December 25, 2012

Cousins: The Songs of Beck & May
(new mp3/iTunes)

Debut recording from from songwriters and cousins Jordan Beck and Jonathan May, alumni of the Johnny Mercer Songwriter's Project. James Snyder, Alistair Tober, Mazie Wilson, Todrick Hall, John Massey, Baraka May, Brad Standley, Destiny Lofton, Drew Tablak, Allie Trimm and David Burnham. MP3 clips, tracks and album also available at CD Baby, where the CD will be available January 1.

Leap of Faith the Musical OBC
(Ghostlight - new on CD/mp3)
Alan Menken and Glenn Slater score. Cast includes Raúl Esparza. "Rise Up," "Rise Up (Reprise 1)," "Fox In The Henhouse," "Fields Of The Lord," "Step Into The Light," "Walking Like Daddy," "Lost," "I Can Read You," "Like Magic," "I Can Read You (Reprise)," "Dancing In The Devil's Shoes," "King Of Sin," "Long Past Dreaming," "Are You On The Bus?," "People Like Us," "Last Chance Salvation," "If Your Faith Is Strong Enough," "Jonas's Soliloquy," "Rise Up (Reprise 2)," "Leap Of Faith." Released on mp3 and iTunes 12/4/12.

Les Misérables: Highlights from the Motion Picture Soundtrack
(Universal Republic - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
The film's songs, from Claude-Michel Schonberg and with lyrics by Alain Boublil score (includes one new song, "Suddenly"). Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Samantha Barks, Aaron Tveit. "Look Down" (Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Convicts), "The Bishop" (Colm Wilkinson), "Valjean's Soliloquy - Hugh Jackman), "At the End of the Day" (Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Factory Girls), "I Dreamed a Dream" (Anne Hathaway), "The Confrontation" (Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway), "Castle On a Cloud" (Isabelle Allen), "Master of the House" (Sacha Baron Cohen, Helena Bonham Carter), "Suddenly" (Hugh Jackman (new for the film)), "Stars" (Russell Crowe), "ABC Cafe/Red and Black" (Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit), "In My Life/A Heart Full of Love" (Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Samantha Banks), "On My Own" (Samantha Banks), "One Day More" (Cast), "Drink With Me" (Eddie Redmayne, Daniel Huttlestone), "Bring Him Home" (Hugh Jackman), "The Final Battle" (Cast), "Javert's Suicide" (Russell Crowe), "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" (Eddie Redmayne), "Epilogue" (Cast).

From Stage to Screen: Musical Films in Europe and United States (1927-1961)(Speculum Musicae)
(Brepols Pub - Hardcover Book)

December 18, 2012

13 The Musical
(new mp3)
U.K. National Youth Music Theatre cast of Jason Robert Brown score. Digital booklet included. "13/Becoming A Man," "The Lamest Place In The World," "Hey Kendra," "One Day In October," "Get Me What I Need," "Opportunity," "What It Means To Be A Friend," "All Hail The Brain," "Terminal Illness," "Getting Ready," "Any Minute," "Good Enough," "Being A Geek," "Bad Bad News," "Tell Her," "It Can't Be True," "If That's What It Is," "A Little More Homework," "Brand New You."

Cheyenne Jackson: Don't Wanna Know
(new digital single at iTunes)
Third single release from upcoming album.

Dinner with Lenny: The Last Long Interview with Leonard Bernstein
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Jonathan Cott. November 1989 (a year before his death) Bernstein interview, based on a frank twelve-hour conversation. This is the complete account, with Bernstein on matters musical, pedagogical, political, psychological, spiritual, and the personal. Pointed comments on a wide array of topics, from popular music ("the Beatles were the best songwriters since Gershwin"), to great composers ("Wagner was always in a psychotic frenzy. He was a madman, a megalomaniac"), and politics (lamenting "the brainlessness, the mindlessness, the carelessness, and the heedlessness of the Reagans of the world"). And of course, of conducting. Published in abridged form in Rolling Stone magazine in 1990. 192 pages with 15 black-and-white photos.

Drafts: The Music and Lyrics of Alexander Sage Oyen, Vol. One
(new digital at iTunes)
First of a two-volume set featuring the work of up-and-coming composer-lyricist Alexander Sage Oyen (Sidekicks, A Night Like This). Emma Hunton, Matt DeAngelis, Derek Klena, Noah Galvin. 17 tracks.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Expanded Soundtrack
(Quartet Records/MGM - new on CD)
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; music direction and incidental music by Ken Thorne. First release with Ken Thorne's complete underscore. Newly remastered from the original stereo 1/2" album masters from the MGM vaults, and 1/4" tape from the private library of Mr. Thorne. Deluxe full-color 24-page booklet with liner notes and track-by-track analysis by Randall D. Larson. Limited edition of 1000 units. Album and clips available at Quartet Records.

Hans Christian Andersen [Blu-ray]
(HBO Home Video - new on Blu-Ray)
1952 musical film with Frank Loesser score. Danny Kaye, Farley Granger, Zizi Jeanmaire, Joseph Walsh, Philip Tonge. Digibook.

Justin Hayford: Here I'll Stay
(new on CD/mp3)
Fourth album from this singer/pianist. "Why Try to Change Me Now," "The Best Thing For You (Would Be Me)," "Blame It On My Youth," "My Very Good Friend the Milkman," "Like I Used to Do," "Blah, Blah, Blah," "Poor You," "Everything Happens to Me," "Dreamer," "Nothing Could Be Better," "It Never Fails," "Here I'll Stay." Available on his website for "name your price," and all proceeds go to AIDS Legal Council of Chicago. Jim Cox on bass, Phil Gratteau on drums, Brad Hayford and Mike Lapchick on guitar.

Killer Joe [Blu-ray]
(Lionsgate - new Blu-Ray)
2011 film version of Tracy Letts play. Directed by William Friedkin. Emile Hirsch, Thomas Haden Church, Matthew McConaughey, Juno Temple, Gina Gershon.

Les Miserables 1985 OLC
(First Night - on 2 CDs)
Digitally remastered. Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schoenberg score. Colm Wilkinson, Patti LuPone, Michael Ball, Frances Ruffelle, Roger Allam, Alun Armstrong, Sue Jane Tanner, Rebecca Caine, David Burt. Released 12/11/12.

Nancy Stearns: A Wish
(new on CD/mp3)
"Some Kind of Music," "A Wish," "Take a Chance," "If He Were Straight and I Were Young," "Grow Young," "I Won't Grow Up," "Talk to the Animals," "Go Back Home," "I Am Woman," "One Sweet Morning," "Help Is On the Way," "Certified Senior Citizen," "The Power and Glory," "An Ordinary Day," "On the Other Side of the Tracks," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Sweet Happy Life." Clips, tracks, and album available at CD Baby.

No Way To Treat A Lady Original Cast
(Ghostlight Records - new digital release on mp3 and iTunes)
Digital release of 1997 Varese CD. Score by Douglas J. Cohen, adapted from the novel by William Goldman. Adam Grupper, Paul Schoeffler, Alix Korey, and Marguerite MacIntyre. "I Need A Life," "Only A Heartbeat Away," "Crime Scene Report," "So Far, So Good," "Safer In My Arms," "I've Been A Bad Boy," "What Shall I Sing For You?," "The First Move," "I Hear Humming," "Lunch With Sarah," "So Far, So Good (reprise)/You're Getting Warmer," "Front Page News," "So Much In Common," "Once More From The Top," "One Of The Beautiful People," "Still," "I Have Noticed A Change/Once More From The Top (reprise)," "What Shall I Sing For You? (reprise)," "So Far, So Good (reprise) and Finale." Digital booklet with album.

Now. Here. This.
(Sh-K-boom - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Off-Broadway cast recording of Jeff Bowen/Hunter Bell/Susan Blackwell score. Musical direction and arrangements by Larry Pressgrove. Cast includes the writers plus Heidi Blickenstaff (all from [title of show]. "What Are the Odds?," "More Life," "Dazzle Camouflage," "Give Me Your Attention," "Archer," "I Rarely Schedule Nothing / Cacophony," "Members Only," "That'll Never Be Me," "Kick Me," "Then Comes You," "The Amazing Adventures of the "Doc" Wilbert S. Pound," "That Makes Me Hot," "Golden Palace," "Get Into It," "This Time," "Now. Here. This."; Bonus track: "That'll Never Be Me" (Composer Demo). Recorded 9/17/12.

Triassic Parq
(at iTunes)
Original Off-Broadway cast recording of Marshall Pailet, Bryce Norbitz and Stephen Wargo score. Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Brandon Espinoza, Wade McCollum, Claire Neumann, Lee Seymour, Shelley Thomas and Alex Wyse. "Velociraptor in a Cage," "Triassic Parq Original Cast," "Beautiful Day," "Get Out," "Love Me as a Friend," "Searching," "Dick Fix," "Hello Little Goat / Dick Fix Reprise," "This Is How the World Ends," "Mama," "Power Ballad," "Death of a Velociraptor," "We Are Dinosaurs," "Science." CD to be released in January.

The Voice of an American Playwright: Interviews with Horton Foote
(Mercer Univ Press - Paperback Book)
By Gerald C. Wood and Marion Castleberry. 360 pages.

December 11, 2012

Anthony Rapp - Without You Digital
(PS Classics - iTunes)
The performer's one-man show. Features original music and songs by Jonathan Larson and REM. Spoken tracks plus "Losing My Religion," "Rent," "Carry Me Home," "Seasons of Love," "La Vie Bohème," "Wild Bill," "Another Day," "What You Own," "Tune Up #1/One Song Glory/Halloween/Finale B," "Visits to You," "Always," "That Is Not You," "Without You," "Seasons of Love (Finale)." Recorded in London September 17, 2012.

Babes in Toyland (1961)
(Disney - new Blu-Ray)
Disney musical film. Directed by Jack Donohoe. Ray Bolger, Tommy Kirk, Annette Funicello, Tommy Sands, Ann Jillian. Oscar-nominated score includes 11 songs by George Bruns and Mel Leven. 105 minutes.

Career
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Soundtrack for 1959 film based on the James Lee Off-Broadway Play. Score composed and conducted by Franz Waxman. Limited release of 1000. Available at Kritzerland.

Dallyn Vail Bayles: Some Enchanted Evening
(Winsome Media - new on CD/mp3)
Solo album by actor/singer (national tours of The Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables). "Something's Coming," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Her Voice," "The Music of the Night / All I Ask of You," "Agony," "I Have a Love / One Hand, One Heart," "Lily's Eyes," "In Whatever Time We Have," "Finishing the Hat," "A Light in the Dark," "I'd Give It All for You," "The Impossible Dream." Clips, tracks and album available at CD Baby.

Dick Tracy
(Touchstone - new Blu-Ray/DVD set)
New digital restoration of 1990 film featuring Warren Beatty, Al Pacino, Dustin Hoffman, Madonna. Stephen Sondheim Oscar winning song, "Sooner or Later."

Hazel: The Complete Fourth Season
(Shout! Factory - new on 4 DVDs)
TV series starring Shirley Booth, Don Defore.

How Musicals Work: And How to Write Your Own (Theatrebook)
(Nick Hern Books - Paperback book)
By Julian Woolford.

Jerome Kern: The Land Where the Good Songs Go
(PS Classics - iTunes)
Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff, Philip Chaffin, Graham Rowat, Rebecca Luker, Matthew Scott. Disc One: "The Land Where the Good Songs Go," "The Subway Express," "Ain't It Funny...?," "An Irish Husband," "Never Marry a Girl," "Rolled Into One," "How'd You Like to Spoon With Me?," "They Didn't Believe Me," "Nesting Time in Flatbush," "Let's Begin," "Nobody Else But Me," "Heaven in My Arms/Dancing Time," "I've Taken Such a Fancy to You," "We're Crooks," "Now That We Are One." Disc Two: "A Fine Romance," "The Way You Look Tonight," "The Last Time I Saw Paris," "My Boy," "In the Heart of the Dark / Just Let Me Look at You," "Go Little Boat," "All the Things You Are," "April Fooled Me," "Bill," "Bill's a Liar," "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," "Till the Clouds Roll By / Look For the Silver Lining," "Long Ago (And Far Away)."

Showboat Rhapsody
(new on mp3)
Opera on the Go recorded live. Jodi Rose and Bob Harned. Charles Wade on Piano. 32 tracks of songs from Broadway writers. Clips, tracks available at CD Baby.

Sing My Own Way
(new digital single iTunes)
Song by Morgan Karr and Steven Jamail benefiting Rosie's Theater Kids. Performed live at O'Donnell's annual Building Dreams for Kids Gala. All proceeds to support the non-profit organization.

So You Want to Be in Musicals
(Nick Hern Books - Paperback Book)
By UK and Broadway actress/singer Ruthie Henshall and Daniel Bowling (music supervisor and music director for Cameron Mackintosh Ltd.). Insider?s guide to getting that dream job in musicals ... from training, through auditions and rehearsals, to maintaining a long and successful career.

The Stephen Sondheim Collection - Piano/vocal
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)

December 4, 2012

Babes in Toyland 1954 & 1955
(VAI - new on DVD)
1955 and 1954 live television versions of Victor Herbert operetta. Libretto by Glen MacDonough. Dennis Day, Barbara Cook (1955), Jo Sullivan (1954) Wally Cox, Jack E. Leonard, Edward Brian (1954), Dickie Belton (1955)and Dave Garroway; the Bil and Cora Baird Marionettes. Produced and directed by Max Liebman. Black & white.

The Book of Mormon: The Testament of a Broadway Musical
(Newmarket/Harper Collins - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition)
Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, Matt Stone. Official, full-color illustrated coffee table book takes readers behind the scenes with stories from the cast, creators, and crew. Complete book and lyrics, extensively annotated. Original introduction by Steven Suskin about the creation of the show. 224 pages. [Kindle book may or may not be the same; listed with different title: Book of Mormon: The Only Book That Matters.]

Chaplin: The Musical OBC Digital
(Masterworks Broadway - iTunes)
Recorded November 5. Score by Christopher Curtis. Cast includes Rob McClure, Jim Borstelmann, Jenn Colella, Ethan Khusidman, Erin Mackey, Michael McCormick, Christiane Noll, Zachary Unger and Wayne Alan Wilcox. "Overture/Prologue," "Look at All the People," "Whatcha Gonna Do?," "If I Left London," "Sennett Song," "Look at All the People," "Tramp Shuffle - Part 1," "Tramp Shuffle - Part 2," "Life Can Be Like the Movies," "The Look-A-Like Contest," "Just Another Day in Hollywood," "The Life That You Wished For," "All Falls Down," "Man of All Countries," "What Only Love Can See," "The Exile," "Where Are All the People?," "What Only Love Can See (Reprise)," "This Man," "Finale/Tramp Reprise." CD to be released 1/8/13.

The Golden Ticket
(Albany Records - new on CD)
Peter Ash score for comic opera based on Roald Dahl's "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory." Libretto by Donald Sturrock, commissioned by American Lyric Theater and Felicity Dahl. Live performance at The Atlanta Opera in March 2012. Daniel Okulitch, Benjamin P. Wenzelberg, Keith Jameson,Kristin Clayton, Jamie Barton, Jason Hardy, Gerald Thompson, Ashley Emerson, Andrew Drost, Abigail Nims,David Kravitz, Krista Costin. Chorus and Orchestra of The Atlanta Opera, Conductor Peter Ash, Chorus Master Walter Huff.

Past Reviews Sound Advice Schedule of New & Upcoming CD, DVD & Book Releases Greetings From Yorkville/A Party Songbooks Sound Advice Schedule of New & Upcoming CD, DVD & Book Releases "Anya Turner and Robert Grusecki songbooks now available at www.anyarobertmusic.com.

If Christmas Doesn't Kill Me
(Concord Records - new iTunes EP)
Spencer Day holiday EP of four singles. "Silver Bells," "My Kind of Christmas," "If Christmas Doesn't Kill Me" and "Christmas with You."

I'll Cover You: Telly Leung
(Yellow Sound Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Solo album. "Knocks Me Off My Feet," "Cry If You Want To," "The Water Is Wide/Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Papa Don't Preach," "I Can See Clearly Now," "Before the Parade Passes By," "I'll Cover You," "Galileo," "Children Will Listen," "I'm Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life," "Firework," "In My Life," "I Believe in You and Me."

Leap of Faith the Musical OBC Digital
(Ghostlight - new mp3/iTunes)
Alan Menken and Glenn Slater score. Cast includes Raúl Esparza. "Rise Up," "Rise Up (Reprise 1)," "Fox In The Henhouse," "Fields Of The Lord," "Step Into The Light," "Walking Like Daddy," "Lost," "I Can Read You," "Like Magic," "I Can Read You (Reprise)," "Dancing In The Devil's Shoes," "King Of Sin," "Long Past Dreaming," "Are You On The Bus?," "People Like Us," "Last Chance Salvation," "If Your Faith Is Strong Enough," "Jonas's Soliloquy," "Rise Up (Reprise 2)," "Leap Of Faith." CD to be released 12/25/12.

The Marvelous Wonderettes: Caps and Gowns
(Magic Bean Theatricals - new on CD/mp3)
Songs from the Roger Bean sequel. Laguna Playhouse cast: Jenna Coker-Jones, Misty Cotton, Bets Malone, Lowe Taylo. Arrangements and orchestrations by Michael Borth. Album, clips, track list and download available at CD Baby.

Pocket Composers And Lyricists
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
By Elaine Schmidt.

Oklahoma! [Blu-ray]
(Image Entertainment - new Blu-Ray)
1999 Royal National Theatre production of Rodgers & Hammerstein musical. Hugh Jackman, Josefina Gabrielle, Shuler Hensley, Jimmy Johnston, Maureen Lipman. Directed by Trevor Nunn. 1999

Sandy Bainum - This Christmas
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Classically trained Sandy Bainum (42nd Street) solo album. "Happy Holiday/White Christmas," "This Christmas," "The Christmas Song," "Christmas in the City," "Be A Santa duet with Guy Haines," "What Are You Doing New Year?s Eve," "I?ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm," "A Song for Christmas," "Sleigh Ride," "I Thank You for Your Love," "Christmas Gifts/," "The Best Gift duet with Euan Morton," "The Man With the Bag," "Peace/Silent Night," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Blessings of the Season." Produced by Bruce Kimmel. Orchestrations by Larry Meyers. Pre-ordering at Kritzerland.

Sandy Stewart & Bill Charlap: Something to Remember
(Ghostlight - new mp3/iTunes)
"Where or When," "I Thought About You," "Why Did I Choose You," "Somebody Loves Me," "A Ghost Of A Chance," "Isn't This A Lovely Day?," "Something To Remember You By," "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "I Was Telling Him About You," "Stars," "Where Do You Start?," "The Best Thing for You," "Solitude," "When You Wish Upon A Star," "Two for the Road." CD to be released 1/8/13.

Scott Alan: Live Special Edition
(new at iTunes)
Special edition is remastered and includes three bonus tracks featuring Samantha Barks (Eponine in Les Miserables movie), Oliver Tompsett (We Will Rock You in the West End), Nathan James (touring with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra) and David Hunter (Seussical in the West End). Previously included tracks: "Overture," "I'm A Star" (Natalie Weiss), "Please Don't Let Me Go" (Jeremy Jordan), "And There It Is/Magic" (Louise Dearman & Julia Murney), "Now" (Laura Osnes), "Love, Love, Love" (Pentatonix), "Kiss The Air" (Caissie Levy), "Anymore" (Raena White), "The Distance You Have Come" (Richard Fleeshman), "Again" (Christiane Noll), "At This Moment" (Marc Broussard), "Blessing –rj Helton), "Always/Goodnight" (Sierra Boggess & Jane Monheit), "Disc Two), "Watch Me Soar" (Stephanie J. Block), "Surrender" (Melissa Van Der Schyff), "Home" (Liz Callaway And Ann Hampton Callaway), "Till Then" (Christopher Jackson), "I've Already Won" (Alexander Sage Oyen" Winner of "I'm A Star" Contest Featuring Jack Beatson, Paul Ianniello, Mindy Pack, Nick Pitera, Sidonie Smith, Heather Traska, Camille Trzcinski And Stefani Wood), "Over The Mountains" (Ben Fankhauser), "Say Goodbye" (Willemijn Verkaik), "Free" (Mykal Kilgore Featuring Danielle Greaves, Christina Robinson & Kenneth Robinson), "Never Neverland" (Fly Away—Kerry Ellis), "Look" (A Rainbow—Lea Salonga), "), "Bonus Tracks), "Take Me Away" (Hadley Fraser And Ramin Karimloo" (Studio Recording)), "Ignited By A Dream" (Scott Alan, Live). Songs arranged and orchestrated by Jesse Vargas. Background vocals were arranged by Michael McElroy, with the exception of the song "I've Already Won," which was arranged by Michael Orland ("American Idol") and Antonio Sol. Special edition CD to be released mid-January.

Strange Career of Porgy and Bess: Race, Culture, and America's Most Famous Opera
(Univ of North Carolina Press - new Hardcover/Kindle book)
Author Ellen Noonan examines the opera's history of invention and reinvention as a barometer of twentieth-century American expectations about race, culture, and the struggle for equality.

A Very Broadway Christmas
(new on CD)
Matthew Morrison, Susan Egan, Stephanie J. Block, Krysta Rodriguez, Cathy Rigby, Eric Kunze and others. Proceeds support the Dr. Carol Channing-Harry Kullijian Foundation For The Arts. "If I Had One Wish," (Stephanie J. Block), "That's When You Know It's Christmas," (Eric Kunze ), "Christmas Cliches," (Susan Egan), "Thankful," (Matthew Morrison), "Christmas Through A Child's Eyes," (Cathy Rigby), "The Night Before Christmas," (Rich Little And His Voices ), "Christmas In Three Quarter Time," (Krysta Rodriguez ), "Oh Holy Night," (Terron Brooks and Kamilah Marshall), "Christmas In The Air," (Carol Channing's American Glee Club ), "Christmas Eve," (Kamilah Marshall ), "It's Christmas Again," (Carol Channing's American Glee Club with Anneliese VanDerPol), "Christmas Through A Child's Eyes," (Stephanie JBlock ), "Let It Snow," (Eric Kunze ). Now ordering information at ChanningArts.org.

November 27, 2012

Anton Chekhov Uncle Vanya in a Version by Christopher Hampton
(Faber & Faber - Kindle book)
Christopher Hampton translation of Chekhov play. Currently playing the Vaudeville Theatre in London.

Edward Albee: A Singular Journey
(Simon & Schuster - Kindle Edition)
Kindle edition of Mel Gussow's 1999 book about Edward Albee's life and career. Includes photographs and letters to and from Albee.

Forbidden Broadway Alive & Kicking 2012 Cast
(DRG Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
New version by Gerard Alessandrini. Natalie Charle Ellis, Scott Richard Foster, Jenny Lee Stern, Marcus Stevens. "Prologue and Forbidden Broadway: Alive and Kicking," "Livin' Evita Loca," "Matthew Broderick & Kelli O'hara Do Nice Work," "Annie/Granny," "Once Is Enough," "Sondheim and Bernadette," "Rock of Ages (Nascar Shows)," "Sutton Foster in Anything Goes," "Catherine-Zeta Jones on the Tony Awards," "Newsies," "Julie Taymor & Bono in Spider-Man," "Porgy & Mess Segment," "Smashed," "Mandy & Patti," "Judy Garland at the End of the Rainbow," "The Book of Morons," "Finale," "On Our Way Encore."

Gay Marshall: Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night
(new at iTunes)
Actress/Singer Gay Marshall (currently in La Cage aux Folles tour) collection of '20s and '30s New Orleans blues. In addition to the title track by Ethel Waters and Sidney Easton, selections include "Sweet Man," "West End Blues" and "Brother You Got Me Wrong." Recorded in Cleveland and New York. 15 tracks. Digital release of album released earlier in 2012 on CD.

Scrooge & Marley
(Sam I Am Films - new on CD/mp3)
From 2012 film. Original holiday songs as well as new performances of Christmas carol standards. Includes Jason Gould singing end credit song "Amazing," written for the film by Marsha Malamet, Liz Vidal and Stephan Oberhoff. Other performers include Matt Alber, BETTY, Amber deLaurentis, the Plush Interiors, The Joans, Jeannie Tanner Quartet, and the Chicago Gay Men's Chorus.

A Violent Holiday Explosion
(new at iTunes)
Julia Mattison (Godspell) comedy album. With Hunter Parrish, Nick Blaemire, Telly Leung, George Salazar, Wallace Smith and Quinn Marcus. "A Violent Holiday Explosion," "Brrrr... It's Cold... Out... There...," "Santa Claus Is the Ultimate Creeper," "A Christmas Miracle," "The Truth About Christmas," "Snow Day! High Five!," "The Loneliest Elf," "Elves On a Stoop," "Ho-Liday Freestyle," "Happy Holidays With Jerry & Friends," "Joy and Carol's Christmas Recipes," "Elf Voicemail."

West End Broadway: The Golden Age of the American Musical in London
(Boydell Press - Hardcover Book)
By Adrian Wright. "a history and a re-evaluation not only of the British productions of Broadway's most popular product but of the works themselves, beginning with a brief account of the origins of the genre and of the shows seen during World War II."

November 20, 2012

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
(Methuen Drama - Paperback Book)
Play by Simon Stephens (Harper Regan) based on the novel by Mark Haddon. Played UK's National Theatre. Released 9/24/12.

