Dear World

What are peoples opinions of the show/cast recording. I have been listening to it recently and I have to say I do like it. I will admit it is rather... all over the place... not settling on any theme, but does sound to be an extremely strong recording (of course I am completely biased towards anything starring Angela).

I heard the book wasn't that good, but what killed the show and pretty much killed it so good that it seems to have as much chance at a revival as "Dude: The Musical".

Don't ask me why I am asking this question, I really guess I just have read one to many people claiming "Dear World" to be 'completely misunderstood' yadda yadda yadda (then again I have heard the same thing about "Pippin" so take that as you will).

Updated On: 7/23/05 at 06:38 AM

It was also a big flopperu with Kate Hepburn in 1969 as the straight film version "Madwoman of Chaillot".

I love this cast recording.

"I Don't Want To Know" is one of my favorite showtunes ever.

I always have the garbage song stuck in my head.

The show had one of those chaotic development periods, with directors and choreographers hired and fired and extensive re-writing after the out-of-town tryout. By the time it opened, there had already been so much bad press about it (see "Merrily We Roll Along") that it never had a chance, and critics ignored the genuine achievements in the score. "I Don't Want to Know" is a great song, and could serve as an anthem for anyone working in the arts.

Jerry Herman himself said that the original French play it came from ("Madwoman of Chaillot") was very fragile and whimsical, and trying to redo it as a big, brassy Broadway show destroyed its charm. (This was also what sank the Katharine Hepburn film--overselling). He had originally envisioned a small, "Jacques Brel"-flavored chamber musical, but Lansbury's casting demanded a big, opulent approach, and audiences who came expecting another "Mame" were angered.

I don't think a Broadway (or off-Broadway) revival is entirely out of the question--the message about the importance of individual freedom in the midst of war and commerce is as timely as ever.

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The 2nd record (FOLLIES always stood in front) in my mom's stack was "Dear World". I was always curious but never listened to it.
I have seen pictures of Hepurn in the film version but alas have never seen the film.

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I think the score contains some of Herman's best work: Kiss Her Now, Mad Women's Trio, I Never Said I Love You...

I think a small, charming 'She Loves Me' style production could be successful.

Oh, and the orchestrations are delightful.

^héhé, I am an Angela, Herman AND floppo fan!

Like the score, don't love it. I do love the window card art!

Updated On: 7/30/05 at 10:36 PM

I remember seeing Dear World. I did enjoy it. Some numbers in the show were not on the CD if I recall

I once heard Kander & Ebb though Happy Time would be a great small little musical but it was given the grand treatment

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I love Kurt Peterson. Such a voice. He's on 3 of my favorite cast recordings.

Thanks for the info Dollypop. Will search for the interview now!

this is the ONLY Jerry Herman work that i like. score is great, angela lansbury is great. i did expect the book to be similar i greatness to Giradoux's play, but something happened. still, a flop that i love.

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I saw the original production of DEAR WORLD and really liked it. Angela's performance was even better than words can describe. I loved the music, the story and the sets.

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