New ALLEGRO Studio Cast Recording

Great review but couldn't find any song samples..

Aah...Patrick singing again...

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Has anyone heard this recording? Is it worth investing in?

I bought the recording today and listened to it tonight. It's well sung and worth owning. Its great they took the time to cast the recording. I'm familiar with the 1947 cast recording which gives only a taste of the score. The complete recording finally gives a sense of the show. While I like much of it, the problem is what the show is about isn't clear. Also, there are too many "ballets" in the show.

By the way, Judy Kuhn plays a minor character who appears in one scene.

I LOVE ballets ion musicals so I don't mind having those recorded--remember the show was told through projections and dance largely.

Dottie, in the 50s Everyman Library published a great little book 6 Plays by Rodgers and Hammerstein which go from Oklahoma to Me and Juliet--including Allegro. I found it used for 2 bucks--it's pretty easy to find.

Me and J is a fascinating show that I think could be quite charming. It does feel like R&H were trying to do a Rodgers and Hart show or something though. I admit the flop I have a soft spot for by them is Pipe Dream, love the original material, and if they just made it a bit more gritty I think it could work.

The photograph used is intriguing. It looks to be period authentic but no-one then would have posed for the camera in such a way, so I assume it must be a very clever and appropriate recreation.

Yeah, i love the packaging. It's very well done.

Yeah, great podcast. I didn't realize there was a series of R&H podcasts out there called The Sweetest Sounds. I have a feeling this won't become a fave score, but I'm DAMNED thankful for the recording.

That makes sense re Me and Juliet--although I meant it feels more Rodgers and Hart also in terms of story and ligthness of style--the backstage theatre element, etc. Not to menthion Rodgers and HArt frequent collaborators Goerge Abott directed and Alton choreographed

Updated On: 2/4/09 at 07:13 PM

Wow, this is a truly gorgeous recording...which totally replaces the need for the OBCR, in my opnion. Lai, Pomahac and Chapin should be proud of themselves.

Will this be Grammy eligible next year?

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Rodgers & Hammerstein made the decision to cast Helen Traubel as Fauna, Madame of the Bear Flag Cafe, in their 1955 musical, PIPE DREAM. After the success of Traubel's successful Las Vegas night club stint in early 1955 she came to R & H's new Steinbeck inspired musical ready to repeat the bawdy (and belty) style of singing that had made such an impression on R & H and her audiences in Vegas and on TV. But she quickly got cold feet. By the time the show opened in New York she had become so uncomfortable singing in her belt voice (in front of New York audiences that would most certainly include her fans from the Metropolitan Opera)that she insisted the low keys in which her songs were written be raised. Indeed, Robert Russell Bennett's orchestration for Traubel's "Sweet Thursday", which was to be performed in the key of F Major, was upped a minor third to A Flat Major. Neither was Traubel happy with her first song in the show. Her portion of the "Bum's Opera", which can be heard on the original cast recording ("You can't catch a fish without a worm for bait...") was replaced with snatches of the "Ba-ba-lou" style improvisations that had been such a hit for her in Vegas. But no matter how R & H capitulated to her demands Traubel was not happy. She wanted to be set free from her PIPE DREAM commitment. The authors retaliated by refusing to let her out of her contract. (She was still the major if not the only draw to the weakly reviewed musical she was helming for them.) Her contract was up two weeks before the show was to close on June 30, 1956. She was asked to stay but refused, and Nancy Andrews took over for the last two weeks of the run.

PIPE DREAM fans might be interested to know that Doc's song, "Will You Marry Me?", was originally written for Emile de Becque to sing in the SOUTH PACIFIC spot that is now filled by Emile's and Nellie's reprise of "Some Enchanted Evening." ("Born on the opposite sides of the sea...")

Updated On: 2/5/09 at 03:45 PM

Bruce, Bravo on a marvelous recording!
After years wondering why Sondheim said this was so influential, this explains everything. LCT ought to think about mounting this after South Pacific if they don't do a revival of Night Music.
All musical theatre lovers, go out and get this gorgeous album somehow, whether its on iTunes or the actual CD set.