The Holiday Guys (Happy Merry Hanu-Mas)
(Yellow Sound - new on CD/mp3/iTunes
Marc Kudisch and Jeffrey Denman, based on their York Theatre Company show. "Do You Hear What I Hear," "Jingle Bells," "My Simple Christmas Wish," "Christmas Time Is Here," "Lonely Jew On Christmas," "The Jazzy Nutcracker," "Holly Jolly Christmas," "There's Always Tomorrow," "Put One Foot in Front of the Other," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen," "The Christmas Song," "Peace On Earth," "O Hanukkah O Christmas Tree," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas."

I'm Ready: The Songs of Rob Rokicki
(new at iTunes)
Composer-lyricist (Love, NY, Strange Tails, Relativity) album. Joining Rokicki on the album are Nick Blaemire, Emma Hunton, Brian Gallagher, Kathleen Monteleone, Ashley Moniz, Al Bundonis, Nick Dalton, Mary Mossberg, Amanda Flynn, Zach Jones, Joe Iconis, Gwen Hollander, Melinda Bass, Jennifer Allen, Kate Pazakis, Craig McEldowney. "I'm Ready," "Nice Young Man," "The Waiting ," "Waiting for Laura," "Lead Singer," "One Hour Session," "The Clock is Ticking," "Basement," "Footprints (Thee Sasquatch Song)" (co-written with Joe Iconis), "Casting Call for a "Best Friend"," "Martha and Me," "Hello, New York" (co-written with Mike Ruby), "Trouble Again."

Les Misérables: 10th Anniversary Concert Special Edition
(BBC Warner - new on 2 DVDs)
Newly remastered version of the 1995 concert featuring Colm Wilkinson, Lea Salonga, Judy Kuhn, Michael Ball, and Alun Armstrong with a 150-voice chorus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Bonuses: never-before-seen interview footage with producer Cameron Mackintosh, composer Claude-Michel Schönberg, and lyricist Alain Boublil; one-hour documentary Stage by Stage —The Making of Les Mis"; 12-page commemorative booklet; replica ticket from the 1995 London after-party.

Christmas With Danny Kaye
(Inception Group Media - new on DVD)
Two Christmas episodes of The Danny Kaye Show variety TV show in their entirety, unseen since their original '60s network TV broadcast: the first aired Christmas day, 1963, and features Nat King Cole and Mary Tyler-Moore; and the second aired on December 21, 1966, and features Peggy Lee and Wayne Newton. Musical highlights include Nat King Cole's "The Christmas Song"; duets of "Jingle Bells" with Kaye, Cole and Peggy Lee; solos by Cole of "Get Me to the Church on Time"; Lee performing "Here's That Rainy Day" and "So What's New?" Bonus: clip from the December 22, 1965, episode with Danny Kaye reading from Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Original TV aspect ratio of 4 x 3 (1.33:1) and digital mono sound. 90 minutes

November 14, 2012

Cabaret OLC
(Masterworks/ArkivMusic - on CD-R/mp3)
1968 London cast recording of Kander & Ebb score. Kevin Colson, Judi Dench, Barry Dennen, Lila Kedrova, Richard Owens, Peter Sallis, Pamela Strong.

Christmas Around the World With Perry Como
(Koch Entertainment - new on DVD/CD)
DVD and CD versions of Perry Como TV specials. Guests include Debbie Boone, Vicki Carr, Sid Caesar, Richard Chamberlain, Angie Dickinson and John Wayne. Musical highlights include "The Lord's Prayer," "Bless This House," "I Wonder as I Wander" and "Ave Maria."

Company Concert
(Image Entertainment - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Avery Fisher Hall 2011 concert presentation staged by Lonny Price. Stephen Sondheim score, book by George Furth. Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone, Martha Plimpton, Anika Noni Rose, Stephen Colbert, Jim Walton, Jon Cryer, Craig Bierko, Katie Finneran, Christina Hendricks, Aaron Lazar, Jill Paice, Jennifer Laura Thompson and Chryssie Whitehead, Alexa Green, Fred Inkley, Rob Lorey, Jessica Vosk, Callie Carter, Ariana DeBose, Sean Ewing, Ashley Fitzgerald, Lorin Latarro and Lee Wilkins. Paul Gemignani conducts the New York Philharmonic, with Jonathan Tunick's original orchestrations. 145 minutes.

For The Record: Tarantino Original Cast Recording
(LML Music - new on CD)
Concert show which features adaptations from the music in the director's films. Darryl Semira, Von Smith, Anderson Davis, Dionne Gipson, Jason Paige, Jackie Tohn, Steve Mazurek, Anderson Davis, Margaret M. Spirito, Rogelio Douglas, Jr., Mone Truitt, Anneliese Van Der Pol, Jason Paige, Lisa Datz, Kristolyn Lloyd, Ginifer King. "Battle Without Honor Or Humanity," "Hooked On A Feeling," "Stuck In The Middle With You," "Harvest Moon," "I Gotcha," "Misirlou," "Son Of A Preacher Man," "Lonesome Town," "You Never Can Tell," "Girl, You'll Be A Woman Soon," "If Love Is A Red Dress (Hang Me In Rags)," "Flowers On The Wall," "Across 110th Street," "Long Time Woman," "Didn't I Blow Your Mind This Time," "Street Life," "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)," "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," "She's Not There," "Goodnight Moon," "A Satisfied Mind," "Chick Habit," "Baby It's You," "Down In Mexico," "The Man With The Big Sombrero," "Cat People (Putting Out The Fire)," "Magic Carpet."

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes OLC
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
1962 London cast recording of Jule Styne-Leo Robin score. Dora Bryan. Anne Hart, Guy Middleton, Bessie Love. Four bonus tracks, including a pop version of "Diamonds Are a Girls Best Friend."

George Chakiris Sings
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
The 12 tracks from original LP "George Chakiris" plus 16 tracks recorded earlier. "By Myself," "Once Upon A Time," "Tonight," "I Believe In You," "Mr. Lucky," "I'm Falling In Love With Someone," "Maria," "One Girl," "Ill Wind," "A Lot Of Livin' To Do," "You Stepped Out Of A Dream," "All I Need Is The Girl," "My Coloring Book," "Put On A Happy Face," "The Sound Of Music ," "Kids," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "Stairway To Paradise," "Embraceable You," "Things Are Looking Up," "I Got Rhythm," "For You, For Me, For Evermore," "Do It Again," "Love Walked In," "My One And Only," "They All Laughed," "But Not For Me," "Someone To Watch Over Me."

Judy Garland —The Amsterdam Concert
(First Hand Records - on 2 CDs)
First official complete commercial release of the legendary December 10, 1960. Full program of 30 songs as performed by Garland plus interviews with Garland, Sid Luft and conductor Norrie Paramor. Booklet illustrated with photographs of Garland performing on stage at the Tuschinski Theatre. Jos Cleber's Cosmopolitan Orchestra conducted by Norrie Paramor. Special priced 2CD jewel case issue to be released in Fall 2012. Will be available for purchase two weeks early at a further discounted price directly from the FHR website, where a track list is currently available.

Marvin Makes Music
(Dial - Hardcover Book/CD)
Ages 6 and up. By Marvin Hamlisch. Illustrated by Jim Madsen. Children's book version of Marvin Hamlisch story. Includes CD with original song

The Midtown Men: All Alone on Christmas
(new digital mp3/iTunes)
Holiday single from touring group, with Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard and J. Robert Spencer. Written, arranged and produced by Steven Van Zandt, who also accompanies on guitar. 100 percent of all digital download proceeds go to the American Red Cross to aid the victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Musicares Tribute to Barbra Streisand
(Shout Factory - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
2011 concert with Streisand and guest Diana Krall, Tony Bennett, Kristen Chenoweth, Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele, Leann Rimes, Faith Hill, and Stevie Wonder. Program includes: "Down With Love / Get Happy/ Make Someone Happy" (Diana Krall), "Guilty" (Seal), "Somewhere" (Leona Lewis), "On a Clear Day (You Can See Forever) / Lazy Afternoon" (Herbie Hancock and Nikki Yanofsky), "My Man" (Lea Michele), "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Jeff Beck, LeAnn Rimes and BeBe Winans), "Send in the Clowns" (Faith Hill), "One Less Bell to Answer / A House Is Not a Home" (Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison), "Memory" (Barry Manilow), "Smile" (Tony Bennett), "People" (Stevie Wonder featuring Arturo Sandoval), "Windmills of Your Mind" (Barbra Streisand), "The Promise (I'll Never Say Goodbye)" (Barbra Streisand).

Sons of the Prophet : A Play
(Northwestern University Press - Paperback Book)
Award-winning play by Stephen Karam. Foreward by Jon Robin Baitz. Played the Laura Pels Theatre January - October 2011. Released 10/31/12.

Standing Ovation: The Greatest Songs from the Stage
(Columbia - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Susan Boyle sings "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," "The Winner Takes It All," "Send In The Clowns," "The Music Of The Night" (with Michael Crawford), "Bring Him Home," "Memory," "As Long As He Needs Me," "All I Ask Of You" (with Donny Osmond), "Out Here On My Own," "You ll Never Walk Alone," "This Is The Moment" (with Donny Osmond).

This Christmas: Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta
(Hip-O - new on CDmp3/iTunes)
Grease film stars reunite for album of holiday songs, with guests. "Baby It's Cold Outside," "Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree" (featuring Kenny G), "I'll Be Home For Christmas" (featuring Barbra Streisand), "This Christmas" (featuring Chick Corea), "Silent Night", "The Christmas Waltz", "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (featuring Cliff Richard), "Winter Wonderland" (featuring Tony Bennett and The Count Basie Orchestra), "White Christmas," "I Think You Might Like It," "The Christmas Song," "Deck The Halls" (featuring James Taylor), "Auld Lang Syne/Christmas Time Is Here" (Medley). Proceeds to to to the Jett Travolta Foundation and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia.

November 6, 2012

A Carol Burnett Christmas
(100% Womon - new on CD)
Songs from the three holiday specials. Mahalia Jackson, Louise O'Brien, Julie Andrews, Gwen Verdon, George Becker Singers, Marion Lorne, Durward Kirby. "We Wish You a Merry Christmas/What a Happy Christmas Party," "Holy Baby (How Shall I Send Thee) ," "Christmas Bells Are Ringing/Joy To the World," "Silent Night," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Jingle Bells," "Christmas Bells Are Ringing/Joy To the World/O Come All Ye Faithful/The Christmas Child," "Silent Night," "We Wish You a Merry Christmas," "Greensleeves," "My Favorite Things," "Everybody's Doing It/Jingle Bells," "Little Drummer Boy," "You Meet the Nicest People," "Jingle Bells In Spanish," "The First Noel In French," "Deck the Halls," "O Christmas Tree In German," "White Christmas In Italian," "Christmas In Mexico," "Silent Night," "A Christmas Car Ride."

A Carol Burnett Christmas
(Koch Entertainment - new on DVD)
DVD and CD versions of three holiday episodes from Burnett's TV series plus a special from "The Entertainers" series.

End of the Rainbow Vocal selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
"Bells Are Ringing," "By Myself," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Get Happy," "I Can't Give You Anything but Love," "I Could Go on Singin' (Till the Cows Come Home)," "Just in Time," "The Man That Got Away," "Over the Rainbow," "San Francisco," "Smile," "The Trolley Song," "When the Sun Comes Out," "When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You)," "You Made Me Love You (I Didn't Want to Do It)," "Zing! Went the Strings of My Heart."

Glee: The Music Presents Glease
(Columbia - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Music from November 15 episode. "Hopelessly Devoted To You," "Born To Hand Jive," "Greased Lightning," "Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee," "Beauty School Drop Out," "Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee (Reprise)," "There Are Worse Things I Can Do," "You're The One That I Want," "Summer Nights."

Guys and Dolls [Blu-ray]
(WHV - new on Blu-Ray)
1955 film version of Frank Loesser musical. Directed by Joseph Mankiewicz. Marlon Brando, Frank Sinatra, Jean Simmons, Vivian Blain, Stubby Kaye, Sheldon Leonard. Digibook. Extras to include collectible trivia booklet and trailers. "Ported" from the last DVD issue, but a new transfer, in its proper ratio.

Once: Sheet Music from the Broadway Musical for Piano/Vocal/guitar
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
12 selections based on the renditions from the Original Broadway Cast Recording, arranged for piano and voice, with basic chord fingering grids included for guitarists. "Leave," "Falling Slowly," "The Moon," "If You Want Me," "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy," "Say It to Me Now," "Gold," "Sleeping," "When Your Mind's Made Up," "The Hill," "Gold (a cappella)," "Falling Slowly (reprise)."

Rodgers & Hammerstein: The Complete Broadway Musicals
(Masterworks - new on 12 CDs)
Boxed set. Oklahoma! 1979 Broadway Cast, Carousel 1965 Lincoln Center Cast, State Fair 1996 OBC, Allegro 2008 Studio Cast, South Pacific 1949 OBC, The King And I 1977 Revival Cast, Me & Juliet 1953 OBC, Pipe Dream 1955 OBC, Cinderella 1956 TV Cast, Flower Drum Song 1958 OBC, The Sound of Music 1959 OBC. CDs in sleeves with the original cover art. 100-page 12" x 12" book with essays, rare production and behind-the-scenes photos, liner notes by Ted Chapin. biographies, and more.

Show Boat: Performing Race in an American Musical (Broadway Legacies)
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover/Kindle book)
By Todd Decker. Draws on archival research, with new information from early scripts and scores, rejected draft scripts for all three films, and a musical source for Kern's famous melody for "Ol' Man River." How Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern created Show Boat in the Jazz Age to fit the 1927 cast. And how it was altered by later directors, choreographers, and performers through the end of the twentieth century. All major New York productions are covered, plus five important London productions and four Hollywood versions. Foreword by Geoffrey Block. 328 pages.

October 30, 2012

1789: Les Amants de La Bastille Original cast
(new import CD)
Original French cast recording of pop rock score for Dove Attia and Albert Cohen musical (about the real French Revolution, the big one). Natalie Peyre, Matthieu Carnot and Rod Janois. Studio and acoustic versions of lead single "Ça Ira Mon Amour." Original release 4/2/12. Show to debut at Palais des Sports de Paris this fall.

Bloomer Girl
(VAI - new on DVD)
1956 Producers' Showcase television broadcast of musical with music by Harold Arlen, lyrics by E.Y. Harburg, and book by Sig Herzig and Fred Saidy. Barbara Cook and Keith Andes.

Brian Stokes Mitchell: Simply Broadway
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Brian Stokes Mitchell solo album. Created "without the benefit of overdubs or audio separation—Stokes and his pianist in the same room at the same time." Tedd Firth on piano. "Feeling Good," "How to Handle a Woman," "It Ain't Necessarily So," "If I Were a Rich Man," "Stars," "Soliloquy (from "Carousel")," "What Kind of Fool Am I?," "Some Enchanted Evening," "Sorry Grateful," "Finishing the Hat," "The Impossible Dream," "Some Other Time." CD sold at CD Baby (and by CD Baby through Amazon for more).

Carol Channing: True to the Red, White and Blue
(new on CD)
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. Released digitally in 2011 on mp3 and at iTunes.

Celebrating The American Spirit, With Essential Voices USA
(Dorian Sono Luminus - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
performed by Essential Voices USA and directed by Judith Clurman. Guests Kelli O'Hara and Ron Raines, and composer-arranger Larry Hochman. "Sing Out Mr. President," a series of sixteen newly commissioned works set to quotations by U.S. presidents stretching from George Washington to Barack Obama; recently composed works and well-known tunes that are newly arranged by Larry Hochman, including "Reason to be Thankful," composed by Hochman and Sheldon Harnick.

Honestly Abe (Original Cast)
(Smart Trax Media, LLC - new on mp3)
Presented Off-Broadway at Actors Temple Theatre in January 2010. Robert L. Hecker scored musical follows 17-21 year old Abraham Lincoln. Clips, tracks available at CD Baby.

Me and Juliet OBC
(RCA Victor - on mp3/iTunes)
Looks like BMG's 1992 remastering, officially released digitally. Rodgers & Hammerstein score. Isabel Bigley, Mark Dawson, Bob Fortier, Bill Hayes, Jackie Kelk, Arthur Maxwell, Joan McCracken, Ray Walston.

Nice Work If You Can Get It OBC
(Shout! Factory/Sony - new on CD)
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin score. Matthew Broderick, Kelli O'Hara, Judy Kaye, Michael McGrath, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Chris Sullivan, Robyn Hurder, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Terry Beaver, Estelle Parsons. Overture, "Sweet and Lowdown," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (Reprise), Demon Rum," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Ritzy Bathroom - Instrumental," "Delishious," "I've Got to Be There," "Ritzy Bedroom - Instrumental," Treat Me Rough," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Do It Again," "'S Wonderful," "Fascinating Rhythm," "Lady Be Good," "But Not for Me," "By Strauss" / "Sweet and Lowdown" (Reprise), "Do, Do, Do," "Hangin' Around With You," "Looking for a Boy," "Blah, Blah, Blah," "Will You Remember Me?," "I've Got to Be There" (Reprise), "I've Got a Crush on You," "Someone to Watch Over Me" (Reprise), "They All Laughed," "Crate Dance." Produced by Robert Sher. Recorded at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Long Island City on 5/20-21. Released earlier on mp3 and iTunes.

Thornton Wilder: A Life
(Harper - Hardcover Book)
By Penelope Niven. First biography of this American playwright and novelist; from letters, public and private journals, manuscripts and other documentary evidence. 848 pages.

Together Again: Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC
(new on CD/mp3)
Live recording of vocal ensembles of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, Potomac Fever and Rock Creek Singers. Choral, pop, and Broadway music. Clips, tracks and album available at CD Baby.

October 23, 2012

Barbara Carroll: How Long Has This Been Going On
(Harbinger - on CD-R/mp3)
Recorded live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center. "Change Partners," "Some Other Time," "Fascinating Rhythm," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "How Long Has This Been Going On?," "My Man's Gone Now," "I Got Rhythm," "Todd's Blues," "Too Soon," "Have You Met Miss Jones." Now available on CD-R and mp3.

Carols for a Cure 2012: Volume 14
(new on 2 CDs)
Holiday classics and brand new original material from the companies of Evita, Once, Peter and the Starcatcher and Newsies, among others. Celebrity guest stars include Ricky Martin, Cyndi Lauper and Perez Hilton. "Los Tres Reyes Magos" (Evita Ricky Martin, Elena Roger), "Call Your Mom" (Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark), "You Don't Have To Be Alone On Christmas" (Chaplin), "For My Child's First Chanukah" (Lisa Yaeger), "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" (Newsies), "Good Queen Wenceslas" (The Mystery Of Edwin Drood), "The Wexford Carol" (Once), "Dominick The Donkey" (Peter And The Starcatcher), "Outside The Box" (The Phantom Of The Opera), "The Wreath Of Kindness" (The Lion King), "Blue Christmas" (Kinky Boots Cyndi Lauper), "Angels We Have Heard On High" (Bring It On), "A Perez Hilton Christmas" (Newsical Perez Hilton), "Nye@The Venus Club" (Rock Of Ages), "The Birthday Of A King" (Mary Poppins), "Soul Cake" (Mamma Mia!), "Keep The Home Fires Burning" (Rebecca), "O Holy Night" (Wicked), "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at the John W. Engeman Theatre), "Jolly Old St. Nicholas" (Miracle On 34th Street At The Arvada Center), "Have You Heard About The Baby/Glory To The Newborn King" (Jersey Boys). Available at Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS website.

A Christmas Story (the musical)
(Masterworks Broadway - new on CD)
Seattle 5th Avenue Theatre production. Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Clarke Hallum as Ralphie, Tom Wopat, Matthew Lewis, John Bolton, Liz Callaway, Anne Allgood, Frank Corrado, Carol Swarbrick, Jadd Davis, Candice Donehoo, Brandon O'Neill, River Aguirre Billie Wildrick, Matt Wolfe, Orville Mendoza. "Overture," "Counting Down to Christmas," "At Higbee's," "Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun," "Counting Down to Christmas (Reprise)," "The Genius on Cleveland Street," "When You're a Wimp," "Ralphie to the Rescue," "What A Mother Does," "Sticky Situation," "A Major Award," "Act One - Finale," "A Kid At Christmas," "Just Like That," "Up On Santa's Lap," "Before the Old Man Comes Home," "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana," "A Christmas Story." Previously released on mp3 and iTunes.

Danny Wright: Black and White 25th Anniversary Edition
(Wh Sound Studio - new on CD)
Pianist's anniversary album of film, Broadway and classical piano arrangements. Remastered with new artwork, liner notes and a bonus track. "Moonlight Sonata," "Gershwin Medley," "If I Loved You," "Memory," "Send in the Clowns," "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," "Theme from 'Terms of Endearment'," "Canon in D," "Breezes," "Barbra Streisand Medley," "I Dreamed a Dream."

David Phelps: Classic
(Spring House - new on CD/iTunes)
Award-winning tenor sings 13 arias, classical anthems and newly arranged pop songs. "Panis Angelicus," "Joyful, Joyful," "O Mio Babbino Caro," "The Dream," "You'll Never Walk Alone," "What a Wonderful World," "Agnus Dei," "Morning Has Broken / Morning Chorus" (Medley), "Donna Non Vidi Mai," "The Lord's Prayer," "Bring Him Home," "America the Beautiful / God Bless America" (Medley), "Goin' Home."

Days of Wine & Roses: Songs of Johnny Mercer
(Green Hill - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Jazz pianist. Beegie Adair. "Days of Wine and Roses," "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Something's Gotta Give," "Autumn Leaves," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "Blues in the Night," "That Old Black Magic," "Laura," "I Remember You," "Skylark," "Tangerine," "Moon River," "Dream."

The Ernie Kovacs Collection, Vol. 2
(Shout! Factory - new on 3 DVDs)
Eight episodes from Kovacs' morning show; 18 bonus sketches; 3 complete episodes of his game show Take A Good Look; A Pony for Chris r are TV pilot for Medicine Man co-starring Buster Keaton; The Lively Arts with the only existing filmed interview with Ernie Kovacs; 2011 American Cinematheque Panel, featuring Harry Shearer, Jeff Garlin, Bob Odenkirk, Merrill Markoe, George Schlatter, Jolene Brand and Ben Model; 12-page booklet with essay and notes from Kovacs and Edie Adams archivist Ben Model. Orders directly from Shout with include bonus DVD with seven episodes of Take A Good Look, all unseen since their original broadcast, with panelists/guests including Edie Adams, Carl Reiner, Cesar Romero, Hans Conreid, Rogers Hornsby and Bobby Fischer.

Molly Wobbly's Tit Factory
(SimG Records - new on CD)
Original cast recording of the score from Paul Boyd musical staged at Lyric Theatre Belfast and the Edinburgh Fringe. Leanne Jones, Tara Flynn, Conleth Kane, Russell Morton, Christopher Finn, Kevin Hynes, Tommy Wallace, Orla Gramley. All of the songs from the show, plus 12-page booklet. All royalties go to the Terrence Higgins Trust charity. Available at SimG Records.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
(Verve - on CD)
Re-release of original 1985 Broadway cast recording. Betty Buckley, Patti Cohenour, Jerome Dempsey, Stephen Glavin, Joe Grifasi, John Herrera, Judy Kuhn, Cleo Laine, George N. Martin, Howard McGillin, Donna Murphy, George Rose, Jana Schneider. "There You Are" (Chairman & Company), "A Man Could Go Quite Mad" (Jasper), "Two Kinsmen" (Drood & Jasper), "Moonfall" (Rosa), "The Wages Of Sin" (Princess Puffer), "Both Sides Of The Coin" (Jasper & Chairman), "Perfect Strangers" (Drood & Rosa), "No Good Can Come From Bad" (Neville, Rosa, Helena, Crisparkle, Jasper, Drood, Cook), "Never The Luck" (Bazzard & Company), "The Name Of Love & Moonfall" (Rosa & Jasper, With Ensemble), "Settling Up The Score" (Datchery & Puffer, With Ensemble), "Off To The Races" (Chairman, Durdles, Deputy, With Ensemble), "Don't Quit While You're Ahead" (Puffer & Company), "The Garden Path To Hell" (Puffer), "A Word From Your Chairman," Out On A Limerick" (Rosa Bud), "Out On A Limerick" (Reverend Crisparkle), "Out On A Limerick" (Bazzard), "Out On A Limerick" (Neville Landless), "Out On A Limerick" (Helena Landless), "Jasper's Confession" (Jasper), "Murderer's Confession" (Princess Puffer), "Murderer's Confession" (Rosa Bud), "Murderer's Confession" (Bazzard), "Murderer's Confession" (Reverend Crisparkle), "Murderer's Confession" (Neville Landless), "Murderer's Confession" (Helena Landless), "Finale: The Writing On The Wall" (Drood & Company). Previously released digitally on mp3 and at iTunes.

Norman Bel Geddes Designs America
(Abrams - new hardcover book)
Donald Albrecht, editor. Explores designer Bel Geddes' life and career through 100 projects: streamlined airplanes, ships, and cars, to stage sets, appliances, and much more, through photographs and essays. Companion volume to the upcoming 2012 exhibition curated by Donald Albrecht I Have Seen the Future: Norman Bel Geddes Designs America at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, and the Museum of the City of New York. 400 pages.

The Rat Race Soundtrack
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
World premiere release of Elmer Bernstein soundtrack for film based on Garson Kanin play. Bonuses: mono source cues (all by Bernstein) and a couple of demos. Limited release of 1200 copies. To ship in early November, but several weeks earlier for purchases made through Kritzerland.com.

Robert Cuccioli: The Look of Love
(Canis Minor Records - new on CD/mp3)
Singer/actor's debut solo recording. "Ain't That A Kick In The Head," "All Of You," "Love Is Here To Stay," "A Fine Romance," "I Wanna Be Around," "Once Upon A Time," "Witchcraft," "All I Need Now Is The Girl" and "This Is The Moment." Tracks, slips and album available at CD Baby. Financed through Kickstarter.

