johnny Mercer ("I Remember You"), and standards from Peter Allen ("I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love") and Neil Sedaka ("The Hungry Years"). All proceeds from this recording benefit The Feinstein Foundation and the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel.

Our Day Out the Musical: Improving Standards in English through Drama (Critical Scripts)
(Methuen Drama - Paperback Book)
Slightly updated version of Willy Russell (Blood Brother) play, with more songs. This educational edition in Methuen Drama's Critical Scripts series has been prepared by national Drama in Secondary English experts Ruth Moore and Paul Bunyan. Ideal for year 9 and above.

Something's Coming, Something Good: West Side Story and the American Imagination
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
Misha Berson takes a critical, comprehensive look at one of the most inventive, influential, and internationally beloved Broadway musicals of all time - from its inception by a brilliant quartet of creators (Robbins, Bernstein, Sondheim, and Laurents) to its smashing success on film, to its ongoing popularity on stages around the world and its potent impact on the Great American Musical. Chapters on West Side Story in relation to Romeo and Juliet; as a recording phenomenon; as a film rated the second-best movie musical of all time by the American Film Institute; as part of a wave of juvenile delinquency dramas; as the first great choreographer-auteur musical; and as the granddaddy of "youth musicals."

Strike Up the Band
(PS Classics - new on CD)
CD Universe
World premiere recording of the 1930 George & Ira Gershwin Broadway score. Brent Barrett, Don Chastain, Rebecca Luker, Jason Graae, Beth Fowler, Charles Goff, Juliet Lambert, Jeff Lyons, James Rocco. Overture, "Fletcher's American Chocolate Choral Society," "I Mean to Say," "'Not apologize exactly…'," "Typical Self-Made American," "'Have a nice talk?…'," "Soon," "Dream Music," "The Unofficial Spokesman," "0Patriotic Rally," "'Has the war started yet?…'," "If I Became the President," "Hangin' Around with You," "Finaletto Act I," "Strike Up the Band," "Opening Act II," "Mademoiselle in New Rochelle," "I've Got a Crush on You," "How About a Boy?," "Soldiers' March," "Dream Music II," "Official Resume," "Ring-a-Ding-a-Ding-Dong Dell," "Finale Ultimo." 24 tracks. Also available at PSClassics.com.

Trumpet of the Swan: A Novel Symphony for Actors and Orchestra
(PS Classics - new on CD)
CD Universe
New work for a symphony orchestra, commissioned by the Kennedy Center, adapted by Marsha Norman, music Jason Robert Brown. From the novel by E.B. White. Premiered in the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater in 2008. Jason Robert Brown, conductor. Cast includes John Lithgow, Kathy Bates, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Mandy Moore, James Naughton and Martin Short.

"With You" from Ghost the Musical
(2011 Ghost London Limited - new EP on mp3/iTunes)
Song from Manchester, England production with Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard score. Benefit for the charity Stand Up to Cancer. Richard Fleeshman and Caissie Levy. Amazon has "Ghost Mix," "Dream Mix" and solo (Caissie Levy) versions.

June 14, 2011

Barry Manilow: 15 Minutes
(Stiletto Entertainment - new on CD/iTunes/mp3) 
CD Universe
New album filled with all original compositions. Produced by Manilow and Michael Lloyd. 16 tracks.

Baby It's You OBC
(Verve - new on CD/iTunes/mp3) 
CD Universe
The story of Florence Greenberg, who discovered the 1960s pop group The Shirelles and created Scepter Records. Existing songs of the period. Cast includes Allan Louis, Geno Henderson, Erica Ash, Kelli Barrett, Kyra DaCosta, Crystal Starr Knighton, Barry Pearl, Christina Sajous, Brandon Uranowitz, Alison Cimmet, Erica Dorfler, Berlando Drake, Adam Heller, Jahi A. Kearse, Annette Moore, Zachary Prince, Ken Robinson and Chelsea Morgan Stock.

Bitches of the Kingdom! (Concept CD)
(new on mp3)
Dennis Giacino musical-comedy revue in which the original storybook princesses kvetch about the exploitation they've suffered in the animated films and theme parks. Features the original NYC Workshop cast. Appeared in the here it was titled Disenchanted: Bitches of the Kingdom). Available at CD Baby.

Camelot OLC recording
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Book and Lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner Music by Frederick Loewe. Laurence Harvey, Elizabeth Larner, Barry Kent, Nicky Henson and Josephine Gordon. Mastered from the original tapes from the EMI vaults in the UK. Overture, "I Wonder What The King Is Doing Tonight?," "The Simple Joys Of Maidenhood," "Camelot," "Follow Me," "C'est Moi," "The Lusty Month Of May," "Take Me To The Fair," "How To Handle A Woman," "The Jousts," "Before I Gaze At You Again," "Fie On Goodness," "If Ever I Would Leave You," "The Seven Deadly Virtues," "What Do The Simple Folk Do?," "I Loved Him Once In Silence," "Camelot" (reprise). Limited to 1000 copies only.

Carousel 1955 Studio Cast
(Masterworks/Arkiv - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
Rodgers and Hammerstein score. Metropolitan Opera stars Patrice Munsel and Robert Merrill, Florence Henderson, George S. Irving, Gloria Lane and Herbert Banke. Conducted by Lehman Engel. CD at Arkiv.

Changed for Good: A Feminist History of the Broadway Musical
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
In this lively book, Stacy Wolf illuminates the women of American musical theater--performers, creators, and characters--from the start of the cold war to the present day, creating a new, feminist history of the genre, which finds often overlooked moments of empowerment for female audience members. Moving from decade to decade, Wolf first highlights the assumptions that circulated about gender and sexuality at the time, and then looks at the leading musicals, stressing the key aspects of the plays as they relate to women. West Side Story, Guys & Dolls, Cabaret, Phantom of the Opera, and many others--with special emphasis on the Wicked. Along the way, Wolf demonstrates how the musical since the mid-1940s has actually been dominated by women--women onstage, women in the wings, and women offstage as spectators and fans.

Music From Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
(Interscope - new on CD/iTunes)
CD Universe
Score by Bono and The Edge. Reeve Carne, Jennifer Damiano, T.V. Carpio, and Patrick Page. "NY Debut" (Instrumental), "Boy Falls From The Sky," "Rise Above 1," "Picture This," "I Just Can't Walk Away (Say It Now)," "Bouncing Off The Walls," "Pull The Trigger," "No More," "DIY World," "If The World Should End," "Sinistereo," "A Freak Like Me Needs Company," "Rise Above 2," "Turn Off The Dark."Produced by Steve Lillywhite.

Staging the People: Community and Identity in the Federal Theatre Project (Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History)
(Palgrave Macmillan - Hardcover Book)
By Elizabeth A. Osborne. Re-imagines this vital moment in American history, considering the Federal Theatre Project on its own terms - as a "federation of theatres" designed to stimulate new audiences and create locally-relevant theatre during the turbulent 1930s. A wealth of previously undiscovered archival materials with cultural history, delving into regional activities in Chicago, Boston, Portland, Atlanta, and Birmingham, as well as tours of refugee camps and Civilian Conservation Corps Divisions.

June 7, 2011

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
(MGM - new Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
1994 Australian comedy film that is the basis for the Broadway musical. Terrence Stamp.

The Book of Mormon: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical
(Newmarket Press - Paperback Book)
Official companion book to the new Broadway musical. Features the complete script and song lyrics, with 4-color spot illustrations throughout, an original introduction by the creators, production history, and a foreword by Mark Harris. 128 pages.

The Book Of Mormon OBC
(Ghostlight - new on CD) 
CD Universe
Score by Robert Lopez, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Cast includes Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Nikki M. James, Rory O'Malley, Michael Potts, Lewis Cleale, Scott Barnhardt, Justin Bohon, Darlesia Cearcy, Kevin Duda, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Brian Tyree Henry, Clark Johnsen, John Eric Parker, Jason Michael Snow, Benjamin Schrader, Michael James Scott, Brian Sears, Lawrence Stallings, Rema Webb, Maia Nkenge Wilson, Tommar Wilson, Graham Bowen, Ta'rea Campbell and Tyson Jennette. 76-page booklet features photos of the show, full lyrics and liner notes written by Frank Rich. Already available on on iTunes and Amazon mp3.

Brad Little: Live in Concert
(new on mp3)
Seoul Korea concert (2006?) appearance of musical theatre performer Brad Little (Phantom of the Opera). "Places" (with Stage Manager), "Jesus Christ Superstar" Medley" (with Sofia Kim, Simon Pryce & Barbara McCulloh), "Maria & Tonight" (with Sofia Kim), "Into the Fire," "Lily's Eyes" (with Simon Pryce), "Some Enchanted Evening," "This is the Moment," "Beauty and the Beast" (with Barbara McCulloh), "If I Can't Love Her," "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables," "Phantom of the Opera" (with Sofia Kim), "AllI Ask of You" (with Sofia Kim), "Music of the Night," "Exit Stage Right" (with Stage Manager). Available at CD Baby.

Captured Rainbow
(new on CD/mp3)
Songs from a one person musical by Richard Paul Thomas. Available at CD Baby.

Dracula The Musical Studio Cast Recording
(GlobalVision - new on iTunes/mp3) 
Score by Frank Wildhorn, Don Black and Christopher Hampton. James Barbour, Kate Shindle, Lauren Kennedy, Rob Evan, Norm Lewis, Euan Morton. "Prologue/Over Whitby Bay," "Fresh Blood," "The Mist," "A Perfect Life," "The Master's Song," "Loving You Keeps Me Alive," "Life After Life," "Mina's Cry (instrumental)," "Please Don't Make Me Love You," "Before The Summer Ends," "The Heart Is Slow To Learn," "Deep In The Darkest Night," "The Longer I Live," "At Last," "There's Always A Tomorrow." Valhalla Symphonia conducted by Jeremy Roberts.

Hamlet! - The Musical - Original Edinburgh Cast Recording
(new on CD)
Score by Alex Silverman, Timothy Knapman, Edward Jaspers. Jack Shalloo, Mark Inscoe, Stephen Webb, Phil Cole, Virge Gilchrist, Jess Robinson. "Six fearless actors and a live orchestra squeeze murder, madness (and musical theatre) into this joyous and critically-acclaimed retelling of Shakespeare's greatest tragedy." Available at Dress Circle

How to Succeed Without Really Trying
(Decca Broadway - new on CD) 
CD Universe
2011 Broadway revival production. Frank Loesser score. Cast includes Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, Tammy Blanchard, Christopher J. Hanke, Rob Bartlett, Mary Faber, Ellen Harvey, Michael Park. Will be available digitally May 24.

Manifest Destiny
(new on mp3)
Songs from all three parts of the web series Manifest Destiny, a strangely magical musical-comedy take on the journey of Lewis & Clark. By Jeremy Hoffman & Kevin Abrams. Available at CD Baby.

New Arrivals: Vol. 4 - Artists Against Youth Homelessness
(MPress Records - new on CD)
The latest in MPress Records' charity compilation series, conceived by MPress founder Rachael Sage. Selections include "Coffee" by Sleepless in Seattle composer/lyricist Michelle Critin, plus selections by Dave Eggar, Caleb Hawley, Michelle Malone, Seth Glier & Rachael Sage, and Lucy Woodward. 21 tracks. 100% of all funds collected from the sale of this compilation benefit National Network for Youth, an organization devoted to the needs of homeless youth. Available at Spin Shop. More information at MPress Records.

New York New York (Blu-Ray)
(MGM - new Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
1977 film with Liza Minnelli and Robert DeNiro.

Show Some Beauty: Steve Marzullo
(Yellow Sound Records - Exclusive Amazon CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Songs by musical director, pianist and composer (Some Days, Songs for an Unmade Bed, The Audience, Joyce Jackson's Guide to dating). "A little bit Broadway, a little bit pop, a little bit classical and a whole lot of unique artistry come together to make his works unclassifiable." Rebecca Luker, Ann Harada, Julia Murney, Michael Winther, Andrea Burns, Judy Blazer, Annie Golden, Heidi Blickenstaff, Luther Creek, Rachel Ulanet, Stephanie Card, Ric Ryder and Terri Klausner.

Showstopper
(Kindle Single)
Author/journalist Abigail Pogrebin's chronicle of her teenage experience in the original cast of Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's Merrily We Roll Along. Pogrebin recounts colorful behind-the-scenes details of how the show came together and then hit the skids, and muses with candor about how the experience informed her perspective.

