"It also requires a very talented director and actors for the play to even begin to make sense. I would (respectfully) disagree with you about its message being dated, though. I think it's a testament to the will of the human spirit. "
I worded myself wrong. I saw a VERY strong regional production a while back. Besides finding it VERY long (I wonder how they'd cut time for songs and keep it together...) I really did love it--and it all came together. I guess my issue was elements felt very progressive, and the message is very universal as you say, but elements even in that sentiment felt very dated (I wish I could remember more clearly why I felt that way--I am sure it had something to do with gender roles, though those don't usually bother me in plays I know were from a different era.)
Agreed. Sister Act desperately needed a new recording, a lot of (positive) changes when that show made it to Broadway. I find that I can only listen to audience recordings of that show these days. Was so disappointed when I realised "Haven't Got a Prayer" was recorded.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I couldn't find the song list nor find out if Skeggs is on the recording. If she is, I will re-purchase, on the fence otherwise.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
"We were in the studio this past Friday with the cast of FUN HOME: updating and expanding our original recording -- not just with new material that Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron wrote for the Broadway production, but also with musical passages we didn't record last time around that, in hindsight, we very much wanted on the album. It also gave us the opportunity to work with the wonderful Emily Skeggs, who assumed the role of Medium Alison off-Broadway and is taking it uptown.
FUN HOME, newly packaged, will be in stores May 19, and shipping from our website two weeks prior. For those wondering, as customers did with Grey Gardens, if it's worth buying the second album if you already own the first: well, we can report that over half the tracks will be new. For us, it wasn't just about "let's add the new material" -- it was about doing justice to this exhilarating and moving production.
Hmm. Sounds like instead of rerecording all the songs that included Alexandra, they just recorded Emily and spliced her voice into the existing tracks.
Listening to Come to the Fun Home now and it's the same as the original.
Of course the only way to get the new tracks is to purchase the album as a whole. I guess it wouldn't make sense for them to rerecord every song, but I had hoped we'd get a recording that shows how much everyone's performances have developed.
Right now, it's "Album Only" because it's a pre-order but they may be available individually once the actual release date has hit. Some of the major Emily tracks (no pun intended) were completely re-recorded like the "Thanks for the care package" scene, just based on listening to the samples.
Mine came yesterday. I noticed some ghost vocals from Alexandra in certain places, most notably in the finale. I'm wondering if they even bothered taking her out of the group numbers.
Glad to have the Broadway representation of the score preserved, though.
Ordered this and 20TH CENTURY from PS Classics on Wednesday, so hopefully they'll both arrive tomorrow. I'm interested in seeing what changes they made to an already very good recording.
I came here to also complain about how there was no love for the Sister Act Broadway recording. And the orchestration was much lusher on broadway as well. It was nominated for a tony for god's sake and it didn't get a new recording... Anyway glad to know other people felt like me on this message board haha