Why has there never been a complete recording of Falsettos?

[PattiLover]

Posted: 8/19/11 at 5:14pm

I wish there was a complete recording of the show that included "I'm Breaking Down" and other stuff that's not on the recordings of Falsettoland or March of the Falsettos.

Why is there no Broadway Cast Recording? Even Grey Gardens has two recordings...

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/19/11 at 5:21pm

$$$

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/19/11 at 5:30pm

Why is there no Broadway Cast Recording? Even Grey Gardens has two recordings...


To use your example: my understanding is that when GREY GARDENS was "re-recorded", they only re-recorded the new cast members (Erin Davie and Kelsey Fowler) and the new songs that were added for the Broadway run (which, I believe, was only three or four). The rest of the vocals and songs that didn't need any changing were taken directly from the original Off Broadway cast recording.

This would be a lot different than recording a complete FALSETTOS, which is essentially two musicals and which went through many changes.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 8/19/11 at 5:30pm

Heck, some shows never even get ONE recording!

But Mildred is right -- its always only about $$$$.

[Gaveston2]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 3:56am

Personally, I prefer the Falsettos trilogy as it exists on record: as three one-act musicals. As one acts, each is fierce and astonishing and complete.

The two-act Falsettos I saw on tour felt weakened, particularly in the first act.

I'm happy with what we got.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 6:00am

LA Theatre Works actually made a complete recording and broadcast it on the radio. A recording was briefly available on their site with the rest of their plays, but it mysteriously vanished from the list some time ago. Unless you were fortunate enough to record it when is was broadcast, or you snagged it when it was for sale, you missed out. The broadcast featured Michael Rupert, Chip Zien, and Stephen Bogardus from the original Broadway cast.

[Huey's Pop]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 10:20am

I was in the audience for one of the recording sessions. It was sensational!

[Producer2]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 10:45am

You can make your own! Alison Fraser, the original off-bway Trina made a cd with "I'm Breaking Down." Download the "March Of The Falsettos" cd, insert Alison's recording of "I'm Breaking Down" after "Marvin at the Psychiatrist." Burn a new cd! There you go!

I did the same thing with "Beauty and the Beast." I downloaded the "Beauty" cd and inserted Susan Egan's recording of "A Change In Me" exactly where it goes in the show.

Talk about OCD!

[Kad]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 11:17am

That's what I did, Producer. However, parts of the score were changed for the Broadway production, so what is recorded does not reflect the score as it is now.

The LA recording is pretty good- the only catch is that things are censored and the quality isn't the best. I also find that the women aren't nearly as strong as the recorded casts.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 11:22am

Is the LATW recording still readily available? I've looked for it and it seems to be out-of-print and hard to find.

If I remember correctly, Faith Prince was supposed to sing Trina but had to leave at the last minute. A complete Faith Prince Trina would be more than enough reason to buy a recording of the show.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 3:47pm

If you have the one recorded from the radi, then yes it is censored. If you have the one that was briefly sold on the site, it should be uncencored and of even better quality.

[BS]

Posted: 8/20/11 at 5:21pm

I have the LA Works complete performance on my ipod. Chip, Michael and Stephen sound great. As someone else mentioned, the women are not as strong. But its great to have the entire "broadway" score.