May 31, 2011

How to Succeed Without Really Trying
(Decca Broadway - New at iTunes/Amazon mp3) 
2011 Broadway revival production. Frank Loesser score. Cast includes Daniel Radcliffe, John Larroquette, Tammy Blanchard, Christopher J. Hanke, Rob Bartlett, Mary Faber, Ellen Harvey, Michael Park. Digital booklet included. CD will be released June 7.

Always: Kelli O'Hara
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/iTunes/Amazon mp3)
CD Universe
A collection of tunes Kelli O'Hara has been performing at her concerts around the world. "What More Do I Need?, "Something Wonderful," "How Glory Goes, "He Loves Me, "Always, "Finishing The Hat, "This Nearly Was Mine, "Once I Was" (Ricky Ian Gordon), "Another Life" (Jason Robert Brown, from The Bridges of Madison County), "They Don't Let You In The Opera (If You're A Country Star)" (David Rossmer & Dan Lipton), "You're Always Here" (Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey), "The Party's Over, "I Could Have Danced All Night." Matt Beck (guitar, banjo, mandolin), Howard Joines (percussion), Dan Lipton (piano), Antoine Silverman (violin/fiddle), Mark Vanderpoel (upright bass). Recorded at MSR Studios, NYC, 2/19/11. Liner notes by Harry Connick, Jr.

Caledonia —The Homecoming
(Lyric Partners - new on CD/iTunes/mp3) 
CD Universe
Euan Morton's tribute to his homeland, Scotland. Songs include "The Dark Island," "My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose," "Loch Lomond," "Danny Boy," "Auld Lang Syne" and "Caledonia."

Good People
(Theatre Communications Group - Paperback Book)
Play by David Lindsay-Abaire. 112 pages.

"I Want Somebody (Bitch About)"
(Sony Masterworks - new on iTunes/Amazon mp3) 
Kristin Chenoweth single from upcoming album.

Jamie deRoy: Wish on the Moon
(Harbinger Records - new on CD/mp3)
Musical compendium of songs from deRoy's cabaret show. "Jews Don't Camp" (David Buskin), "The House on Maple Hill" (Julie Gold)< "In My Own Little Corner" (Rodgers & Hammerstein), "Daddy's Girl" (deRoy, Lanny Meyers, Jane R. Snyder), "Wish on the Moon" (Shelly Markham, Barry Kleinbort, deRoy), "All the Time" (Barry Manilow, Mary Panzer) with Lennie Watts, "He Was Too Good to Me" (Rodgers & Hart), "It's Over" (Boz Skaggs, David Paich) with The Accidentals, "I've DOne Enough Dyin' Today" (Larry Gatlin), "Sixy Going on Sevent" (Rodgers & Hammerstin, parody lyric by Barry Kleinbort), "The Windmills of Your Mind" (Michel Legrand, Alan and Marilyn Bergman), "House at Pooh Corner" (Kenny Loggins) with Scott Coulter. Available at CD Baby.

Piano Music of Ricky Ian Gordon
(Blue Griffin - new on CD/iTunes) 
Pianist John Nauman. Five Dances: "Tango," "Waltz," "Bear Dance," "Barcarolle," Joy"; "Desire Rag"; The Caste System: "I. Rhythmic," "II. Very Slow and Hesitant," "III. Mechanically"; "They Dance"; "Ring-a-Ding-Ding for Piano Four Hands" (with Sergei Kvitko). Produced and engineered by Sergei Kvitko.

"Rise Above 1" from Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark
(Interscope - new single iTunes and mp3) 
Single from the musical performed by Reeve Carney with Bono and The Edge. Full cast recording to be released June 14.

Tom Rocco: My Big, Fat, Proposition 8 Wedding
(new on CD/mp3)
Live-recording of MAC-Award winning NYC cabaret artist and musical theater performer, Tom Rocco's, cabaret show. Kathy Lash duets on "I'm a (wo)Man." Deana Muro on piano, Paul Thompson on bass and R.J. Heid on drums. Available at CD Baby.

May 24, 2011

Catch Me If You Can OBC
(Ghostlight Records - at iTunes/Amazon mp3) 
Marc Shaiman-Scott Wittman score. Aaron Tveit, Norbert Leo Butz, Tom Wopat, Kerry Butler, Rachel De Benedet, Linda Hart, Nick Wyman. "Live in Living Color," "The Pinstripes Are All That They See," "Someone Else's Skin," "Jet Set," "Don't Break the Rules," "Butter Outta Cream," "The Man Inside the Clues," "Christmas Is My Favorite Time of Year," "Doctor's Orders," "Don't Be a Stranger," "Little Boy, Be a Man," "Seven Wonders," "(Our) Family Tree," "Fly, Fly Away," "Goodbye," "Stuck Together (Strange But True)," Bonus: "Fifty Checks." Produced by Marc Shaiman and Scott M. Riesett. Album Executive Producer Kurt Deutsch. Recorded and mixed by Lawrence Manchester. Recorded at MSR Studios, NYC, 4/18/11. Booklet contains full album credits, plus a liner note by Frank Abagnale, Jr. Digital release date. CD to be available at the Neil Simon Theatre in May or early June, and June 28 in stores.

Craig Price... Just Shows
(new on CD)
Debut album from Craig Price, currently playing The Narrator in the UK tour of Blood Brothers. "Jesus Christ Super Star," "Any Dream Will Do," "Pity the Child," "List in the Wilderness," "Til I Hear You Sing," "Bring Him Home," "This is the Moment," "One Song Glory," "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables," "Gethsemane." Available at Dress Circle

Early Twentieth-Century Frontier Dramas on Broadway: Situating the Western Experience in American Performing Arts (Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History)
(Palgrave Macmillan - Hardcover Book)
By Richard Wattenberg. Frontier dramas were among the most popular and successful of early-twentieth-century Broadway type plays. The long runs of dramas such as Augustus Thomas's Arizona (1900), Owen Wister and Kirke La Shelle's The Virginian (1904), Edwin Milton Royle's The Squaw Man (1905), David Belasco's The Girl of the Golden West (1905), William Vaughn Moody's The Great Divide (1906), and Rachel Crothers's The Three of Us (1906) not only indicate the popularity of these plays but also tell us that these plays offered views about the frontier that original audiences could and did embrace. By focusing on how these and other plays represent the intersection of period ideas about the nature of the frontier process on the one hand, with prevailing dramatic conventions and theatre production practices, on the other, Wattenberg sets the frontier perspective offered in these theatrical works within the larger context of late nineteenth and early twentieth century American culture.

Galt MacDermot albums on CD Baby (on CD and mp3): Corporation, Paul Laurence Dunbar in Song, The Karl Marx Play.

Jason Robert Brown - In This Room: Vocal Duet and String Quartet plus Piano/Vocal Duet Version Score and Parts
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Jason Robert Brown wrote "In This Room" to be performed at his wedding.

Glee: The Music Vol. 6
(Sony - new on CD)
CD Universe
"Turning Tables" (Gwyneth Paltrow), "I Feel Pretty / Unpretty," "As If We Never Said Goodbye" (Chris Colfer), "Born This Way," "Dreams" (Kristin Chenoweth), "Songbird," "Go Your Own Way," "Don't Stop," "Rolling in the Deep" (Jonathan Groff), "Isn't She Lovely," "Dancing Queen," "Try a Little Tenderness," "My Man," "Pure Imagination," "Bella Notte," "As Long As You're There," "Pretending," "Light Up the World."

Matt Doyle: Daylight
(new EP on CD/iTunes/Amazon mp3) 
Public-funded (thought Kickstarter) debut solo CD from Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie). Co-written by composer/musical director, Will Van Dyke, the album draws inspirations from the golden age of soul music. "My Arms Are Open," "If Morning Can't Wait," "Lost and Lookin'" (by Sam Cooke), "What Do You Gain?," "Weigh Me Down," "Home." Recorded in Nashville and New York City. CD available at CD Baby.

Of Mice and Men Amplified (Enhanced Edition)
(Penguin Publishing - ebook for Kindle/nook/iPad & iPhone
Now enhanced with additional content. It includes the following: exclusive audio interview with award-winning actor James Earl Jones on his stage performances in Of Mice and Men; stills from the 1992 film adaptation starring Gary Sinise and John Malkovich; 1962 Nobel Banquet Speech by John Steinbeck; exclusive Q&A with renowned composer and librettist Carlisle Floyd on Of Mice and Men as an American classic opera; video slideshow of historic 1930s Dust Bowl images that captures the period of several Steinbeck works by American documentary photographer Dorothea Lange; the poem "To a Mouse, On Turning Her Up in Her Nest with the Plough, November 1785" by Robert Burns (the original source of Steinbeck's title Of Mice and Men); introduction and suggested further reading by Susan Shillinglaw, Professor of English at San Jose State University and Scholar-in-Residence at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas.

The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World
(new on CD)
Remastered 1969 album by The Shaggs. To be sold for $16 each at Playwrights Horizons (where The Shaggs: Philosophy of the World is playing), online at TicketCentral.com and by calling (212) 564-1235 x3152. Includes the original liner notes and new liner notes written by Joy Gregory, book writer and co-lyricist for the musical.

Stacey Kent: Hushabye Mountain
(Candid Productions - new on mp3)
Grammy-nominated singer. "Too Darn Hot," "All I Do Is Dream of You," "Say It Isn't So," "Hushabye Mountain," "Thou Swell," "It Might As Well Be Spring," "My Heart Stood Still," "Polka Dots and Moonbeams," "Under a Blanket of Blue," "Close Your Eyes." CD to be released July 19.

Two Sisters and a Funeral
(Christian Music Ministries - new on mp3)
By Roger Jones. "A musical presentation of the exciting story of a family transformed by the resurrection power of Jesus." Available at CD Baby.

May 17, 2011

Alfie Boe: You'll Never Walk Alone - The Collection
(EMI Classics - new import CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Collection of songs and arias from the Lancashire-born tenor (Les Miserables concert). "Caruso," "Torna a Surriento," "Mattinata," "Granada," "A Living Prayer," "Where'er You Walk" (Semele), "A Gaelic Blessing [new version by Rutter]," "The Lord Is My Shepherd (Psalm 23)," "I Vow To Thee My Country," "Brindisi" (La Traviata), "Abide With Me," "Stranger In Paradise," "Fratello sole sorella luna," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "Eternal Light: A Requiem" (2008) - Agnus Dei, "Eternal Light: A Requiem" (2008) - Cujus Animam (Stabat Mater).

Beyond the Gate: an original musical review
(new CD)
Conceived by Mercury Musical Developments and The Gate Theatre. The workshop revue was presented in 2011 at The Gate to showcase the songwriting skills of some the best writers in Britain. Singers include David Burt, Stuart Matthew Price, and Cath Whitefield. "Did It Really Happen?" (by Sarah Travis & Don Black), "Siren Song" (by Cathy Shostak & Chris Burgess), "Horse Whispers" (by Tim Sutton), "Dear Helen" (by Craig Adams), "Menelaus Weeps" (by James Humphreys), "It's Not About Him" (by Richard Stilgoe), "Helen's Apologia" (by Maurice Chernick), "This Baby Sleeps" (by John Farndon), "The Boat To Troy" (by Dougal Irvine), "Out On The Balcony" (by Eric Angus & Paul James), "Helen" (by Frank Lazarus), "Cassandra's Lament" (by Gwyneth Herbert), "Stories Of Heroes" (by Stuart Matthew Price). Arrangements by SarahTravis. Ordering link and samples at www.simongreiff.com/Beyond_the_Gate/simg_records.html.

The Book Of Mormon OBC
(Ghostlight - new on iTunes/Amazon mp3) 
Score by Robert Lopez, Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Cast includes Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells, Nikki M. James, Rory O'Malley, Michael Potts, Lewis Cleale, Scott Barnhardt, Justin Bohon, Darlesia Cearcy, Kevin Duda, Asmeret Ghebremichael, Brian Tyree Henry, Clark Johnsen, John Eric Parker, Jason Michael Snow, Benjamin Schrader, Michael James Scott, Brian Sears, Lawrence Stallings, Rema Webb, Maia Nkenge Wilson, Tommar Wilson, Graham Bowen, Ta'rea Campbell and Tyson Jennette. 76-page booklet features photos of the show, full lyrics and liner notes written by Frank Rich. CD to be released June 7.

To Broadway, With Love 1964 World's Fair Cast
(Masterworks - new on mp3/iTunes) 

The Happiest Girl in the World 1961 OBC
(Masterworks - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Jacques Offenbach/E. Y. Harburg score. Cyril Ritchard, Janice Rule, Drain Seitz, Bruce Yarnell. Conducted by Robert DeCormier.

