Grand Hotel - Help

[pattifan2]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:12pm

I started a thread about this show a few weeks back and got some really interesting posts. I've now gotten hold of the OBC and wanted to ask a questions regarding the bouns track for anyone familiar with this recording. The bonus number, 'Love Can't Happen'is sung by David Carroll who originated the role of the Baron on Broadway. On the recording 'proper' the role s beautifully sung by Brent Barrett who, I know, came over to do the show in London. What is the story relating to David Carroll - how long did he play the role? I'm loving the recording, by the way. Jim, this is probably a question for you as you gave a great report of the orignal Broadway production. Thanks for any help with this.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:17pm

He had to leave the show because he was dying of AIDS.

[pattifan2]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:22pm

That's awfully sad. His voice sounds terrific on the bonus track, by the way, and it's recorded live in cabaret with the brilliant Wally Harper accompanying. Appreciate your help.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/3/05 at 5:28pm

He was nominated for a Tony, but lost to James Naughton (City of Angels).

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 3/5/05 at 10:43pm

David Carroll left the show due to illness brought on by AIDS in May 1990 and was replaced by Brent Barrett for a month until Rex Smith took over the role. (Barrett did perform the number "We'll Take a Glass Together" on the 1990 Tony telecast.) David Carroll did return to the role in December 1990 for 3 months.

Sadly, none of the major labels were interested in recording GRAND HOTEL even after it own 5 Tonys and settled in for a long run. The OCR was finally made in April 1992 just as the run was winding down. The CD came out about a month after GRAND HOTEL closed.

David Carroll was critical by then and plans were made to rush him into studio early and record his songs. He collapsed and died in the RCA studios before he had a chance to record anything.

The OCR is good but I think it could have been much better had it been produced in-house. The whole show could have been condensed to one 75 min Cd having more continuity than the present disc has.

[wildcat]

Posted: 3/6/05 at 12:23am

David Carroll did perform (brilliantly) "Love Can't Happen" on an episode of Phil Donohue's afternoon talk show on the same day that Ruth Brown sang "If I Can't Sell it" from BLACK AND BLUE, Randy Graff sang "You Can Always Count on Me" from CITY OF ANGELS and the three strippers from GYPSY performed "You Gotta Have a Gimmick". Also interviewed on the show were Robert Morse (TRU), Wendy Wasserstein (THE HEIDI CHRONICLES) and Fran and Barry Weissler.