110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)
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Free Music Notes for 110 in the Shade (2007 Broadway Revival Cast)
Free Music Review: 110 in the Shade: The Definitive Recording
Hit: 5 Stars
What a thrill it is to finally have a first-rate recording of the glorious 110 in the Shade.
The original Broadway cast, which has been out of print for years, has significant limitations, mainly the dramatically challenged Inga Swenson in the lead role of Lizzie. Her line readings on the spoken parts of the album are unbelievable and amateurish. Plus the break between her chest- and head-voice is jarring. On the recent concert-cast recording, the otherwise redoubtable Karen Ziemba is miscast in the Lizzie role, at least with respect to her upper range.
Finally, we have Audra.
What more can be said about the dazzling Audra McDonald? Audra has officially joined the pantheon of musical-theater legends, demonstrating not merely the gravitas of her four Tony-Award-winning performances (Carousel, Master Class, Ragtime, and Raisin in the Sun) but also the charming playfulness of Mary Martin and the eye-catching ability to fill an entire stage merely with her presence, like Chita Rivera or Gwen Verdon.
As for the other key performers, Steve Kazee, who was underwhelming on stage, acquits himself partially in the recording studio. His presence seemed small in the theater, but on the CD his voice is somewhat richer and his intonation is a bit more accurate. He's still not the magical Starbuck that the role requires, but he's at least serviceable. Christopher Innvar's smoldering performance as File doesn't quite come through on the CD, but Innvar remains vocally rich and highly sympathetic.
Overall, this CD for me becomes the definitive recording of a glorious and underrated show. The score is chockablock with gorgeous and heartrending pieces (including "Is It Really Me?," "A Man and a Woman," "Old Maid") as well as rousing character numbers ("Melisande," "Wonderful Music"). There are a few superfluous songs (including "Little Red Hat"), but for my money, 110 in the Shade ranks with any of the better-known musical theater classics, and in many cases surpasses them.
Free Music Review: Even hotter than 110, shade or no shade
Hit: 5 Stars
This recent revival had a short life at Studio 54 and garnered mixed reviews. Audra McDonald's performance took focus and rightly so. However, the show was much, much more than her performance, even as the revival reduced the scope of the original production.
I know the original only through the extended recording of the New York City Opera revival (Karen Ziemba et al). The music is lush and memorable. The score goes on and on with uneven performances. It is easy to see why an opera company would undertake it.
What the most recent revival did was more than simply revive the musical. As it was performed, the show was at once intimate and breathtaking in its simplicity. No, there was no sumptuous chorus to sing the haunting "Everything Beautiful Happens at Night" but in the context of the show, the scaled back chorus brought the sadness and the power of the song to an amazing pitch, brought resoundingly home with Lizzie's (Ms. McDonald) line, "all of your daydreams come true" (at night). And Lizzie has so many daydreams.
Every moment of the show was magic. The performances (I was lucky enough to see it twice) overflowed the theatre (even before the rain did come) with a passion and a heat that was very moving. Listen how she makes each song develop her character more and more. Her closing of the first act is heartbreaking, for her and us. Ms. McDonald's presence was a powerhouse but she was more than ably supported by the magnificent Christopher Innvar (why wasn't _he_ in Marie Christine?) and an amazing supporting cast.
The recording makes no attempt to live up to any other production. It is a startling, deeply moving reminder of an unforgettable theatrical experience. The songs will stay with you and help you hold on to your own daydreams.
Free Music Review: a good show reconsidered
Hit: 5 Stars
Some of the other reviewers here lamented the changes made to the score in this revival of 110 in the Shade. Personally, I found the differences between this performance and the original quite refreshing and a tribute to the material itself--that it can be rethought and presented afresh with no fundamental loss to its spirit. One writer, for example, felt that the orchestrations had been reduced, suggesting that they sounded undernourished. I heard arrangements that were not simply pared down but entirely reconsidered to suit a very different approach to the score. They were warm and appealing, making up in subtlety what they lost in sheer volume. They also allowed the singers, especially Ms. MacDonald, an opportunity to explore the lyrics in a more personal way. But make no mistake; the big numbers still "peak" as they should and provide all the excitement one could want.
All in all this cd makes it appear that the theater that was used perhaps was much smaller and intimate, eliminating the need for everyone to play to the back of the house. This seems evident especially in the extended dialog given here. It was understated but for all of that no less characterful. I will keep both the original cast and this album for a long time. They prove that when the material has real quality, it allows new interpretations and benefits from various viewpoints.
Free Music Review: Fabulous recording of a terrific score
Hit: 5 Stars
This is simply the best recording of 110 In The Shade, a sadly neglected show by the composer and lyricist of The Fantasticks. It's a far superior score to The Fantasticks, but the original show didn't enjoy a long run on Broadway. Listen to the original broadway cast and I think you can hear why. The original cast sounds pallid in comparison to the cast on this terrific recording led by Audra MacDonald, who seems to have finally found a great part for herself. The supporting cast does not disappoint and the orchestra plays brightly. The only competition to this set is a British recording (now out of print) with cast that featured Karen Ziemba. That's a good set but Audra MacDonald's performance makes this recording the definitive version.Free Music Review: Simply beautiful
Hit: 5 Stars
I was not expecting much out of this recording; however, it has impressed me a lot. Based on "The Rainmaker", which became a popular movie with Katharine Hepbun and Burt Lancaster (known in Chile as "EL Farsante"), this musical summarizes the whole story and adds wonderful music and lyrics. However, what impressed me the most is the voice of the main characters, specially Audra McDonald. She's terrific!
These are the same composers of "The Fantasticks" and, in many ways, this creationsurpasses that hit. I think it has more memorable songs and better musical arrangements. Although I've never listened to previous versions, I surely recommend this one.