Seventeen
(Masterworks Broadway/ArkivMusic - new on CD-R/mp3)
Original Sony Broadway cast album. 1951 show with score by Walter Kent and Kim Gannon. Frank Albertson, Alonzo Bosan, Joan Bowman, Bonnie Brae, Carol Cole, Ann Crowley, Doris Dalton, Maurice Ellis, Dick Kallman, Ellen McCown, Sherry McCutcheon, Harrison Muller, Kenneth Nelson, Elizabeth Pacetti, Helen Wood. CD-R at ArkiMusic.

We Sing: West End Stage
(Stand Well Back - new mp3 album/iTunes)
West End musical theatre hits sung by the West End Stage theatre school students. "Fabulous, Baby!," "For Good," "Go the Distance," "You Can't Stop the Beat," "Never Forget," "Who I'd Be," "Come What May," "Don't Stop Me Now," "One Day More," "We Are Young"a (Live bonus track]. Available at CD Baby.

World on a String: A Musical Memoir
(Wiley - new Hardcover/Kindle Book)
By John Pizzarelli with Joseph Cosgriff. "The story of a musical life well lived"; "celebration of life, family, and music." Includes rare personal photos from John's life and career, stories about working with music greats from Tony Bennett and Rosemary Clooney to James Taylor and Paul McCartney, as well as inside information on how he got his signature sound. Foreword by Jonathan Schwartz. 304 pages.

October 16, 2012

Alfie: My Life, My Music, My Story
(Simon & Schuster UK - Hardcover/Paperback UK Edition/Kindle Book)
By Alfie Boe (Les Misérables, La Bohême). "From car mechanic to internationally loved opera, musical and recording star: the story of Alfie Boe."

Broadway: The American Musical [Blu-ray]
(PBS - new Blu-Ray 3-disc set)
2004 PBS series about the 100-year history of musical theater. Hosed by Julie Andrews. Disc One: Episode One: Give My Regards to Broadway (1893-1927); Episode Two: Syncopated City (1919-1933). Disc Two: Episode Three: I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' (1930-1942); Episode Four: Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin'(1943-1960). Disc Three: Episode Five: Tradition (1957-1979); Episode Six: Putting It Together (1980-2004). Special features include: additional performances; over 3 hours of additional interviews with Broadway composers, directors, and stars; special featurette: Wicked: The Road to Broadway.

Bring It On: The Musical
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/mp3)
OBC recording. Taylor Louderman, Adrienne Warren, Jason Gotay, Elle McLemore, Ryann Redmond, Ariana DeBose, Gregory Haney, Neil Haskell, Dominique Johnson, Janet Krupin, Kate Rockwell, Nicolas Womack. Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Amanda Green score. Recorded week of 8/13/12. Released on iTunes in September.

Christine Andreas: The Carlyle Set
(PS Classics - on CD/mp3)
Previously out of print 2003 album. "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life?," "Autumn in New York," "What If We Went to Italy," "It's Got to Be Love," "In a Sentimental Mood," "Show Me," "Alfie," "How Insensitive / I'm a Fool to Want You," "He Loves Me," "At the Ballet," "Listen Here." Special pre-order pricing from the website PS Classics.

February House Original cast recording
(StorySound - new on CDmp3/iTunes)
Score by Gabriel Kahane. Julian Fleisher, Kristen Sieh, Erik Lochtefeld, A. J. Shively, Stanley Bahorek, Ken Barnett, Ken Clark, Stephanie Hayes, Kacie Sheik. "Light Upon the Hill," "George Comes Through," "A Room Comes Together," "Refugee Blues," "Coney Island," "Shall We Live Here," "Wanderlust," "Discontent / Talk of the Town," "Refugee Blues II," "A Little Brain," "Goodnight to the Boardinghouse," "Bedbugs," "Awkward Angel," "It Is Time for the Destruction of Error," "You Sit In Your Chair," "Ride Out the Light," "Georgia," "Funeral Blues," "California," "Light Upon the Hill (reprise)," "Goodnight to the Boardinghouse (reprise)." Produced by Ted Sperling and Gabriel Kahan. Presented at Public Theatre spring 2012.

The Gershwins and Me
(Simon and Schuster - new Kindle book with audio/video )
By Michael Feinstein. Illustrated account of the lives and legacies of the George and Ira Gershwin, told through stories of twelve of their greatest songs and accompanied by an original CD of those songs, performed by the author. Each of the twelve chapters highlights one of the Gershwins' classic songs, exploring the brothers' lives, illuminating what the music meant to them, and telling the stories of how their iconic tunes came to life.

Hard Times: The Adult Musical in 1970s New York City
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book/Kindle Book)
By Elizabeth L. Wollman. The adult musical scene of New York City in the 1970s. 288 pages.

Love Song: The Lives of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya
(St. Martin's Press - Hardcover/Kindle book)
Ethan Mordden chronicles the romance of Kurt Weill and Lotte Lenya. Excerpt available at Amazon.

Pete's Dragon: 35th Anniversary Edition
(Disney - new Blu-ray/DVD)
1977 musical film. Helen Reddy, Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, and Sean Marshall. Al Kasha/Joel Hirschhorn score. Bonus features include Behind Disney's Movie Magic; deleted storyboard sequence "Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliott"; original song concept "Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)."

Richard Himber Orchestra: Volume 3, 1934-1935: Lullaby of Broadway
(Renovation - new on CD)
Recorded during Himber's tenure at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in New York. Issued here for the first time, his version of "I Wished on the Moon," with a lyric by Dorothy Parker. 25 tracks: "Broadway Rhythm," "Autumn in New York," "Reckless," "In a Blue and Pensive Mood," "Footloose and Fancyfree," "Dancing with My Shadow," "Time Will Tell," "I Woke Up Too Soon," "I Never Saw a Better Night," "Dawn," "Thrilled," "Ev'rything's Been Done Before," "Kiss Me Goodnight," "Why Have a Falling Out," "I Wished on the Moon," "Zing! Went the Strings of my Heart," "Give a Broken Heart a Break," "Flamenco," "On a Sunday Afternoon," "I'm Going Down to Dance at Clancy's," "When You Are in My Arms," "Things Might Have Been So Diff'rent," "In The Twinkling of an Eye," "Lullaby of Broadway," "Monday in Manhattan."

October 9, 2012

Broadway Musicals: From the Pages of The New York Times
(Abrams - new hardcover book)
Includes original reviews of the 119 most important musicals, selected by theater critic Ben Brantley and accompanied by photographs from each show's first production as well as revivals. By decade, up to Book of Mormon. Introduction and essays by Brantley. 368 pages.

A Charlie Brown Christmas [Extra Tracks]
(Concord Music - new on CD/mp3)
Remastered and expanded edition will feature the original 1965 recording newly remastered with 24-bit technology from the original analog stereo master tapes, plus three holiday bonus tracks that did not appear on the original LP: "Greensleeves," "Thanksgiving Theme," and "Great Pumpkin Waltz." 20-page booklet with new liner notes by Peanuts and Vince Guaraldi historian Derrick Bang Digipak. Concurrently, Fantasy will issue a 2012 LP pressing of the classic album on green vinyl.

The Genius of Lionel Bart
(Sepia Records - new on 3 CDs/mp3/iTunes)
Selections from Oliver!, Fings Ain't Wot They Used T'Be, Lock Up Your Daughters; pop hits he composed sung by artists such as Shirley Bassey, Cliff Richard, Anthony Newley, Tommy Steele, Adam Faith, Alma Cogan; rare demos from the musical Blitz!; unused material written for the James Bond film Thunderball; rarities from unproduced shows Gulliver's Travels, Quasimodo, Golda; performances by Bart himself. Extensive booklet with many previously unseen photographs. Produced with support from the Lionel Bart Foundation. 83 tracks.

Hello, Gorgeous: Becoming Barbra Streisand
(Houghton Mifflin Harcourt - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition)
Biographer William J. Mann tells the story of how Streisand became an icon, by drawing on the private papers of Jerome Robbins and Bob Fosse, and interviewing scores of her friends and lovers.

Illusions
(Miranda Music - new mp3)
Marissa Mulder. With Bill Zeffiro, piano, Pete Anderson, sax & clarinet, John Loehrke, bass. Recorded live at the Metropolitan Room. "Pure Imagination / Never Never Land," "They Say It's Spring," "Day In, Day Out," "Old Black Magic," "My Kind of Guy," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "My Attorney Bernie," "Money Tree," "Lullaby for Nathan Charles," "Nobody's Heart," "Better," "Where Is the Wonder," "Both Sides Now," "Lorelei," "Illusions / Disneyland," "Rainbow Connection."

In Here: Music and Lyrics by Charles Bloom
(Sonic Landscape - new on CD and mp3/iTunes)
Debut recording from composer-lyricist Charles Bloom. 18-piece orchestra, with Bloom's original compositions sung by Christine Ebersole, Jill Paice, Nikki Renee Daniels, David Burnham, Howard McGillin, Josh Grisetti, Jason Graae, Claybourne Elder, Vicki Lewis, Damon Kirsche, Gregory Jbara, Christy Faber, Liz Larson, John Dossett, Ashley Fox Linton, Aaron Lazar. Produced, orchestrated and conducted by David Snyder. 16-page full color booklet with comments by Peter Filichia, and complete lyrics. Clips, tracks and album available at CD Baby; at Amazon for higher price.

Jason Gould
(Backwards Dog - new on mp3/iTunes)
Jason Gould (son of Barbra Streisand and Elliot Gould) 5-track EP. "Morning Prayer," "This Masquerade," "Hello," "How Deep Is the Ocean," "Nature Boy."

Little Shop of Horrors Director's Cut
(Warner Home Video - new Blu-Ray)
1986 film version of Howard Ashman/ Alan Menken Off-Broadway play. Includes two HD versions: the theatrical cut and a director's cut that features a newly restored, 20-minute alternate ending. Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, James Belushi. Bonuses: commentary by Frank Oz (on the theatrical version); introduction with Richard Conway; outtakes; deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes documentary. 40-page book featuring movie trivia, actor and director bios and more.

Release Me: Barbra Streisand
(Columbia - new on CD/vinyl/mp3iTunes)
Previously recorded by unreleased tracks. "Being Good Isn't Good Enough," "Didn't We," "Willow Weep For Me," "Try To Win a Friend," "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," "With One More Look At You," "Lost In Wonderland" (English version of Jobim's "Antigua"), "How Are Things In Glocca Morra?/The Heather On The Hill," "Mother And Child," "If It's Meant To Be," "Home." Vinyl version was relesed 9/25/12.

Performance of the Century: 100 Years of Actors' Equity Association and the Rise of Professional American Theater
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
By Robert Simonson. In advance of AEA turning 100 years old (2013), a new book, with historical images and photographs, about the union's past and American theater itself.

Rock of Ages Expanded Version
(Warner Bros - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
2012 film based on Broadway musical. Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Tom Cruise, Russell Brand, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul Giamatti, Malin Åkerman, Bryan Cranston, Alec Baldwin, and Mary J. Blige. Extended edition with extras.

Singin' In the Rain
(First Night Records - on CD)
2012 London cast recording. Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed score. Sandra Dickinson, Scarlett Strallen, Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley, Katherine Kingsley, Michael Brandon. "Overture," "Fit As A Fiddle," "You Stepped Out Of A Dream," "All I Do," "Make ‘Em Laugh," "Beautiful Girl," "You Are My Lucky Star," "You Were Meant For Me," "Moses Supposes," "Good Morning," "Singin' In The Rain," "Entr'acte," "Good Morning Reprise," "Would You?," "What's Wrong With Me?," "Broadway Melody Ballet," "Lucky Star (Reprise)," "Singin' In The Rain" (Reprise), "Playout." Released 10/2 on new mp3/iTunes.

Top Hat - The Musical
(First Night Records - new on CD)
Original London cast recording. Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen. "Overture," "Puttin' On the Ritz," "No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)," "No Strings (Reprise)," "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket," "Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)?," "You're Easy to Dance With," "What Is Love?," "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails," "The Piccolino," "Wild About You," "Cheek to Cheek," "Better Luck Next Time," "Latins Know How," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "Outside of That, I Love You," "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (Reprise)," "Finale." Released 10/2 on new mp3/iTunes.

Up in Central Park
(Sepia - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
First time release, remastered soundtrack songs from 1948 movie version of Sigmund Romberg and Dorothy Fields musical. Deanna Durbin and Dick Haymes. Also, the studio cast recording sung by Jeanette MacDonald and Robert Merrill, also on CD for the first time. 26 tracks.

Velvet Sky
(new on mp3
A collection of original lullabyes sung by Valarie Pettiford. 13 tracks.

October 2, 2012

Actors' Yearbook 2013 - Essential Contacts for Stage, Screen
(A&C - new paperback book/digital)
Editor Simon Dunmore. Annual directory provides detailed information and specific advice on listings from agents and casting directors to producing theatres, showreel companies and photographers. Insight into the profession: auditions, interviews, casting calendar and advice on contracts and finance. Listings in this edition have been thoroughly updated with fresh advice from industry experts.

Annie: 30th Anniversary Edition
(Sony - new Blu-Ray)
Bonuses to include "sing-along" option, featurette My Hollywood Adventure with Aileen Quinn, music video of "It's the Hard-Knock Life" by Play, and trailers/TV spots.

Anthony Newley: The Last Song
(Stage Door Records - new import CD)
Newley's final studio album, recorded in London between 1996 and 1997. Previously unreleased. Guests include Petula Clark, Julia McKenzie and Marti Webb. Bonuses: two Christmas songs composed by Newley and recorded in 1997; unreleased live tracks, including "What Kind of Fool Am I?" and "Who Can I Turn To?" with a disco arrangement. 15 tracks. Joint collaboration between Stage Door Records and the Anthony Newley Society, endorsed by Newley's children Sacha and Tara. Available at Stage Door Records in the UK.

Bro Code for Parents
(Touchstone - new Audiobook)
By Barney Stinson and Matt Kuhn. Read by Neil Patrick Harris.

Cinderella Collector's Edition Soundtrack
(Disney - on CD/mp3/iTunes
Original soundtrack plus Lost Chords tracks of demo recordings not included in previous releases, plus new recordings of those demos with full orchestration and mastering as they would have been in the original film. 24 tracks.

Disney My Way: Alton Fitzgerald White
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Broadway performer (The Lion King, The Color Purple) solo album. "Strangers Like Me" (Tarzan)), "A Whole New World" (Aladdin)), "They Live in You" (the Lion King)), "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" (Mary Poppins)), "If I Can't Love Her" (Beauty and the Beast)), "Her Voice" (The Little Mermaid)), "Santa Fe" (Newsies)), "Fortune Favors the Brave" (Aida)), "Feed the Birds" (Mary Poppins)), "Endless Night" (the Lion King)), "Radames' Letter" (Aida)), "Chim Chim Cheree" (Mary Poppins)), "The Long Long Day" (King David). Clips, tracks and album available at CD Baby.

Eileen
(New World Records - new on CD/mp3)
World-premiere recording of complete Victor Herbert 1917 score. Includes all existing music that Herbert composed for Hearts of Erin and Eileen. Lynda Lee, Eamonn Mulhall, Philip O'Reilly, Mary O'Sullivan, Andrew Ashwin, Joe Corbett, Karl Harpur, Rachel Kelly, Dean Power, Orchestra of Ireland. David Brophy, conductor. "Overture," "Opening Act One," "Free Trade and a Misty Moon ," "My Little Irish Rose ," "Entrance of Humpy Grogan ," "Entrance of Barry O'Day ," "Ireland My Sireland," "Finale Act One," "Entr'acte 1," "Opening Act Two," "Too-re-loo-re (A French Pavane)," "Eileen (Alanna, Asthore)," "If Eve Had Left the Apple on the Bough," "I'd Love to Be a Lady," "Entrance Music," "When Love Awakes," "Life's a Game at Best," "Finale Act Two," "Entr'acte 2," "Opening Act Three," "Thine Alone," "The Irish Have a Great Day Tonight!," "Finale Ultimo"; Hearts of Erin: "Cupid, the Cunnin' Paudeen," "Opening Act Two," "Stars and Rosebuds," "Withdraw," "Reveries"; Orchestral Selections from Eileen. Also available at NewWorldRecords.org.

Halloween Hullabaloo
(WonderWorks, Inc. - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Studio cast recording all-original, Halloween-themed musical revue with book, music and lyrics by Jennifer Winegardner. Carey Anderson, Elyse Beyer, James Donegan, Lori Hammel, Jeff Horst, Edward Juvier, Leah Monzillo, Doug Shapiro, Nikki Van Cassele, Jessica Wagner, and Jennifer Winegardner. Musical direction, orchestrations and arrangements by Sarah Brett England. Gary Adler on piano, Don Cooksey & Vince Fay on bass, and Kory Grossman on percussion. Clips, tracks and album available at CD Baby.

Jackie Evancho: Songs from the Silver Screen
(Columbia - new on CD/iTunes)
Twelve-year-old America's Got Talent runner-up album of film songs. "Pure Imagination," "The Music of the Night," "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," "Reflection," "The Summer Knows," "I See The Light," "What A Wonderful World," "Se Jackie Evancho with 2Cellos," "My Heart Will Go On," "Come What May," "Some Enchanted," "When I Fall In Love."

A Million Miles from Broadway -- Musical Theatre Beyond New York and London
(new Paperback Book)
By Mel Atkey (Broadway North: The Dream Of A Canadian Musical Theatre). Explores musical theatre created in places other than New York by people other than New Yorkers and drawing on traditions other than just those of Broadway. Available at Lulu.com.

Singin' In the Rain
(First Night Records - new mp3/iTunes)
2012 London cast recording. Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed score. Sandra Dickinson, Scarlett Strallen, Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley, Katherine Kingsley, Michael Brandon. "Overture," "Fit As A Fiddle," "You Stepped Out Of A Dream," "All I Do," "Make ‘Em Laugh," "Beautiful Girl," "You Are My Lucky Star," "You Were Meant For Me," "Moses Supposes," "Good Morning," "Singin' In The Rain," "Entr'acte," "Good Morning Reprise," "Would You?," "What's Wrong With Me?," "Broadway Melody Ballet," "Lucky Star (Reprise)," "Singin' In The Rain" (Reprise), "Playout." CD to be released in U.S. on October 9.

Top Hat - The Musical
(First Night Records - new mp3/iTunes
Original London cast recording. Tom Chambers and Summer Strallen. "Overture," "Puttin' On the Ritz," "No Strings (I'm Fancy Free)," "No Strings (Reprise)," "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket," "Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught in the Rain)?," "You're Easy to Dance With," "What Is Love?," "Top Hat, White Tie and Tails," "The Piccolino," "Wild About You," "Cheek to Cheek," "Better Luck Next Time," "Latins Know How," "Let's Face the Music and Dance," "Outside of That, I Love You," "I'm Putting All My Eggs in One Basket (Reprise)," "Finale." CD to be released in U.S. on October 9.

Water by the Spoonful
(TCG - Hardcover Book)
2012 Pulitzer Prize winning play by Quiara Alegria Hudes. The second in her trilogy of plays which also includes Elliot, A Soldier's Fugue and The Happiest Song Plays Last.

We Will Rock You 10th Anniversary Edition
(EMI - new import double-CD)
The UK musical by Queen and Ben Elton celebrates its 10th anniversary. Specially redesigned and repackaged with the original CD, remastered, plus a bonus disc of 11 previously unavailable tracks including performances by Queen. CD 1: Innuendo," "Radio Ga Ga," "I Want To Break Free," "Somebody To Love," "Killer Queen," "Play The Game," "Under Pressure," "A Kind Of Magic," "I Want It All," Headlong," "No-One But You (Only The Good Die Young)," "Ogre Battle (Instrumental)," "One Vision," "Who Wants To Live Forever," "Flash," "Seven Seas Of Rhye," "Don't Stop Me Now," "Another One Bites The Dust," "Hammer To Fall," "These Are The Days Of Our Lives," "We Will Rock You," "We Are The Champions," "We Will Rock You (Fast Version, Instrumental)," "Bohemian Rhapsody." CD 2: "Another One Bites The Dust 2003 remix Queen with Annie Crummer, "Sólo Por Ti" ("No-One But You") Queen with Eva Maria Cortes of the Spanish cast, "Sin Control" ("Headlong") Spanish Cast, "Algo Loco Es El Amor" ("Crazy Little Thing Called Love") Spanish Cast, "Killer Queen" German Cast, "Play The Game" German Cast, "Bohemian Rhapsody" Party at the Palace Live at Buckingham Palace in 2002 with Queen & The London Cast, "Radio Ga Ga" German TV live performance in 2004 with German Cast, "Somebody To Love" German TV live performance in 2004 with German Cast, "We Will Rock You" German TV live performance in 2004 with Queen & The German Cast. New 20-page booklet.

September 25, 2012

Barbara Cook: Lover Man
(Entertainment One/DRG Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes
Jazz style renditions of "I Hadn't Anyone But You," "Loverman," "The Nearness of You," "When Sunny Gets Blue," "More Than You Know," "House of the Rising Sun," "Bye Bye Blackbird," "I Don't Want Love," "If I Love Again," "Let's Fall in Love," "What a Wonderful World. New York State of Mind," "Georgia on my Mind," "Makin' Whoopee." Music director and pianist Ted Rosenthal. Jay Leonhart on bass, Warren Odze on percussion and Lawrence Feldman on woodwinds.

Bring It On: The Musical OBC
(Ghostlight Records - )
OBC recording. Taylor Louderman, Adrienne Warren, Jason Gotay, Elle McLemore, Ryann Redmond, Ariana DeBose, Gregory Haney, Neil Haskell, Dominique Johnson, Janet Krupin, Kate Rockwell, Nicolas Womack. Tom Kitt, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Amanda Green score. Recorded week of 8/13/12. CD to be released October 16.

Calvin Berger
(Ghostlight - new on CD/iTunes)
Original 2010 cast recording of Barry Wyner score. Noah Weisberg, Krystal Joy Brown, David Hull and Dana Steingold. Loosely based on Cyrano De Bergerac; has been performed at Barrington Stage and Manhattan Theatre Club and George Street Playhouse. Winner of Jerry Bock Award, Richard Rodgers Award, Kleban Prize, and Noel Coward Prize. Orchestrations by Doug Besterman. Liner notes by William Finn. Song samples at Sh-K-Boom.

Carrie Off-Broadway cast album
(Ghostlight - new on CD/iTunes
Score by Michael Gore and Dean Pitchford. Christy Altomare, Corey Boardman, Carmen Cusack, Jeanna de Waal, Blair Goldberg, F. Michael Haynie, Derek Klena, Marin Mazzie, Andy Mientus, Elly Noble, Molly Ranson, Jen Sese, Ben Thompson, Wayne Wilcox. Recorded April 17. Produced by Joel Moss produce; Kurt Deutsch executive producer. "In," "Carrie," "Open Your Heart," "And Eve Was Weak," "The World According To Chris," "Evening Prayers," "Dreamer In Disguise," "Once You See," "Unsuspecting Hearts," "Do Me A Favor," "I Remember How Those Boys Could Dance," "A Night We'll Never Forget," "You Shine," "Why Not Me?," "Stay Here Instead," "When There's No One," "Prom Arrival," "Unsuspecting Hearts (Reprise)," "Dreamer In Disguise (Reprise)," "Prom Climax," "Alma Mater," "The Destruction," "Carrie (Reprise)," "Epilogue." You can also pre-order it at Sh-K-Boom website.

A Christmas Story (the musical)
(Masterworks Broadway - new mp3/iTunes)
Seattle 5th Avenue Theatre production. Music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. Clarke Hallum as Ralphie, Tom Wopat, Matthew Lewis, John Bolton, Liz Callaway, Anne Allgood, Frank Corrado, Carol Swarbrick, Jadd Davis, Candice Donehoo, Brandon O'Neill, River Aguirre Billie Wildrick, Matt Wolfe, Orville Mendoza. "Overture," "Counting Down to Christmas," "At Higbee's," "Red Ryder Carbine Action BB Gun," "Counting Down to Christmas (Reprise)," "The Genius on Cleveland Street," "When You're a Wimp," "Ralphie to the Rescue," "What A Mother Does," "Sticky Situation," "A Major Award," "Act One - Finale," "A Kid At Christmas," "Just Like That," "Up On Santa's Lap," "Before the Old Man Comes Home," "Somewhere Hovering Over Indiana," "A Christmas Story." CD to be released 10/22/12.

Dick Van Dyke & Company
(MPI Home Video - new on 4 DVDs)
Complete 1975-1976 variety show series. Guests include Mary Tyler Moore, Carl Reiner, Andy Kaufman, Lucille Ball, Chevy Chase, Carol Burnett, Flip Wilson, Harvey Korman, Tommy Smothers, Hal Linden, Freddie Prinze, John Byner and Gabe Kaplan. Musical guest Ike & Tina Turner, John Denver, K.C. & The Sunshine Band, Sha Na Na, The Spinners, Bobbie Gentry, The Sylvers, Donna Fargo and Lola Falana. Bonuses: Dick and Jerry Van Dyke in 1967 Dick Van Dyke Monsanto Special; two episodes of 1965 Let's Talk To Lucy radio shows where Lucille Ball interviews Dick Van Dyke. 630 minutes.

Fortune in My Eyes: A Memoir of Broadway Glamour, Social Justice, and Political Passion
(Applause Books - Hardcover Book)
David Rothenberg's memoir. He produced John Herbert's Fortune and Men's Eyes, which reshaped his life. Created the Fortune Society advocacy organization.