Jenny Powers & Matt Cavenaugh: Gonna Make You Love Me
(new on CD/mp3) 
CD Universe
"Somebody to Love" (Matt Cavenaugh, "Sunday Kind of Love" (Jenny Powers), "I Wanna Be With You Jenny & Matt), "I Think We're Alone Now" (Jenny), "I Get Along Without You Very Well-Bent" (Jenny & Matt), "A Case of You" (Matt), "Real Good Thing" (Jenny & Matt), "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" (Jenny), "You Send Me" (Matt), "The Best is Yet to Come" (Jenny & Matt). Also available at CD Baby.

Lucille Ball FAQ: Everything Left to Know About America's Favorite Redhead
(Applause Books - Paperback Book)
By Barry Monush and James Sheridan.

The Merry Widow 1964 Music Theatre of Lincoln Center
(Masterworks/Arkiv - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
Franz Lehár score. Patrice Munsel, Bob Wright, Joan Weldon, Frank Poretta, Mischa Auer and Sig Arno. Produced by Richard Rodgers. Conducted by Franz Allers.

Mr. President 1962 OBC
(Masterworks - new on mp3/iTunes)
Irving Berlin score. Robert Ryan, Nanette Fabray, Anita Gillette. Conducted by Jay Blackton.

Shrek Collection: From Screen And Stage
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Features 18 songs from the four films and the stage version, plus full-color art and fun facts from all the productions.

May 10, 2011

Incest! The Musical
(new on mp3)
Score for an upbeat romantic-comedy and short musical film, written and created by Grant Reed & Kai de Mello-Folsom for their undergraduate thesis for Dodge College of Film & Media Arts. 11 tracks. Available at CD Baby.

Justin Bond: Dendrophile
(Whimsy Music - new on CD/mp3)
First solo album from Justin Vivian Bond (Kiki and Herb).

Matthew Morrison
(Mercury/Island - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CD Universe
"Summer Rain," "Still Got Tonight," "Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot" (featuring Sting), "My Name," "Hey," "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" (with Gwyneth Paltrow), "Don't Stop Dancing," "It Don't Matter To The Sun," "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters/Rocket Man" (featuring Elton John), "It's Over." Amazon and iTunes versions include bonus "Arms of a Woman."

My Life, the Theater, and Other Tragedies
(EgmontUSA - Paperback/Kindle book)
By Allen Zadoff. Young Adult fiction set against the backdrop of a high school production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Smiles of a Summer Night Blu-Ray
(Criterion Collection - new Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
1955 film that was the basis for A Little Night Music. Ulla Jacobsson, Eva Dahlbeck, Harriet Andersson, Margit Carlquist, Gunnar Bjornstrand. Directed by Ingmar Bergman. 108 minutes, black & white.

Some Like It Hot Blu-ray
(MGM - new Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
1959 Billy Wilder film with Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon, Marilyn Monroe, George Raft, Pat O'Brien.

Starship
(new at iTunes) 
Original musical by Univ of Michigan drama and musical theater grads including "Glee" star Darren Criss; previous projects include Me and My Dick, A Very Potter Musical. Set in the future, on a planet inhabited by giant insects. Joey Richter, Julia Albain, Britney Coleman, Joe Moses, Dylan Saunders, and Lauren Lopez.

Three Evenings With Fred Astaire
(Sepia - new on 2 CDs)
CD Universe
Includes the Chrysler promotional soundtrack LPs for TV specials An Evening With Fred Astaire, Another Evening With Fred Astaire, and Astaire Time.  Eight bonus tracks performed by Astaire include an alternate second take of "I've Got You on My Mind" from Gay Divorce (1932); unusual versions of Jerome Kern songs from Swing Time, "A Fine Romance" with a little-known verse and "The Waltz in Swing Time" with Astaire tapping; a track from the Gershwin memorial concert at the Hollywood Bowl in September 1937, "They Can't Take That Away From Me." 37 tracks on 2 CDs.

The Wizard of Oz London Paladium Recording
(Polydor - new at iTunes) 
All the songs from the movie score, and new songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Michael Crawford, Edward Baker-Duly, Hannah Waddingham, Helen Walsh, Emily Tierney, Danielle Hope, David Ganly, Paul Keating, Stephen Scott. Overture, "Nobody Understands Me," "Over The Rainbow," "Wonders Of The World," "The Twister," "Arrival In Munchkinland," "Munchkinland / Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead," "Follow The Yellow Brick Road," "If I Only Had A Brain / We're Off To See The Wizard," "If I Only Had A Heart / We're Off To See The Wizard," "If Only I Had The Nerve / We're Off To See The Wizard," "We're Outta The Woods," "The Merry Old Land Of Oz," "Bring Me The Broomstick," "Haunted Forest," "Red Shoes Blues," "Bacchanalia," "Red Shoes Blues" (Reprise), "Over The Rainbow" (Reprise), "If I Only Had A Plan," "The Rescue," "Hail-Hail! The Witch Is Dead," "The Wizard's Departure," Finale. CD is available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK. CD will arrive in U.S. on June 28.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
(Ghostlight - new on CD) 
CD Universe
OBC cast recording of musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek. de'Adre Aziza, Laura Benanti, Danny Burstein, Justin Guarini, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott. Recorded January 17. Produced by David Yazbek and Dean Sharenow with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer. Overture, "Madrid is my Mama," "Lie To Me," "Lovesick," "Time Stood Still," "My Crazy Heart," "Model Behavior," "Island," "The Microphone," "On The Verge," "Entr'acte," "Mother's Day," "Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today," "Tangled," "Invisible," "Island (Reprise)," "Shoes From Heaven," BONUS: "My Crazy Heart" (Original Show Opening). 40-page full-color booklet featuring an essay by Pedro Almodovar, liner notes by Frank Rich, a recipe for gazpacho by NY Times writer Mark Bittman.

Voilà Paris! Josephine Baker
(Sepia - new on CD)
CD Universe
Remastered Josephine Chante Paris, songs were recorded in St. Moritz and others. 30 tracks.

May 3, 2011

Acting: The First Six Lessons
(Samuel French - new Paperback)
By Beau Bridgges and his daughter Emily Bridges. Stage version of Richard Boleslavsky's 1933 narrative about a dedicated acting teacher who, while instructing a young actress in her craft, gives her valuable lessons for living as well. Over the course of ten scenes, the action moves from the teacher's studio to a small theater to a film set to Central park and back, and finally, to a moving denouement atop the Empire State Building in 1936. Premiered at Theatre West in 2010.

Barry Manilow: Duets
(Sony Legacy - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Collection of duets, including "Look To The Rainbow" with Barbara Cook, "Big City Blues" with Mel Torme, " On A Slow Boat To China" with Bette Midler, "I Won't Be The One To Let Go" with Barbra Streisand, and "The Last Duet" with Lily Tomlin.

Carnival
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Original London cast album. Music and Lyrics by Bob Merrill. Sally Logan, Michael Maurel, Bob Harris, Shirley Sands, Francis de Wolff, Reg Lever, and James Mitchell. To be released the first week in May. Mastered from the original album master tapes housed at EMI in the UK. Limited release of 1000 copies. Available at Kritzerland.com.

Dick Van Dyke: My Lucky Life In and Out of Show Business, A Memoir
(Crown Archetype - new Hardcover/Kindle/Audio Book)
By Dick Van Dyke. "A colorful, loving, richly detailed look at the decades of a multilayered life." Foreword by Carl Reiner.

The Fox on the Fairway
(Samuel French - new Paperback)
Ken Ludwig's tribute to the great English farces of the 1930s and 1940s. Premiered at D.C.'s Signature Theatre in November 2010.

The Sound of Broadway Music: A Book of Orchestrators and Orchestrations: Paperback
(Oxford Univ Press - Paperback Book)
Paperback version of Steven Suskin's 2009 book. Examines the careers of Broadway's major orchestrators and follows the song as it travels from the composer's piano to the orchestra pit. Suskin has meticulously tracked down thousands of original orchestral scores, piecing together enigmatic notes and notations with long-forgotten documents and current interviews with dozens of composers, producers, conductors and arrangers. Three main parts: a biographical section which gives a sense of the life and world of twelve major theatre orchestrators, as well as incorporating briefer sections on another thirty arrangers and conductors; a lively discussion of the art of orchestration, written for musical theatre enthusiasts (including those who do not read music); a biographical section which gives a sense of the life and world of twelve major theatre orchestrators, as well as incorporating briefer sections on another thirty arrangers and conductors; and an impressive show-by-show listing of more than six hundred musicals, in many cases including a song-by-song listing of precisely who orchestrated what along with relevant comments from people involved with the productions. Intriguing facts and juicy anecdotes, many of which have never before appeared in print.

Wonderland - A New Alice OBC recording
(Masterworks Broadway - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Original Broadway cast. Music by Frank Wildhorn and lyrics by Jack Murphy. Janet Dacal, Darren Ritchie, E. Clayton Cornelious, Jose Llana, Karen Mason, Kate Shindle, Carly Rose Sonenclar, Edward Staudenmayer, Danny Stiles. Recorded March 6.

April 26, 2011

Beyond the Fringe
(EMI - import 2-CD set)
Before opening at London' Fortune Theatre on 10th May 1961 the Beyond The Fringe cast had a try-out with a one week run at Cambridge's Arts Theatre from 24th-29th April. This is a recording of the Cambridge show recorded on 24th April, their first night, in front of a very enthusiastic and appreciative mostly student audience. It can now be heard for first time for 50 years. Over two hours of material, including 9 previously unreleased sketches which did not make the London run for either editorial reasons, or the Lord Chamberlain's disapproval.

Daniel Okulitch: The New American Art Song
(GPR Records - new on DVD Audiodisc)
New recording with bass baritone Daniel Okulitch (Baz Luhrmann 's La Boheme), accompanied by the composers. Songs by Ricky Ian Gordon, Jack Heggie, Lowell Liebermann, Glen Roven. Released in conjunction with Okulitch's sold-out Carnegie Hall Recital. 29 tracks. Playable on most DVD players as well as all DVD-Audio players.

Hairspray (Wiley-Blackwell Series in Film and Television)
(Wiley-Blackwell - Hardcover/Paperback Book)
From the original movie to the 2002 Broadway production, the 2007 Shankman remake, and the film's status as a cultural touchstone that has evolved over twenty years, Hairspray maintains a vibrancy within popular culture. In this new exploration of the film - which includes original interview material with John Waters - Dana Heller engages readers in thought-provoking discussions about topics ranging from camp and queer theory to gender performance and the body; from debates over postmodern style vs. substance to fandom in popular culture and the history of the American film musical.

John Leguizamo: Ghetto Klown: Music From My Hood
(Fania Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CD Universe
CD accompany the Broadway run of Leguizamo's latest solo show, Ghetto Klown. Songs selected by Leguizamo from Fania's extensive Latin music recordings. Extensive liner notes with John's commentary are included. Digi-pack.

Moguls & Movie Stars: History of Hollywood
(Warner Home Video - new on 3 DVD set) CD Universe
Series shown on Turner Classic Movies. Overview of the studio and star system, from the beginnings to the demise in the late '60s, narrated by Christopher Plummer, including rare footage. Seven 1-hour episodes are included with bonus reflections by producer/writer Jon Wilkman and historians in conjunction with each episode. Also included is a 40-page book with vintage photographs and insight about the people, power, and periods that created.

On Your Toes 1952 Studio Cast
(Masterworks/Arkiv - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart score includes "There's a Small Hotel," "Glad To Be Unhappy," "Quiet Night," "It's Got to Be Love," the title song, and the first complete recording of "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue." Laurel Shelby, Robert Eckles, Portia Nelson, Jack Cassidy, Zamah Cunningham, Ray Hyson. Conducted by Lehman Engel. Newly transferred and restored from the original mono masters. CD available at Arkiv Music.

April 19, 2011

Glee: Encore
(Fox Home Entertainment - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CD Universe
More than two hours of Season One's "most spectacular musical numbers," back-to-back. Cast includes Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele, Jane Lynch.

