Cast Albums Blog
REVIEW: If The Fates Allow: A Hadestown Holiday Album
“Oh, my love, we’ve had our share of tears /
Oh, my friends, we’ve had our hopes and fears /
Oh, my friends, it’s been a long hard year /
But now it’s Christmas /
Yes, it’s Christmas /
Thank God it’s Christmas”
Those are the poignant lyrics that open If The Fates Allow: A Hadestown Holiday Album, released by Broadway Records on November 20, 2020. This song, originally by Queen, here superbly arranged and orchestrated by Todd Sickafoose, is the anthem we all so sorely need this year. By the end of the track, I was tearing up, and happy that I broke my no holiday music before December 1 rule. In a tumultuous year of ups and, let’s face it, mostly downs, If The Fates Allow: A Hadestown Holiday Album is a balm for the soul.
REVIEW: Legally Bound - Orfeh & Andy Karl Live at Feinstein’s / 54 Below
This live concert album is everything you could possibly want. Witty banter - check. Great songs - check. Delightful couple being adorable - check. Belting - CHECK!! Seriously, I have not enjoyed a live concert album this much in a long time.
For the uninitiated, Orfeh and Andy Karl are not only bona fide Broadway stars, they are also married, and also fantastically funny, charming, and talented. Orfeh, known for Legally Blonde and Saturday Night Fever is a beltress of the highest order, and absolutely brings down the house on this album. Her rendition of "Piece of My Heart" is the stuff of legend. Karl, known for Groundhog Day and Rocky, holds his own on the album, especially when he takes centre stage for the song "Keep on Standing" from Rocky, written by the incredible Ahrens and Flaherty.
REVIEW: The View UpStairs - Original Cast
The View UpStairs tells the story of The UpStairs Lounge, a gay bar in the French Quarter of New Orleans that was the victim of an arson attack in June of 1973, killing 32 people. The attack was not widely covered in the media, and I must admit that I did not know about it until I first read about this musical. Despite the tragic subject matter, composer, lyricist, and book writer Max Vernon has created a glittering world that makes you wish you were a part of it.
The story is told from the perspective of a young fashion designer in the present named Wes who buys the dilapidated building where The UpStairs Lounge used to be. In the show, Wes travels back in time and meets the many characters that populate the Lounge, requiring some major suspension of disbelief on the audience's part.
REVIEW: Anastasia - Original Broadway Cast
Like any 30-something, I have extremely fond memories of the 1997 animated film Anastasia, and was excited when I learned that it was being updated as a new musical. I was also deeply suspicious, as the movie is so treasured, and holds such a special place in the North American cultural zeitgeist that I was concerned about how it would be adapted. I am delighted to say that this album has abated any fears I may have had, and is excellent.
With music by Stephen Flaherty and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, the show and cast recording contain five of their songs from the 1997 film, as well as twenty new ones, all superbly orchestrated by Doug Besterman. While every song may not be a stand-out, each is extremely well crafted, and a pleasure to listen to.
REVIEW: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Original Broadway Cast
I love an overture. I lament the fact that most new musicals do not have them. That is why I was so excited when I saw that the original Broadway cast recording of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had one. I actually thought my iPhone had made a mistake when, after only 27 seconds, the next song began. I cannot stress this enough: 27 seconds does not an overture make! My indignation at this aside, the word that kept coming to mind when I listened to this album was "serviceable". This is a good show for families, especially those with young children who are fans of Roald Dahl's stories.
The music, by Marc Shaiman, with lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, is accessible and peppy, but nothing really grabs you. There are none of the catchy yet meaningful songs such as those found in Hairspray, or even my long lost love SMASH. The best songs in the show are those carried over from the 1971 film, penned by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley, specifically "Pure Imagination" and "The Candy Man".