Heather Headley: Only One In the World
(In:ciite Media - new CD/mp3/iTunes)
New solo album features new songs penned by Headley, R&B hits, familiar favorites and a cut from the upcoming production of the musical The Bodyguard ("Run To You"). Produced by Paul Mills and Keith Thomas. "Only One In The World," "The Reason," "Because You Need Me," "Bring Him Back," "Run To You," "A Little While," "River Deep Mountain High," "One Last Cry," "Superwoman," "Hey Mama," "I Wish," "Home."

Jazz Tribute to Les Live at the Iridium
(IridiumLive/Entertainment One - new on CD/mp3)
Tribute to Les Paul. Two full live shows featuring Nels Cline, Stanley Jordan, Bucky Pizzarelli and Jane Monheit. Introduction, "Brazil," Band Introductions, "East of the Sun (West of the Moon)," "The Carioca," "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight (Nicki Parrott)," "Body and Soul" (Stanley Jordan / Bucky Pizzarelli), "I Can't Give You Anything But Love" (Jane Monheit), "A.I.R (All India Radio)," "How High the Moon" (Nicki Parrott), "Sweet Georgia Brown," "St. Louis Blues" (John Colianni), "All of Me" (Lou Pallo), "Blue Skies."

Jekyll & Hyde - 2012 Concept Recording
(Broadway Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
New studio concept recording of Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse score. Constantine Maroulis, Deborah Cox, Tom Hewitt, Shannon Magrane, Carly Robyn Green, and Corey Brunish. "Lost In The Darkness," "I Need To Know," "Take Me As I Am," "No One Knows Who I Am," "Bring On The Men," "This Is The Moment," "Alive," "His Work And Nothing More," "Sympathy, Tenderness," "Someone Like You," "Once Upon A Dream," "In His Eyes," "Dangerous Game," "Girls Of The Night," "The Way Back," "A New Life," "Confrontation," "Once Upon A Dream - reprise." Produced by Frank Wildhorn, Jason Howland, and Billy Jay Stein and executive produced by Van Dean, Kenny Howard and Ken Mahoney.

Marc Blitzstein: His Life, His Work, His World
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover/Kindle Book)
By Howard Pollack. Biography of Blitzstein, from his childhood in Philadelphia to his violent death in Martinique at age 58. Draws on new interviews with friends and family of the composer, and new archival and secondary sources. 648 pages.

Nice Work If You Can Get It OBC
(Shout! Factory/Sony - mp3/iTunes)
George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin score. Matthew Broderick, Kelli O'Hara, Judy Kaye, Michael McGrath, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Chris Sullivan, Robyn Hurder, Stanley Wayne Mathis, Terry Beaver, Estelle Parsons. Overture, "Sweet and Lowdown," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "Nice Work If You Can Get It" (Reprise), Demon Rum," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Ritzy Bathroom - Instrumental," "Delishious," "I've Got to Be There," "Ritzy Bedroom - Instrumental," Treat Me Rough," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Do It Again," "'S Wonderful," "Fascinating Rhythm," "Lady Be Good," "But Not for Me," "By Strauss" / "Sweet and Lowdown" (Reprise), "Do, Do, Do," "Hangin' Around With You," "Looking for a Boy," "Blah, Blah, Blah," "Will You Remember Me?," "I've Got to Be There" (Reprise), "I've Got a Crush on You," "Someone to Watch Over Me" (Reprise), "They All Laughed," "Crate Dance." Produced by Robert Sher. Recorded at Kaufman Astoria Studios in Long Island City on 5/20-21. CD to be released 10/30.

Release Me: Barbra Streisand
(Columbia - new on vinyl)
Previously recorded by unreleased tracks. "Being Good Isn't Good Enough," "Didn't We," "Willow Weep For Me," "Try To Win a Friend," "I Think It's Gonna Rain Today," "With One More Look At You," "Lost In Wonderland" (English version of Jobim's "Antigua"), "How Are Things In Glocca Morra?/The Heather On The Hill," "Mother And Child," "If It's Meant To Be," "Home." CD version to be released October 9.

The Playbill Broadway Yearbook: June 2011 to May 2012: Eighth Annual Edition
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
Robert Viagas, editor.

The Rest of the Story: A Continued Memoir of Broadway and Hollywood
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
Completed only days before his death, Arthur Laurents reveals all that happened in his life since Original Story By. The book ends with a coda by good friend and the editor of this book, David Saint, which reveals the real story of his death.

The Rodgers & Hart Songbook: We'll Have Manhattan
(Verve - new on mp3/iTunes)
1993 Compilation album, released digitally. "Thou Swell" (Count Basie), "This Can't Be Love" (Shirley Horn), "I Didn't Know What Time It Was" (Anita O'Day), "Have You Met Miss Jones?" (Louis Armstrong), "Manhattan" (Blossom Dearie), "I Could Write A Book" (Dinah Washington), "My Funny Valentine" (Sarah Vaughan), "Blue Moon" (Mel Tormé), "A Ship Without A Sail" (Ella Fitzgerald), "Mountain Greenery" (Bing Crosby), "You Took Advantage Of Me" (Billie Holiday), "Ten Cents A Dance" (Frank Morgan), "Falling In Love With Love" (Helen Merrill), "It Never Entered My Mind" (Sarah Vaughan), "Little Girl Blue" (Nina Simone), "The Lady Is A Tramp" (Ella Fitzgerald).

Tempest
(Entertainment One - new on DVD)
2010 Stratford Shakespeare Festival presentation. Christopher Plummer, Trish Lindström, Julyana Soelistyo. Directed by Des McAnuff. 131 minutes.

That's Entertainment - A Celebration of the MGM Film Musical
(EMI - new on CD/CD/DVD set/DVD)
U.S. release of 2009 album to follow following nationwide PBS pledge drive broadcasts. Conductor and arranger John Wilson leads orchestra and singers Kim, Criswell, Matthew Ford, Sarah Fox, Seth MacFarlane and Curtis Stigers. Deluxe, hardcover book edition with CD and DVD and music videos from the sessions, making of featurette, interview with Wilson on the recreation of the scores and five sing-a-long tracks.

The Train Driver and Other Plays
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Athol Fugard's The Train Driver plus Coming Home and Have You Seen Us?.

A Tribute to Judy Garland
(Road Town - new mp3)

Karaoke tracks for "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "The Man That Got Away," "Over the Rainbow," "Swanee." Sample clips available at Amazon.

The Voice That Amazed America: The Life and Singing Career of Tommy Dix
(CreateSpace - new Paperback/Kindle book)
By Ken Robichaux. Life and career of singer Tommy Dix (Best Foot Forward). Based on personal personal conversations with Dix. B&W and color illustrations. 58 pages.

The Yeomen of the Guard
(VAI - new on DVD)
April 10, 1957 telecast of Gilbert and Sullivan's opera. Celeste Holm, Alfred Drake, Barbara Cook, Bill Hayes, and Henry Calvin. Directed by George Schaefer. Musical direction by Franz Allers. Special features: commercials from the original live telecast. Black & white; 79 minutes.

September 18, 2012

Children of Paradise
(Criterion Collection - new on Blu-Ray)
Classic 1945 French film (Les enfants du paradis), the basis for failed 1996 RSC stage production. Arletty, Jean-Louis Barrault, Pierre Brasseur, Pierre Renoir, Marcel Herrand. Black & white. Directed by Marcel Carne. New high-definition digital transfer from Pathé's 2011 restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition; audio commentaries by film scholars Brian Stonehill and Charles Affron; video introduction by director Terry Gilliam; Once Upon a Time: Children of Paradise 2010 documentary; new visual essay by film writer Paul Ryan; The Birth of Children of Paradise 1967 German documentary; restoration demonstration; U.S. trailer; new English subtitle translation; booklet featuring essay by film scholar Dudley Andrew and excerpts from 1990 interview with director Marcel Carné.

Fugitive Songs: A Song Cycle
(Yellow Sound Records - new on CD/mp3)
19-song journey across America. Score by Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen. Matt Caplan, Will Chase, Joshua Henry, Karen Olivo, Alysha Umphress.

Laura Osnes: Dream A Little Dream: Live at the Cafe Carlyle
(Broadway Records - new on CD/mp3)
Actress/singer's Cafe Carlyle debut show June 19-30 to be recorded. Accompanied by quartet led by Fred Lassen on piano. Produced by Fred Lassen and Aaron Ankrum and executive-produced by Van Dean and Kenny Howard.

The Outdoor Museum (not your usual images of New York)
(Beaufort Books - Hardcover book)
By Margery Gray Harnick and Sheldon Harnick. The Harnicks' "virtual museum" through photographs (by her) and poetry (by him) of New York City. Foreword by Mike Nichols. Published 5/15/12. Reviewed at Playbill.

Pipe Dream 2012 Encores! cast
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Live recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein score. Music Director Rob Berman. Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations and John Morris dance arrangements restored by Bruce Pomahac. Will Chase, Laura Osnes, Leslie Uggams, Tom Wopat among cast of 29. Overture, "All Kinds of People," " The Tide Pool," "Everybody's Got a Home But Me," "A Lopsided Bus," "Bums' Opera," "Fauna's Song," "The Man I Used to Be," "Sweet Thursday," "Suzy Is a Good Thing," "All at Once You Love Her," "Entr'acte," "The Happiest House on the Block," "The Party That We're Gonna Have Tomorrow Night," "Fractured Fugue," "Will You Marry Me?," "Thinkin'," "Reprise: All at Once You Love Her," "How Long?," "The Next Time It Happens," "Finale: Sweet Thursday," Bows. Booklet includes essays by Ted Chapin, R&H Director of Music Bruce Pomahac, Encores! Artistic Director Jack Viertel, show synopsis and more. Clips available at Sh-K-Boom.

Tales of a Broadway Flack: The Charmed Life of Press Agent Sol Jacobson
(Infinity Publishing - Paperback/Kindle book)
David A. Long's biography of Sol Jacobson, Broadway press agent (clients included Desi Arnaz, Eddie Bracken, Boris Karloff, Tallulah Bankhead and Zero Mostel). Introduction by Hal Prince. 336 pages. Released 11/1/11; reviewed at Playbill.

September 11, 2012

35mm A Musical Exhibition Original Cast Recording
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD)
Ryan Scott Oliver songs for show performed at Galapagos Art Space inspired by the photography of Matthew Murphy. Alex Brightman, Ben Crawford, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Lindsay Mendez, and Betsy Wolfe. Recorded March 8. Previously released on mp3 and at 35MM: A Musical Exhibition (Original Cast Recording) - 35 MM Original Cast.

Broadway in a Box: Essential Broadway Musical
(Sony Masterworks - Box Set of 25 CDs)
Annie, Anything Goes (1987), Cabaret OBC, Camelot OBC, Carousel OBC, Chicago OBC, A Chorus Line, Company, Fiddler on the Roof, Guys and Dolls (1992), Gypsy OBC, Hair, Hello, Dolly!, How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying OBC, Into the Woods OBC, The King and I, Man of La Mancha (2002), My Fair Lady, Oklahoma! (1979), Oliver!, Show Boat (1966), The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Sweeney Todd (Highlights), West Side Story OBC. Each disc in a mini-sleeve featuring the original album cover art. Also included is a 60-page booklet with show descriptions, cast lists, musical numbers, recording session photos and more. (Versions are my best guess. More at Masterworks site.)

Desert Song
(ArkivMusic/Masterworks Broadway - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes
1959 studio cast album of Sigmund Romberg/Oscar Hammerstein II/Otto Harbach/Frank Mandel score. Giorgio Tozzi, Kathy Barr and Peter Palmer. Arrangements by Lehman Engel, musical director. CD on demand from ArkivMusic.

Fred Hersch Trio: Alive at the Vanguard
(Palmetto Records - new on 2 CDs/mp3/iTunes)
Fred Hersch with with bassist John Hérbert and drummer Eric McPherson. "Havana," "Tristesse" (for Paul Motian), "Segment," "Lonely Woman / Nardis," "Dream of Monk," "Rising, Falling," "Softly As In A Morning Sunrise," "Doxy," "Opener (fror Emac)," "I Fall In Love Too Easily," "Jackalope," "The Wind / Moon and Sand," "Sartorial" (for Ornette), "From This Moment On," "The Song Is You / Played Twice."

Heart Condition: Madalena Alberto
(new digital EP)
Singer/actress (Les Miserables tour) sings her own songs. "Heart Condition," "Fairytale," "Gentleness Is Power," "Rainbow and the Sky."

Stacy Sullivan: It's a Good Day
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Tribute to Peggy Lee. "I Love Being Here With You," "Medley: I Got Rhythm / My Romance / One Kiss," "The Folks Back Home," "You Was Right Baby," "He's a Tramp," "Till There Was You," "I Don't Know Enough About You," "I Love the Way You're Breaking My Heart," "Cheek to Cheek," "Nobody's Heart Belongs to Me," "Medley: That Old Black Magic / Lover," "Where Did They Go," "Johnny Guitar," "It's a Good Day," "Angels on Your Pillow."

The Student Prince
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3)
Sigmund Romberg and Dorothy Donnelly score. With Mario Lanza and Norma Giusti. Stereo version on CD for the first time. 10 bonus tracks performed by Lanza, including the version of "Vesti La Giubba" that Lanza performed at his MGM screen test. Overture, "Serenade," "Golden Days," "Drink, Drink, Drink," "Summertime In Heidelberg," "I'll Walk With God," "Thoughts Will Come Back To Me," "Student Life," "Just We Two," "Beloved," "Gaudeamus Igitur," "Deep In My Heart, Dear; Bonus Tracks: "Time On My Hands," "What Is This Thing Called Love?," "Charmaine," "A Little Love, A Little Kiss," "If You Are But A Dream," "Where Or When," "A Kiss In the Dark," "My Buddy," "You and the Night and the Music," "Vesti La Giubba."

September 4, 2012

465: Sex Drive ... A Musical
(Red Boat Productions - new on mp3)
Score by Lynn Lupold tells sad and funny stories about five sex addicts who car pool to their weekly sex addiction therapy session. Premiered at the Indianapolis Fringe Festival August 2012. Clips, tracks and mp3 album available at CD Baby.

Alfie: My Life, My Music, My Story
(Simon & Schuster UK - Kindle Book)
By Alfie Boe (Les Misérables, La Bohême). "From car mechanic to internationally loved opera, musical and recording star: the story of Alfie Boe." Hardcover edition to be released November 1.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes Encores Cast
(Masterworks Broadway - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Studio recording of 2012 Encores cast. Jule Styne/Leo Robin score. Megan Hilty, Rachel York, Clarke Thorell, Aaron Lazar, Simon Jones, Stephen R. Buntrock, Phillip Attmore and Jared Grimes. Overture, "It's High Time," "Bye Bye Baby," "A Little Girl from Little Rock," "A Little Girl from Little Rock: Encore," "I Love What I'm Doing," "I Love What I'm Doing (Dance)," "Just a Kiss Apart," "Scherzo," "It's Delightful Down In Chile," "Sunshine," "Park Scene," "Pas De Deux," "Sunshine: Reprise," "I'm A' Tingle, I'm A' Glow," "You Say You Care," "Finale Act 1," "Mamie is Mimi," "Coquette," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend: First Encore," "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend: Second Encore," "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," "Homesick Blues," "Keeping Cool With Coolidge," "Button Up With Esmond," "Finale Act 2."

Harvey
(Universal Home Video - Blu-ray/DVD/digital set/DVD)
Newly remastered transfer of 1950 film based on Mary Chase play. Universal's 100th Anniversary edition. James Stewart, Cecil Kellaway, Josephine Hull. 105 minutes.

Johnny Mathis: Love Is Everything/Broadway Album twofer
(Real Gone Music - new on CD)
Mathis' 1965 album of ballads remastered and first time on CD, with bonus previously unreleased album of songs from Broadway musicals. Liner notes by Jim Ritz with exclusive interview with Johnny Mathis. Broadway selections: "Ain't It De Truth," "Get Out of Town," "Independent," "Hello, Dolly!," "Manhattan," "Comes Once in a Lifetime," "You'd Better Love Me," "Don't Rain on My Parade," "Of Thee I Sing," "When I'm Not Near the Girl I Love," "Ridin' High," "She Loves Me."

Lonesome [+ 1929 Broadway musical]
(Criterion Collection - new on Blu-Ray/DVD
New digital restoration of Paul Fejos' 1928 Lonesome. With extras that include reconstructed sound version of Broadway, Fejos's 1929 musical based on based on play by George Abbott and Phillip Dunning. Released 8/28/12.

A New Leaf
(Olive Films - new Blu-ray/DVD)
1971 Elaine May comedy film. Elaine May, Walter Matthau, James Coco, George Rose, Jack Weston.

Next Thing You Know
(Yellow Sound Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Joshua Salzman and Ryan Cunningham (I Love You Because) score. Lauren Blackman, Colin Hanlon, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Patti Murin. "Prelude," "Little Bar On Sullivan Street," "Stay," "Morning After Omelet," "As Good As I Get," "We're Gonna Go Out," "The Way to Get A Girl," "Manhattan Bridge," "How 'Bout You," "Don't Say Another Word," "We're Gonna Go Out Reprise," "Hungover," "And I Breathe," "If She Were Coming Home," "I Wish There Were A Reason," "You Can't Be Everything You Want," "Next Thing You Know," "All That I Want Is You," "Next Thing You Know Finale," "Home Calls" (Bonus Track).

Performance of the Century: 100 Years of Actors' Equity Association and the Rise of Professional American Theater
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
By Robert Simonson. In advance of AEA turning 100 years old (2013), a new book, with historical images and photographs, about the union's past and American theater itself.

Smile: Andrea Marcovicci
(new on CD)
With musical director/arranger Shelly Markham on piano, Kevin Axt on bass, M.B. Gordy on drums/percussion, Grant Geissman on guitar, banjo and ukulele, Giovanna Clayton on cello, Jeff Brunnell on cornet, flugelhorn and trumpet and James Honeyman on soprano and tenor saxophone. "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries/Are You Havin' Any Fun?," "Ain't We Got Fun?," "12th Street Rag," "Umbrella Man," "Isn't This a Lovely Day?/Pick Yourself Up," "Zing A Little Zong/ Mairzy Doats," "Beyond Compare," "If I Had You/It Had to Be You," "(I Asked) The Moon/Sometimes I'm Happy/It All Depends on You," "Shakespeare Lied," "Look at Those Eyes," "Glitter in the Air," "You Make Me Feel So Young," "Smile." Samples and CD available at CD Baby.

August 28, 2012

Betty Buckley: Ah, Men! The Boys of Broadway
(Palmetto Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Buckley's Feinstein's show. "I Can See It," "My Defenses Are Down," "Jet Song," "Maria," "I Won't Dance," "Venice," "Luck Be A Lady," "Song On The Sand," "A Hymn to Her," "Come Back To Me," "Hey There," "Sweeney Todd Suite: Not While I'm Around/Johanna/My Friends," "Corner of the Sky," "More I Cannot Wish You."

Dear Brigitte/Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation Soundtracks
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Remastered 1965 Dear Brigitte film score by George Duning (CD debut) and 1962 Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation score by Henry Mancini with bonus tracks. Available at Kritzerland.com.

Follies Original Broadway Cast Recording
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Original 1972 Broadway cast album of Stephen Sondheim score newly remixed and remastered from the original edited eight-track session masters. No additional takes or material. Includes a twelve-page, full-color booklet. Limited to 1500 copies only. Second edition of 1000 (first edition of 1500 quickly sold out). Order at Kritzerland.com.

Junior High School
(Kritzerland Records - new on Blu-Ray and CD)
1978 short musical film. Cast includes Paula Abdul. Original score by Julius Wechter. Limited edition of 1000 copies. Blu-Ray bonuses: acclaimed short film Gravity; commentary track with the film's creators; retrospective featurettes Junior High School Reunion and Return to Junior High School. CD bonuses: demos from Midnight Madness, Malibu Bikini Shop, and the never made feature version of Junior High School. Available at Kritzerland.com. Special pricing for those who buy both the Blu-Ray and the CD.

The Music of Smash Sheet Music Collection
(Alfred - Paperback Book)
Original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Includes several pages of color photos from the show, along with complete piano/vocal sheet music for "Touch Me," "Stand," "Who You Are," "Crazy Dreams," "Beautiful," "Haven't Met You Yet," "Shake It Out," "Brighter Than the Sun," "Let Me Be Your Star," "20th Century Fox Mambo," "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," "Let's Be Bad," "History Is Made at Night," "Never Give All the Heart" (bonus selection).

August 21, 2012

The Aristocats
(Disney - new Blu-Ray set)
1970 animated musical film. Voices include Sterling Holloway, Eva Gabor, Scatman Crothers, and Phil Harris. Blu-Ray combo pack bonuses: The Lost Open: Richard Sherman introduces an early story board iteration of an opening scene with deleted character named "the Maid" and demos for the deleted songs "How Much You Mean to Me" and "Court Me Slowly"; "Oui Oui Marie" music video; deleted song "She Never Felt Alone" complete with animation - Richard Sherman discusses the song he co-wrote with Robert; The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs tribute to the Sherman brothers; The Great Cat Family (Excerpt) tells the history of cats from ancient Egyptians to the present; classic Disney short "Bath Day"; Disney Song Selection.

August Strindberg: Selected Plays, Volume I
(Univ of Minnesota Press - Paperback Book)
Translated by Evert Sprinchorn. Selections from the beginning of Strindberg's career: Master Olof (1872), The Father (1887), Miss Julie (1888), Creditors (1888), The Stronger (1889) playlet, Playing with Fire (1893).

The Hills Are Alive!
(new on mp3/iTunes) 
Original reading cast album of new musical score by Eric Thomas Johnson and Frankie Johnson. 2012 Fringe show. Clips and tracks available at CD Baby.

Jesus Christ Superstar Concept Album
(Polydor - 2 CD set) 
U.S. release of digitally remastered 1970 double album. Andrew Lloyd Webber/ Tim Rice score. Yvonne Elliman, Murray Head, Ian Gillan. Disc 1: "Overture," "Heaven On Their Minds," "What's The Buzz / Strange Thing Mystifying," "Everything's Alright," "This Jesus Must Die," "Hosanna," "Simon Zealotes / Poor Jerusalem," "Pilate's Dream," "The Temple," "Everything's Alright," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Damned For All Time / Blood Money". Disc 2: "The Last Supper," "Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say)," "The Arrest," "Peter's Denial," "Pilate and Christ," "King Herod's Song (Try It and See)," "Judas's Death," "Trial Before Pilate," "Superstar," "The Crucifixion," "John Nineteen Forty-One." Previously released in the UK.

Look Back in Anger
(L.A. Theatre Work - Audio Play on CD)
L.A. Theatre Works full-cast March 2012 performance featuring Steven Brand, Moira Quirk, Simon Templeman, James Warwick, Joanne Whalley. Directed by Rosalind Ayres. Recorded before a live audience.

My Turn: John Lloyd Young
(Under The Skyway Productions - new digital release at iTunes) 
Tony Award winning Jersey Boys cast member sings "Hurt So Bad," "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me," "In the Still of the Night," "Only You," "Who's Loving You," "Since I Fell for You," "Hey There, Lonely Girl."

Stella Adler on America's Master Playwrights
(Knopf - new Hardcover Book)
Edited by Barry Paris. Adler's lectures on America's plays and playwrights, including Eugene O'Neill, Clifford Odets, Tennessee Williams, Arthur Miller, Edward Albee and others. 400 pages.

August 14, 2012

35mm A Musical Exhibition Original Cast Recording
(Sh-K-Boom - new digital release at iTunes) 
Ryan Scott Oliver songs for show performed at Galapagos Art Space inspired by the photography of Matthew Murphy. Alex Brightman, Ben Crawford, Jay Armstrong Johnson, Lindsay Mendez, and Betsy Wolfe. Recorded March 8. CD to be released 9/11/12 with 48-page booklet featuring full lyrics and color photos.

At the Algonquin: Jessica Molaskey and Dave Frishberg
(Arbors Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
An evening at the Oak Room featuring the singing of Jessica Molaskey and the songs of Dave Frishberg (who's on piano). Included are two new Frishberg songs from the show The New Yorkers. "Who's on First?," "I'm Hip," "My Attorney Bernie," "Will You Die?," "Excuse Me For Living," "I Want To Be a Sideman," "Heart's Desire," "Long Daddy Green," "My New Celebrity Is You," "Can't Take You Nowhere," "Listen Here."

Call Me Madam
(ArkivMusic/Masterworks Broadway - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
1950 original Broadway cast recording. Irving Berlin score. Dinah Shore, Russell Nype, Paul Lukas, Galina Talva, Pat Harrington. First and only authorized CD version, digitally remastered from the original tapes. CD-R available at ArkiMusic.

The Carol Burnett Show: The Ultimate Collection
(Time-Life - 22 DVD set)
50 episodes hand-picked by Carol Burnett: ll of classic sketches ("Went with the Wind," "Mr. Tudball and Mrs. Wiggins," "As the Stomach Turns," "Carol and Sis," "The Family," "Nora Desmond," "The Oldest Man," "The Hollow Hero," and "Kitchen Commercials"); the best of her comedy routines ("Disaster 75," "Caged Dames," "Hold Me Hamlet," "Babes in Barns," "Ham Actors," "The Walnuts," "The Pail," "No Frills Airline," "The Recital," and "The Little Foxes"); guest stars including Betty White, Carl Reiner, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Dick Van Dyke, Sammy Davis Jr. and more; 12 Hours of bonus features, including Carol's start on the Garry Moore Show, rare comedy sketches, exclusive interviews (including Betty White, Carl Reiner, Jane Lynch, Amy Poehler and others); ten featurettes. In a showcase collector's box that includes a replica curtain from the opening of The Carol Burnett Show. Also included, 20-page Memory Book with photos from the show and personal anecdotes about Carol from guest stars and friends. Available at Time-Life.