Lost Broadway and More Volume 3
(Original Cast Records - new on CD/mp3)
Unrecorded songs from Goodtime Charlie, Merrily We Roll Along, I'm Solomon, The Yearling, Something More, Ain't Broadway Grand!, Love From Judy, Dream With Music, Nowhere To Go But Up, The Little Show, Here's Where I Belong, Barefoot Boy With Cheek, Garrick Gaieties, Are You With It?, Take Me Along, Something More!, Allah Be Praised, East Wind, and Great To Be Alive. Featuring Michael Lavine, Alex Rolocek, Ian Michael Stuart, Steven Brinberg, Jillian Louis, Micolette Har, Susan Fanale, Sarah Rice, Megan McGinnis, Andrew Samonsky, Leah Horowitz, Heather mcRaw, Melissa Dye, Joan Bender, Christine Pedi, Michele Ragusa, Sheldon Harnick. Liner notes by Michael Lavine. Available at CD Baby and Footlight Records.

Make Me A Cowboy, A Western Musical Comedy
(Tea and Jam Music Publishing - new on mp3)
New western musical comedy cast recording. Original Music by Fran Ellison, Jane Godfrey, Kevin Kurth. Available at CD Baby.

The Making of Cabaret 2nd Edition
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover/Paperback Book)
By Keith Garebian. Condensing a wide variety of sources into a handy and engaging chronicle, this book is the most detailed production history to date of the original Broadway version of Cabaret, showing primarily how the show evolved from Christopher Isherwood's Berlin stories (especially the Sally Bowles novella), into John van Druten's stage play, a British film adaptation, and then the Broadway musical, conceived and directed by Harold Prince as an early concept musical or meta-musical. Includes an examination of the first London version (1968), Bob Fosse's 1972 film version, Hal Prince's 1987 Broadway remount, Sam Mendes's stunning 1998 production, Rufus Norris's London re-imagining (2006), and Amanda Dehnert's new investigation for the Stratford Festival of Canada (2006), and speculates on what the future holds for this musical. Nearly 40 illustrations, full cast credits, and a bibliography.

Rabbit Hole
(Lionsgate - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CD Universe
2010 film version of David Lindsay-Abaire's play. Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart. Directed by John Cameron Mitchell. Audio commentary with the director, writer, and director of photography; deleted scenes; trailer. 91 minutes.

The Sound of Musicals
(Oberon Masters - Hardcover Book)
Ruth Leon tells all about the composers, the lyricists, the directors and the pioneers of the stage musical on both sides of the Atlantic while trying to reveal the truth behind the eternal question—what are musicals and why do we love them?

Theatre World Volume 66: 2009-2010
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
Ben Hodges and Scott Denny, editors. Annual comprehensive record of the theatrical season on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and in regional theatre. Each of the 1,000-plus entries includes photos, a complete cast listing, producers, directors, authors, composers, opening and closing dates, song titles, and plot synopses. Obituaries, a listing of all nominees and winners of the major theatrical awards, the longest-running shows on and Off-Broadway, and a complete index.

William Gray and the family next door: Live and Learn
(Lingonberry Arts - new on mp3)
Anti-bullying musical. Karaoke versions included. Available at CD Baby.

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
(Ghostlight - New at iTunes/Amazon mp3)
OBC cast recording of musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek. de'Adre Aziza, Laura Benanti, Danny Burstein, Justin Guarini, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott. Recorded January 17. Produced by David Yazbek and Dean Sharenow with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer. Overture, "Madrid is my Mama," "Lie To Me," "Lovesick," "Time Stood Still," "My Crazy Heart," "Model Behavior," "Island," "The Microphone," "On The Verge," "Entr'acte," "Mother's Day," "Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today," "Tangled," "Invisible," "Island (Reprise)," "Shoes From Heaven," BONUS: "My Crazy Heart" (Original Show Opening). 40-page full-color booklet featuring an essay by Pedro Almodovar, liner notes by Frank Rich, a recipe for gazpacho by NY Times writer Mark Bittman. CD to be released on May 10.

April 12, 2011

Evenings at the Opera: An Exploration of the Basic Repertoire
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Collection of essays based on Jeffery Langford's lectures at the Manhattan School of Music and inspired by his pre-performance talks at the Metropolitan Opera Guild. A unique view of the stylistic development of nearly 200 years of opera history (from Mozart to Britten), with special attention to the question of how the genre's competing components of action, music, and text combine to make effective music drama. Going beyond mere plot synopsis, he guides the reader through analysis of specific issues of musical form, style, and technique to shed new light on the perennial question of "how opera (sometimes) works."

Jerry Orbach, Prince of the City: His Way from The Fantasticks to Law and Order
(Applause - Paperback Book)
By John Anthony Gilvey. "The story of this versatile performer - his triumphs and tragedies public and private ... a study of a gifted actor's craft as told through the observations, insights, and reminiscences of those who knew him best."

Karen Oberlin - The Songs of Frank Loesser Live at the Algonquin
(Miranda Music - new on CD) 
"If I Were a Bell," "Lovelier Than Ever," "Why Fight The Feeling?," "My Time of Day," "Love Isn't Born (It's Made)," "Heart and Soul/I WIsh I Didn't Love You So," "Traveling Light/Wanting to Be Wanted," "Hamlet," "What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?," "Spoken Intro: Animals 0:17 Album Only ," "The Inch Worm/Snug As a Bug in a Rug," "Spring Will Be a Little Late This Year," "Spoken Intro: I Believe in You," "I Believe in You," "More I Cannot Wish You."

Lisa Howard - Songs of Innocence & Experience: The Music of William Finn
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD) 
CD Universe
Broadway actress (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) sings songs by William Finn, including unrecorded songs from Royal Family of Broadway. "Listen to the Beat," "Trina's Song/I Have Found," "I Don t Know Why I Love You (duet with Derrick Baskin)," "Sailing," "Bad Boy," "How To Make Delicious Chocolate," "When The Earth Stopped Turning," "Hold My Baby Back," "Father to Son / That s Enough For Me," "Infinite Joy," "Songs of Innocence and Experience."

Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs
(Speckulation Entertainment - new on CD/iTunes) 
Award-winning composer Michael Bruce (Ed, Holes, Christmas in New York 2007, Helen of Troy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rigged, Hey Diddle Diddle ...) debut album of songs performed by West End performers, including Julie Atherton, Paul Spicer, Sarah Lark, Mark Evans, Jessie Buckley, Emily Tierney, Charlotte Wakefield, Sarah Earnshaw, Alex Jessop. Previously available as an import. Available at CD Baby.

My Signature Story
(Outskirts Press - Hardcover/Paperback Book)
By Eric Schaeffer and Sarah Valente. Traces the journey of the Tony-Award winning Signature Theatre in Shirlington, Virginia, through the eyes of its co-founder and artistic director, Eric Schaeffer. From staging musicals in a school library, to renovating an auto-bumper plating plant, raising money and forming a governing board, forging a working relationship with Stephen Sondheim, John Kander, and Fred Ebb, developing a robust and loyal audience, attracting billboard-worthy talent, building a new state-of-the-art, two-stage complex, to the culminating accepting the Tony on the stage of Radio City Music Hall, Schaeffer shares his success and horror stories.

Tracy And Hepburn: The Definitive Collection
(Warner Home Video - new on DVD)
CD Universe
Woman Of The Year, Keeper of the Flame, Without Love, Sea of Grass, State of the Union, Adam's Rib, Pat and Mike, Desk Set, Guess Who's Coming To Dinner plus 1986 TV documentary The Spencer Tracy Legacy: A Tribute by Katharine Hepburn

Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
(Ghostlight - New at iTunes) 
OBC cast recording of musical based on the film by Pedro Almodóvar, with book by Jeffrey Lane, music and lyrics by David Yazbek. de'Adre Aziza, Laura Benanti, Danny Burstein, Justin Guarini, Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Mary Beth Peil and Sherie Rene Scott. Recorded January 17. Produced by David Yazbek and Dean Sharenow with Kurt Deutsch serving as Executive Producer. Overture, "Madrid is my Mama," "Lie To Me," "Lovesick," "Time Stood Still," "My Crazy Heart," "Model Behavior," "Island," "The Microphone," "On The Verge," "Entr'acte," "Mother's Day," "Yesterday, Tomorrow and Today," "Tangled," "Invisible," "Island (Reprise)," "Shoes From Heaven," BONUS: "My Crazy Heart" (Original Show Opening). 40-page full-color booklet featuring an essay by Pedro Almodovar, liner notes by Frank Rich, a recipe for gazpacho by NY Times writer Mark Bittman. CD to be released on May 10.

April 5, 2011

Airheart: A New Musical Royal Crown Players
(Sweet Rain Music - new on CD)
Original cast recording. Music and Lyrics by Brad Frey (Choral and Theater Director at Roslyn High School, Roslyn Heights, NY) and Julia Edelman. Produced at Roslyn High School. Cast includes student actors and musicians of the Royal Crown Players, the theatrical club of Roslyn High School.

The Book of Grace
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Play by Suzan-Lori Parks.

Christine 1960 OBC
(Masterworks - new mp3/iTunes) 
Sammy Fain score/Paul Francis Webster. Maureen O'Hara, Morley Meredith, Barbara Webb. Conducted by Jay Blackton.

De-Lovely [Blu-ray]
(MGM - new on Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
2004 film story of Cole Porter. Kevin Kline, Ashley Judd, Jonathan Pryce.

First Impressions 1959 OBC
(Masterworks - mp3/iTunes) 
Score by Glenn Paxton, Robert Goldman, George David Weiss. Polly Bergen, Farley Granger, Hermoine Gingold, Christopher Hewitt, Phyllis Newman. Conduced by Frederick Dvonch.

Fiddler on the Roof 40th Anniversary Blu-Ray
(MGM - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
CD Universe
1971 film version of the stage musical. Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon, Paul Mann. Bock & Harnick score. Disc 1 -Blu-Ray Fiddler in high definition; audio commentary by Norman Jewison and Topol; Norman Jewison, Filmmaker; Norman Jewison Looks Back; John Williams: Creating A Musical Tradition; Songs of Fiddler on the Roof; deleted song: "Any Day Now"; Tevye's Daughters; Set in Reality: Production Design; storyboard-to-film comparison; Tevye's Dream Sequence (in full color with side-by-side comparison and introduction by Norman Jewison); trailers, teasers and TV spots. Disc 2 - DVD; audio commentary by Norman Jewison and Topol; Dual Layer. Widescreen - 2.35. Subtitles - English, French, Spanish.

Helena Blackman: The Sound of Rodgers and Hammerstein
(Speckulation Entertainment - on CD) 
Best known as runner-up in the BBC's "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," West End star Helena Blackman releases her debut solo album. She is joined in two exclusive duets by the number one classical charting singer Jonathan Ansell and her fellow West End star Daniel Boys. "I Have Confidence," "What s the Use of Wondrin?," "I m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," "It Might as Well be Spring," "If I Loved You / Something Wonderful," "I Enjoy Being a Girl," "I Have Dreamed (with Jonathan Ansell)," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Love Look Away," "People Will Say We re in Love (with Daniel Boys)," "The Gentleman is a Dope," "Climb Every Mountain." CD previously available in UK. Now at CD Baby.

If U Want Me, U Can Have Me, Right NOW!!
(Elizabeth Rose Music - new on CD)
Original cast album written and performed by Elizabeth Rose. Available at CD Baby.

Juno 1959 OBC
(Masterworks - new mp3/iTunes) 
Marc Blitzstein score. Shirley Booth, Melvyn Douglas, Tommy Rall, Monte Amundsen, Jack MacGowran, Loren Driscoll, Jean Stapleton, Nancy Andrews, Sada Thompson, Beulah Garrick, Earl Hammond. Conducted by Robert Emmett Dolan. Musical direction by Robert Emmett Dolan.

The Last Five Years (The Applause Libretto Library): The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Musical
(Applause - Paperback Book)

Mary Poppins: The Live Cast Recording
(Buena Vista - new on CD/iTunes) 
Captured live over five nights at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne 2010. Verity Hunt-Ballard, Matt Lee, Philip Quast, Marina Prior, Debra Byrne and Judi Connelli. Includes the premiere recording of the new song, "Playing The Game", which was put into the show in the US and is now in all productions worldwide. 24 tracks. Previously available as an import.

Memphis (The Applause Libretto Library): The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical
(Applause - Paperback Book)

Oh, Captain! OBC
(Masterworks - new mp3/iTunes) 
Jay Livingston/Ray Evans score. Tony Randall, Jacqueline McKeever, Edward Platt, Susan Johnson, Paul Valentine. Conducted by Jay Blackton.

Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert OBC
(Rhino - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
CD Universe
"It's Raining Men," "What's Love Got To Do With It," "Don't Leave Me This Way," "Material Girl," "Go West," "I Say A Little Prayer," "I Love the Nightlife," "True Colors," "Verdi: Follie Delirio vano e questo!," "Color My World," "I Will Survive," "A Fine Romance," "Shake Your Groove Thing," "Pop Muzik," "A Fine Romance (reprise)," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "Hot Stuff," "MacArthur Park," "Always On My Mind / Like A Prayer," "We Belong," "Finally." Produced by Stephen "Spud" Murphy and Frank Filipetti.

