I wouldn't claim that everyone should own these recordings, but I like these.
Sweeney Todd (OBC) Gypsy (2003 - Peters Revival) Next to Normal (OBC) Sunday in the Park (OBC) Kiss of the Spider Woman (Williams replacement)
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
I'll tell you the 5 I am listening to the most right now:
The Scottsboro Boys Bells Are Ringing (OBC) Finian's Rainbow (2009 Revival) Brigadoon (Studio Cast Recording with Rebecca Luker and Brent Barrett) The Pajama Game (2006 Revival)
But that's just right now. I have a feeling The Scottsboro Boys will always be up there. I listen to it once a week, if not more.
The Last Five Years Next To Normal Guys and Dolls West Side Story Phantom of The Opera
I've also been listening to the remakes of Chess and Allegro. I wanted to include them.
If I didn't believe in you
We'd never have gotten this far
If I didn't believe in you
And all of the ten thousand women you are
If I didn't think you could do
Anything you ever wanted to
If I wasn't certain that you'd come through somehow
THe fact of the matter is, Cathy
I wouldn't be standing here now
-The Last Five Years
Next To Normal Caroline or Change Grey Gardens (Broadway or Off-Broadway) Nine (Antonio Banderas Revivial) Hello Again
"The sexual energy between the mother and son really concerns me!"-random woman behind me at Next to Normal
"I want to meet him after and bang him!"-random woman who exposed her breasts at Rock of Ages, referring to James Carpinello
Such a difficult question! Keep in mind, these aren't my five favorite shows, necessarily, just the five albums I'd like to have if I could only have five. At the moment:
Ragtime, to cry (Or next to normal here. Would be so hard to choose.) The Drowsy Chaperone, to laugh Hairspray, to dance Gypsy, to be awed (LuPone, 2008 ) Company, just because I need some Sondheim (Some recording; any of them.)
Edit: How could I forget Caroline, or Change?! Five is too few...
"Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos."-Stephen Sondheim
1. SWEENEY TODD (OBCR - Masterwoks Braodway) 2. CAROUSEL (film soundtrack - Broadway Angel) 3. GYPSY (Ethel Merman and OBC - Masterworks Broadway) 4. SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE (OBCR - Masterworks Broadway) 5. CALL ME MADAM (film soundtrack - Decca 10" Lp)
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks." Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
Company (2006 Revival) Thoroughly Modern Milie (OBC) The Drowsy Chaperone (OBC) La Cage Aux Folles (OBC) A Chorus Line (OBC)
I wouldn't say that everyone should own those, but they are certainly some of my favourites. Others that I love include The Will Rogers Follies, Sunday In The Park with George, Cabaret, Chicago and Hair (2009 Revival).
1. The Phantom of the Opera OLC 2. Les Misérables 25th Anniversary Production 3. EVITA American Premiere Recording 4. South Pacific Broadway Revival Recording 5. Leonard Bernstein Conducts West Side Story
60s: She Loves Me 70s: Company 80s: Sunday in the Park with George 90s: Hmmm...Ragtime? 00s: Even tougher...right now I want to say Light in the Piazza, but I usually say Grey Gardens. I'm on a Guettel kick now though.
So in no order- She Loves Me, Company, Sunday in the Park, Ragtime and Piazza