Cheryl Bentyne: Let's Misbehave: Cole Porter Songbook
(Summit Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
"Love For Sale," "It's Alright With Me," "My Heart Belongs To Daddy," "I Love Paris," "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," "Night and Day," "Just One of Those Things," "What is this thing called Love," "Begin the Beguine," "All of You," "I Concentrate on You," "It's Delovely," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," "Let's Misbehave."

Newsies: Music from the Broadway Musical
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
13 piano/vocal selections from the featuring music by Alan Menken and Jack Feldman. Included: "The Bottom Line," "I Never Planned on You/Don't Come A-Knocking," "King of New York," "Once and for All," "Santa Fe," "Seize the Day," "Something to Believe In," "That's Rich," "Watch What Happens," "The World Will Know," and more, with a special section of full-color photos from the production.

Raissa Katona Bennett: Another Kind of Light
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Broadway singer/actress (The Phantom of the Opera, Chess Concert) and Bistro and MAC award winning club performer. Includes three songs written expressly for Raissa ("Torch Song for Raissa" and "Bye, Bye, Ingenue" by Michael John Lachiusa and "i carry your heart" by David Caldwell, and two songs receiving their first commercial recording (Ron Abel and Chuck Steffan's "Waiting for a Westbound Train," and "How Could I Not?" from The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz). "It's Possible," "I Concentrate On You," "Make Me A Kite," "Good Thing He Can't Read My Mind," "I Furnished My One-Room Apartment," "How Could I Not?," "If I Love Again / Will You?," "Putting Things Away," "Torch Song For Raissa," "I Will," "Waiting For A Westbound Train," "A Tomb With A View," "Bye, Bye, Ingénue," "Ordinary Miracles," "i carry your heart."

Side By Side (Sondheim Duos)
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes)
Bassist Tommy Cecil and pianist Bill Mays. "Something's Coming," "Not While I'm Around," "Broadway Baby," "Every Day a Little Death," "Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "Small World," "Side By Side By Side," "Anyone Can Whistle," "Comedy Tonight." Clips, tracks and CD also available at CD Baby.

Singin' In the Rain
(First Night Records - new UK release CD)
2012 London cast recording. Nacio Herb Brown/Arthur Freed score. Sandra Dickinson, Scarlett Strallen, Adam Cooper, Daniel Crossley, Katherine Kingsley, Michael Brandon. "Overture," "Fit As A Fiddle," "You Stepped Out Of A Dream," "All I Do," "Make ‘Em Laugh," "Beautiful Girl," "You Are My Lucky Star," "You Were Meant For Me," "Moses Supposes," "Good Morning," "Singin' In The Rain," "Entr'acte," "Good Morning Reprise," "Would You?," "What's Wrong With Me?," "Broadway Melody Ballet," "Lucky Star (Reprise)," "Singin' In The Rain" (Reprise), "Playout." U.S. expected 8/28/12.

Winston Gieseke: On the Edge
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3)
Singer's debut recording, "old-school cabaret with a modern sensibility." "¿Como te Gusta Mi Pinga?," "Thank You For The Music," "Bed Intruder Song," "The Physician," "Hymne a l'Amour," "Always True To You In My Fashion / Material Girl," "Happily Ever After," "Dedication," "Gorgeous," "Fist City," "Damned Ladies," "Wedding Story," "Linda's Wedding Mashup," "Frank Mills," "Shanghai Surprise," "We're Gonna Be All Right" (w/ Julie Myers), "An Old-Fashioned Love Story," "Another Drink, Miguel?," "Winston's Dance Party (Come and Get It)" (w/ Pam Downing & Julie Myers), "Sappy Moment," "The Edge of Glory," "May Tomorrow Be a Perfect Day" (theme from Donny & Marie TV Show)," "Think Of Me / Will You?."

August 7, 2012

Boleros for the Disenchanted and Other Plays by Jose Rivera
(TCG - Paperback Book)

On Broadway 2013 Calendar
(Time Factory - Paperback Calendar)
Wall calendar. Each month features a different Broadway musical, featuring Anything Goes, Avenue Q, Godspell, Catch Me If You Can, The Book of Mormon, Memphis, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Sister Act, War Horse, Spider-Man, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown. Each with a description written by Ken Johnson, Managing Editor of Playbill.com.

Ute Lemper: Paris Days, Berlin Nights
(Steinway & Sons - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Ute Lemper with the Vogler Quartet and Stefan Malzew for a recital drawn from the European songbook of the Weimar years. "Elle frequentait la rue Pigalle," "L'Accordeoniste," "Happy End: Surabaya Johnny - Die Dreigroschenoper: Die Moritat von Mackie Messer," "Der Graben," "Uber den Selbstmord," "Die Ballade vom Wasserrad," "La ultima grela," "Oblivion," "Maria de Buenos Aires: Yo soy Maria," "Tyomnaja Notch," "Ikh shtey unter a bokserboym," "Stiller abend," "Ne me quitte pas." Arrangements by Stefan Malzew. Released 3/20/12.

July 31, 2012

Follies Original Broadway Cast Recording
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Original 1972 Broadway cast album of Stephen Sondheim score newly remixed and remastered from the original edited eight-track session masters. No additional takes or material. Includes a twelve-page, full-color booklet. Limited to 1500 copies only. More information at Kritzerland.com. Sold out.

Forever Marilyn Collection
(Fox - Blu-Ray set)
Seven of Monroe's best and most popular films: Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How To Marry a Millionaire, River of No Return, There's No Business Like Show Business, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, The Misfits.

Marilyn The Premiere Collection
(Fox - 17 disc DVD set)
15 of Monroe's Fox films, plus 15 Fox films plus 2 from MGM/UA: All About Eve, As Young As You Feel, Lets Make It Legal, Love Nest, Don't Bother To Knock, Monkey Business, O. Henry's Full House, We're Not Married, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How To Marry A Millionaire, Niagara, There's No Business Like Show Business, The Seven Year Itch, Bus Stop, Some Like It Hot, Let's Make Love, The Misfits.

Places, Please!: Becoming a Jersey Boy
(Iguana Books - Paperback Book/Kindle Edition)
Daniel Robert Sullivan's story of auditioning and performing in the Toronto production of Jersey Boys.

Songs of The Blue Flower
(new on on iTunes) 
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. CD released in 2011 on jimbauermusic.com. First digital release.

July 24, 2012

Chip Deffaa's The Seven Little Foys
(Original Cast Records - new on CD/mp3)
Songs from 2008 New York International Fringe Festival show. Michael Townsend Wright, Beth Bartley, Devon Eddy, Emily Bordonaro, Jillian Wipfler, Peter Charney, Alex Craven, Maxwell Beer, Tyler DuBoys, Zachary Riopelle, Bailey Cummings, Jon Peterson. New original songs by Deffaa plus vintage favorites popularized by Eddie Foy and family. 37 tracks. Clips, tracks, CD also available at CD Baby.

For The First Time
(Warner Archive - new on DVD-R)
1959 musical film, Mario Lanza's last. 97 minutes.

Jesus Christ Superstar Concept Album
(Polydor - import 2 CD set)
Digitally remastered 1970 double album. Andrew Lloyd Webber/ Tim Rice score. Yvonne Elliman, Murray Head, Ian Gillan. Also available directly from the UK at Amazon UK.

Seven Hills of Rome
(Warner Archive - new on DVD-R)
1957 musical film. Mario Lanza, Peggie Castle, Renato Rascel, Marisa Allasio. Directed by Roy Rowland, written by Art Cohn and Giorgio Prosperi, and filmed entirely on location in Rome. 104 minutes.

Showbiz, A Novel
(Dress Circle Publishing - Paperback/Kindle book)
By Ruby Preston. ""Set amid the twinkling marquees of modern day Times Square ..."

Selections From Sympathy Jones: The New Secret Agent Musical
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes)

New York studio cast recording of 2007 NYMF show score by Masi Asare. Kate Shindle, Colin Hanlon, Nick Wyman, Jim Bray, Jen Percival and Brittney Johnson. Orchestrations and musical supervision by Jason Loffredo.

July 17, 2012

Alice: The Complete First Season
(Warner Archive - new on 3 DVD-R discs)
First 24 episodes of Linda Lavin TV show, 1976-1977, including the rarely seen pilot episode featuring Alfred Lutter from the Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore film. Guest stars include Adam West, Victor Buono, and Lara Parker. 600 minutes.

My Home Town Girl
(on CD)
Score by by Louis Hirsch. Includes three bonus songs not included in the published score. Available at OperettaFoundation.org.

Singin' In The Rain: 60th Anniversary Collector's Edition
(Warner Home Video - 3-disc Blu-Ray/DVD set)
1952 Adolph Green and Betty Comden musical film directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen. Debbie Reynolds, Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Rita Moreno. Limited and numbered editions; 48-page hard cover production book with never-before-seen memos and photos; custom full-size umbrella (40" diameter, consumer value $29.99); theatrical poster reproductions and 4 hours of Bonus Content: commentary by Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Cyd Charisse, Kathleen Freeman, Stanley Donen,Betty Comden, Adolph Green, Baz Luhrmann, and Rudy Behlmer; Singin' in the Rain: Raining on a New Generation all new documentary; Great Performances: Musicals Great Musicals: The Arthur Freed Unit at MGM (1996 PBS documentary); What a Glorious Feeling: The Making of Singin' in the Rain; "You Are My Lucky Star" Outtake; Nacio Herb Brown, Arthur Freed film excerpts (collection of 12 film clips from earlier movies that originally carried the Freed/Brown songs.); 26 scoring stage session cues; stills gallery; trailer.

July 17, 2012

Hoagy Carmichael's Havin' a Party
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Two albums recorded in the late 1950s (probably the last commercial recordings Carmichael made) making their CD debut: "Havin' a Party" aimed at the children's market and "Ole Buttermilk Sky" with several never-before-recorded originals combined with several earlier hits, which Carmichael revisits with a more up-to-date arrangement and backing. Also included, two gems previously only a 45 single release: "Flight To Hong Kong" and the Johnny Cash classic, "I Walk the Line."

Johnny Mercer Sings Just for Fun
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Lyricist and singer Johnny Mercer. 29 tracks spanning four decades, some on CD for the first time. Nine demo songs Mercer composed with Hoagy Carmichael (here on piano) for the film project The Keystone Girl" to star Betty Hutton, including the first ever recorded version of "In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening." Four demo tracks from the Mercer / Andre Previn West End stage musical The Good Companions starring Judi Dench. "Blues in the Night," "Love Is Just Around the Corner," "Old Ninety-Seven," "Spring, Spring, Spring ," "Them There Eyes," "Somebody Bad Stole the Wedding Bell," "St Louis Blues," "Accentuate the Positive," "Java Jive," "Hear Them Bells," "The New Ashmolean," "Take Me Back to Little Rock," "The First Baseball Game," "Lora-Belle Lee," "My Gal Is Mine Once More," "Jamboree Jones," "In the Cool, Cool, Cool Of the Evening," "Queenie, the Quick-Change Artist," "I Guessed It Was You All the Time," "Don't Care For the Heck Of It," "I'm All Tied Up," "But They Better Not Wait Too Long," "When I Get You in the Back Of My Cadillac," "At the Party," "Any Similarity Is Just Co-Incidental," "Little Lost Dream," "Slippin' Around the Corner," "The Pleasure Of Your Company," "I'll Tell the World."

The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later
(Dramatist's Play Service - facsimile edition)
Moises Kaufman, Leigh Fondakowski, Greg Pierotti, Andy Paris, Stephen Belber

Macbeth Performed by Alan Cumming
(Simon & Schuster - Audiobook/Audible edition/iTunes) 
Tony Award winner Alan Cumming plays every role in the National Theatre of Scotland's presentation of Shakespeare's tragedy. Released 7/3.

Merrily We Roll Along 2012 Encores! Cast Recording
(PS Classics - new on 2 CDs/mp3/iTunes) 
Colin Donnell, Celia Keenan-Bolger, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Adam Grupper, Elizabeth Stanley and Betsy Wolfe. a 23-piece orchestra conducted by Rob Berman. Jonathan Tunick orchestrations. DISC ONE: "Overture," "Merrily We Roll Along," "That Frank," "First Transition," "Like It Was," "Franklin Shepard, Inc.," "Second Transition," "Old Friends," "Growing Up," "Third Transition," "Not a Day Goes By," "Now You Know"; DISC TWO: "Entr'acte," "Gussie's Opening Number," "It's a Hit!," "Fourth Transition," "The Blob Part I / Growing Up (Reprise)," "Good Thing Going," "The Blob Part II," "Fifth Transition," "Bobby and Jackie and Jack," "Not a Day Goes By (Reprise)," "Sixth Transition," "Opening Doors," "Seventh Transition," "Our Time." Shipping now from PSClassics.com.

Waiting... 2012 Original Cast Recording
(new on mp3)
Song cycle in three acts written by St. Olaf College seniors Bob Kelly and Kelly Pomeroy. The show follows five couples as love is found and lost. Clips, tracks and mp3 album available at CD Baby.

Working Original Broadway Cast
(ArkivMusic/Masterworks Broadway - new mp3 and CD-R)
Lynn Thigpen, David Langston Smyrl, Matthew Mcgrath, Patti LuPone, Matt Landers, David Patrick Kelly, Arny Freeman, Steven Boockvor, Susan Bigelow, Rex Everhart, Bob Gunton, Robin Lamont, Bobo Lewis, Joe Mantegna, Lenora Nemetz, Brad Sullivan, Terri Treas. Original songs by Craig Carnella, Micki Grant, Mary Rodgers, Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, James Taylor. Recorded at A & R Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Stephen Schwartz and Studs Terkel. All tracks have been digitally remastered. Reissue producer: Bruce Kimmel. More information, tracks, etc. available at ArkivMusic.

July 3, 2012

The 66th Annual Tony Awards
(CBS - new on Amazon Instant Video/iTunes) 
Complete 2 hour and 21 minute televised Tony Awards hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, which aired June 10, 2012.

A Ship Without A Sail: The Life of Lorenz Hart
(Simon & Schuster - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition)
Biography by Gary Marmostein. 544 pages.

Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark Piano/Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book (in stock July 6))

June 26, 2012

Evita New Broadway Cast Recording
(Sony - new on 2 CDs/mp3) 
Andrew Lloyd-Webber and Tim Rice score. Elena Roger, Michael Cerveris, Ricky Martin. First complete English language version since the OBC recording.  Disc: 1: "Requiem," "Oh What a Circus," "On This Night of a Thousand Stars," "Eva, Beware of the City," "Buenos Aires," "Good Night and Thank You," "The Art of the Possible," "Charity Concert," "I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You," "Another Suitcase in Another Hall," "Peron's Latest Flame," "A New Argentina," Disc: 2: "On the Balcony of the Casa Rosada," "Don't Cry For Me Argentina," "High Flying Adored," "Rainbow High," "Rainbow Tour," "The Chorus Girl Hasn't Learned," "And the Money Kept Rolling," "Santa Evita," "Waltz for Eva and Che," "You Must Love Me," "She Is a Diamond," "Dice are Rolling," "Eva's Final Broadcast," "Montage," "Lament," "No Llores Por Mi Argentina" (Bonus Track). Co-produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, and Nigel Wright.

Henry IV Part 2: Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
(Kultur Video - new on DVD)
. Jamie Parker, Roger Allam, Oliver Cotton. Old Globe production shown in movie theaters. 171 minutes.

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - The Musical
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Vocal selections. 19 well-known pop songs from the score: Don't Leave Me This Way," "Girls Just Want to Have Fun," "Go West," "Hot Stuff," "I Love the Night Life," "I Say a Little Prayer," "I Will Survive," "It's Raining Men," "Like a Prayer," "MacArthur Park," "Material Girl," "Shake Your Groove Thing," "True Colors," "We Belong," "What's Love Got to Do with It" and more!

Scott Alan: Live
(new on 2 CDs/mp3) 
Recorded April at Birdland. "Overture," "I'm A Star" (Natalie Weiss), "Please Don't Let Me Go" (Jeremy Jordan), "And There It Is/Magic" (Louise Dearman & Julia Murney), "Now" (Laura Osnes), "Love, Love, Love" (Pentatonix), "Kiss The Air" (Caissie Levy), "Anymore" (Raena White), "The Distance You Have Come" (Richard Fleeshman), "Again" (Christiane Noll), "At This Moment" (Marc Broussard), "Blessing –rj Helton), "Always/Goodnight" (Sierra Boggess & Jane Monheit), "Disc Two), "Watch Me Soar" (Stephanie J. Block), "Surrender" (Melissa Van Der Schyff), "Home" (Liz Callaway And Ann Hampton Callaway), "Till Then" (Christopher Jackson), "I've Already Won" (Alexander Sage Oyen" Winner of "I'm A Star" Contest Featuring Jack Beatson, Paul Ianniello, Mindy Pack, Nick Pitera, Sidonie Smith, Heather Traska, Camille Trzcinski And Stefani Wood), "Over The Mountains" (Ben Fankhauser), "Say Goodbye" (Willemijn Verkaik), "Free" (Mykal Kilgore Featuring Danielle Greaves, Christina Robinson & Kenneth Robinson), "Never Neverland" (Fly Away—Kerry Ellis), "Look" (A Rainbow—Lea Salonga), "), "Bonus Tracks), "Take Me Away" (Hadley Fraser And Ramin Karimloo" (Studio Recording)), "Ignited By A Dream" (Scott Alan, Live). Songs arranged and orchestrated by Jesse Vargas. Background vocals were arranged by Michael McElroy, with the exception of the song "I've Already Won," which was arranged by Michael Orland ("American Idol") and Antonio Sol. Also available at CD Baby.

June 19, 2012

Evita: 15th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray
(Disney - new on Blu-Ray)
1996 film based on Andrew Lloyd Webber/Tim Rice musical. Madonna, Antonio Banderas, Jonathan Pryce. Directed by Alan Parker.

Gray's Anatomy
(Criterion Collection - new Blu-Ray)
Spalding Gray filmed monologue (co-written with Rene Shafransky). Directed by Steven Soderbergh. 79 minutes.

Groucho Marx in the Mikado
(VAI - new on DVD)
1960 The Bell Telephone Hour presentation. Groucho Marx, Stanley Holloway. Directed by Martyn Green.

Next Fall
(L.A. Theatre Works - Audio Play on CD)
L.A. Theatre Works full-cast January 2012 performance featuring Patrick Breen, Maddie Corman, Patrick Heusinger, Sam Mcmurray, Jeremy Webb, Julie White. Directed by Bart DeLorenzo. Recorded before a live audience.

Newsies: 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray
(Disney - new single Blu-Ray)
CDU | B&N
1992 musical film. Christian Bale, David Moscow, Bill Pullman, Ann-Margret, Robert Duvall, Max Casella. Directed by Kenny Ortega.

Queen of the Mist Original cast recording
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD/mp3) 
Michael John LaChiusa score. Original Off-Broadway cast for the Transport Group: Mary Testa, Andrew Samonsky, D.C. Anderson, Stanley Bahorek, Theresa McCarthy, Julia Murney, Tally Sessions. Orchestrations by Michael Starobin. Musical direction by Chris Fenwick, who conducts a seven-piece orchestra. Recorded January 3, 2012.

Sister Act: 20th Anniversary Edition - Two-Movie Collection
(Disney - 3 disc Blu-Ray/DVD Combo)
Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back In The Habit with Whoopi Goldberg, Harvey Keitel and Kathy Najimy. Digitally restored.

June 12, 2012

8
(L.A. Theatre Works - Audio Play on CD/Audible.com/iTunes) 
All-star cast performance of play by Dustin Lance Black. Full-cast performance featuring Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Martin Sheen, Kevin Bacon, Jamie Lee Curtis, Christine Lahti, John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Matthew Morrison, Chris Colfer, Yeardley Smith, Matt Bomer, George Takei, Rory O&-#-39-;Malley, Cleve Jones, James Pickens, Jr., Jansen Panettiere, Bridger Zadina, Vanessa Garcia, Campbell Brown. Directed by Rob Reiner. Recorded before a live audience at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, Los Angeles on March 3, 2012. Exclusive interviews include Dustin Lance Black and Rob Reiner; David Boies and Theodore B. Olson, lead attorneys for the plaintiffs challenging Proposition 8; backstage interview montage with George Clooney, Martin Sheen, Jamie Lee Curtis, John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and James Pickens, Jr. Released June 1.

David Geist: Move On
(new on CD/mp3)
Broadway orchestra member offers theatre music on piano. "Move On," "Candide Overture," "Just the Way Jerome Kern Looks Tonight," "Guys and Dolls," "Sweeney Todd," "West Side Story," "A Synagogue Story," "Send in the Clowns," "Wicked," "Cats," "Carousel," "Begin the Beguine." CD, mp3 tracks, and clips available at CD Baby.

Ian Patrick Gibb: Fill in the Words
(new mp3)
New York based singer/actor (Les Miserables tour debut album. "What Do I Need With Love," "Not Afraid," "Sarah," "Now I've Seen You," "Run Away With Me," "When She Loved Me," "Unexpressed," "Say It Somehow" (with Julie Benko), "Marry Me a Little." Mp3 tracks and clips at CD Baby.

George Dvorsky: All Through the Night
(JAY Records - new on CD) 
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."

Matt Doyle: Constant
(new EP on mp3/iTunes) 
Six-song EP with original songs by Doyle and his co-writer Will Van Dyke. "Don't Wait," "What You Stole," "Can't Stay Here," "Can't Have You," "Love Ain't Making Me Right," "Walls." Produced by Van Dyke and Derik Lee. Recorded and mixed by Derik Lee at Downtown Recording Studios in New York City.

The Memory of All That: George Gershwin, Kay Swift, and My Family's Legacy of Infidelities
(Crown - Paperback Book)
Katharine Weber, granddaughter of Kay Swift, memoir of her extraordinary family.

Theatre World Volume 67: 2010-2011
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
B&N
Ben Hodges, editor. In its 67th year, the most comprehensive record of the theatrical season-Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway, including listings for over 60 regional companies. More than 2,000 productions listed, with photos, complete cast listing, producers, directors, authors, composers, opening and closing dates, song titles, and plot synopses. Also the year's obituaries, a listing of all nominees and winners of the major theatrical awards, the longest-running shows on and off Broadway, and a detailed index. Over 700 photos of the season.

June 5, 2012

Alfie: Alfie Boe U.S. Release
(Decca - new on 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 Nick Jonas), "Wheels of a Dream," "It Was a Very Good Year," "Who Am I," "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." Previously released in the UK and available at Amazon UK.

Lift - A New Musical
(Perfect Pitch - new on CD)
Original concept album of score by Craig Adams and Ian Watson. Jack Shalloo, Julie Atherton, Louise Dearman, Jennifer Tierney, Michael Xavier, Paul Ayres. Available at CD Baby.
.

Loverly: The Life and Times of My Fair Lady (Broadway Legacies)
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Dominic McHugh. Based on previously-unpublished documents ... a completely new behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the show.

Peter and the Starcatcher: The Annotated Script of the Broadway Play
(Disney Editions - Paperback Book)
B&N
Script for the play with commentary by playwright Rick Elice, director Marco Paguia, composer Wayne Barker; set designer Donyale Werle, and original young-adult novel authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. Behind-the-scenes information and photos of the cast and crew. Introduction by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson. 192 pages. Ages 18 and up.

Ramin Karimloo: Human Heart
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD/mp3) 
West End performer (Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables, Love Never Dies). "Show Me Light," "Coming Home," "Music of the Night," "Broken Home," "Guiding Light," "Song of the Human Heart," "Constant Angel," "Til I Hear You Sing," "Eyes Of A Child," "Inside My World," "Everything I do (I Do It For You)," "Cathedrals." Previously released in the UK under the title Ramin. He will be touring North America in September.

Rock of Ages Soundtrack
(WaterTower Music - new on CD/mp3) 
Soundtrack of te movie based on the Broadway musical. Songs by Def Leppard, Journey, Poison, Twisted Sister, Foreigner, Bon Jovi, Joan Jett, and more, performed by the movie cast, including Tom Cruise, Mary J. Blige, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Julianne Hough, Diego Boneta, Paul Giamatti, and Malin Akerman.

Time
(new digital in two parts at iTunes - Act One; 16 tracks and Act Two; 11 tracks)
Remastered 1986 studio recording of Dave Clark/ Jeff Daniels/ David Soames score; additional songs by David Pomeranz. Ashford & Simpson, Burt Bacharach, John Christie, Murray Head, Jimmy Helms, Julian Lennon, Freddie Mercury, Laurence Olivier (spoken "Theme From Time"), Cliff Richard, Leo Sayer, Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder. Digital booklet(s) included.

The Vermont Plays: Four Plays by Annie Baker
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Circle Mirror Transformation, which takes place in a summer acting class and alternates between theater exercises and moments between classmates; The Aliens explores weighty topics of love and death through the easy banter of the slackers behind the local coffee shop; Body Awareness, set during Body Awareness Week at the local college; Nocturama, in which a twenty-six-year-old Brooklynite returns to live with his mom and video game obsessed stepfather.

Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown - Piano/Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
14 songs from the Broadway musical based on the film by Pedro Almodovar. Score by David Yazbek. Includes "Invisible," "Island," "Lie to Me," "Lovesick," "Madrid Is My Mama," "The Microphone," "Model Behavior," "Mother's Day," "My Crazy Heart," "On the Verge," "Shoes from Heaven."

