Happy End

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:32pm

Today, as I was browsing through the musical/showtune section of a local music store, I came across a cast recording for Happy End I read up on the play and it sounds pretty interesting. I've also listened to a few samples on Amazon.com and they weren't too bad.

However, I'd really like to know if this cast recording is worth purchasing. It seems like something I would enjoy but I would like to hear other people's opinions (preferably anyone who owns the recording or has more knowledge of the play than me).

Thanks, guys.

Updated On: 4/11/07 at 11:32 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:35pm

Is it the new recording from Sh-K-Boom? It's nice because it is the first recording of the play in English (Feingold translated).

ETA: After many listens, I really love the recording. Updated On: 5/20/07 at 11:35 PM

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:41pm

I believe it is (I remember reading that it's the ACT cast and it mentioned it was the first English translation).

I've been meaning to find a new musical to latch onto, so maybe this one is it. I'll have to see if they still have a copy tomorrow (hopefully).

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:48pm

It's a fabulous recording (see my signature). In my opinion, it's Feingold's best Brecht translation.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 4/11/07 at 11:53pm

But once you've heard Meryl Streep sing those lines, everything else is....well, everything else.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 12:03am

I'm with BsoBw2, I have a few songs that I got from iTunes from the ACT cast recording. But after hearing Ms.Streep do her "Surabaya Johnny," it's really hard to get into this new recording. Even if you haven't heard Streep, I find the recording to be very dull and bland.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 8:14am

glad i didn't get it then

[Piercemn]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:19pm

Why would you even consider Happy End, or any Kurt Weill for that matter, without Lenya?

There was a television production shown on PBS about 20 years ago. I think it was from Arena Stage and directed by the late Garland Wright. It may be on netflix.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:31pm

I saw it at ACT. It was very puzzling, but also the first Brecht show I'd ever seen live. The cast is excellent, but I had nothing to compare it to. I might get the CD just out of curiosity.

[Perfectly Marvelous]

Posted: 4/12/07 at 1:38pm

Why would you even consider Happy End, or any Kurt Weill for that matter, without Lenya?

It just sort of grabbed my attention, because the store usually doesn't carry any cast recordings that seem out of the ordinary.

I think I read that there is a recording of Happy End with Lenya, although I'm not exactly sure how I'd manage to get a copy.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 2:29am

Can't wait to see it soon at Theater 1010!

I am beyond excited for this production.

[AC126748]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 8:04am

BSo, the Theatre 1010 production is terrific. Lorinda Lisitza, who plays Lil, is a pitch-perfect Brecht/Weill interpreter, and the threadbare staging fits right in with the Epic Theatre conceits that the show is written around.

Why would you even consider Happy End, or any Kurt Weill for that matter, without Lenya?

Something about that statement really bothers me. Lenya is obviously the foremost interpreter of that music, but it doesn't mean that she's the ONLY person who has ever sung it well. There have been many other great Weill performers--Teresa Stratas and Charlotte Rae come to mind immediately--and to say that Lenya is the be all and end all is a slap in the face to them. (Not to mention all of the Weill shows that she wasn't even involved with). Although they may be the best, Ethel Merman isn't the only Mama Rose and Lenya isn't the only Jenny. Broaden your horizons.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/20/07 at 10:52am

Thanks, AC. I'm excited.

And I agree. Not to mention Lenya was not even in the original cast. Carola Neher was the original Lillian (Lenya was busy doing DANTON'S DEATH and, wait for it, SPRING'S AWAKENING as Ilse). Brecht's wife, Helene Weigel, played the Fly.

Besides Teresa Stratas and Charlotte Rae, there is also Ute Lemper, Donna Murphy, and Bebe Neuwirth of the current crop of people.
Updated On: 5/20/07 at 10:52 AM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 5/22/07 at 3:45pm

Just saw the show.

The Theater Ten Ten production of HAPPY END is one of the best productions currently playing in NYC. The whole evening, from start to finish, was a brilliant master class in Brecht and proves that it is still possible to stage Brecht and make him seem as relevant today as he did almost 80 years ago (HAPPY END first premiered in 1929).

The production is missing some things - most notably the projections Brecht wrote about (though the actors speak most of the projection slides). Despite any of its shortcomings (and there aren't that many), however, the production is better than most of the big budget Broadway shows playing over 40 blocks away. I don't want to say "with the budget they had, it was great." No, I think that for any budget it was fantastic. With a bigger budget, perhaps, it would have been even better.

It must do Brecht proud that his play is being performed in the basement of a church and is truly a play beggars could afford and beggars could imagine. Sitting on metal folding chairs on a wooden floor really adds to the atmosphere that you are seeing something underground, out of the way, and, even, dangerous.

The cast is lead by Lorinda Lisitza (Lieutenant Lillian Holiday) and Joey Piscopo (Bill Cracker). If you want to talk about stamina, Lisitza is able to keep her energy at a height throughout THE SAILOR'S TANGO - which clocks in at just under 8 minutes. That feat in and of itself is worth the price of admission. But not just that. I feel I can say without any doubt that Lisitza's performance of SURABAYA JOHNNY is the best in all of NYC. And I do mean performance - from the heartbreak that consumes her body and voice to the rich voice she uses to belt out the song.

Joey Piscopo as Bill Cracker, the notorious gangster of Chicago, is giving a performance to rival that of Lisitza. His arrogance as he struts around the stage is matched by his insecurity and, in the end, his love (or anti-love) for Lillian. Also, I must say Piscopo did a great job with the silent movie that shows THE HEIST, integrated well with David Fuller's live action staging.

Also of note are Greg Horton, who plays Dr. Nakamura with a perfect balance of dangerous gangster and cartoon Asian, and Sandy York, who has some of the best facial expressions as Sister Jane to match a beautiful voice. Timothy McDonough also does a fantastic job as the young-but-tough-but-stupid Baby Face and Cristiane Young is hilarious as Major Stone. The rest of the cast does a fantastic job.

So, what are you waiting for? GO SEE THE SHOW!

http://www.theatertenten.com/main.html