Sondheim Solos: Female Selections
(Stage Star Records - new on CD)
Tracks 1-10 contain the background tracks and guide vocals; tracks 11-20 contain the accompaniment tracks alone. This album is a re-recording in the original show keys and tempos. This album plays in any CD player, in a karaoke machine lyrics will appear on-screen. A lyric booklet is included. "I Know Things Now," "The Steps of the Palace," "Another Hundred People," "The Ladies Who Lunch," "The Worst Pies in London," "Green Finch and Linnet Bird," "Send in the Clowns," "the Miller's Son," "Broadway Baby," "Losing My Mind."

Sondheim Solos, Male Selections (karaoke)
(Stage Star Records - new on CD)
Tracks 1-10 contain the background tracks and guide vocals; tracks 11-20 contain the accompaniment tracks alone. This album is a fully-orchestrated, re-recording in the original show keys and show tempos. This album plays in any CD player, in a karaoke machine lyrics will appear on-screen. A lyric booklet is included. Accompaniment track, unless noted: "Any Moment" (complete track), "Giants in the Sky" (complete track), "Being Alive" (complete track), "Marry Me a Little" (complete track), "Johanna" (complete track), "Epiphany" (complete track), "Later" (complete track), "In Praise of Women" (complete track), "Beautiful Girls" (complete track), "Buddy's Blues" (complete track), "Any Moment", "Giants in the Sky", "Being Alive", "Marry Me a Little", "Johanna", "Epiphany", "Later", "In Praise of Women", "Beautiful Girls", "Buddy's Blues."

March 29, 2011

Anything Goes
(Entertainment One - on DVD)
CD Universe
Cole Porter musical in abbreviated form presented as 1954 NBC Colgate Comedy Hour show. Frank Sinatra, Ethel Merman, Bert Lahr, Sheree North. Dean Martin hosts. Five of the original show's songs plus several other Porter numbers. 60 minutes. Bonus material possible.

Collision: when reality and illusion collide
(AuthorHouse - Hardcover Book)
By Ron Bruguiere. "Hidden in a theater's orchestra-level wall is the pass door. Step through it, and you will enter the backstage area, but beware, once you enter, you will encounter the realities dwelling in the kingdom of make-believe. In this seriocomical look at life during the 1960's and 70s, rub elbows with me and Liza Minnelli, Judy Garland, Ethel Merman, Barbra Streisand, Carol Channing, Paul Newman, Lucille Ball, James Baldwin, The Actors Studio Theatre, Billy Dee Williams, Deborah Kerr, and Maggie Smith, and experience the final days of the Golden Age of Theater and the beginnings of the new sounds —Hair and Company."

Jews on Broadway: An Historical Survey of Performers, Playwrights, Composers, Lyricists and Producers
(McFarland & Co - Paperback Book)
By Stewart F. Lane. This historical volume captures the story of the Jewish emergence from immigrants in ghetto living conditions staging Yiddish Theater productions on New York's Lower East Side to their significant social and cultural impact on the stages of Broadway. Includes insights and anecdotes from a life spent working with many of the Jewish legends of American theater.

The Mikado
(Criterion Collection - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CD Universe
New digital transfer (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition) of the 1939 Technicolor version with Kenny Baker, Martyn Green, Sydney Granville and members of the D'Oyly Carte company. Directed by Victor Schertzinger. Extras include new video interview with Topsy-Turvy director Mike Leigh on The Mikado and its adaptation for the screen; new video interview with Mikado scholars Josephine Lee and Ralph MacPhail Jr., tracing the 1939 filmed version of the opera back to its 1885 stage debut; short silent film promoting the D'Oyly Carte Opera Company's 1926 stage performance of The Mikado; and a booklet featuring an essay by critic Geoffrey O'Brien.

Sara Ramirez EP
(new at iTunes) 
Sara Ramirez (Spamalot) sings songs she has written: Eye to Eye" (co-written with Michael Pemberton), "Waitin" and "Break My Heart" (co-written with Rob Giles), plus Phil Hanseroth's "The Story."

Sister Act UK
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
OLC recording of Alan Menken and Glenn Slater score. Nicolas Colicos, Ivan De De Freitas, Thomas Goodridge, Claire Greenway, Sheila Hancock, Chris Jarman, Ian Lavender, Patina Miller, Ako Mitchell, Katie Rowley Jones, Julia Sutton. Previously available in the UK and as an import.

Tangled
(Disney - new on Blu-Ray-3D-DVD/DVD)
CD Universe
2010 animated film (based on "Rapunzle") with score by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. Mandy Moore, Donna Murphy, Brad Garrett, Zachary Levi, Grace Potter.

Stagecraft: Stanislavsky and External Acting Techniques
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
By Robert Blumenfeld. Complete information on the foundations of the actor's art: vocal technique, right down to grammar, punctuation, and stress patterns; movement technique, so you can create the character physically; and rehearsal and performance techniques. Detailed section on applying makeup. Blumenfeld also details the specific techniques of performing in comedy and meeting the unique demands of musical theater. The ideas of Stanislavsky's influential successors - Michael Chekhov, Yevgenyi Vakhtangov, Uta Hagen, Sanford Meisner, Stella Adler, Lee Strasberg, and many others - are included as well.

Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire (1995)
(Image Entertainment - new on DVD)
CD Universe
1995 TV version with Alec Baldwin, Jessica Lange, Diane Lane and John Goodman.  Presented by CBS with cuts; this release is said to be unedited. 156 minutes.

Topsy-Turvy
(Criterion Collection - on Blu-Ray/2 DVDs)
CD Universe
Mike Leigh's 1999 film, a dramatization of the creation of The Mikado, with James Broadbent and Allan Corduner as the writing partners.  Extras include audio commentary featuring director Mike Leigh; new video conversation between Leigh and the film's musical director, Gary Yershon; A Sense of History: Leigh's 1992 short film written by and starring actor Jim Broadbent; deleted scenes; featurette from 1999 including interviews with Leigh, stars Broadbent and Allan Corduner, and other cast members; theatrical trailer and TV spots; and a booklet featuring an essay by film critic Amy Taubin.

March 22, 2011

Anastasia [Blu-ray]
(20th Century Fox - new Blu-Ray)
1997 animated film with songs by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens sung by the voices of Liz Callaway, Angela Lansbury and others. Extras: audio commentary by Directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman; Sing-A-Longs; Anastasia's Music Box Favorites; Russian Stacking Doll Game; Anastasia's Seek and Find; Bartok the Magnificent; How to Draw with Don Bluth; The Making of Anastasia; Anastasia: A Magical Journey; Making of "Journey to the Past" Music Video; Music Video: "Journey to the Past" by Aaliyah; Trailers and TV Spots.

Horton Foote: America's Storyteller
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Paperback version of Wilborn Hampton's 2009 comprehensive biography. 304 pages.

Lady of Burlesque: The Career of Gypsy Rose Lee
(McFarland - Paperback Book)
By Robert Strom. Chronicles the triumphs as an actress, novelist, playwright, artist, political activist, and, ultimately, star. Three appendices include details of Gypsy's will and estate, the original production and Broadway revivals of Gypsy, and complete filmographies and discographies. It also includes rare and never-before-published photographs.

Michael Ball: Heroes
(Universal UK - new import CD)
CD Universe
15 classic songs which were originally big hits for legendary artists such as Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond, Billy Joel and more. "Let The Heartaches Begin," "I'll Never Fall In Love Again," "Play Me," "Summer Wind," "For The Good Times," "Misty," "When I Fall In Love," "You Don't Know Me," "Weekend In New England," "New York State Of Mind," "Joanna," "I Can't Help Falling In Love With You," "He'll Have To Go," "For Once In My Life," "Avenues And Alleyways" (with Tony Christie) Bonus Track.

Michael Bruce: Unwritten Songs
(Speckulation Entertainment - new on CD))
Award-winning composer Michael Bruce (Ed, Holes, Christmas in New York 2007, Helen of Troy, Pirates of the Caribbean, Rigged, Hey Diddle Diddle ...) debut album of songs performed by West End performers, including Julie Atherton, Paul Spicer, Sarah Lark, Mark Evans, Jessie Buckley, Emily Tierney, Charlotte Wakefield, Sarah Earnshaw, Alex Jessop. Available at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

War Horse Original Music and Songs from the National Theatre Production
(National Theatre - new import CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Music and songs from London production. Music by Adrian Sutton. Songs by John Tams. Previously available at the National Theatre website. Was made available digitally and on import CD in the U.S. since that time.

Witchcraft: Claire Martin / Richard Rodney Bennett
(Linn Records - new on CD) 
"I'm Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life," "The Best Is Yet To Come," "Rules Of The Road," "On Second Thoughts," "Everybody Today Is Turning On," "Sometimes When You're Lonely," "Let Me Down Easy," "Nobody Does It Like Me," "That's My Style," "When In Rome," "Witchcraft," "With Every Breath I Take," "On The Other Side Of The Tracks," "Would You Believe." Amazon lists this as Hybrid SACD - DSD.

March 15, 2011

Anything Goes (2011 Revival Edition) Songbook
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
13 songs. "I Get a Kick Out of You," "You're the Top," "Easy to Love," "Friendship," "It's De-Lovely," "Anything Goes," "Public Enemy Number One," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "Goodbye, Little Dream, Goodbye," "Be Like the Bluebird," "All Through the Night," "The Gypsy in Me," "Buddie, Beware."

Christopher Jackson: In the Name of Love
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD) 
Performer (The Lion King, In the Heights) and writer. "In the Name of Love," "Paralyzed," "Our Love (Is So Good)," "Nobody Else," "Don't Give Up," "Invisible," "Blinded By the Lights," "Be A Light," "One More Day," "Change Your Mind," "Promises To Keep," "If We Let It Go," "I Got You." Amazon exclusive CD. See our review of this album.

The Cole Porter Song Collection: Easy Piano Songbook
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
39 Cole Porter songs. Arranged by Dan Coates.

An Evening With Sutton Foster - Live At The Cafe Carlyle
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD) 
CD Universe
24 tracks, including patter. "I'm Beginning To See The Light," "Not For The Life Of Me/NYC/Astonishing," "Up on the Roof," "Air Conditioner," "Warm All Over," "Show Off," "More to the Story," "My Heart Was Set On You," "Down With Love," "I Like The Sunrise," "Defying Gravity," "Late Late Show," "Sunshine on my Shoulders," "Anyone Can Whistle/Being Alive," "Come The Wild Wild Weather," "Here, There, Everywhere," "And I Am Telling You."

Inner City
(Sony Masterworks Broadway - new on CD-R/mp3/Inner City - Various Artists) 
1971 original Broadway cast recording. Helen Miller (music) / Eve Merriam (lyrics) score, based on Merriam's book The Inner City Mother Goose. Linda Hopkins, Delores Hall, Larry Marshall and Allan Nichols. CD available at Arkiv Music. iTunes and Amazon mp3 come with digital booklet.

Jekyll & Hyde - The Musical: Singer's Edition
(Cherry Lane - Paperback Book & CD)
Frank Wildhorn/Leslie Bricusse score. Specifically designed for singers. Eight songs from the show in their original keys. Sheet music with vocal line and lyrics, along with a piano accompaniment that's a reduction of the original orchestral score. CD features a full performance of each piano accompaniment. "In His Eyes," "It's a Dangerous Game," "A New Life," "No One Knows Who I Am," "Once upon a Dream," "Someone like You," "Take Me as I Am," "This Is the Moment."

March 8, 2011

Amadeus: Music on Film Series
(Limelight Editions - Paperback Book)
Ray Morton traces the genesis of Amadeus from the conception of the original idea by Peter Shaffer to the development of the screenplay, the casting, the music, the reviews, the awards.

Cabaret: Music on Film Series
(Limelight Editions - Paperback Book)
By Stephen Tropiano. With an introduction by Joel Grey, the book chronicles the history of Cabaret, from Christopher Isherwood's Berlin Stories to the stage and film versions of John van Druten's play I Am a Camera, through the adaptation of the hit Broadway musical for the big screen.

Glee: The Music, Season 2: Volume 5
(Columbia - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
16 tracks from season two of the TV show including two new and original songs.

