ALBERTINE Cast Recording - Worth purchasing?

Posted: 7/15/05 at 4:46am

The song snippets on Amazon are so brief that it is hard to pick out any of the melodies, though I've always felt that Ricky Ian Gordon is not the most melodic of composers...

So, Dear Broadway World members, what are your thoughts on this one?

Marlen

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 8:31am

Yes!

It is a hauntingly beautiful score that is sadly neglected. It is peppered with wonderful performances by an extremely talented that includes Brent Carver, Kelli O'Hara, Emily Skinner, and Chad Kimball.

Get it.

[Brodybaby03]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 8:48am

It is a GORGEOUS cast recording! Definitly get it or it's also available on Itunes.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 9:40am

Very melodic. Saw an early preview and loved it. Don't pass it up be for it goes out of print. Even if you don't like it now, you may grow into it. Kelly O'Hara and cast well worth hearing.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 10:23am

And from the other side of things, there are a lot of people who HATE HATE HATE this score. I'm not saying it's good or bad, but some people loathe it with a passion.

[mabel]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 10:41am

I'll chime in on the "not a huge fan," side. I saw it at Playwright's Horizons and if I swear, if I heard one more "Albertine, ALBERTINE, ALBERTINE," I thought I was just going to stand up and scream in the theatre. The songs were infectious, and I couldn't get them out of my head for weeks. Not such a good thing, since I didn't care for it...Though I guess that's better than having a totally forgettable score, right? A lot of people love it. I went to the show w/ three other people. Two of them absolutely adored it (LOVE the cast album) and another friend and I...well, we didn't. I'd say, if you're curious about it, go get it before it's out of print, as twogaab2 noted.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 12:13pm

Not a single melody.

Just this:

BALBIC BY THE SEA. BALBIC BY THE SEA.

That's it.

I'd say no.

[jczelyph]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:02pm

I can already tell that I wouldn't love this CD, but I want to own it because I'm a bit of a collector. But I can't rationalise a purchase if I know in advance that I'm going to loathe the show.

[flaemmchen]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:09pm

After sitting through the show twice, I can safely say I'm part of the "don't buy it" camp. You won't be able to get through a full listen of the recording unless you strap yourself to your chair and tie your hands behind your back so you can't get up or move to turn it off. I'd suggest investing in a better flop musical, like Amour.

[mabel]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:20pm

DAMN YOU THEATERTRASH!!!! I'm going to have that damn song stuck in my head now!!! ARG!

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:22pm

BALBEC BY THE SEA
BALBEC BY THE SEA
HAPPIEST ARE WE
AT BALBEC BY THE SEA

[mabel]

Posted: 7/15/05 at 1:25pm

AAAARRRRGGG!