Cinderella Cast Recording Exclusive First Listen

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:50pm

http://popwatch.ew.com/2013/04/30/rodgers-hammersteins-cinderella-cast-album/

It sounds absolutely delicious.

[TheHappyPhantom]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 3:55pm

I'm shocked by Laura's voice. She lost that nasally whine she had all through Bonnie and Clyde. She sounded terrible in that show.

[Younger Brother]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:12pm

Can we all take a moment to admire Victoria Clark some more? The Prologue also sounds beautiful

[jetts7]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:14pm

The album sounds amazing! I can't believe I have to wait 2 months until I can actually buy it lol

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:15pm

It really does sound excellent! I still have to see the show, but this will certainly hold me over until then!

[kyl3fong2]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:19pm

So beautiful! Can't wait for the full cast recording to be released!

[jnb9872]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:24pm

Only just started listening, but it sounds even better than in the theatre! Such a gorgeously produced album, the voices and orchestra all sound so pristine. Also, since we've already had praise for Laura and Victoria, I gotta say Santino sounds fantastic on here, too. Great job with this one!

[shrekster224]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:46pm

This just makes me love this show and score even more. Santino also sounds great, and I never thought much of his voice! The orchestrations are Tony worthy.

[Blockhead24]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:47pm

This is just absolutely glorious. Thanks so much KirbyCat for posting!

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 4:55pm

Does anyone have any "insider" scoop on where all the additional music came from (i.e., Prologue, Me, Who Am I?, etc...)

I think the obvious response is that it was discarded material from the original score, but what I really want to know is stuff like:

* Who is responsible for "finding" it and restoring it to this version?

* Are the vocal arrangements for the new material original, or did someone else write them?

* How did they get permission from R&H estate to make such drastic changes to this score? (Honestly, I barely recognize it from what I grew up on!)

From the rumors I've read and heard about the R&H estate, I can't for the life of me imagine how this version of Cinderella ever got permission to be produced.

I'm so intensely curious because this new version is completely messin' with a very beloved, childhood introduction to musical theater from my life. I know that because of DVD, I can always choose the version I love, but maybe a little knowledge will open my eyes to something more to appreciate.

[lemiz3001]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:01pm

@John Adams, I don't know the answer to all your questions, but I'm pretty sure that the R&H Organization was pretty heavily involved with this production, I know they definitely played a large part in casting.

[SamIAm2]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:04pm

The impetus for this production actually came from the R&H estate. Ted Chapin, who heads the R&H organization, approached the producer of this production to ask her to put an updated version of Cinderella together. The R&H people were involved every step of the way, including the selection of DCB to write a new book and working with him to select R&H trunk songs to include. Ted Chapin has said that he is thrilled with this show.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 5:11pm

Shouldn't we be referring to them as R+H?

I couldn't be more excited for this recording. Just need this, PIPPIN and HARDBODY in my life and I'll be a happy camper.

[Musical Master]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:02pm

The great news Clyde, is that they are all to be produced by Ghostlight Records, the same company that did the Carrie album. Excited for Cinderella as well. :)

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:07pm

>> "The impetus for this production actually came from the R&H estate."

--and--

"I'm pretty sure that the R&H Organization was pretty heavily involved with this production"

I had gotten the impression that the R&H (or 'R+H") organization was very protective of their properties, so it would make complete sense to me that they would be closely hovering over this production of Cinderella.

I'd not considered that the impetus for a new version would come from them, but (of course) that completely explains a lot about how this new version was approved.

I wish they'd kept the old version, though and had just expanded that score. I really miss Cinderella's father, the King:

King: "Don't forget the marshmallows!"
Queen: "Who wants marshmallows?"
King: "I do."
Queen: "Why?"
King: "For toasting!"

--and--

King: "I want the wine of my country, I WANT the wine of my country, I WANT THE WINE OF MY COUNTRY! The wine of my country is... BEER."

Why replace that kind of humor with a villainous prime minister? Can't Cinderella just triumph over her wicked step-family? Does she have to be competitive on a Disney princess level and save an entire kingdom from political ruin?

"Ah, Georgie... I long for the old view..."

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:21pm

Can we all take a moment to admire Victoria Clark some more?

Everyday.

I find Osnes in the released samples more Leslie Ann Warren than Julie Andrews; but I suppose Andrews is unique.

John, you heard right. The R&H Organization (I don't get the R+H joke) has always kept tight control on their properties, both those written by R&H and other works (such as ANNIE, GET YOUR GUN) that the pair produced. Unless something has changed, the Library reserves casting approval on all major productions (Broadway and tours) in addition to right of approval of any changes.

Updated On: 4/30/13 at 06:21 PM

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:27pm

Actually I have a question about these releases.

Do you think they will be delayed until they can include "Winner of X Tony Awards?" Or maybe just the physical release would be delayed and the digital release would be the same.

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:32pm

I wish I could put this on my iPod already! Sounds great so far!

[John Adams]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:33pm

Digital media wouldn't get that kind of moniker (I don't think?)
In the case of physical CDs, shrink wrap and stickers are a quick resolution.

[ClydeBarrow]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:36pm

I didn't really think it would affect the digital releases, especially since they're so much earlier than the physical release. It's not like people really buy CDs anymore. Probably just at the theatre.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:42pm

This is heavenly! And those gorgeous orchestrations. Wow!

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 6:50pm

Department of Things I Never Noticed Before:

Why does Cinderella refer to a "flock" of silkworms in Japan?

Per the internet, a group of worms is called a bed, clew, bunch or clat.

When did worms begin to flock?

[Pammylicious]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 7:23pm

I predict this will quickly become one of my favorite OBC recordings ever.

[KirbyCat]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:09pm

Since posting this, I have listened to a handful of songs a few times over.
Pardon my French, but this score is ****ing magical, and the album captures that magic flawlessly. The score is treated with an immense amount of respect. These orchestrations are to die for.
I am so in love with this recording.

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 4/30/13 at 8:33pm

Me who Am I? Has been on repeat! I hope troob wins the Tony!