Happy Anniversary CAROUSEL
Happy Anniversary CAROUSEL
#0Happy Anniversary CAROUSEL
Posted: 4/19/05 at 12:59am
It was 60 years ago tonight - April 19, 1945 - that CAROUSEL opened on Broadway.
Not the most popular of the R&H shows (OKLAHOMA! was), nor the best book (KING AND I wins that award) but it does have the best score. "The Carousel Waltz" alone is one of the most glorious pieces of 20th Century concert music. There's also the famous seven minute "Soliloquy", the extended musical scene built around "If I Loved You", and the hymn-like "You'll Never Walk Alone."
There are many recordings to choose from:
The 1993 London cast (RCA Victor/First Night) is the most complete, though some of the cast are not ideal. Many were replaced when the production came to New York's Lincoln Center in 1994, although the male lead - Michael Hayden - remained. The production was recorded (EMI) preserving Andra McDonald's Tony winning Carrie. A previous revival at Lincoln Center in 1965 saw original cast star John Raitt return to the role of Billy Bigalow. The cast recording of that production (RCA Victor) has alwasy been favoured by collectors because of its vivid theatricality. Raitt can also be heard on the original cast recording from 1945 (Decca Broadway) which preserves the precision of the premiere production, albeit in somewhat abbreviated form. A rather lifeless stuio cast recording (MCA) features a miscast Barbara Cook and Saumuel Ramey. Two older studio versions have not as yet made it to CD: A good version on RCA starring Robert Merrill, Patrice Munsel and Florence Hendesron' and a somewhat over-produced vesrion on Command with Alfred Drake, Roberta Peters and Claramae Turner. Turner is also heard on the movie soundtrack (EMI) along with the film performers: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Barbra Ruick, and Robert Rounseville in an exceptionally well sung performance.
CAROUSEL has lasted 60 years and will no doubt still be around 60 years from now.
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
pennywise-poundfoolish
Chorus Member Joined: 2/1/05
#1re: Happy Anniversary CAROUSEL
Posted: 4/19/05 at 9:25amI love that show. I would have to say one of the best shows ever written.
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