Or is the actress in retrospect trying to stem any criticism of her performance on the record? Actors are notorious for rewriting history to suit their needs.
According to Sondheim & Co. Johns did come down with a viral infection while the show was in Boston and Tammy Grimes was considered as a replacement. But Johns quickly recovred and was back on stage a day later.
Truth is, Johns never had much of a voice - listen to her tracks from MARY POPPINS 10 years earlier.
I interviewed Len Cariou last fall and he recalled being in the studio when she recorded "Clowns" for Columbia Records. He said after the first take there was a pause that went on a beat too long and Glynis - very insecure in a recording studio - looked as if she were about to burst into tears. Then Goddard Lieberson's voice came over the talk back asking her to hod on a moment. He then came into the recording studio and told her that the take was fine, that it sounded just like she had sung it on stage and then added "but...it's a torch song." Len said that a look came over Glynis' face and she said "Ohhhh!" and then they recorded the 2nd take, which is what we hear on the album. (Makes you wonder what Take One sounded like, doesn't it?)
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Updated On: 10/11/09 at 11:59 AM