75 Glenn Miller Masterpieces
(Sepia - new on 2 CDs)
CD Universe
1959 3-LP set For the Very First Time: 50 Never Before Released Performances by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra. Vocalists include Ray Eberle, Marion Hutton, and The Modernaires. Soloists include Clyde Hurley and Johnny Best, trumpets; Ernie Caceres, alto saxophone; "Tex" Beneke, tenor sax; "Chummy" MacGregor, piano; and "Moe" Purtill, drums. Plus two more medleys and ten full-length songs or instrumentals (including several of Miller's biggest hits, such as "Perfidia" "Chattanooga Choo Choo," and "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree"), along with a listing of the complete personnel of the Glenn Miller Orchestra for all of these performances.

Aladdin OLC / Cinderella London Studio Cast
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
CD Universe
Aladdin, Cole Porter and S.J. Perelman's 1958 musical for TV debuted in 1960 in the West End directed by Harold Fielding. David Fallon, Eddie Fargent, Philip Hogan, Bob Monkhouse, Doretta Morrow, Ronald Shiner, Ian Wallace, Alan Wheatley. "There Must Be Someone for Me," "No Wonder Taxes Are High," "Come to the Supermarket," "Make Way," "Aladdin," "Opportunity Knocks But Once," "Ridin' High," "Wouldn't It Be Fun," "I Am Loved," "Cherry Pies Ought to Be You," "Trust Your Destiny to a Star," "I Adore You." 1957 London studio cast album of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella with Helen Clare, Elizabeth Larner, Denis Quilley, Dudley Rolph and the The London Variety Theatre Orchestra. Overture. "In My Own Little Corner," "Marriage Type Love," "Impossible," "No Other Love," "Waltz for s Ball," "A Lovely Night," "Ten Minutes Ago," "Stepsisters' Lament," "Do I Love You Because You're Beautiful?"

Bric-A-Brac: Ricky Ian Gordon Sings Ricky Ian Gordon
(Blue Griffin Records - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Ricky Ian Gordon sings and plays piano. His own music set to the words of Dorothy Parker, Edna St. Vincent Millay, May Swenson, Marie Howe and Langston Hughes, in addition to Gordon's own poetry. Second in the ""Ricky Ian Gordon Sings Ricky Ian Gordon" series. 19 tracks.

Gypsy Meets Gypsy: Sandra Church and Gypsy Rose Lee
(Sepia - new on CD)
CD Universe
Sandra Church: Let Me Entertain You : "Let Me Entertain You," "Wild Rose," "How Come You Do Me Like You Do," "That's What I Like," "Ooh, That Kiss," "Zip," "You've Got to See Mama Ev'ry Night," "She Didn't Say Yes," "When My Sugar Walks Down the Street," "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," "How'd You Like to Spoon With Me," "Fan Tan Fanny." 1958 Gypsy Rose Lee: That's Me All Over: "I Can't Strip to Brahms," "A House Is Not a Home," "I Can Cook Too," "Ring of Keys," "That's Good Enough for Me," "The Other Woman," "Psychology of a Strip-Tease Dancer," "Flings," "Mrlivingston," "The Heart Is Quicker Than The Eye," "I Sleep Easier Now," "I Haven't A Thing To Wear." Bonus track "Gypsy at Home" with Jule Styne at the piano.

The Hills Are Alive
(Canal Records - new on CD/iTunes) 
Brooklyn Rundfunk Orkestra adaptation of songs from The Sound of Music. The group was founded by Peter Kiesewalter (East Village Opera Company) and "mashes von Trapps with the Jackson Five and pumps classic rock riffs into Rodgers & Hammerstein standards." Guest singers include Jane Siberry, Carolyn Leonhart and Carole Pope. "Prelude / The Sound Of Music," "Do Re Mi / ABC," "Something Good," "Edelweiss," "The Lonely Goatherd," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria," "No Way To Stop It," "My Favorite Things," "I Have Confidence," "Sixteen Going On Seventeen," "So Long, Farewell." Sample of "Do Re Mi" available at http://soundcloud.com/user5957344/do-re-mi-abc.

Margaret Whiting's Great Hits
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
CD Universe
Collection of 27 tracks.

My Father's Fortune: A Life
(Metropolitan Books - Hardcover/Kindle Book)
Memoir by playwright (Noises Off) and author Michael Frayn.

Stunning and Other Plays
(TCG - Paperback Book)
By David Adjmi, recipient of a 2009 Kesselring Fellowship and a Bush Artist Fellowship. Stunning was an LCT3 production, at the Duke on 42nd Street in 2009.

March 1, 2011

Alfie Boe: Bring Him Home
(new import CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
UK tenor who appeared in the Les Miserables concert telecast. "Bring Him Home," "Pure Imagination," "Come What May" (featuring Kerry Ellis), "On The Street Where You Live," "We Have All The Time In The World," "The Impossible Dream" (featuring Matt Lucas), "Hushabye Mountain," "Tell Me It's Not True," "Some Enchanted Evening," "As If We Never Said Goodbye," "If I Loved You," "If I Ruled The World." Previously released at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

Avenue Q Swings
(Topia Arts Productions - on iTunes/mp3) 
Live 2008 concert at Metropolitan Room. Conceived by Mary Ann McSweeney. Benefit for victims of Hurricane Katrina. "Schadenfreude" (Ann Harada), "The Internet Is for Porn" (Lea Delaria), "The More You Ruv Someone" (Stephanie D'abruzzo), "My Girlfriend, Who Lives in Canada" (Anthony Rapp), "For Now" (Mary Cleere Haran), "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" (John Tartaglia Laura Marie Duncan), "You Can Be As Loud As the Hell You Want" (Kate Shindle), "There's a Fine, Fine Line" (Lauren Flanigan), "If You Were Gay" (John Tartaglia), "Special" (Melissa Fahn), "Purpose" (Michael Winther), "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today" (Stephanie D'abruzzo ), "The Money Song" (Laura Marie Duncan). OK, it was released in 2008, but we didn't realize it has been recorded.

Burlesque
(Sony - new on Blu-Ray-DVD/DVD)
CD Universe
2010 musical film with Cher, Cam Gigandet, Christina Aguilera, Eric Dane, Julianne Hough. Bonuses: commentary with writer/director Steven Antin; The Burlesque Lounge alternate full musical performances; alternate opening and blooper reel; jukebox. Blu-Ray only Bonuses: behind-the-scenes featurettes Burlesque is Back, The Performers: The Cast of Burlesque, Setting the Stage: Production Design & Photography, Inside the Dressing Room: Creating the Burlesque Look, The Set List: The Music & Choreography of Burlesque; BD-Live with additional online features.

Gone With The Wind OLC
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
1972 London cast recording of Harold Rome score. June Ritchie, Harve Presnell. Limited to 1,000 copies. Release date is approximate: orders placed at Kritzerland now shipping.

Harry Connick, Jr: In Concert On Broadway
(Columbia - new on CD/DVD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Recorded live in 2010. "We Are In Love," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Bésame Mucho," "The Other Hours," "Nowhere With Love," "How Insensitive," "Come By Me," "My Time Of Day/I ve Never Been In Love Before," "All The Way," "Bayou Maharajah," "Hear Me In The Harmony," "Light The Way," "Take Her To The Mardi Gras," "Bourbon Street Parade," "Mardi Gras In New Orleans."

A Horse With Wings: Ricky Ian Gordon Sings Ricky Ian Gordon
(Blue Griffin Records - new on CD-R/iTunes/mp3) 
CD Universe
First in "Ricky Ian Gordon Sings Ricky Ian Gordon" series. 16 tracks. Originally released in 2010.

I Was a Dancer: Jacques D'Amboise
(Knopf - Hardcover Book/Kindle)
Memoir by Balanchine protégé Jacques D'Amboise. 464 pages.

Jack Donahue: Parade - Live in New York City
(Two Maples Music - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Recorded live at Birdland in New York City. Features award-winning jazz vocalist Jack Donahue performing songs by Jimmy Webb, Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer, the Gershwins, Jay Leonhart, and Jerry Herman. Available at CD Baby. Official release date

Legends of the Silver Screen: The Biographies Collection
(Image - 3 DVD set)
CD Universe
More than eight hours worth of in-depth biographical material, assembled from interviews, newsreels, film clips, plus star photo galleries combining glamour stills and candid behind-the-scenes shots. Biographies include: Anthony Quinn, Charlton Heston, Yul Brynner, Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, Shirley Temple, Walter Matthau. Thinpack. Tin box packaging to be released March 15.

Love Me, Love Me Not: The Music of Joey Contreras
(new on CD/iTunes) 
Debut album by composer/lyricist Joey Contreras (This Thing Called Love) featuring performances by Broadway talent including Kyle Dean Massey (Next to Normal), Natalie Weiss (Everyday Rapture), Marla Mindelle (South Pacific), Blake Daniel (Spring Awakening) and more. Available at CD Baby.

Mary Poppins: The New Musical - Easy Piano
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
17 easy piano arrangements of songs from the popular London and Broadway musical based on the classic Disney film. Songs include: Anything Can Happen," "Being Mrs. Banks" (Parts 1 and 2), "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "Feed the Birds," "Let's Go Fly a Kite," "A Man Has Dreams," "Practically Perfect," "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Step in Time," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Temper, Temper," and more.

The Norman Conquests
(Acorn Media - new on 3 DVDs)
CD Universe
Alan Ayckbourn's play trilogy: Table Manners, Living Together, and Round and Round the Garden. 1970s Emmy-nominated PBS Great Performances telecast. Richard Briers, Penelope Keith, and Tom Conti. 305 minutes. Bonus Features: Biography of playwright Alan Ayckbourn and background on the trilogy.

Now: Linda Eder
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Linda Eder sings a dozen Wildhorn compositions, including "Mad Hatter" from the upcoming Broadway musical Wonderland. "Not Gonna Fall This Time," "No Finer Man," "Ordinary People," "The Heat of the Night," "What Did You See Inside The Stars," "Now," "Mad Hatter," "A Woman In His Arms," "Good Bye," "What's Never Been Done Before," "More Than Heaven," "Living in the Shadow." Produced by Wildhorn, Eder, and Jeremy Roberts. Barnes & Noble exclusive edition ($9.99) includes three bonus tracks: "Please Don't Make Me Love You," "The First Time I Saw Paris," "Sweet Song of Life."

Off-Broadway Musicals Since 1919: From Greenwich Village Follies to The Toxic Avenger
(Scarecrow Press - Hardcover Book/Kindle Book)
By Thomas S. Hischak. The author looks at more than 375 musicals, which are described, discussed, and analyzed, with particular attention given to their books, scores, performers, and creators. Presented chronologically and divided into chapters for each decade, beginning with the landmark musical Greenwich Village Follies (1919), the book culminates with the satiric The Toxic Avenger (2009). In this volume, any work of consequence is covered, especially if it was popular or influential, but also dozens of more obscure musicals are included to illustrate the depth and breadth of Off Broadway. In addition to essential data about each musical, the plot and score are described, the success (or lack of) is chronicled, and an opinionated commentary discusses the work's merits and influences on the musical theatre in general. The first book of its kind, this highly readable volume will please both the theatre scholar and the average musical theatre patron or fan.

Sister Act Original Hamburg Cast
(new on CD)
Alan Menken, Glenn Slater score. Sung in German. Available at at Dress Circle

February 22, 2011

Alice Ripley: Daily Practice, Vol. 1
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD) 
CD Universe
Solo album of rock covers by Tony Award winning stage actress (Next to Normal). "Message in a Bottle," "It's Too Late," "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "You Oughta Know," "Essence," "Thunder Road," "The Flyer," "Take It Easy," "Everybody Hurts," "Anticipation." See our review of this CD.

The Best of Charles Miller and Kevin Hammonds: It's Just The Beginning
(new on CD)
Songs from ten Musicals written by the team of British composer Charles Miller and New York lyricist Kevin Hammonds (including When Midnight Strikes, Brenda Bly: Teen Detective). Michael McCarthy, Caroline O'Connor, Pia Douwes, Shona White, Jodie Jacobs, Julie Atherton, Paul Spicer, Fenton Gray, Richard Reynard, Helena Blackman, Mark Evans, Cassidy Janson, Valerie Cutko, Brenda Edwards, Donna Hines, Charlotte Page, Louise Plowright, Alan Winner. Previously available in the UK. Now at CD Baby.

