Pippin/Passion CDs

[mb87]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 6:26pm

I was wondering which albums would be the best to buy as it would be my first introduction to both musicals. Should I buy the original cast recordings [as I tend to do]? Or wait for the latest revival releases?

appreciate it.

[binau]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 6:36pm

For Passion, buy the OBC album and/or the filming. Donna Murphy's performance can't be missed.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 4/12/13 at 6:39pm

Decca Broadway's remaster of teh original cast of PIPPIN is a worth addition to any library. (Get the Decca Broadway..the older Motown isseu has horrible tape hiss throughout.)

Angel's PASSION preserves Donna Murphy's Tony winning performance but is heavily abridged. The new set from the revival will likely be nmuch more complete. Judy Kuhn's performance (I say this based on seeing her as Fosca at the Kennedy Center some years ago) is something very special. Lately, howevere, I have been playing eth London cast with Michael Ball and Maria Friedman. It5 has more of the show, including much dialogue so you can follow teh story just by listening.

Of course, the best way to introduce yourself to PASSION is to see teh show live or at least teh DVD of the original Broadway staging. In additionto documenting the show, teh commentary track featuring Sondheim, Lapine, Donna Murphy, Marrin Mazzie and Jere Shea is enlightening and often quite funny:

LAPINE: We filmed this for PBS so we don't get to see any of Marrin's breasts.

SONDHEIM: The word is either!