Thoughts on Marie Christine OBC Recording

[chrispychicken]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:40pm

I never saw this show but I saw the CD at Barnes and Noble and thought about buying it. For those of you who have this CD or saw the show-how would you describe it in terms of the musical style? What other shows might you compare it to? Thanks for your thoughts. I have been looking for a new recording to buy having already picked up the new Evita, J&H,and Chorus Line recordings.

I also just ordered the OBC of Chess from Footlight, I already have the London recording but I have been told the Broadway cast sounds amazing.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:45pm

It's wonderful.

I don't really know what to compare it to, but it is sort of along the lines of LaChiusa's other works, like SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, THE WILD PARTY, and BERNARDA ALBA.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:46pm

I have the Cd. I find it to be a rather dense piece. I'm a fan of LaChiusa's smaller shows, but this one I find hard to grasp. I played it in the car on a long trip and I just can't seem to get into it. None of the songs really grab me - except for "I Don't Hear The Ocean" which is just beautiful. I'd say buy it and see what ya think. No harm in buying it.

[C is for Company]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 5:48pm

A fantastic recording, but the hardest for me to get into of his. However, the first act and second half of the second act have some of the best music.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 8:38pm

Not at all in the vain of your recent purchases... if that's what you like, than I would not recommend buying Marie Christine.

It's dark, and creepy, but brilliant.

It's a dense show, with very few "lighter" moments.
Audra McDonald is FANTASTIC, as always, as is Mary Testa.

It's like a chamber opera, but I think it's terribly well written, but I can see why people can't get into it.

[TheEnchantedHunter]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 8:42pm

Shouldn't this thread be under "Awesomely bad Broadway songs?"







Judith "Death, Death!" Anderson
The Heavyside Layer

[jasonf]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 9:38pm

I actually like this better than most of LaChiusa's stuff -- it is dense, and it takes some work, but in the end I find it to be the prettiest of his shows (seconded by Wild Party). By far it's the one of his shows I've listened to the most (as opposed to say First Lady Suite which I couldn't even get through once!)

[Gingersnap]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 10:06pm

I absolutely love it. I was already familiar with "Bernarda Alba" at time and one or two other LaChiusa pieces. I heard "Miracles and Mysteries" on BWW Radio and just loved it. Enough to hunt for the CD here.

[jaesdare]

Posted: 11/23/06 at 10:55pm

after i listened to the music...i added it to my list of dream roles. i love it, and as usual audra is amazing.

[Jazzysuite82]

Posted: 11/24/06 at 12:08am

I love Marie Christine. I remember buying it for Audra and discovering LaChiusa's music through this recording. It was unlike anything I'd ever heard. The rhythm, the melodies and the drama were def things that were new and unique to LaChiusa's style. Is it dense yes, but I'm a huge fan of music. All music and I consider it something new in the musical theatre world. I wouldn't call it a chamber opera because it's certainly a huge piece. It's certainly operatic but I can only imagine someone like Audra doing it. It's heavy on acting and heavy on singing. At any rate you should get it just to give it a listen. Listen to the clips on Amazon if you're not sure. If you get it and don't like it, put it up on ebay.

[virgil blessing2]

Posted: 11/24/06 at 3:49am

saw it at lincoln center. loved it and audra. got the cd after that, which i enjoy. good score, in my opinion....however, if you didn't see the show, it may be hard to grasp, only because this Medea-tale covers a LOT of territory. a LOT. going into this cd-listneing cold may be a tad confusing. the show, live, really caught the flavor of the piece. Setting the Medea tale in 1890s New Orleans and Chicago - focusing on Creole society in the former and shady politics in the latter, it really had such variety and bite.

all i have to say is that Audra ripped my heart out, especially when she built up to murdering her 2 young boys. oh yes, and Anthony Crivello as her abandoning lover was very sexy and in wonderful voice. Mary Testa was also witty and touching in the smaller role of Magdalena, the saloon owner. Graciela Daniele did fine work and the house was very receptive. Sadly, it wasn't an accessible, tourist trash piece. It was destined to just do a Lincoln Center run. But LaChiusa really outdid himself. Again, my personal opinion.