May 29, 2012

Christopher Sanders: Curtain Call
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Theatre actor and singer solo album. "The Impossible Dream," "What Kind of Fool Am I," "If I Loved You," "This Is the Moment," "Try to Remember," "You're Nothing Without Me," "Some Enchanted Evening," "The Music of the Night," "My Defenses Are Down," "Bring Him Home," "Once Before I Go," "Pure Imagination/the Colors of My Life," "Before the Parade Passes By/Strike Up the Band." CD, digital album, tracks and clips available at CDBaby.

Coriolanus
(Weinstein Company - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
2011 film version of Shakespeare tragedy. Ralph Fiennes and Gerard Butler. Fiennes directs.

Dave Willetts: Once in a Lifetime, the 2tth Anniversary Collection
(Stage Door Records - new on CD/mp3)
UK theatre performer album of brand new songs, live concert recordings and 16 previously unreleased tracks. For more information, visit Stage Door Records.

Loverly: The Life and Times of My Fair Lady (Broadway Legacies)
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Dominic McHugh. Based on previously-unpublished documents ... a completely new behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the show.

Love Never Dies
(Universal - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Glenn Slater musical, filmed live. Stars Ben Lewis and Anna O'Byrne.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood
(Polydor - on mp3/iTunes) 
Original 1985 Broadway cast recording. Betty Buckley, Patti Cohenour, Jerome Dempsey, Stephen Glavin, Joe Grifasi, John Herrera, Judy Kuhn, Cleo Laine, George N. Martin, Howard McGillin, Donna Murphy, George Rose, Jana Schneider. "There You Are" (Chairman & Company), "A Man Could Go Quite Mad" (Jasper), "Two Kinsmen" (Drood & Jasper), "Moonfall" (Rosa), "The Wages Of Sin" (Princess Puffer), "Both Sides Of The Coin" (Jasper & Chairman), "Perfect Strangers" (Drood & Rosa), "No Good Can Come From Bad" (Neville, Rosa, Helena, Crisparkle, Jasper, Drood, Cook), "Never The Luck" (Bazzard & Company), "The Name Of Love & Moonfall" (Rosa & Jasper, With Ensemble), "Settling Up The Score" (Datchery & Puffer, With Ensemble), "Off To The Races" (Chairman, Durdles, Deputy, With Ensemble), "Don't Quit While You're Ahead" (Puffer & Company), "The Garden Path To Hell" (Puffer), "A Word From Your Chairman," Out On A Limerick" (Rosa Bud), "Out On A Limerick" (Reverend Crisparkle), "Out On A Limerick" (Bazzard), "Out On A Limerick" (Neville Landless), "Out On A Limerick" (Helena Landless), "Jasper's Confession" (Jasper), "Murderer's Confession" (Princess Puffer), "Murderer's Confession" (Rosa Bud), "Murderer's Confession" (Bazzard), "Murderer's Confession" (Reverend Crisparkle), "Murderer's Confession" (Neville Landless), "Murderer's Confession" (Helena Landless), "Finale: The Writing On The Wall" (Drood & Company).

Novello By You and Me
(new on mp3/iTunes) 
David Keith Jones sings songs by Ivor Novello. Also included, separate band and piano backing tracks for a total of 30 tracks. "And Her Mother Came Too!," "Music in May," "Rose of England," "I Can Give You the Starlight," "My Dearest Dear," "Waltz of My Heart," "My Life Belongs to You," "Fold Your Wings," "Glamorous Night," "Shine Through My Dreams," "Fly Home, Little Heart," "Some Day My Heart Will Awake," "Love Is My Reason," "We'll Gather Lilacs," "Keep the Home Fires Burning." Digital album and tracks, plus preview clips available at CD Baby.

Nunsense Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show
(Kultur Video - new on DVD)
Dan Goggin show. The Little Sisters of Hoboken have been invited to sing at the Hollywood Bowl. New York cast includes Deborah Del Mastro, Bambi Jones, Bonnie Lee, Jeanne Tinker, Stephanie Wahl. 60 minutes.

Phantom By Request
(new mp3 single)
Las Vegas pianist Whitney Phoenix' "Phantom by Request" medley. Digital download and preview clip available at CD Baby.

Sing Your Song: Harry Belafonte
(New Video Group - new on DVD)
2011 HBO documentary.

Todd Schroeder: Songs My Father Taught Me
(o.p. records - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Solo grand piano playing the standards from the '30s and '40s. "Misty," "Scotch and Soda," "Stardust," "Autumn Leaves," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "The Nearness of You," "Lush Life," "Skylark," "Tenderly," "In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "Danny Boy," "One for My Baby (One More for the Road)." Digital album, tracks and clips available at CDBaby.

May 22, 2012

Carol Channing - Larger Than Life
(Entertainment One - new on DVD)
Documentary of the Broadway legend. With Lily Tomlin, Chita Rivera, Barbara Walters, Tyne Daly, Tippi Hedren, Loni Anderson and Debbie Reynolds, Phyllis Diller, Tommy Tune, Bob Mackie and Bruce Vilanch. Includes excerpts from past TV appearances, footage from productions of Hello, Dolly!, and bonuses of some extended interview segments. Directed by Dori Berinstein. 87 minutes.

Chinglish
(TCG - Paperback Book)
2011 Broadway play by David Henry Hwang.

The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess New Broadway Cast Recording
(PS Classics - new on 2 CDs/mp3) 
Score by George Gershwin, Dubose & Dorothy Heyward and Ira Gershwin. Orchestrations by William David Brohn and Christopher Jahnke. Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis, David Alan Grier, with Phillip Boykin, Nikki Renée Daniels, Joshua Henry, Christopher Innvar, Bryonha Marie Parham, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Allison Blackwell, Roosevelt André Credit, Trevon Davis, Joseph Dellger, Wilkie Ferguson III, Carmen Ruby Floyd, Heather Hill, David Hughey, Andrea Jones-Sojola, Alicia Hall Moran, Cedric Neal, Phumzile Sojola, Nathaniel Stampley, Julius Thomas III, J.D. Webster, Lisa Nicole Wilkerson. Disc One: "Overture," "Summertime," "Roll Them Bones," "A Woman Is a Sometime Thing," "Porgy's Entrance," "Crap Game," "The Killing of Robbins," "Gone, Gone, Gone," "My Man's Gone Now," "Leaving for the Promised Land," "It Takes a Long Pull to Get There," "I Got Plenty of Nothing," "I Hates Your Strutting Style," "Picnics is all right…," "Bess, You Is My Woman Now," "Oh, I Can't Sit Down"; Disc Two: "It Ain't Necessarily So," "What You Want With Bess?," "Oh, Doctor Jesus," "Street Cries," "I was powerful sick…," "I Loves You, Porgy," "The Storm Approaches," "Oh, The Lord Shake the Heaven," "A Red Headed Woman," "Oh, Doctor Jesus" (Reprise), "Clara Don't You Be Downhearted," "Summertime" (Reprise), "The Death of Crown," "There's a Boat That's Leaving Soon for New York," "Bess, Oh Where's My Bess?," "Oh Lord, I'm on My Way." Recorded 3/26/12.

Sweet Little Devil Studio Cast
(PS Classics - new on CD/mp3)
1924 show (opened on Broadway at the Astor Theatre on January 21, 1924) with George Gershwin and B.G. DeSylva score. Studio recording. Bethe Austin, Danny Burstein, Philip Chaffin, Sara Jean Ford, Jason Graae, Rebecca Luker and Sally Wilfert. Sam Davis conducts. Vocal arrangements by David Loud.

May 15, 2012

David Essex digital releases: Mutiny! Original London Cast (mp3); Friends - Songs From Mutiny! (mp3/iTunes - originally released as 12" EP of studio pop recordings from Mutiny! score); The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe (mp3/iTunes, 1996).

Direct From Broadway: Jekyll & Hyde, Putting It Together, Smokey Joe's Cafe
(Image Entertainment - DVD set)
repackage including the previously-issued DVDs: Jekyll & Hyde with David Hasselhoff, Coleen Sexton, Andrea Rivette; Putting It Together with Carol Burnett, George Hearn, Ruthie Henshall; Smokey Joe's Cafe with Ken Ard, Adrian Bailey, Matt Bogart and Brenda Braxton.

John Pizzarelli: Double Exposure
(Telarc - new on CD/mp3) 
Classic pop songs in a jazz setting. "I Feel Fine," "Harvest Moon," "Traffic Jam," "Ruby Baby," "Alison," "Rosalinda's Eyes," "Elizabeth Reed," "Drunk On the Moon," "Walk Between Raindrops," "Free Man in Paris," "Take a Lot of Pictures" (original song written by Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey), "I Can Let Go Now," "Diamond Girl." Larry Fuller (keyboards), Martin Pizzarelli (bass) and Tony Tedesco (drums) plus organist Larry Goldings and a four-piece horn section arranged by Don Sebesky: Tony Kadleck, John Mosca, Kenny Berger and Andy Fusco.

Hazel: The Complete Third Season
(Shout! Factory - on 4 DVDs)
TV series starring Shirley Booth, Don Defore.

Lysistrata Jones
(Broadway Records - new on CD/mp3) 
Original Broadway cast recording. Liz Mikel, Patti Murin, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Josh Segarra, Jason Tam, LaQuet Sharnell, Alex Wyse, Biti Strauchn. "Right Now: Opening," "Right Now: Party Time," "Just Once," "Change the World," "No More Giving It Up," "Lay Low," "I Don t Think So," "You Go Your Way," "Where Am I Now?," "Writing on the Wall," "Hold On," "Don't Judge A Book," "Right Now: Operetta," "When She Smiles," "Hold On (reprise)," "The Final Game," "Give it Up!," "Never Say Never" (Curtain Call), Bonus Track: "Hold On" sung by Jennifer Holiday, with special lyrics by Lewis Flinn.

Newsies the Musical OBC
(Ghostlight - new on CD/mp3) 
Alan Menken/ Jack Feldman score (book by Harvey Fierstein). Danny Troob orchestrations. Arrangements by Michael Kosarin. Jeremy Jordan, John Dossett, Capathia Jenkins, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Kara Lindsay, Ben Frankhauser. Recorded March 4-5. "Overture," "Santa Fe (Prologue)," "Carrying the Banner," "The Bottom Line," "That's Rich," "I Never Planned on You/Don't Come a-Knocking," "The World Will Know," "Watch What Happens," "Seize the Day," "Santa Fe," "King of New York," "Watch What Happens (Reprise)," "The Bottom Line (Reprise)," "Brooklyn's Here," "Something to Believe In," "Once and For All," "Finale." Bonus tracks on CD only: "Santa Fe" (Performed by Jeremy Jordan accompanied by Alan Menken), "Seize The Day" (Full Song with Dance Break), "King of New York" (Full Song with Dance Break). released digitally April 10

May 8, 2012

'33, a Kabarett
(new digital mp3)
New Orleans singer Bremner Duthie tribute to Kabarett singers of '20s and '30s Berlin. "Want to Buy Some Illusions," "Boulevard of Broken Dreams," "Come Up and See Me Sometime," "We're in the Money - the Gold Diggers' Song," "Never Do Anything Twice," "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise," "Just a Little Yearning, Eine Kleine Sehnsucht," "Dancing in the Dark," "Falling in Love Again," "Unser Shtetl Brent (Our Village Is Burning)," "Twentieth Century Blues," "Cannon Song," "Ballad of Mack the Knife." Album, individual tracks, clips and album notes available at CDBaby.

Dee Does Broadway
(Razor & Tie - new on CD/mp3) 
Twisted Sister bandmember Dee Snider (Rock of Ages) duets with Patti LuPone, Bebe Neuwirth, Cyndi Lauper and more this new album of show tunes. "Cabaret," "The Ballad Of Sweeney Todd," "Big Spender" (with Cyndi Lauper), "Mack the Knife," "Whatever Lola Wants" (with Bebe Neuwirth), "Music Of The Night" (with guest violinist Mark Wood), "The Joint Is Jumpin'" (with Jesse Blaze Snider), "Luck Be A Lady" (with Clay Aiken), "I Get A Kick Out Of You," "There Is Nothin' Like A Dame" (with Priscilla cast members Will Swenson, Tony Sheldon and Nick Adams), "Razzle Dazzle." Preview clip of "Cabaret" available here.

Glenn Frey: After Hours
(Universal Music - new on CD/mp3) 
Founding member of The Eagles collection of classic love songs from the '40s to the present. "For Sentimental Reasons," "My Buddy," "The Good Life," "Route 66," "The Shadow Of Your Smile," "Here's To Life," "It's Too Soon To Know," "Caroline, No," "The Look Of Love," "I'm Getting Old Before My Time," "Worried Mind," "I Wanna Be Around," "Same Girl," "After Hours."

The Harry Allen Quintet Plays: Music From the Sound of Music
(Arbors Records - new on CD/mp3) 
Featuring Rebecca Kilgore, Eddie Erickson. "How Can Love Survive?," "Maria," "Do Re Mi," "Something Good," "No Way To Stop It," "Climb Ev'ry Mountain," "Sixteen Going On Seventeen," "My Favorite Things," "The Lonely Goatherd," "The Sound Of Music," "I Have Confidence," "An Ordinary Couple," "So Long, Farewell," "Edelweiss."

Herman On Herman: Peggy Sings Jerry
(Uncommon Sound - new on CD/mp3)
"It's Today," "Loving You," "It's As Simple As That-No Other Music," "The Best in the World," "If He Walked Into My Life," "Mame," "Wherever He Ain't," "To Be Alone With You," "I Won't Send Roses," "World, Take Me Back," "Song in the Sand-and I Was Beautiful," "The Best of Times-Before the Parade Passes By," "Shalom." CD, digital album and tracks, clips available at CDBaby.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying New Broadway Cast Recording
(Broadway Records - new 5-track EP CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Featuring Nick Jonas. "How To Succeed" (Nick Jonas), "Company Way" (Nick Jonas and Rob Bartlett), "Rosemary" (Nick Jonas and Rose Hemingway), "I Believe In You" (Nick Jonas), "Brotherhood of Man" (Nick Jonas). Available at the Hirschfeld Theatre beginning May 1. Recorded February 19 produced by Robert Sher.

Julie & Carol: Live at Carnegie Hall and Julie & Carol: Live at Lincoln Center
(Masterworks - new on 2 CDs/mp3) 
Specially priced 2-CD set. 1962 Julie & Carol: Live at Carnegie Hall and 1971 Julie & Carol: Live at Lincoln Center. CD 1: "No Mozart Tonight," "You're So London," "Oh Dear What Can The Matter Be," "From Russia: The Nausiev Ballet," "Meantime," "From Switzerland: The Pratt Family," "History Of Musical Comedy" (medley illustrating the history of musical theater in America since the early 20th century), "From Texas: Big "D""; CD 2: "Opening," "Our Classy, Classical Show ," "Girls In The Band," "Madame Abernall's / I Could Have Danced All Night," "He's Gone Away ," "Medley Of The 60's" (13 minutes; 46 songs that had come and gone since the Carnegie Hall show) "Wait Till The Sun Shines Nellie," "Finale." Released earlier at www.MasterworksBroadway.com.

Liza at the Winter Garden
(Masterworks Broadway - new on CD/mp3) 
1974 live Broadway recording. Overture ("Liza With A "Z"," "Ring Them Bells," "I Can See Clearly Now," "Maybe This Time," "Cabaret"), "If You Could Read My Mind/Come Back To Me," "Shine On Harvest Moon," "Exactly Like Me," "The Circle," "More Than You Know," "I'm One Of The Smart Ones," "Natural Man," "I Can See Clearly Now," "And I In My Chair (Et Moi Dans Mon Coin)," "There Is A Time (Le Temps)," "Quiet Thing," "Anywhere You Are/ I Believe You," "Cabaret Medley," "Curtain Bows / Cabaret," Bonus Live Tracks: "You and I," "It Had to Be You" and "My Shining Hour." Street date. Released earlier at MasterWorksBroadway.com April 3, a month before street date.

Lost Broadway and More Volume 4
(Footlight - new on CD)
Latest in the series celebrates women composers. To feature previously unrecorded songs from the musical Little House on the Prairie by Rachel Portman, sung by Newsies star Kara Lindsay and Kate Loprest (Wonderland); sing six songs from Judith Steir's musical Only A Kingdom sung by Max Von Essen (Evita), Jill Paice (The Woman In White, Curtains), Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd, Hollywood Arms) and Stephen "Mo" Hanan (Cats, Jolson & Co); several songs by Kay Swift, performed by Steve Ross, KT Sullivan, and William T. Zeffiro; and previously unrecorded songs by Marian Grudeff and Ray Jessel (Baker Street), including several cut Baker Street songs, songs from their revue Hellzapoppin '67 and songs from their unproduced musical version of National Velvet. Available at CD Baby and Footlight.com.

Lysistrata Jones Digital Release
(Broadway Records - new at iTunes) 
Original Broadway cast recording. Liz Mikel, Patti Murin, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, Josh Segarra, Jason Tam, LaQuet Sharnell, Alex Wyse, Biti Strauchn. "Right Now: Opening," "Right Now: Party Time," "Just Once," "Change the World," "No More Giving It Up," "Lay Low," "I Don t Think So," "You Go Your Way," "Where Am I Now?," "Writing on the Wall," "Hold On," "Don't Judge A Book," "Right Now: Operetta," "When She Smiles," "Hold On (reprise)," "The Final Game," "Give it Up!," "Never Say Never" (Curtain Call), Bonus Track: "Hold On" sung by Jennifer Holiday, with special lyrics by Lewis Flinn. CD to be released May 15.

Rhapsody In Blue
(Warner Archive - new on DVD-R)
1945 film about George Gershwin. Robert Alda, Joan Leslie, Alexis Smith, Charles Coburn, Rosemary DeCamp, Herbert Rudley, Oscar Levant, Paul Whiteman, Al Jolson, George White. Released 2/7/12.

May 1, 2012

The Columnist: A Play
(Faber & Faber - Paperback Book)
David Auburn's play, currently on Broadway starring John Lithgow.

john & jen
(Ghostlight - mp3/iTunes) 
Digital release of 1996 Off-Broadway cast recording. Andrew Lippa/Tom Greenwald score. Carolee Carmello and James Ludwig.

Julian Ovenden: If I Stay
(Universal/Decca - new on import CD)
Solo album from West End (soon in Finding Neverland) and Broadway (Death Takes a Holiday) performer. To be released 4/24 in the UK: pre-ordering at Amazon UK. "It Hurts To Say Goodbye," "The Last Waltz," "Woman To Man," "If You Go Away," "Stay," "I'm Not Coming Home," "Up, Up And Away," "When She Loved Me," "In A Broken Dream," "Ten Thousand Miles," "Just To See Each Other Again," "Something Better," "You've Made Me So Very Happy." Available since 4/23 at Amazon UK.

The Music of Smash
(Columbia - new on CD/mp3) 

Original songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty, Will Chase and cast. "Touch Me," "Stand," "Who You Are," "Crazy," "Beautiful," "Haven't Met You Yet," "Shake It Out," "Brighter Than the Sun," "Let Me Be Your Star," "The 20th Century Fox Mambo," "Mr& Mrs Smith," "Let's Be Bad," "History Is Made at Night." CDs purchased at Target include five additional tracks: "September Song" (Anjelica Huston), "Our Day Will Come" (Katharine McPhee), "Everything's Coming Up Roses" (Bernadette Peters); "Breakaway" (Megan Hilty); and "Run" (Katharine McPhee).

The Vernon Duke Songbook Vol. 1
(Boosey & Hawkes - Paperback Book)
16 songs from stage and screen including: April in Paris," "Autumn in New York." "I Like the Likes of You," "Paris in New York," "Sweet Bye and Bye and more. Includes a composer biography.

Victor Herbert: Collected Songs
(New World Records - on 4 CDs/mp3) 
Marnie Breckenridge, George Dvorsky, Sara Jean Ford, Steven LaBrie, Aaron Lazar, Jeanne Lehman, Rebecca Luker, Daniel Marcus, Dillon McCartney, Jonathan Michie, Ron Raines, Valerian Ruminski, Zachary Stains, Rosalie Sullivan, Korliss Uecker, Margaret Jane Wray. 102 tracks total. Produced by Larry Moore. See Amazon for track list.

Women Vaudeville Stars: Eighty Biographical Profiles
(McFarland - Paperback Book)
By Armond Fields (Maude Adams: Idol of American Theater). Paperback version of 2006 book. Tells the stories of 80 who were among the top vaudeville acts in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Biographies of the performers in each category appear in order of the date they entered vaudeville. A final section concentrates on the headliners? heritage, taking a broad look at the group according to ethnic background, socioeconomic background, family life, and other factors, including what happened to them after vaudeville died.

April 24, 2012

Blame It On Bacharach The 24th Annual STAGE Benefit
(Kritzerland Records - new on 2 CDs)
Live concert recording. Melissa Manchester, Stephen Bishop, Vicki Lewis, Donna McKechnie, Dave Koz, Marilyn Maye, Nancy Dussault, Stefanie Powers, Danny Gurwin, Justin Guarini, Catte Adams, Carole Cook, Jai Rodriguez, Valarie Pettiford and more. A portion of the proceeds goes to AIDS Project, Los Angeles, and other AIDS organizations. Available at Kritzerland.com for May shipping. Special pricing when buying all three STAGE concert CDs.

Bonnie & Clyde Original Broadway Cast
(Broadway Records - new on CD) 
Original Broadway cast recording of Frank Wildhorn Don Black score. Laura Osnes and Jeremy Jordan, Melissa van der Schyff, Claybourne Elder, Joe Hart, Louis Hobson, Talon Ackerman, Rozi Baker, Leslie Becker, Mimi Bessette, Alison Cimmet, Daniel Cooney, Jon Fletcher, Kelsey Fowler, Victor Hernandez, Sean Jenness, Katie Klaus, Michael Lanning, Garrett Long, Matt Lutz, Marissa McGowan, Cassie Okenka, Justin Matthew Sargent, Jack Tartaglia and Tad Wilson. Produced by Frank Wildhorn, John McDaniel and David Lai. Executive produced by Van Dean, Corey Brunish, Howard Kagan and Terry Schnuck. Recorded January 2, 2012.

Bring It On Digital Sampler
(Sh-K-Boom - new mp3/iTunes) 
Three track sampler of Lin-Manuel Miranda/Tom Kitt/Amanda Green score featuring the touring cast. "It's All Happening," "Ain't No Thing," "Enjoy The Trip." Digital booklet included.

By Side By Side By Side By Side By Stephen Sondheim The 23rd Annual STAGE Benefit
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Live concert recording. Len Cariou, Sally Ann Howes, Patrick Cassidy, Shaun Cassidy, Ann Hampton Callaway, Nancy Dussault, Betty Garrett, Randy Graff, Alice Ripley, Michelle Nicastro, Felicity Huffman, Marc Cherry, Valarie Pettiford, Charlotte Rae, Carole Cook, Rip Taylor, and many others. A portion of the proceeds goes to AIDS Project, Los Angeles, and other AIDS organizations. Available at Kritzerland.com for May shipping. Special pricing when buying all three STAGE concert CDs.

Camelot 45th Anniversary Edition
(Warner - new on Blu-Ray digibook)
CDU | B&N 1967 film. Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave, Franco Nero. Directed by Joshua Logan. Lerner & Loewe score. Features: audio commentary; featurettes Camelot: the Fallen Kingdom, Camelot: The Castle That Never Was, The Story of Camelot, The World Premier of Camelot; trailer. Also included, 36 pages of production information and CD sampler: "I Wonder What The King Is Doing Tonight?,"Camelot and the Wedding Ceremony," "How to Handle a Woman," "If Ever I Would Leave You - Love Montage."

The Craze: One Man, Two Guvnors - The Music
(DRG Records - new on CD) 
All 15 songs from the show, performed by Grant Olding and The Craze, as well as original cast members James Corden, Oliver Chris, Daniel Rigby, Martyn Ellis, Claire Lams, Suzie Toase and Jemima Rooper. Broadway art and new packaging plus an additional instrumental, "Calypso Jones." Released 4/10 on mp3 and iTunesPreviously available in the U.K. at National Theatre website.

On Singing Onstage with David Craig
(Applause - 6 DVD set)
The late David Craig (director of the Musical Theatre Performance Center at UCLA, professor at CMU) master class on DVD for first time. Available as a set, or individually: Class One: Lectures, Class Two: Technique, Class Three: Subtext, Class Four: Process/the Ballad, Class Five: Process/the Uptempo, Class Six: Performance/Q&A.

A Difficult Woman: The Challenging Life and Times of Lillian Hellman
(Bloomsbury Press - Hardcover Book)
By Alice Kessler-Harris. "A revelatory and provocative biography of one of the most controversial women of the twentieth century, by one of America's most renowned historians." 320 pages.

The Girl From Utah
(Comic Opera Guild - new on CD)
Paul Rubens, Sidney Jones and Jerome Kern score. Includes Kern's first big hit, "They'll Never Believe Me." The complete Comic Opera Guild production, featuring the songs added for the American production of the show in 1915, the opening chorus and first act finale that were cut from in the original production. Available at Footlight and Comic Opera Guild.

Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project
(Easton Studio Press - Hardcover Book/CD)
Collection of lullabyes written by Broadway composers ( Stephen Schwartz, Bobby Lopez, Maury Yeston, Rupert Holmes, Marc Shaiman, Charles Strouse, Tom Kitt, Henry Krieger), performed by Broadway singers (Patti LuPone, Vanessa Williams, Sutton Foster, Raul Esparza, Brian D'Arcy James, Anika Noni Rose) on a CD bound into the book. Illustrated by book illustrators and Broadway designers (Jules Feiffer, Marc Simont, William Ivey Long, Tony Walton, Scott Pask, Seymour Chwast, Paul Zelinsky, Betsy Lewin, Sean Qualls and others). Benefits breast cancer research. Conceived and created by Kate Dawson and Jodi Glucksman. Foreword by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. CD produced by Matt Pierson. 48 pages. Ages 3 and up.