Judy Garland: The Woman Behind the Myth
(JR Books - Hardcover Book)
By Michael Freedland. Judy Garland biography based on talks with people who actually knew her, from the 90-something woman in Grand Rapids who used to babysit the star to the producers, nightclub owners, musicians and friends who experienced all the problems Judy had, as well as her great successes. Personal stories from the sort of people few biographers have bothered to talk to, but who provide the best and the truest tales. U.S. publication date.

Mary Poppins - 2010 Original Australian Cast
(Universal - new on CD)
Captured live over five nights at Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne 2010. Verity Hunt-Ballard, Matt Lee, Philip Quast, Marina Prior, Debra Byrne and Judi Connelli. Includes the premiere recording of the new song, "Playing The Game", which was put into the show in the US and is now in all productions worldwide. Available now at Middle Eight Music.

Les Miserables - 25th Anniversary
(Universal - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
U.S. release of special performance shown on screens across the world on October 3, from London's O2 Arena. Cast Alfie Boe as Jean Valjean, Nick Jonas as Marius, Norm Lewis as Javert, Matt Lucas as Thenardier, Lea Salonga as Fantine, Jenny Galloway as Madame Thenardier, Ramin Karimloo as Enjolras, Camilla Kerslake as Cosette and Samantha Barks as Eponine. NTSC. Previously available on Region 2 at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

Placebo: A New Musical
(Basement Arts - CD/iTunes/free download)
Studio-recorded original concept cast recording of musical conceived and written by Danny Abosch and Joshua Borths. "Robert Wilson and his brother Blake persuade their town to purchase what they claim to be a miracle pill, invented by their late father, the scientist Dr. Wilson. The pill is actually a placebo made of nothing but sugar, but the town, believing it to be real, becomes carried away with the ‘miracles' that the pill is reportedly responsible for. Robert and Blake's plan is wildly successful…but at what cost?" Being workshopped at Oklahoma City University.

Sweet Smell of Success: The Criterion Collection [Blu-ray]
(Criterion - new Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
1957 film starring Tony Curtis, Burt Lancaster, Susan Harrison, Martin Milner, Jeff Donnell. New, restored high-definition digital transfer, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition; new audio commentary by film scholar James Naremore; Mackendrick: The Man Who Walked Away, 1986 documentary featuring interviews with director Alexander Mackendrick, actor Burt Lancaster, producer James Hill; James Wong Howe: Cinematographer, 1973 documentary, featuring lighting tutorials with Howe; new video interview with film critic and historian Neil Gabler; about Walter Winchell; new video interview with filmmaker James Mangold about Mackendrick, his instructor and mentor; original theatrical trailer. Booklet features an essay by critic Gary Giddins, two short stories by Ernest Lehman featuring the characters from the film, notes about the film by Lehman, and an excerpt from Mackendrick's book on film-making.

February 15, 2011

Ben Vereen: Steppin' Out Live
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD) 
CD Universe
Recorded live in the Roberts Theatre at the Hartford Stage in Connecticut. Nelson Kole keyboard and arranger, with Marc Dicciani on drums, Thomas Kennedy on bass and percussionist Aaron Vereen. "With a Song In My Heart," "Getting To Know You," "Corner Of The Sky" / "Aquarius" / "Hair" / "Jesus Christ Superstar" / "I Don't Know How To Love Him," "Defying Gravity," "Frank Sinatra Medley" / "It Was A Very Good Year" / "I've Got You Under My Skin" / "The Lady Is A Tramp" / "Come Fly With Me" / "My Kind Of Town, My Way," "Once In A Lifetime," "I Got A Lot Of Livin' To Do," "That Old Black Magic," "My Funny Valentine," "Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered," "MrBojangles."

Christopher Jackson: In the Name of Love
(Yellow Sound Label - new iTunes/mp3) 
The Lion King, In the Heights performer. "In The Name Of Love," "Paralyzed," "Our Love (Is So Good)," "Nobody Else," "Don't Give Up," "Invisible," "Blinded By The Lights," "Be A Light," "One More Day," "Change Your Mind," "Promises To Keep," "If We Let It Go," "I Got You." CD release date March 29. See our review of this album.

End of the Rainbow OLC
(First Night Records - new import CD) 
CD Universe
Olivier Award winner Tracie Bennett in Judy Garland play with music. "Anything But Love/Just In Time," "Medley —The Bells Are Ringing for Me and My Gal / You Made me Love You/ The Trolley Song," "The Man That got Away," "When You're smiling the whole World Smiles With you," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Get Happy/By Myself," "When the sun Comes Out," "Smile," "I could go on Singing," "San Francisco," "Zing Went the Strings of my Heart," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (Bonus Track). Also available at iTunes, Amazon mp3 ($7.99), Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

The Enraged Accompanist's Guide to the Perfect Audition
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Award-winning New York theatre composer and pianist Andrew Gerle's guide to everything you've never been taught about auditioning for musical theatre. From the unique perspective of the pianist's bench, he demystifies the audition process, from how to put together your book and speak to an accompanist to the healthiest and savviest ways to approach the audition marketplace and your career.

And Furthermore: Judi Dench
(St. Martin's PRess - Hardcover Book)
Memoir by Judi Dench. U.S. publishing date - available now at Amazon UK.

Helena Blackman: The Sound of Rodgers and Hammerstein
(Speckulation Entertainment - new on CD/iTunes/mp3) 
Best known as runner-up in the BBC's "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?," West End star Helena Blackman releases her debut solo album. She is joined in two exclusive duets by the number one classical charting singer Jonathan Ansell and her fellow West End star Daniel Boys. "I Have Confidence," "What s the Use of Wondrin?," "I m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outta My Hair," "It Might as Well be Spring," "If I Loved You / Something Wonderful," "I Enjoy Being a Girl," "I Have Dreamed (with Jonathan Ansell)," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Love Look Away," "People Will Say We re in Love (with Daniel Boys)," "The Gentleman is a Dope," "Climb Every Mountain." CD available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle. MP3 at Amazon ($8.99).

Songs from the Dark Shadows: A Gothic Musical
(new on CD/mp3)
Written and performed by David Leinweber. Designed as a stand-alone collection of songs, or as a musical or opera for a theatrical setting. 24 tracks. Available at CD Baby.

Michener's South Pacific
(University Press of Florida - Hardcover Book)
By Stephen J. May (award-winning Michener biographer). The creation of one of the most beloved books and Broadway musicals of the century. Delves deeply into this formative and turbulent period in Michener's life and career, using letters, journal entries, and naval records to examine how a reserved, middle-aged lieutenant known as "Prof" to his fellow officers became one of the most successful writers of the twentieth century.

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
(Masterworks Broadway - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
Original 1964 Off-Broadway cast recording for the show based on the James Thurber short story. Leon Carr (music) / Earl Shuman (lyrics) score. Marc London, Cathryn Damon, Rue McClanahan, Christopher Norris, Lette Rehnolds, Eugene Roche, Charles Rydell, Lorraine Serabian, Rudy Tronto. CD-R available at ArkivMusic.

February 8, 2011

Discovering Hamlet
(Acorn Media - new on 2 DVDs)
CD Universe
Partly a documentary of Derek Jacobi's production of Hamlet, starring Kenneth Branagh; partly an examination of the play itself; and partly a conversation about how theater comes to be. Filmmakers Mark Olshaker and Larry Klein follow the company through four weeks of rehearsals, from the first read-throughs to opening night. Interviews with principal actors, as well as the set designer, costume supervisor, text advisor, and others. Includes exclusive interview with Derek Jacobi (34 min.); bonus disc with behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, and extended production interviews with Jacobi (162 min.); 12-page viewer's guide with an introduction by director Mark Olshaker, a history of the Renaissance Theatre Company, critical reactions to the production, and an article on Hamlet's textual challenges; Hamlets Through the Ages profiles; cast biographies; Patrick Stewart biography; photo gallery.

For Colored Girls
(Lionsgate - Blu-Ray/DVD combo)
Order at CD Universe
Tyler Perry's film version of Ntozake Shange's or Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide / When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Kimberly Elise, Phylicia Rashad, Janet Jackson, Loretta Devine, singer Macy Gray, Thandie Newton, Whoopi Goldberg, Kerry Washington, and Anika Noni Rose

The Golden Age of American Musical Theatre: 1943-1965
(Scarecrow Press - Hardcover Book)
Synopses, cast and production credits, song titles, and other pertinent information for over 180 musicals over a 22-year span. 256 pages.

Kiss Me, Kate
(VAI - new on DVD)
CD Universe
1958 Hallmark Hall of Fame, NBC, telecast with Alfred Drake, Patricia Morison, Julie Wilson, Billy Hayes, Harvey Lembeck, Jack Klugman. 78 minutes. Black & white.

Love Story Original Cast
(Faber Music - new on CD)
UK cast recording of Howard Goodall and Stephen Clark score. Emma Williams, Michael Xavier and Peter Polycarpou. 16 tracks. Available at Dress Circle and available at Amazon UK.

Nancy LaMott "The Don't Tell Mama Shows"
(Midder Music - on 2 DVDs)
CD Universe
Over four hours of material from Nancy LaMott's Don't Tell Mama performances. Store date. Available now at LMLMusic.com, MidderMusic.com and NancyLaMott.com.

Shannon Forsell: The Nearness of You, a Tribute to Hoagy Carmichael
(LML Music - new on CD) 
CD Universe
New release by cabaret singer.

February 1, 2011

Adele Anderson: Everything Happens To Me
(Warner Bros UK/First Night - new import CD)
Star of the British comedy singing group Fascinating Aida sings "Terrible Day," "Me and the Sunshine," "Don't Put Me in a Box," "Everything Happens to Me," "I'm Worth It," "No Good at Love," "Tommy the Toupee," "Easy Come, Easy Go," "Marie Antoinette," "I'm Tired," "Back on Base," "Torch Song," "The Second Threepenny Opera Finale," "Drop Dead Blues." Also at Dress Circle and Amazon UK.

All About Eve: Anniversary Edition
(Fox - new on Blu-Ray)
CD Universe
1950 film starring Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Gary Merrill, Celeste Holm, Marilyn Monroe. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Limited edition Blu-ray book packaging with some special features: commentary, featurettes and a stills gallery (most of the ray bonuses were featured on the 2003 DVD release).

A Little Hope: Shoshana Bean
(new digital single) 
Shoshana Bean sings new single written by singer and composer and lyricist Scott Alan. Originally written for the 2009 Broadway in South Africa concert. Proceeds from the single will benefit Broadway in South Africa, a non-profit organization that provides a cross-cultural exchange between youth in need and artists who seek to use their talents for positive, global change. Vocals recorded in New York, London and Africa. Features the Tada! Resident Youth Ensemble, Voices of Africa and background vocals by Natalie Weiss, Lillie Cooper, Erin Willis, Stuart Matthew Price, Jodie Jacobs and Shoshana Bean. Arranged and orchestrated by Jesse Vargas.  The Sound of Africa vocals were arranged by Bryan Schimmel. Available at iTunes and CD Baby.

Lucky Lady
(Shout! Factory - new on DVD)
CD Universe
1975 directed by Stanley Donen. Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli (Golden Globe nomination), Burt Reynolds. With vintage featurettes, original trailers and television spots.

January 25, 2011

bitter/sweet
(Harbinger Records - new on CD)
CD Universe
Singer Eric Comstock and guitarist Randy Napoleon. "I Have Dreamed," "If I Had You," "Somewhere In The Night," "Goodbye," "Living On Dreams," "Gone With The Wind," "Two For The Road (with Barbara Fasano)," "Too Late Now," "This Can't Be Love," "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," "Goodbye Is A Lonesome Sound," "Bittersweet (Ballad for Very Tired & Very Sad Lotus-Eaters)," "Wrap Your Troubles In Dreams."

Casino Royale Soundtrack
(Kritzerland - on CD)
Music composed and conducted by Burt Bacharach. Remastered. Dusty Springfield, Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass. Three short bonus cues, available on CD for the first time, including the original end credits vocal. This is a straight transfer of the original record, done from several pristine copies of the LP, so that the original sound, with no additional processing or EQ, is captured on CD for the very first time. Limited release of 1000 copies only. Sold out.

Cheek to Cheek: Cook & Feinstein
(DuckHole Records - new on CD) 
CD Universe
Barbara Cook and Michael Feinstein Live From Feinstein`s at Loews Regency. "I've Got the World on a String," "Cheek to Cheek," "I've Got You Under my Skin," "The World Keeps Changing/There'll Be Some Changes Made," "The Very Thought of You/Tea for Two," "Ac-Cent-Tchuate the Positive," "Ever After," "Where Do You Start?," "You Could Drive A Person Crazy," "Without A Song," "Here's To Life," "You're Gonna Hear From Me," "Give Me The Simple Life," "Shine On Harvest Moon."

