My frustrating evening at Jeff Blumenkrantz' Concert last night

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 11:07am

I was first introduced to Jeff Blumenkrantz' songs a few years ago at a concert at the Gay and Lesbian etc. Center, where he performed "My Book" (which as I subsequently found out, was written for Audra McDonald's Seven Deadly Sins song cycle). As a journalist with ADD who should be finishing his Jan Lievens article now instead of posting on BroadwayWorld, it kinda struck a chord with me while I had to stop byself from laughing too hard. My theory with songwriters is "If they've written one song this good, there are more good ones to follow" and to say that this is true of Blumenkratz is an understatement. Few songwriters today have the craftsmanship to start you laughing then mid-song make you cry ("Toll") or just make you cry till it's almost too much ("I Won't Mind", "Hold My Hand") and set any number of poems by Edna St. Vincent Mallay to the most sumptuously romantic and haunting melodies.

Last nights concert at Birdland of Jeff's rarely or never-publicly-heard 'trunk' songs (mostly from abandoned projects) was both exhilarating yet maddeningly frustrating. One wanted to 'drag him over to his desk and chain him there' to force him to write a completed musical that would be cast and mounted now. Not later. NOW.

Wonderfully rendered by Jeff and his guests Adinah Alexander, Donna Lynn Champlin, Laura Patinkin, Alysha Umphress, all these 'trunk' songs were of a quality far and above most of which passes for new scores on Broadway. From the project HUSH about a neurotic gay Jewish musical theater composer (Jeff: "Sound familiar?") and his deaf boyfriend came two songs the dramatic "I Burn" and "Engraved in my Palm" (sung by the composer after his boyfriend scribbles his Email address on his hand). HUSH also contains "He'll Never Get What I Do", "Hold My Hand" and "It'll Work For You" Six great songs. Most musicals would be fortunate to have one or two as good.

From the still-in-progress HASHI (about a transplanted New Yorker in Maine and the nephew she never knew she had) came two songs, a "I'm So Excited I'm In Maine and Starting a New Life" song and a Lullaby, and from the proposal for a "CORINNA, CORINNA" musical came "Playing Piano For the Angels", a beautiful tearjerker in the vein of "I Won't Mind".

But the most tantalizing project was BETTY BOOP. I had known that Andrew Lippa had written songs for it, but I had not never heard that the project kept being shuttled between other songwriters as well. Jeff's contributions were devilishly witty and delightful (the complicated, wildly-inventive satiric and surprisingly dark book - which I won't go into here - seems to be a blend of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and Bimbo's Initiation). Alas, I heard that the project is at a standstill.

Jeff also performed a deliciously bittersweet 'stand alone' song with a 1930s flavor called "Why Can't I Kiss You", a wet-dream song for any aspiring or seasoned cabaret performer - I imagine this morning Jeff is answering all his Emails requesting sheet music for it.

Updated On: 11/5/07 at 11:07 AM

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 11:38am

I was wondering if anyone else was there! He is definitely one of my favorite composers, and it was so heartwarming to see the house so full last night. The new songs, especially those from Betty Boop and the "Corinna, Corinna" piece (one of my favorite movies) were fantastic, and I found myself wanting a Jeff Blumenkrantz Songbook Vol. 2! - well, more than usual. He's never a disappointment. The guests were fantastic, particularly Adinah Alexander, who I had never heard sing more than one or two lines at a time. Her song from "Living Room O.C.D." was fantastic, as well as...man, I can't remember...her next solo song...there were a few accented high notes in the melodic line, and it was fairly short...anywho, I loved her on that. Alysha Umphress was great as always, and I hadn't heard of Laura Patinkin, but she did a fine job on her songs (even the unintended cut in "My Book;" Jeff's face was priceless!). I wish we'd heard more of David Perlman, but it was great to hear Jeff's lovely voice. I can't wait for more podcasts.

I might have missed something, but what was frustrating about your evening?

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 11:46am

MasterLcZ, what an amazing review. I love Jeff Blumenkrantz too. I agree that it's frustrating to hear amazing musical theatre writing like that and know that the shows are not getting produced, for one reason or another. Jeff Blumenkrantz is such a gifted songwriter (and actor)!

[Dolly_Levi]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 12:14pm

I think he's frustrated that with material this good Blumenkrantz hasn't got a full musical together and running on the Bway.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 12:15pm

That's EXACTLY it, Dolly!
You took the words right outta my mouth!

[Dancin Thru Life]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 3:23pm

I'm not ashamed to say I have never heard of Jeff before, but I am intrigued!

Where can I hear more? Any good recordings or webcasts featuring the music from the concert?

Thanks!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 3:42pm

Jeff has a podcast on iTunes featuring 20 or so of his songs sung by Victoria Clark, Julia Murney, Sutton Foster, etc... definitely check it out.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 5:00pm

Oh man, thanks for this...I've just discovered his podcast and will probably be listening to it all night. Thank you!

[broadwaybaby086]

Posted: 11/5/07 at 5:49pm

Ah, got it. And yes, everyone check out his website and podcast!! You're in for a fantastic listening experience.

(edited to add link title)
jeffblumenkrantz.com

Updated On: 11/5/07 at 05:49 PM