The Perfect Year: The Music Of Andrew Lloyd Webber The 20th Annual STAGE Benefit Concert
(Kritzerland Records - new on 2 CDs)
Live concert recording. Tyne Daly, Bill Hutton, Valerie Perri, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Carole Cook, Dale Kristien, Franc D'Ambrosio, Ken Page, Terri Bibb, Karen Culliver, Mary D'Arcy, Anastasia Barzee, Reece Holland, David Burnham, William Katt, Brian Lane Green, Joan Ryan, Leslie Jordan, Valarie Pettiford, Kim Huber, Keith David, Nita Whitaker, Mary Jo Catlett, Sean McDermott, and many others. A portion of the proceeds goes to AIDS Project, Los Angeles, and other AIDS organizations. Available Kritzerland.com. Special pricing when buying all three STAGE concert CDs.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Music on Film Series
(Limelight - Paperback Book)
156 pages.

April 17, 2012

Alan Cumming: Someone Like the Edge of Firework
(Yellow Sound Lab - new digital single mp3/iTunes/) 
Katy Perry Firework"/Adeles "Someone Like You"/ Lady Gaga "Edge of Glory" mashup. Released 4/10/12.

How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song Soundtrack (Selections)
(new on mp3)
Songs from award-winning indie movie musical How Do You Write A Joe Schermann Song. Music and lyrics by Joe Schermann, orchestrations by Ken Lampl. Album download and clips at CD Baby.

Live from New York City: Brian Newman
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Trumpeter and singer (Feinstein's, The Oak Room). "Introduction / Angie's Song," "My Blue Heaven," "Night and Day," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "Don't Worry 'Bout Me," "How Insensitive," "That's All," "Tenderly," "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," "It Had to Be You," "My Shining Hour," "Teach Me Tonight," "Interlude," "I've Got the World On a String," "Write Myself a Letter," "Almost Like Being in Love," "That's Life." CD, mp3 and clips at CD Baby and iTunes.

April 10, 2012

Alan Cumming: Someone Like the Edge of Firework
(Yellow Sound Lab - new digital single mp3/iTunes/) 
Katy Perry Firework"/Adeles "Someone Like You"/ Lady Gaga "Edge of Glory" mashup. Released 4/10/12.

How Do You Write a Joe Schermann Song Soundtrack (Selections)
(new on mp3)
Songs from award-winning indie movie musical How Do You Write A Joe Schermann Song. Music and lyrics by Joe Schermann, orchestrations by Ken Lampl. Album download and clips at CD Baby.

Live from New York City: Brian Newman
(new on CD/mp3)
Trumpeter and singer (Feinstein's, The Oak Room). "Introduction / Angie's Song," "My Blue Heaven," "Night and Day," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "Don't Worry 'Bout Me," "How Insensitive," "That's All," "Tenderly," "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars," "It Had to Be You," "My Shining Hour," "Teach Me Tonight," "Interlude," "I've Got the World On a String," "Write Myself a Letter," "Almost Like Being in Love," "That's Life." CD, mp3 and clips at CD Baby.

April 10, 2012

The Good Old Bad Old Days
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
1972 original cast recording of West End show. Music and Lyrics by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Anthony Newley, Paul Bacon, Keith Chegwin, George Claydon, Fred Evans, Bill Kerr, Terry Mitchell, Lesley Roach, Rob Stuart, Julia Sutton, Caroline Villiers Pre-ordering at Kritzerland website.

Newsies the Musical Digital Release
(Ghostlight - new on mp3/iTunes) 
Alan Menken/ Jack Feldman score (book by Harvey Fierstein). Danny Troob orchestrations. Arrangements by Michael Kosarin. Jeremy Jordan, John Dossett, Capathia Jenkins, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Kara Lindsay, Ben Frankhauser. "Overture," "Santa Fe (Prologue)," "Carrying the Banner," "The Bottom Line," "That's Rich," "I Never Planned on You/Don't Come a-Knocking," "The World Will Know," "Watch What Happens," "Seize the Day," "Santa Fe," "King of New York," "Watch What Happens (Reprise)," "The Bottom Line (Reprise)," "Brooklyn's Here," "Something to Believe In," "Once and For All," "Finale." (CD has 3 bonus tracks). Recorded March 4-5. Street date for CD May 15; released digitally April 10; orders placed through Newsies website will be released April 30.

Nikki Renée Daniels: Home
(new on CD/mp3)
Broadway/opera/regional performer Nikki Renee Daniels (Porgy and Bess, Anything Goes) debut album with guests Jeff Kready and Tituss Burgess. "Over My Head," "Home," "Me," "Say It Somehow" (w/ Jeff Kready), "The Summer Knows," "Love Song for No One," "Sigh No More Ladies," "Spark of Creation," "Home," "Who Would Imagine a King" (w/ Tituss Burgess), "Over My Head/His Eye Is On the Sparrow." Available at CD Baby.

The Craze: One Man, Two Guvnors - The Music Digital
(DRG Records - on mp3/at iTunes) 
All 15 songs from the show, performed by Grant Olding and The Craze, as well as original cast members James Corden, Oliver Chris, Daniel Rigby, Martyn Ellis, Claire Lams, Suzie Toase and Jemima Rooper. Broadway art and new packaging plus an additional instrumental, "Calypso Jones." CD expected April 24. Previously available in the U.K. at National Theatre website.

Ramin
(Sony - new on CD)
Debut album from UK performer Ramin Karimloo (Phantom of the Opera, Pirates of Penzance, Jesus Christ Superstar). Half of the tracks are songs written by Karimloo. "Show Me Light," "Coming Home," "Music of the Night," "Broken Home," "Guiding Light," "Human Heart," "Constant Angel," "Til I Hear You Sing," "Eyes of a Child," "Inside My World," "Everything I Do," "Cathedrals." Available at Amazon UK.

Sweeney Todd Chichester Festival Cast
(Warner Bros UK - new import CD)
Recorded February 25. Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. "Prelude / The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "No Place Like London," "Worst Pies in London," "My Friends / The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "Johanna," "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "Wait," "Kiss Me," "Ladies in their Sensitivities," "Pretty Women," "Epiphany," "A Little Priest," "God, That's Good!," "Johanna (Reprise)," "By the Sea," "Not While I'm Around," "Searching," "Judge's Return," "Final scene," "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd." Available now in the UK at and Amazon UK.

April 3, 2012

Bobby Belfry & The David Budway Trio: One Lucky Day
(new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
New album from award winning and critically acclaimed singer and musicians. "I Want You to Be My Baby," "Arthur's Theme (the Best That You Can Do)," "Where or When," "Until I Met You/Say What?," "One of These Days (the Apartment Song)," "The Folks Who Live On the Hill," "Skylark," "I Thought About You," "Young At Heart," "Stardust," "When the Sun Comes Out," "On the Sunny Side of the Street," "Moon River." CD, download and clips CD Baby.

Doris Day: With a Smile and a Song
(Sony Masterworks - new on 2 CDs/mp3/iTunes) 
Doris Day hand-picked the set list: one disc of songs from her films, the other of her favorite Columbia Records tracks. Disc One: "On Moonlight Bay," "Till We Meet Again," "It Had To Be You," "I'll See You In My Dreams," "It's Magic (78rpm Version)," "By The Light Of The Silv'ry Moon," "Secret Love," "I Speak To The Stars (from "Lucky Me")," "Love Me Or Leave Me," "At Sundown," "Shaking The Blues Away," "Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)," "Pillow Talk," "My Romance," "Little Girl Blue."; Disc Two: "Easy To Love," "Imagination" (78rpm Version), "You Go To My Head" (78rpm Version), "Don't Take Your Love From Me," "But Beautiful," "The Song Is You," "Our Love Is Here To Stay," "Oh, But I Do," "Here We Go Again," "Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Tread," In Love In Vain," "With A Smile And A Song," "Desafinado (Slightly Out Of Tune)," "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps (Quizas, Quizas, Quizas)," "There They Are."

The Horse's Mouth: How Handspring and the National Theatre Made War Horse
(Oberon Books - Paperback Book)
B&N
By Basil Jones, Adrian Kohler and Simon Annand (illustrator). Generously illustrated with the work of award-winning photographer Simon Annand, this book takes you behind the scenes, describing how Tom Morris, director at the National Theatre, interacted with the Handspring Puppet Company in developing ideas for the staging of the piece. It also gives a clear account of how the puppets were designed and constructed.

Leslie Uggams: Uptown Downtown
(new on CD/mp3)
"Rhapsody in Blue / There's a Boat That's Leaving for New York / New York, New York," "Them There Eyes," "My Own Morning," "Born in a Trunk," "Sunny Side of the Street," "Up a Lazy River," "A Tisket, A Tasket," "I Wanna Be Around / You Made Me Love You," "Up on the Roof," "Hello Young Lovers," "Good Morning Heartache," "It Don't Mean a Thing / Take the A Train," "Love," "Yesterday / Yesterdays," "Anyplace I Hang My Hat Is Home," "Broadway," "Summertime," "I Got Plenty of Nothin'," "If He Walked into My Life," "Stormy Weather," "The Man I Love." CD, download and clips available at CD Baby.

Meredith Braun: Someone Else's Story
(Stagedoor Records - new on import CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Debut solo album for Meredith Braun, West End musical theatre performer (Sunset Boulevard, The Secret Garden, Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera. Musical Direction by Paul Bateman. Recorded at London's Angel Studios September December 2011. "Someone Else's Story," "China Doll," "No One Is Alone / Not While I'm Around," "Meadowlark," "Close Your Eyes," "Love Never Dies," "Papa Can You Hear Me?," "You Must Love Me," "Rainbow Connection," "Wait A Bit," "Good Thing Going / Not A Day Goes By," "Take Me Home" and Bonus Tracks "Se Dormi" ("Close Your Eyes" - Italian Version) and "L'arc En Ciel" ("Rainbow Connection" - French Version). Will be available first, on March 26, at Stage Door Records.

Sweeney Todd Chichester Festival Cast UK Release
(Warner Bros UK - new import CD)
Recorded February 25. Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. "Prelude / The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "No Place Like London," "Worst Pies in London," "My Friends / The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "Johanna," "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "Wait," "Kiss Me," "Ladies in their Sensitivities," "Pretty Women," "Epiphany," "A Little Priest," "God, That's Good!," "Johanna (Reprise)," "By the Sea," "Not While I'm Around," "Searching," "Judge's Return," "Final scene," "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd." Available now in the UK: at Amazon UK (even with shipping, may be cheaper than US import, coming April 10).

Weill's Musical Theater: Stages of Reform
(Univ of California Press - Hardcover Book/Kindle Edition)
B&N
By Stephen Hinton. First musicological study of Weill's complete stage works.

What Is This Thing ...?: Earl Wentz Plays Love Songs of Cole Porter
(Sixpence, Inc. - new on CD)
Pianist, composer and musical director Earl Wentz' arrangements of Cole Porter songs. First of a planned 4-CD collection recorded just prior to his death in 2009. 12 Cole Porter love songs: "What Is This Thing Called Love?," "In the Still of the Night," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "Easy To Love," "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye," "I Love You," "Begin the Beguine," "True Love," "It's De-Lovely," "Night and Day," "You Do Something To Me." Available at Sixpence.com.

March 27, 2012

Album Produced By... More of my Rollercoaster Life
(Authorhouse - new Hardcover/Paperback/Kindle book)
By Bruce Kimmel. A look back at his career in the recording industry.

Bachelorette
(Dramatist's Play Service - Paperback Book)
Leslye Headland play produced at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre in 2010, and regionally since. Published December 2011.

David Lean Directs Noël Coward
(Criterion Collection - new 4 Blu-Ray/4 DVD set)
New high-definition digital transfers of David Lean's '40s film versions of the Coward's In Which We Serve, This Happy Breed, Blithe Spirit, and Brief Encounter.  Bonuses include: audio commentary on Brief Encounter by film historian Bruce Eder; new interviews with Noel Coward scholar Barry Day on all of the films; interview with cinematographer-screenwriter-producer Ronald Neame from 2010; short documentaries from 2000 on the making of In Which We Serve and Brief Encounter; David Lean: A Self Portrait, a 1971 television documentary on Lean's career; episode of the British television series The Southbank Show from 1992 on the life and career of Coward; audio recording of a 1969 conversation between Richard Attenborough and Coward at London's National Film Theatre

Dropped Names: Famous Men and Women As I Knew Them
(Harper - Hardcover/Kindle Book)
B&N
Frank Langella's memoir about encounters with some of the past century's most famous people; and his own journey. 368 pages.

Good People
(TCG - Paperback Book/Kindle Edition)
Tony Award nominated play by David Lindsay-Abaire.

Krisanthi Pappas: A Centennial Tribute to George and Ira Gershwin
(new on CD/mp3)
"I Got Rhythm," "Embraceable You," "A Foggy Day," "If I Had Only Known," "Our Love Is Here to Stay," "They All Laughed," "Nice Work If You Can Get It," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Oh What a Day!," "I've Got a Crush On You," "Fascinating Rhythm," "Someone to Watch Over Me," "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off," "Summertime." CD, download and clips available at CD Baby.

My Friend Tom: The Poet-Playwright Tennessee Williams
(Univ Press of Mississippi - Hardcover Book)
By William Jay Smith. Foreword by Suzanne Marrs. Friend and poet Smith's analysis of Williams' early work, a biography, and thoughts about the writer's career. Source material includes correspondence with Williams, newspaper accounts, literary journals. 192 pages. Published January 12, 2012.

March 20, 2012

Bachelorette
(Dramatist's Play Service - Paperback Book)
Leslye Headland play produced at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre in 2010, and regionally since. Published December 2011.

Carnage
(Sony - new on Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
2011 feature film version of Yasmina Rez' play God of Carnage.  Jodie Foster, John Reilly, Kate Winslet, and Christoph Waltz. Directed by Roman Polanski. 80 minutes.

Cravings: Songs of Hunger & Satisfaction
(new on CD/mp3)
Belle Linda Halpern's show. "Everybody Eats When They Come to My House," "My Favorite Things," "I'm Not That Girl," "I Want It All / My Simple Christmas Wish," "I Can Cook, Too," "Peel Me a Grape," "My Handy Man," "I Was Here," "Roumania, Roumania," "Butter," "Coffee in a Cardboard Cup," "If I Can Dream," "Rocking Chair," "Abi Gezunt / Grateful." CD, download and clips available at CD Baby.

Gavin Creel: Get Out
(new at iTunes/mp3) 
Gavin Creel's third independent release. Collaboration with songwriter and producer Ben Cullum. "Enough," "Get Out," "Whitney Houston," "Doin' It," "Beautiful or Wrong," "U Can't Ignore Me," "Sooner or Later," "Come Alive," "Whitney Houston (Sunhatch Remix)." Hard copy CD available at live performances.

Irving Berlin's American Musical Theater (Broadway Legacies)
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
By Jeffrey Magee. Study of Berlin's work in and for the theater ... does not shy away the darker aspects of Berlin's career.

Lucille Ball Specials: Lucy Moves to NBC
(MPI Home Video - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
In this 1980 TV special, Lucille Ball comes out of retirement and teams with NBC. Johnny Carson, Jack Klugman, Gary Coleman, Gene Kelly, Gale Gordon, Robert Alda, Ruta Lee and Doris Singleton, plus Donald O'Connor and Gloria DeHaven in the final segment, a musical-comedy presentation intended as a TV series pilot.

Mr. Broadway: The Inside Story of the Shuberts, the Shows, and the Stars
(Applause Books - Hardcover Book)
B&N
Memoir by Gerald Schoenfeld. Foreword by Hugh Jackman. Completed just one month before Gerald Schoenfeld's death in 2008 at the age of 84. Brings the reader backstage ... recounting nightmarish tales of the Shuberts, themselves, the meanness of Lee, the madness of JJ, the turmoil surrounding John's personal life, and the drunken ineptitude of Lawrence Shubert Lawrence, Jr. ... describes how he and his partner, Bernie Jacobs, saved the Shubert Organization, bringing some of Broadway's greatest hits to the stage. 304 pages. Two 8-page photo inserts.

March 13, 2012

In With the Old
(JAY Records - new on iTunes)
1986 TER cast album of the BBC "original radio musical." Evelyn Laye, Elisabeth Welch, Dora Bryan, Maxine Audley, Richard Murdoch, Michael Howe, Clare Burt, John Yap, Gordon Langford & BBC Radio Big Band.

Julie London: I'll Cry Tomorrow & Rarities
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Twenty-four single tracks from the 1950s and early 1960s, including London's earliest known recordings from 1955.

Once Original Cast Recording
(Masterworks Broadway - new on CD/mp3) 
CDU | B&N
Cast recording for Broadway-bound show. Score by Glen Hansard& Markéta Irglová (book by Edna Walsh) 2007 film. 13-member cast sings and plays all the instruments; the recording was produced to allow for "the same style and environment as [the] stage show." New orchestrations by by Martin Lowe. Steve Kazee and Cristin Milioti, with David Abeles, Claire Candela, Will Connolly, Elizabeth Davis, David Patrick Kelly, Anne L. Nathan, Lucas Papaelias, Andy Taylor, Erikka Walsh, Paul Whitty, and J. Michael Zygo. Recorded January 17, 2012. "The North Strand," "Leave," "Falling Slowly," "The Moon ," "Ej Pada Pada Rosicka ," "If You Want Me ," "Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy," "Say It To Me Now ," "Abandoned In Bandon," "Gold," "Sleeping," "When Your Mind's Made Up," "The Hill," "It Cannot Be About That," "Gold (A Cappella) ," "Falling Slowly" (Reprise). iTunes version includes bonus track "Chandler's Wife." Barnes & Noble version has bonus tracks "Raglan Road" and "Ešt? si já pohár vína zaplatím".

March 6, 2012

Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot At The Symphony
(Concord Jazz - new on CD/mp3) 
Companion CD to PBS concert to be shown nationally beginning March 3. "Life Of The Party," "I'm Not That Girl," "Love For Sale / Roxanne," "Funny Girl / Don't Rain On My Parade," "Asleep On The Wind," "No Day But Today," "Poker Face," "Gorgeous," "Look To The Rainbow," "Good Morning Walker / I Feel Smoochie," "Where Or When," "Heaven Help My Heart," "For Good," "Defying Gravity," "Tomorrow." With Taye Diggs and Marvin Hamlisch.

Idina Menzel Live: Barefoot At The Symphony
(Concord - new Amazon Exclusive DVD)
PBS concert to be shown nationally beginning March 3. Songs include "Life Of The Party," "I'm Not That Girl," "Love For Sale / Roxanne," "Funny Girl / Don't Rain On My Parade," "Asleep On The Wind," "No Day But Today," "Poker Face," "Gorgeous," "Look To The Rainbow," "Good Morning Walker / I Feel Smoochie," "Where Or When," "Heaven Help My Heart," "For Good," "Defying Gravity," "Tomorrow." With Taye Diggs and Marvin Hamlisch.

The Irving Berlin Reader (Readers on American Musicians)
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Benjamin Sears. Chronology of Berlin's life and work, each section with a critical introduction to contextualize the materials within the framework of American musical history. The writings, many by Berlin himself, provide a new perspective on Berlin that highlights his musical genius in the context of his artistic development.

Judy Garland: Carnegie Hall
(Performance Records - new import 2 CD set/mp3) 
Original vinyl version, newly remastered. Winner of five Grammy Awards and the best-selling album in Judy Garland's career. Full Judy At Carnegie Hall album plus fourteen bonus tracks from her 1957 album Alone, her 1958 album Judy In Love and her 1960 album That's Entertainment!. Liner notes. Also released in the U.K. on 2/27/12 at at Amazon UK.

Marlene: Marlene Dietrich, A Personal Biography
(Applause Books - Paperback Book)
By Charlotte Chandler. In the mid-1970s Chandler interviewed the reclusive actress in Dietrich's Paris apartment. Chandler also interviewed others who knew Dietrich well, including Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., and Burt Bacharach. Relates how Dietrich began her career in Berlin as a model, then a stage and screen actress during the silent era, moving on to become one of the brightest lights in Hollywood. Dietrich spoke candidly with Chandler about her unconventional marriage. 304 pages.

The Sound of Music Family Scrapbook
(Applause - Hardcover Book/DVD)
The inside story of the beloved movie musical, revealed by the actors who starred as the Von Trapp children (Charmian Carr, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies, Duane Chase, Angela Cartwright, Debbie Turner, Kym Karath). Tells the story of the iconic film's cast, both during the filming and once the movie was released. Include are a DVD with their own home-movie footage, memorabilia they have cherished and preserved over the years, including letters home to their families in America, a page from the script with edits marked in the margin and a ticket to the world premiere. Introduction by Ted Chapin. 96 pages

Thumbelina
(20th Century Fox - new on DVD)
1994 animated film with songs by Barry Manilow and William Ross. Voices include Jodi Benson, Barbara Cook, Carol Channing, Charo, and Gilbert Gottfried.

February 28, 2012

Alice Ripley: Beautiful Eyes
(Shellac Records new digital single on mp3 and at iTunes) 
Original song by Alice Ripley. The singer also plays guitar, with Christopher Schelling on keyboards and Shannon Ford on drums and percussion. Music video shot by director John Carucci will be online in March.

Inside the Plaza: An Intimate Portrait of the Ultimate Hotel - Revised and Updated
(Applause Books - Hardcover Book)
Newly revised and updated edition, Morehouse recounts the hotel's recent $450 million transformation, with its 181 luxury condominium residences, 282 guest rooms and suites, and landmark public spaces, such as the Oak Room and Oak Bar.

The Molly Maguires Soundtrack
(Kritzerland Records - new on CD)
Newly mixed, score by Henry Mancini plus bonus tracks. Also included, Charles Strouse's complete score for the film, which was scrapped early. Limited edition of 1500 copies. Shipping from Kritzerland.com.

Oscar Hammerstein II Out of My Dreams
(Decca Broadway - on CD/mp3)
CDU | B&N
Companion CD to upcoming March PBS special comprised of previously issued tracks from Decca vault. "Getting To Know You" (Julie Andrews), "It Might As Well Be Spring" (Dick Haymes), "Do Re Mi" (Connie Fisher), "A Puzzlement" (Yul Brynner), "Mister Snow" (Sarah Brightman & Barbara Cook), "Some Enchanted Evening" (Reba McEntire & Brian Stokes Mitchell), "Love Look Away" (Rosemary Clooney), "If I Loved You" (Jan Clayton & John Raitt), "People Will Say We're In Love" (Alfred Drake, Joan Roberts), "Dat's Love" (Muriel Smith), "Ol' Man River" (Simon Estes), "Out Of My Dreams" (Joan Roberts). Version sold through PBS will also include "Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Leslie Garrett), "All The Things You Are" (Tony Martin), "The Folks Who Live On The Hill" (Irene Dunne).

A Purple Summer: Notes of the Lyrics of Spring Awakening
(Applause - Paperback Book)
B&N
Steven Sater's notes on his lyrics, addressing the literary sources and allusions of each lyric, and what prompted the songs. 112 pages.

Vanya on 42nd Street
(Criterion Collection - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
André Gregory's staging of Chekhov's Uncle Vanya in a crumbling Manhattan playhouse. Wallace Shawn, Julianne Moore, Brooke Smith, and George Gaynes. Directed by Louis Malle. Digital restoration. Includes new documentary featuring interviews with André Gregory, Lynn Cohen, George Gaynes, Julianne Moore, Larry Pine, Wallace Shawn, Brooke Smith, Fred Berner; trailer; and booklet with essay by critic Steven Vineberg and 1994 on-set report by film critic Amy Taubin.

February 21, 2012

The Astaires: Fred & Adele
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Kathleen Riley. Story of the dancing siblings told in depth and within its historical and theatrical context.

David Merrick Presents Hits from His Broadway Hits
(Masterworks Broadway/ArkivMusic - new on CD-R/mp3/iTunes) 
1964 album. John Gary, Ann-Margret and The Merrill Staton Voices. "Fanny," "Love Makes the World Go 'round" (Carnival), "Make Some One Happy" (Do Re Mi), "Small World" (Gypsy), "Our Language of Love" (Irma la Douce), "Take Me Along," "What Kind of Fool Am I?" (Stop the World, I Want to Get Off), "As Long As He Needs Me" (Oliver!), "Comes Once in a Lifetime" (Subways Are for Sleeping), "Anyone Would Love You" (Destry Rides Again), "Is It Really Me ?" (110 in the Shade), "Hello, Dolly!." New liner notes by Peter Filichia. CD-R available at ArkivMusic.com.

Elvira Barjau: So This is Love
(new mp3 album)
Theatre performer/singer debut album. "Unexpected Song," "Where or When," "I'm All Smiles," "You and the Night and the Music," "Dos Gardenias," "Down With Love," "When I Look in Your Eyes," "Why Did I Choose You," "So This Is Love." Available at CD Baby.

Eminent Outlaws: The Gay Writers Who Changed America
(Twelve - New Hardcover/Kindle )
Christopher Bram chronicles the rise of gay consciousness in American writing through fifty years of momentous change. Tennessee Williams, Gore Vidal, Truman Capote, Allen Ginsberg, James Baldwin, Armistead Maupin, Edmund White, Tony Kushner, and Edward Albee among them.

Hazel: The Complete Second Season
(Shout! Factory - new on 4 DVDs)
All 32 episodes of 1962-63 season of TV show starring Shirley Booth, with Don DeFore, Whitney Blake, Bobby Buntrock. Guest stars include Florence Sundstrom, Frank Aletter, Max Showalter, Louise Lorimer.

