Was 110's "Evening Star" in the original?

[Auggie27]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 5:42pm

Finally got my CD from Amazon, and one of the simple little things to savor is Steve Kazee's quiet rendition of this song at the top of act two, as in the theater. I like his wistful take on the song, but don't recall if it was in the original. Was it added, cut, or restored for this production? My guess is, it's always been there, but like the overture, wasn't recorded.

Kazee reminded me of the old singer BJ Thomas ("Raindrops Keep Falling") for some reason. He hasn't excited too many people, but though I wasn't overwhelmed by him in the theater, I think his vocal performance on the album is lovely. If "Rain Song" is a bit undernourished in spots, it's still persuasive, and he acts "Melisande" with far more nuance and variety than Horton. It's a nice alternative to Horton's vibrato-laden rendition of the material.

[AC126748]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 6:05pm

Nope. It was cut during the out-of-town tryout in Philadelphia. Guy Haines does a great rendition of it on one of the LOST IN BOSTON recordings, and in my opinion, it's Kazee's most successfully executed number.
Lost in Boston

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 6:39pm

I believe they put it back for the Pasadena Playhouse production, too.

[BigFatBlonde]

Posted: 6/14/07 at 10:48pm

I have to re-read the liner notes, but I thought that it wasn't a complete song, just a bit of a musical theme that Bruce Kimmel aka Guy Haines asked to have completed..

I could be way off the beat there of course.

[mallardo]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 3:19am

Yes, Lizzie, they did it at Pasadena. Jason Danieley sang it gorgeously.

[philcrosby]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 9:46am

It was done in the NYCO Opera recording on JAY, with Ron Raines and Karen Ziemba.

I adore this show but have to admit that I found the revival cast recording underwhelming and somewhat disappointing -- performances (especially Audra's) aside. The main problem was the size and sound of the teeny-weeny orchestra. I felt like I was listening to the dinner theater version of this truly great score.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 10:52am

Yes, Lizzie, they did it at Pasadena. Jason Danieley sang it gorgeously.

Thanks! I saw it there, but I just couldn't remember. :)

[Minnely]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:08pm

they put it back in before that...in the Signature's production in DC...starring Jacquelyn Piro and Matt Bogart in 2003. Bogart sang it at the top of Act 2...orchestrated by Jonothan Tunick...who did the current Broadway orchestrations. That was the production that sparked Pasadena and Broadway...great production if anyone saw it.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/15/07 at 2:19pm

I've got tickets to this show in July. I can't wait.