Profile for MichelleCraig

Review from the October 2024 issue of GRAMOPHONE:

Rodgers

Carousel

Sols incl Nathaniel Hackmann, Mikaela Bennett, Sierra Boggess, Julian Ovenden, Francesca Chiejina and David Seadon-Young; 'Carousel' Ensemble; Sinfonia of London / John Wilson

Chandos (CHSA5342 2 82 • 106' • T)

CAROUSEL

It's the best kind of logic - follow Rodgers and Hammerstein's first Broadway show Oklahoma! with their second. This again is a painstakin

A FACE IN THE CROWD is a 1957 classic film directed by Elia Kazan with a screenplay by Bud Schulberg. It was the motion picture debut of Andy Grifffith. Patricia Neal, Walter Matthau and Lee Remick are also in the cast. 
 

I watched the movie earlier this year and I can imagine the impact it had in 1957, even though it comes across as somewhat (but only somewhat) dated today. I would think that , if handled properly, it could still deliver a punch and have relevance toda

“So, why did I change my mind? A sabotaged appearance at the Oscars, in front of billions of people … a film with twisted half-truths … a recent miniseries that just didn’t get it right. All made by people who didn’t know my family, and don’t really know me. Finally, I was mad as hell! Over dinner one night, I decided, it’s my own damn story … I’m gonna share it with you because of all the love you’ve given me.”

I really enjoyed the John Wilson recording of OKLAHOMA! and the two tracks I’ve heard from the upcoming CAROUSEL release are really good. 
 

I don’t think we’ve had a truly great recording of CAROUSEL ever. There have been parts of the London revival and subsequent transfer with Audra that were captured perfectly on their recordings. What I like about what John Wilson does is that he records the entire score, exactly as it was originally performed.

1. A Song for You
2. Come On-a My House
3. Summertime, Summertime
4. Ebb Tide
5. We Kiss in a Shadow / Teen Angel / Town Without Pity
6. I Wish It So
7. Some People
8. Lilac Wine
9. Alfie
10. Sar

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I ended up seeing the revival twice, initially with Nathan Lane and a second time with Whoopi Goldberg. The second time was with some work colleagues who invited me and had “expensed” the tickets. At the time, I would not have paid to see the show a second time. I had fun seeing it both times, but nothing about it stayed with me.

As somewhat of a Sondheim completist, I bought the movie on Blu-ray when it was first released about 10 years ago. I have never been abl

When vinyl was the predominant release vehicle for decades, cast albums were often recorded on the first no-show day after the official opening. Release was often a week to 10 days later. There’s really no reason this timetable couldn’t be used today…at least for digital streaming releases.

As we all know, there were some pretty magnificent cast albums released in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Also, many, many of those cast albums were worked into the show’s budget&hel

Maybe it’s time to give up on GATSBY…for anything but the 1925 classic novel it is.

3 movie adaptations: all critical bombs.

2 Dueling musicals…this and the Florence and the Machine take.

1 Opera that’s basically never been heard from again.

I’m not saying that certain elements didn’t work in previous attempts. I actually like parts of the last two film versions. Maybe it’s possible that Fitzgera

I flew into New York from Los Angeles specifically to see the revival of FOLLIES, with friends, in 2011. We had a great dinner at Ruth Chris before the show. About 20 minutes into the first act, I started to develop some of the worst indigestion and heartburn I’d ever experienced. In agony, I stayed for the whole show as I didn’t want to leave my friends. After the show, I bravely exchanged pleasantries and made a beeline back to my hotel for a shot of Pepto Bismol&