The Oxford Handbook of The American Musical (Oxford Handbooks)
(Oxford Univ Press - new Hardcover Book)
Editors Raymond Knapp, Mitchell Morris, Stacy Wolf. Cross-section of essays written by leading experts in the field, organized within broad conceptual groups... on issues and topics in the field of musical-theater and film-musical studies.

The Spirit of River City
(new on CD)

Live/studio mix recording. Book, music, lyrics by Randolph Hobler. 2008 premiere at Stephen Sondheim Performing Arts Center in Fairfield, Iowa. Second place in 2011 ANMT Search for New Musicals. 22 tracks. Clips and CD available at CD Baby.

February 14, 2012

Annie 2012 Australian Cast
(new on CD)
Charles Strouse/ Martin Charnin score. Recorded live on opening night, January 5, 2012 at Lyric Theatre, Sidney. Ella Nicol, Anthony Warlow, Nancye Hayes, Todd McKenney, Chloë Dallimore, Julie Goodwin, Alan Jones. Available at Middle Eight Music.

Bing Crosby Through The Years —Volume Nine (1955-1956)
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Volume Nine of the ongoing Bing Crosby Through the Years series. 26 recordings made between 1955 - 1956 in chronological order. "Christmas Is A-Comin'," "The First Snowfall," "The Possibility's There (With Peggy Lee)," "The Next Time It Happens," "Something In Common," "Look To Your Heart," "Suddenly There's A Valley," "Moments To Remember," "Is Christmas Only A Tree?," "The Longest Walk," "John Barleycorn," "When You're In Love," "April Showers," "Blues In The Night," "Prisoner Of Love," "Memories Are Made Of This," "My Blue Heaven," "Paper Doll," "Ain't Misbehavin'," "When My Baby Smiles At Me," "A Little Kiss Each Morning," "This Love Of Mine," "Mona Lisa," "Thanks For The Memory," "Around The World," "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day."

Connie Francis Sings: Never On Sunday / Songs to a Swinging Band
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Connie Francis twofer of 1960s albums, plus three bonus tracks from her singles. "Never On Sunday," "Young At Heart," "Around The World," "High Noon," "April Love," "Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart?)," "Three Coins In The Fountain," "Tammy," "Anna," "Moonglow (Theme From "picnic")," "Love Me Tender," "Love Is A Many Splendored Thing," "Hollywood," "(He's My) Dreamboat," "When The Boy In Your Arms (Is The Boy In Your Heart)," "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You," "Ol' Man Mose," "How Long Has This Been Going On," "My Love, My Love," "It Might As Well Be Spring," "Taboo," "Love Is Where You Find It," "I Got Lost In His Arms," "Dat's Love," "Angel Eyes," "Gone With The Wind," "Swanee."

Judy Garland: Carnegie Hall
(JSP - import 2 CD set)
U.K. release. Original vinyl version, newly remastered. Winner of five Grammy Awards and the best-selling album in Judy Garland's career. Full Judy At Carnegie Hall album plus fourteen bonus tracks from her 1957 album Alone, her 1958 album Judy In Love and her 1960 album That's Entertainment!. Liner notes. Another version is being released on March 6 at a lower import price; unknown if the details are going to be the same.

Mama I Want to Sing!
(20th Century Fox - new on DVD)
Straight-to-DVD film based on 1983 Westly Nailer, Vy Higginsen, Ken Wydro Off-Broadway musical. Ciara, Lynn Whitfield, Patti LaBelle and Ben Vereen.

Orange Blossom Special & Wheels / Berlin Melody: Billy Vaughn and His Orchestra
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Two LPs in full: "Orange Blossom Special & Wheels" peaked at #11 in the U.S. Pop Album charts where it remained for 43 weeks while "Berlin Melody" reached #20 and stayed 18 weeks in the charts. Three bonus tracks. "Wheels," "Orange Blossom Special," "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "Marie," "My Dear," "C'est Si Bon," "Lazy River," "The Whiffenpoof Song," "Sorrento," "Green Grass Of Texas," "Summertime," "It's A Lonesome Old Town," "Berlin Melody," "Michael," "Mexico," "Wooden Heart," "Together," "It Happened In Adano," "Autumn Love Song," "Blue Tomorrow," "Clair De Lune," "Blue Moon," "Till I Waltz Again With You," "Serenade Of The Bells," "Come September," "Red River Valley," "Side By Side," "You Are My Sunshine."

Robert Creighton: Ain't We Got Fun
(LML Music - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Actor/singer Robert Creighton (Anything Goes, Chicago). Guest artists Joel Grey, Kate Baldwin, Heidi Blickenstaff and Tituss Burgess. Arrangements by Georgia Stitt. Two original tunes by Creighton ("Crazy 'Bout You," "Fallin' in Love") plus "Five Foot Two/Ain't She Sweet," "My Buddy," "Accentuate the Positive/Look for the Silver Lining," "I Want a Girl (Just Like the Girl)," "If You Were the Only Girl in the World," "You Are My Sunshine," "I'll Be Seeing You," "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams," "Give My Regards to Broadway," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," "Chasing Rainbow."

This Was My Love / Shall We Dance: Jack Jones
(Sepia Records - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Jack Jones 1960s twofer. First time on CD. "Shall We Dance," "The Spin I'm In ," "Change Partners ," "At Long Last Love ," "A String Of Pearls ," "Takes Two To Tango ," "Dancing On The Ceiling ," "Carioca ," "Ballerina ," "Invitation ," "Dixieland Band ," "The Last Dance ," "This Was My Love ," "There Will Never Be Another You ," "Lollipops And Roses ," "Moonlight Becomes You ," "They Didn't Believe Me ," "Love Letters ," "You Stepped Out Of A Dream ," "My Romance ," "The Girl Next Door ," "Julie ," "Corduroy Road ," "Tall Hope."

February 7, 2012

After the Turn - A New Musical
(new on CD)
New brit-rock musical featuring the songs of Tim Prottey-Jones. Ashleigh Gray, Stephen Rolley, Tori Allen-Martin, Liam Doyle, Greg Oliver. Available at CD Baby.

Gershwin: Porgy and Bess - The Sony Opera House
(RCA Red Seal - new on mp3/iTunes) 
1976 Tony Award winning Houston Grand Opera production. John DeMain, conductor. Donnie Ray Albert, Clamma Dale, Wilma Shakesnider, Carol Brice, Andrew Smith, Alexander B. Smalls, Betty Lane, Larry Marshall. John Demain. 57 tracks. Not sure if there is something different in this new listing, which is related to a newly listed import. The original CD was released 10/25/90 and is available at Amazon, and the iTunes listing is not new.

The Jazz Singer
(Inception Media Group - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
1959 part of the live NBC Lincoln-Mercury Startime TV series. Based on the Jolson film, starring Jerry Lewis with Eduard Franz, Molly Picon, Alan Reed, Anna Maria Alberghetti. Digitally restored and remastered. Includes the black & white kinescope version and a rare color videotape version from the personal archives of Jerry Lewis. Also included, a featurette on the restoration and still gallery.

Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition
(Disney - new Blu-Ray/DVD 2-disc combo)
1955 animated musical film. Bonuses include Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad; PuppyPedia: Going To The Dogs; never-before-seen deleted scenes; never-before-heard deleted song; Inside Walt's Story Meetings With Disney Second Screen; Lady's Pedigree: The Making Of Lady and the Tramp; "The Siamese Cat Song": Finding A Voice For The Cats and more.

The Muses Go to School: Conversations about the Necessity of Arts in Education
(New Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
Herbert Kohl and Tom Oppenheim, editors. Pairs first-person accounts from artists and celebrities with interpretive commentary by progressive educators. Included: Whoopi Goldberg, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Deborah Meier, Bill T. Jones, Bill Ayers, Lisa Delpit, Rosie Perez, Phylicia Rashad, Diane Ravitch and Maxine Greene. Proceeds go to to the Stella Adler Studio of Acting's outreach division.

Noise: An Anthem for Equality
(new digital single on mp3/iTunes) 
Gavin Creel single. Written by Creek and Robbie Roth. Issued to raise funds and support for marriage equality across the country. Released 12/5/11.

Paul McCartney: Kisses on the Bottom
(Hear Music/Concord Records - new on CD/mp3/vinyl) 
Paul McCartney's tribute to songs from his listened to in his childhood home. 12 American standards plus two new McCartney-penned songs. "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (Alhert/Young), "Home" (When Shadows Fall)" (Van Steeden/Clarkson/Clarkson), "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Arlen/Harburg/Rose, "More I Cannot Wish You" (Loesser, "The Glory of Love" (Hill), "We Three" (My Echo, My Shadow and Me), "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" (Arlen/Mercer), "My Valentine" (McCartney, performed with Eric Clapton), "Always" (Irving Berlin), "My Very Good Friend the Milkman" (Burke/Spina), "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Henderson/Dixon), "Get Yourself Another Fool" (Forrest/Heywood), "The Inch Worm" (Loesser), "Only Our Hearts" (McCartney, performed with Stevie Wonder). Produced by Tommy LiPuma. Diana Krall and her band.

Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert
(new 2 import CD set)
October 1 and 2 Royal Albert Hall event, featuring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Liz Robertson, plus others and "surprise guest stars." Shown in U.S. movie theaters October 2, 2011.

Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert
(new Blu-Ray/Region 2 DVD)
October 1 and 2 Royal Albert Hall event, featuring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Liz Robertson, plus others and "surprise guest stars." Shown in U.S. movie theaters October 2, 2011. DVD is listed as NTSC.

Steve Tyrell: I'll Take Romance
(Concord Records - new on CD/mp3) 
New album by singer Steve Tyrell. "At Last," "That's All," "Taking a Chance on Love," "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons," "I'll Take Romance featuring Judith Hill," "Talk to Me, Talk to Me," "You Turn Me Around," "A Love That Will Last," "All of You," "Trust in Me," "Don't Know Much," "The Way You Look Tonight."

January 31, 2012

Assisted Living: The Musical
(new on mp3)
Musical score by Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett. Available at CDBaby.

Godspell Revival Cast Recording
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD)
CDU | B&N 
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. Previously released on mp3 and at iTunes

James Tormé: Love for Sale
(Entertainment One Music - new on CD/mp3)
CDU | B&N  
Solo album for 2010 John Lennon Award Winner and son of singer Mel Tormé and British actress Janette Scott. "Let's Stay Together," "Love For Sale," "A Better Day Will Come," "Passin' By," "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?," "Rock With You," "Autumn Leaves," "Come Back To Me," "Comin' Home Baby," "Reminiscing In Tempo," "One Or The Other," "Little Black Spider," "Soft Songs". Released May 2011.

To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition
(Universal Studios - Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy set)
CDU | B&N
1962 film featuring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Frank Overton, Rober Duvall, Brock Peters. Extras: Fearful Symmetry feature-length documentary on the making of To Kill a Mockingbird with cast and crew interviews and a visit to Author Harper Lee's hometown; A Conversation with Gregory Peck feature-length documentary with interviews, film clips, home movies; Academy Award Best Actor Acceptance Speech; Gregory Peck's memorable remarks upon receiving the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award; Cecilia Peck's farewell to her father given at the Academy in celebration of his life; Scout Remembers, Mary Badham shares her experiences working with Gregory Peck; feature commentary with Director Robert Mulligan and Producer Alan Pakula; original theatrical trailer of the film; 100 Years of Universal: Restoring The Classics in-depth look at the process of preserving the studio's film legacy.

Nicholas Nickleby - The Musical Pre-Production Cast Recording
(Doggeral Records - new on mp3)
Music, lyrics and libretto by Tim Brewster. Leigh Smith and Brett Hanson. Available at CDBaby.

The Story of My Life Songbook
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
2009 Broadway musical directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., and starring Will Chase and Malcolm Gets. Music and lyrics by Neil Bartram. 14 songs: "Write What You Know," "Mrs. Remington," "The Greatest Gift," "1876," "Normal," "People Carry On," "The Butterfly," "Saying Goodbye (Part 1)," "Here's Where It Begins," "Independence Day," "I Like It Here," "I Didn't See Alvin," "This Is It," "Angels in the Snow." 120 pages.

January 24, 2012

The Jazz Singer
(Inception Media Group - new on DVD)
CDU | B&N
1959 part of the live NBC Lincoln-Mercury Startime TV series. Based on the Jolson film, starring Jerry Lewis with Eduard Franz, Molly Picon, Alan Reed, Anna Maria Alberghetti. Digitally restored and remastered. Includes the black & white kinescope version and a rare color videotape version from the personal archives of Jerry Lewis. Also included, a featurette on the restoration and still gallery.

Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition
(Disney - new Blu-Ray/DVD 2-disc combo)
1955 animated musical film. Bonuses include Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad; PuppyPedia: Going To The Dogs; never-before-seen deleted scenes; never-before-heard deleted song; Inside Walt's Story Meetings With Disney Second Screen; Lady's Pedigree: The Making Of Lady and the Tramp; "The Siamese Cat Song": Finding A Voice For The Cats and more.

The Muses Go to School: Conversations about the Necessity of Arts in Education
(New Press - Hardcover Book)
B&N
Herbert Kohl and Tom Oppenheim, editors. Pairs first-person accounts from artists and celebrities with interpretive commentary by progressive educators. Included: Whoopi Goldberg, Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Deborah Meier, Bill T. Jones, Bill Ayers, Lisa Delpit, Rosie Perez, Phylicia Rashad, Diane Ravitch and Maxine Greene. Proceeds go to to the Stella Adler Studio of Acting's outreach division.

Noise: An Anthem for Equality
(new digital single on mp3/iTunes) 
Gavin Creel single. Written by Creek and Robbie Roth. Issued to raise funds and support for marriage equality across the country. Released 12/5/11.

Paul McCartney: Kisses on the Bottom
(Hear Music/Concord Records - new on CD/mp3/vinyl) 
Paul McCartney's tribute to songs from his listened to in his childhood home. 12 American standards plus two new McCartney-penned songs. "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" (Alhert/Young), "Home" (When Shadows Fall)" (Van Steeden/Clarkson/Clarkson), "It's Only a Paper Moon" (Arlen/Harburg/Rose, "More I Cannot Wish You" (Loesser, "The Glory of Love" (Hill), "We Three" (My Echo, My Shadow and Me), "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" (Arlen/Mercer), "My Valentine" (McCartney, performed with Eric Clapton), "Always" (Irving Berlin), "My Very Good Friend the Milkman" (Burke/Spina), "Bye Bye Blackbird" (Henderson/Dixon), "Get Yourself Another Fool" (Forrest/Heywood), "The Inch Worm" (Loesser), "Only Our Hearts" (McCartney, performed with Stevie Wonder). Produced by Tommy LiPuma. Diana Krall and her band.

Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert
(new 2 import CD set)
October 1 and 2 Royal Albert Hall event, featuring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Liz Robertson, plus others and "surprise guest stars." Shown in U.S. movie theaters October 2, 2011.

Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Concert
(new Blu-Ray/Region 2 DVD)
October 1 and 2 Royal Albert Hall event, featuring Ramin Karimloo, Sierra Boggess, Liz Robertson, plus others and "surprise guest stars." Shown in U.S. movie theaters October 2, 2011. DVD is listed as NTSC.

Gershwin: Porgy and Bess - The Sony Opera House
(RCA Red Seal - new on mp3/iTunes) 
1976 Tony Award winning Houston Grand Opera production. John DeMain, conductor. Donnie Ray Albert, Clamma Dale, Wilma Shakesnider, Carol Brice, Andrew Smith, Alexander B. Smalls, Betty Lane, Larry Marshall. John Demain. 57 tracks. Not sure if there is something different in this new listing, which is related to a newly listed import. The original CD was released 10/25/90 and is available at Amazon, and the iTunes listing is not new.

Steve Tyrell: I'll Take Romance
(Concord Records - new on CD/mp3) 
New album by singer Steve Tyrell. "At Last," "That's All," "Taking a Chance on Love," "(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons," "I'll Take Romance featuring Judith Hill," "Talk to Me, Talk to Me," "You Turn Me Around," "A Love That Will Last," "All of You," "Trust in Me," "Don't Know Much," "The Way You Look Tonight."

January 17, 2012

Assisted Living: The Musical
(new on mp3)
Musical score by Rick Compton and Betsy Bennett. Available at CDBaby.

Godspell Revival Cast Recording
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD)
CDU | B&N 
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. Previously released on mp3 and at iTunes

James Tormé: Love for Sale
(Entertainment One Music - new on CD/mp3)
CDU | B&N  
Solo album for 2010 John Lennon Award Winner and son of singer Mel Tormé and British actress Janette Scott. "Let's Stay Together," "Love For Sale," "A Better Day Will Come," "Passin' By," "What Are You Doing The Rest Of Your Life?," "Rock With You," "Autumn Leaves," "Come Back To Me," "Comin' Home Baby," "Reminiscing In Tempo," "One Or The Other," "Little Black Spider," "Soft Songs". Released May 2011.

To Kill a Mockingbird 50th Anniversary Edition
(Universal Studios - Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy set)
CDU | B&N
1962 film featuring Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Frank Overton, Rober Duvall, Brock Peters. Extras: Fearful Symmetry feature-length documentary on the making of To Kill a Mockingbird with cast and crew interviews and a visit to Author Harper Lee's hometown; A Conversation with Gregory Peck feature-length documentary with interviews, film clips, home movies; Academy Award Best Actor Acceptance Speech; Gregory Peck's memorable remarks upon receiving the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award; Cecilia Peck's farewell to her father given at the Academy in celebration of his life; Scout Remembers, Mary Badham shares her experiences working with Gregory Peck; feature commentary with Director Robert Mulligan and Producer Alan Pakula; original theatrical trailer of the film; 100 Years of Universal: Restoring The Classics in-depth look at the process of preserving the studio's film legacy.

Nicholas Nickleby - The Musical Pre-Production Cast Recording
(Doggeral Records - new on mp3)
Music, lyrics and libretto by Tim Brewster. Leigh Smith and Brett Hanson. Available at CDBaby.

The Story of My Life Songbook
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
2009 Broadway musical directed by Richard Maltby, Jr., and starring Will Chase and Malcolm Gets. Music and lyrics by Neil Bartram. 14 songs: "Write What You Know," "Mrs. Remington," "The Greatest Gift," "1876," "Normal," "People Carry On," "The Butterfly," "Saying Goodbye (Part 1)," "Here's Where It Begins," "Independence Day," "I Like It Here," "I Didn't See Alvin," "This Is It," "Angels in the Snow." 120 pages.

January 24, 2012

Don't Hug Me, I'm Pregnant Original Cast Recording
(new on CD)
Score by Phil Olson & Paul Olson.

End of the Rainbow OLC U.S. Release
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD) 
CD Universe | B&N
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). Previously released in the UK and available at Amazon UK.

Gilbert and Sullivan: Gender, Genre, Parody (Gender and Culture Series)
(Columbia Univ Press - Paperback Book)
B&N By Carolyn Williams. Focuses on Gilbert and Sullivan's creative and acute understanding of cultural formations.

Iron & Coal
(new on mp3/iTunes) 
Score for new autobiographical rock theatrical song cycle by Jeremy Schonfeld.

Memphis Blu-Ray
(Shout! Factory - new Blu-Ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
HD live-in-theatre film version of Broadway musical. David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. Featuring Chad Kimball and Montego Glover. Also available at the Shubert Theatre and at the show's tour stops.

My Awesome/Awful Popularity Plan
(Random House - Hardcover/Kindle Book)
B&N
By Seth Rudetsky. Young adult novel for ages 12 and up.

Nine Lives, A Musical Adaptation (Volume 1)
(Mystery Street Records/Threadbare Records - on 2 CDs at Amazon/iTunes) 
By Colman deKay and Paul Sanchez. Over one hundred musicians (mostly from New Orleans) with Michael Cerveris, Kevin Griffin, Michelle Shocked, Harry Shearer, Shamarr Allen, The Dixie Cups and Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Musical adaptation of the New York Times bestselling book "Nine Lives" by Dan Baum, an oral history of New Orleans in the forty years (1965-2005) between the hurricanes Betsy and Katrina as seen through the eyes of nine of its citizens. Album includes the first 24 songs imagined for a theatrical production. Also available directly from Mystery Street Records. Released March 1, 2011.

A Thurber Carnival
(Masterworks Broadway/ArkivMusic - CD-R/mp3)
1960 original cast album of revue based on the works of James Thurber. Music by Don Elliott. Peggy Cass, Paul Ford, John McGiver, Alice Ghostley, Peter Turgeon, Wynne Miller, Margo Lungreen, and Charles Braswell. First time on CD.

War Horse Original Music and Songs from the National Theatre Production
(Masterworks - on CD/iTunes) 
CD Universe
Music and songs from London production. Music by Adrian Sutton. Songs by John Tams. Previously available as an import.

January 17, 2012

Carolina Blues
(Columbia Classics - new on DVD-R)
First disc release of 1944 film. Ann Miller, Kay Kyser and his band, Victor Moore.

Luv
(Columbia Classics - new on DVD-R)
1967 film adaptation of Murray Schisgal play. Jack Lemmon, Peter Falk, Elaine May.

The Sketchbooks of Jocelyn Herbert
(Royal Academy Publications - Hardcover Book)
By Stephen Farthing and Richard Eyre. From her early work with such writers as Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, and John Osborne, to her time with Laurence Olivier at the National Theatre, Jocelyn Herbert (1917?2003) pioneered a simple yet atmospheric set design style that remains influential today. Published for the first time, Herbert's sketchbooks provide an intimate portrait of her life and work. Illustrated with production stills and accompanied by commentaries from the actors, directors, and writers involved, this book brings to life a golden age of British theater and film.

T. Oliver Reid: Do I Love You
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD/mp3/iTunes) 
Broadway performer's first solo album, with songs from the American Songbook. "Love!," "Let s Fall In Love," "You Don t Bring Me Flowers," "It s Easy To Remember," "Do I Love You?," "Glad To Be Unhappy/ Autumn In New York," "This Can t Be Love/ How Do You Keep The Music Playing," "I Can t Make You Love Me," "I Wish I Were In Love Again," "The Nearness Of You/ Like A Lover," "Any Little Fish," "I Got Love," "Over The Rainbow." Amazon exclusive.

Thurgood
(HBO - new on Blu-ray/DVD)
CDU | B&N
Laurence Fishburne plays Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall in this play by George Stevens, Jr. Filmed live at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater after its Broadway run and aired exclusively on HBO.

January 10, 2012

Caddie Woodlawn a Musical Drama
(Sleep Till Noon - new on mp3)
Cast recording of Tom Shelton & Susan C. Hunter musical based on Carol Ryrie Brink's Newbery-award winning novel.

Gay Marshall: Go Back Where You Stayed Last Night
(new on CD)
CD Baby
Actress/Singer Gay Marshall (currently in La Cage aux Folles tour) collection of '20s and '30s New Orleans blues. In addition to the title track by Ethel Waters and Sidney Easton, selections include "Sweet Man," "West End Blues" and "Brother You Got Me Wrong." Recorded in Cleveland and New York. 15 tracks.

Gift of Light Single
(new at iTunes) 
Anika Noni Rose and Gay Marshall performing a song by Doug Katsaros and William Schermerhorn. Performed as the grand finale of the Statue of Liberty's 125th anniversary celebration October 28 on Liberty Island. Proceeds go to the Foundation for projects at Liberty and Ellis Islands, working in partnership with the National Park Service. Released 10/15/11.

Georgia Stitt: My Lifelong Love
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
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. Digital version already available on mp3/iTunes

Joyful Noise Soundtrack
(Watertower Music - new on CD) 
Soundtrack for 2012 musical film. Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Kris Kristofferson, Jeremy Jordan, Andy Karl among the singers.

Raised Eyebrows - My Years Inside Groucho's House (Expanded Edition)
(Bear Manor - Paperback Book)
New paperback edition of Steve Stoliar's memoir of working as Groucho Marx's personal secretary and archivist during the tempestuous last three years of the legendary comedian's life. Filled with anecdotes about the Marx Brothers and other luminaries of Broadway, Hollywood and television, plus rare photos, with a new Afterword by the author. 324 pages.

Silence! The Musical
(Ghostlight Records - new on CD) 
CDU | B&N
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. Already available on new on mp3 and iTunes

January 3, 2012

Ahead of My Heart: Steve Lutvak
(new on CD)
10 tracks. Lutvak on piano, with Catherine Porter, and Price Waldman. Produced to help defray costs from the (successful) defense of a lawsuit brought against his new musical. CD available for a donation at https://www.fracturedatlas.org/s/campaign/496.

Cautiously Optimistic: The Music of Scott Evan Davis
(Sonic Landscapes Music - new on CD/mp3) 
Faith Prince, Liz Callaway, Jason Graae, Daniel Reichard, Nikki Renee Daniels, Lisa Howard, Julie Reyburn, Natalie Douglas, Jon Philip Alman, Nicole Johndrow and Joshua Dixon. Arranged and produced by David Snyder.

The Drama of Marriage: Gay Playwrights/Straight Unions from Oscar Wilde to the Present
(Palgrave Macmillan - Hardcover Book)
B&N
A study of performances of marriage in modern and contemporary British and American drama ... The relationship between the ways gay playwrights tried to find ways to live and love outside the law and the plays they wrote about heterosexual marriage continues to impact contemporary gay playwrights and the depiction of marriage. 256 pages.

How Should I Remember You? (More Songs By Babbie Green, Johnny Green And Babbie Green & John Boswell)
(LALS - new on 2 CDs/mp3)
30 tracks.

Voca People
(new on CD)
New Off-Broadway musical cast album. Sold at the Westside Theatre Upstairs for $25. Two ring tones are available on the show's website.

-- Sound Advice Staff

Additional information provided by
Max O. Preeo