Kelli O'Hara, Victor Garber - Knickerbocker Holiday - CD now available!

Christopher Fitzgerald, Ben Davis... and others in Kurt Weill's Knickerbocker Holiday !

January 25 and 26th
Alice Tully Hall



Knickerbocker Holiday

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Updated On: 5/31/11 at 04:43 PM

And a gorgeous, gorgeous score!

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And "It Never Was you" is a pretty perfect ballad.

For those who do not know the songs, here is a recording of "September Song," which Woody Allen once called the most perfectly written American popular song, sung by the Walter Huston in 1938 (audio only), who created the part in Knickerbocker Holiday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkWn4--RmEk


In the show, Huston played Peter Stuyvesant, Dutch governor of New York, who is about to marry a young woman several decades younger than he is.


Here is the same song, sung by Lotte Lenya (audio only), who was married to the composer, Kurt Weill:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdc4oBnu_fw


Here is my favorite version of the song, by Ella Fitzgerald (audio only), from an extraordinary CD she did of just ballads, only accompanied by jazz pianist Paul Smith:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CkzEGjfYStw


Here is an oddly touching video of the song by veteran comic performer Jimmy Durante playing it unusually straight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-ldVj34Sfo


And here is a spectacular version of the song (audio only), by none other than Patti LuPone, from a live concert at Ravinia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giZtHhpBKf0

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Updated On: 1/12/11 at 03:48 PM

Wow! Thanks for finding and posting these.

I can't wait to give them all a listen.

Really gorgeous music in this show.

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I've loved listening to them - so many different versions, and all so touching.

'It Never Was You' is really jut a perfect song.

I think hearing these gems sung by the stars of this concert will be sublime.

twinbelters - hope you can make it!

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Updated On: 1/19/11 at 11:15 PM

Yes! Big Yay!

(that's why we're performing two nights instead of our usual one night performance)

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Info about the recording!

Kurt Weill and Maxwell Anderson teamed up for the first time to create this delightful romantic comedy. First performed in 1938, with Walter Huston in the role of Peter Stuyvesant, the work is one of Weill's deft hybrid theater pieces which lie somewhere between operetta and musical theater. Anderson, one of the most important playwrights of the early 20th century, adds bits of political satire that contribute a spicy note to this charmer of a show. The famous pop standard, "September Song," first appeared in Knickerbocker Holiday.

This performance by The Collegiate Chorale will feature Victor Garber as Stuyvesant, Ben Davis as Brom, Bryce Pinkham as Washington Irving, David Garrison as Tienhoven, Kelli O’Hara as love interest Tina, and Christopher Fitzgerald as faithful sidekick Tenpin. Broadway's multi-talented Ted Sperling, winner of both Tony and Drama Desk awards, will direct and The Chorale's Music Director, James Bagwell, will conduct. It will be recorded live at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City on January 25 & 26.

sh-k-boom recording

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Updated On: 1/19/11 at 10:13 PM

Since this is a concert, I assume Garber won't have to perform the role with a peg leg,as Walter Houston did.

A wonderful article on Playbill.com

This really is an undiscovered gem for many.

If you're in the area, please treat yourself to attending this performance!
Playbill: Knickerbocker Holiday

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A gorgeous "September Song" with Sarah Vaughan and Wynton Marsalis and the Boston Pops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRhhNPBPGyU

Maxwell Anderson's lyrics are hauntingly beautiful.

And the days dwindle down
To a precious few:
September, November...

And these few precious days
I'd spend with you.
These precious days
I'd spend with you.

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Updated On: 1/23/11 at 09:07 AM

Elphaba - I wish the same!

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Did anyone make it tonight? I wish I could have been there.
One more night!

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