Glee: Season 2, Volume 1
(Fox - on 3 DVDs)
CD Universe
First ten episodes of Glee Season 2.

January 18, 2011

Bernstein Broadway Songs (Easy Piano)
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Easy arrangements of a dozen Bernstein gems: "America," "I Feel Pretty," "A Little Bit in Love," "Lonely Town," "Make Our Garden Grow," "Maria," "New York, New York," "Ohio," "Some Other Time," "Somewhere," "Take Care of This House," "Tonight."

Originals - Musical Comedy 1909-1935
(Sony Masterworks Broadway/ArkivMusic on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
"I've Got Rings on My Fingers," (1909, Blanche Ring), "Turn Off Your Light, Mr. Moon-Man," (1911, Jack Norworth and Nora Bayes), "That Haunting Melody," (1911, Al Jolson), "Fo' de Lawd's Sake, Play a Waltz," (1920, Elsie Janis), "Second Hand Rose," (1921, Fanny Brice), "Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean," (1922, Ed Gallagher and Al Shean), "Manda," (1924, Noble Sissle with Eubie Blake), "Like He Loves Me," (1926, Beatrice Lillie with Vincent Youmans), "Rio Rita and the Rangers' Song," (1927, J. Harold Murray), "Sometimes I'm Happy," (1927, Louise Groody & Charles King with Frank Banta), "Hungry Women," (1928, Eddie Cantor), "Why Was I Born?," (1929, Helen Morgan), "You're the Top," (1934, Cole Porter), "You and the night and the music," (1934, Libby Holman), "What a Wonderful World," (1935, Eleanor Powell). Mono. CD available at Arkiv Music

Our First Mistake
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD) 
CD Universe
The music of Kait Kerrigan and Brian Lowdermilk ( The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown and Henry and Mudge. Michael Arden, Matt Doyle, Meghann Fahy, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Morgan Karr, Kelli O'Hara, Laura Osnes, Natalie Weiss, Katie Thompson, Vienna Teng and The Spring Standards. Produced by Brian Lowdermilk and Andy Manganelle.

The Tom Lehrer Collection
(Shout Factory - CD/DVD
CD Universe)
Highlights from across Lehrer's 40-year-long recording career. Material from his live albums for Reprise (An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer and Revisited), That Was the Year That Was, early-'70s material recorded for The Electric Company, radio performances, a rare 1960 single and more. The first-ever DVD features unreleased performances, including a complete 1967 Oslo concert, animated clips from The Electric Company, and other TV performances. Released April 2010.

Winter Wonderettes
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Original studio recording. Misty Cotton, Julie Dixon Jackson, Bets Malone and Darcie Roberts. holiday sequel to the off-Broadway hit The Marvelous Wonderettes. Created by Roger Bean. CD available at LML Music

January 11, 2011

9 to 5 - The Musical Songbook
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
By Dolly Parton. A dozen songs (vocal lines with piano accompaniment), and full-color photos. Includes the title song and: "Around Here," "Backwoods Barbie," "Change It," "5 to 9," "Get Out and Stay Out," "Here for You," "I Just Might," "Let Love Grow," "One of the Boys," "Shine like the Sun." Vocal selections.

Broadway Songs for Kids: Songs Originally Sung on Stage by Children
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
More than 30 songs made famous by kids singing on stage, arranged in piano/vocal/guitar notation. Includes: "Castle on a Cloud," "Do-Re-Mi," "Gary, Indiana," "Getting Tall," "I Just Can't Wait to Be King," "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "I Won't Grow Up," "It's the Hard-Knock Life," "Let Me Entertain You," "Little People," "So Long, Farewell," "Tomorrow," "Where Is Love?," "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," and more. 154 pages.

Building the Successful Theater Company (Second Edition)
(Allworth Press - Paperback Book)
By Lisa Mulcahy. New edition takes readers even deeper into the world of theatrical production, examining in great depth the financial realities of establishing--and maintaining--a successful organization. Updated to include more theater company profiles with expert advice to better reveal the pitfalls, passions, and practicalities of the theater industry ... from finding a performance space, to creating a first season, to promoting a company and production, to designing a long-term plan. Chapters include developing business and budget plans, rehearsing, attracting attention with publicity and word-of-mouth, adapting to growth, and more. No other book contains the unique insights and sound advice found in this indispensable reference.

Jim Caruso: The Swing Set
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD)
Collection of wryly re-imagined standards and new tunes, with Birdland's Cast Party's Jim Caruso. "I've Got My Fingers Crossed," "I Love A Violin" (w/ the Stritch brothers), "Manhattan," "Gotta Be This Or That" (w/ Michael Feinstein), "I'm So Happy," "If I Only Had A Brain," "Avalon" (w/ Hilary Kole & Billy Stritch), "I'm Shootin' High," "The Doodlin' Song" (w/ Stephanie J. Block), "Pick Yourself Up," "Flexible," "Just Squeeze Me," "Heart's Desire" (w/ Billy Stritch). Aaron Weinstein violin/musical director/arrangements, Bucky Pizzarelli, Warren Vache, Harry Allen, Tedd Firth, Steve Doyle, Jon Burr, Warren Odes, Kristy Norter, Dave Trigg, Ross Konikoff. Amazon exclusive.

Lance Horne: First Things Last
(Yellow Sound Records - new Amazon Exclusive CD)
Debut album for composer, lyricist, singer, pianist, and music director Lance Horne. 16 original compositions backed by an all-star orchestra, highlighting Lance on piano. Guest singers include Alan Cumming, Amanda Palmer, Cheyenne Jackson, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Ricki Lake, Meow Meow, and more.

Macbeth: Great Performances
(PBS Home Video - new on DVD)
CD Universe
Filmed for television in 2009. Rupert Goold's stage production of Macbeth starring Sir Patrick Stewart and Kate Fleetwood (both Tony-nominated), Michael Feast, Martin Turner, Scott Handy, Paul Shelley, Suzanne Burden, and Christopher Patrick Nolan. Features subtitles in English (SDH). Shipping 10/19/10 from PBS.org.

Thirteen Stories Down: Songs of Jonathan Reid Gealt
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD)
CD Universe
I Am Yours" (Caissie Levy), "I Wont Have to Anymore" (Adam Chanler-Berat), "Quiet" (Natalie Weiss), "My Best Friend" (world premiere, Tituss Burgess & Quentin Earl Darrington), "No Reason at All" (Carrie Manolakos), "September of '92" (Zak Resnick), "Expectations of a Man" (Bridie Carroll), "Lessons Learned" (world premiere, Will Chase & Kate Baldwin), "Alex...You're Fine!" (Lauren Kennedy w/ Stephanie Umoh & Lindsay Mendez), "Lovable" (world premiere, Alysha Umphress), "Stay/I'll Never Go" (Adam Armstrong & Jonathan Reid Gealt), "Wanting" (Matt Doyle & Darius de Haas), "Momma Don't Cry" (Capathia Jenkins w/ the Broadway Inspirational Voices). Produced by Lynne Shankel and Joel Moss, music supervision by Lynne Shankel, orchestrations by Bruce Coughlin, Lynne Shankel and August Eriksmoen

West Side Story: Cultural Perspectives on an American Musical
(Scarecrow Press - Hardcover Book)
By Elizabeth A. Wells. A major scholarly study of the famous American musical, viewing the work from cultural, historical, and musical perspectives. From the 'mambo craze' of the 1950s to the work's ongoing permeation of popular culture, Wells looks at the myriad ways in which this canonic musical reflects and refracts American culture. Drawing on primary documentary sources, oral history, including interviews with members of the original creative team such as Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents and early sketch material, Wells explores the creation and dissemination of West Side Story to diverse audiences. Illustrated with images and musical examples and complete with factual appendixes like a chronological timeline, discography, and cast and crew list. Released 12/16/10.

The Woo: A Latin Jazz Suite for Soprano Saxophone
(Peter MacDonough - new on CD)
A re-write of the soundtrack to The Wizard of Oz in Afro-Cuban and Afro-Brazilian rhythms for soprano saxophone. Featuring Jovino Santos Neto, Mark Levine, Michael Spiro, David Belove and Paul van Wagenegan. Arrangements by Peter MacDonough, Jovino Santos Neto and David Belove. Released November 2010. CD, mp3 and clips available at CD Baby. See our review of this recording.

January 4, 2011

Colin Savage: One Voice, One Piano
(Stand Well Back - new on CD) 
Debut album from West End musical theatre tenor, Colin Savage. "Unusual Way," "She's A Woman," "What More Can I Say?," "Not While I'm Around," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," "Dressing Them Up," "Sometimes A Day Goes By," "Kiss the Air ," "It Had To Be You." MP3 album/single tracks and sample clips available at CD Baby.

Eric Kunze: My Collection
(new CD)
Eric Kunze (Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Damn Yankees). "Gethsemane" (Jesus Christ Superstar), "Maria" (West Side Story), "High Flying Adored" (Evita), "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" (Les Miserables), "Close Every Door" (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), "Finishing the Hat" (Sunday in the Park with George), "Why, God, Why" (Miss Saigon) and more. Available at www.erickunze.com. Single is available at CD Baby.

Good Neighbor Sam
(Sony - on DVD)
CD Universe
1964 film with Jack Lemmon, Romy Schneider, Dorothy Provine and Edward G. Robinson. Previously released as part of the Jack Lemmon Collection.

The Notorious Landlady
(Sony - on DVD)
CD Universe
1962 film written by Blake Edwards. Directed by Richard Quine. Jack Lemmon, Kim Novak, Fred Astaire. Previously released as part of the Jack Lemmon Collection.

Operation Madball
(Sony - on DVD)
CD Universe
1957 film directed by Richard Quine. Jack Lemmon, Ernie Kovacs, Mickey Rooney, , Arthur O'Connell, Kathryn Grant, James Darren, Dick York. Previously released as part of the Jack Lemmon Collection.

Phfft!
(Sony - on DVD)
CD Universe
1954 film by George Axelrod. Jack Lemmon, Judy Holliday, Kim Novak and Jack Carson. Previously released as part of the Jack Lemmon Collection.

Quiet Please: Darius De Haas and Steven Blier
(Bridge Records - new on CD) 
Singer Darius De Haas and pianist Steven Blier. "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most" (Tommy Wolf, Fran Landesman), "They All Laughed" (George and Ira Gershwin), "If It`s Magic" (Stevie Wonder), "I've Got a Crush On You" (George and Ira Gershwin), "Mr. Paganini" (Sam Coslow), "Someone to Watch Over Me" (George and Ira Gershwin), "There`s a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York" (George and Ira Gershwin, duBose Heyward), "Good Morning Heartache" (Irene Higgenbotham, Ervin Drake, Dan Fisher), "Paper Moon" (Harold Arlen, E.Y. Harburg, Billy Rose), "Some Other Time" (Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green), "In a Sentimental Mood" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Manny Kurtz), "Glad to Be Unhappy" (Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart), "Love for Sale" (Cole Porter), "Sophisticated Lady" (Duke Ellington, Irving Mills, Mitchell Parish), "I Have Dreamed" (Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein), "Hero and Leander" (Adam Guettel), "Migratory V" (Adam Guettel). Released 12/1/10.

Race
(TCG - Paperback Book)
2009 Broadway play by David Mamet. When a rich white man is accused of raping a younger African American woman, he looks to a multicultural law firm for his defense. But even as his lawyers—one of them white, another black—begin to strategize, they must confront their own biases and assumptions about race relations in America. Currently playing to acclaim on Broadway in a production directed by Mamet, audience members may be moved to self-scrutiny by his signature gritty yet finely tuned language.

Talking Theatre: Interviews with Theatre People
(Nick Hern Books - Hardcover Book)
By Richard Eyre. Candid, in-depth interviews published for the first time. Includes interviews with John Gielgud, Judi Dench, Ian McKellen, Vanessa Redgrave, Arthur Miller, Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, Fiona Shaw, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, Alan Bennett, David Hare, Christopher Hampton, Tony Kushner, Peter Brook, Peter Hall, Stephen Sondheim, and many more. Available from the UK at Amazon UK.

Under the Yum Yum Tree
(Sony - on DVD)
CD Universe
1963's top-grossing film based on Lawrence Roman's Broadway play. Jack Lemmon, Carol Lynley, Dean Jones, Edie Adams, Imogene Coca and Paul Lynde. Previously released as part of the Jack Lemmon Collection.

-- Sound Advice Staff

Additional information provided by
Max O. Preeo