Customer Reviews

Adding Machine: A Musical

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On this recording, the remarkable score comes off even better than it does in the theater. Joshua Schmidt employs a range of styles, from minimalism to 1930s pop, and to great effect in this harrowing work about a man named Mr. Zero who is replaced by an adding machine. Joel Hatch's nearly anti-musical vocal performance brings out the depth of the score as he croaks his way through an essentially untuneful or anti-tuneful life as underscored by the brilliant singing of the support ensemble, particularly Joe Farrell as the matricidal fellow inmate. Of course, the score can't capture the stunning break in visual style the stage production employs, but the last third of the music really goes many unexpected places, just as the characters do. Each listening brings fresh insights.

The recording of Adding Machine perfectly captures the entire musical with its wonderful performances and unique score that is unlike anything else currently running in New York. If you have had the good fortune to see this production on stage, you will know what a unique theater experience it is. When I saw the show I knew that my appreciation for the score would only grow in repeated listenings, which it has. The musical performances both define the characters and further the plot and are true to the original Elmer Rice play. Once again PS Classics has identified and recorded a show that will not be forgotten once the original production has ended.

After seeing this show in June I decided I would take the experience home with me to give the score a few more listens. I am overwhelmingly glad I did. I enjoyed it even more on 2nd 3rd and 10th listens.

I would have to say, CAUTION: This is not your mother's musical theatre!

Elmer Rice's (the original playwright) bleak world view is perfectly illustrated and expanded upon by this mathematical and rewarding show. Granted, this might not be a CD that you want to put on your 'Jog and Workout Playlist', but if you want something to stimulate you and challenge you sonically as well as philosophically, this cast recording packed with stellar acting and singing is a winner.

It is NOT 'Funny Girl' or 'Hello Dolly', but it has just as much artistry, heart, intelligence as anything I can think of.

Particular Standouts on the Disc are: The Music of the Machine, I'd Rather watch You (a tin pan alley pastiche), and The Party.

A powerful score to a dark brooding musical. Performances are uniformly superb. Thanks to PS Classics for recording this extraordinary piece of music theater.

Whenever amazon recommends a new CD to me, I usually heed the call because their computers really seem to have my musical tastes nailed down pretty good. I'd say I end up liking 95% of what they recommend, while maybe 1 in 100 really end up hitting the mark dead-on. Well, Adding Machine is one of those rare choices.

Who is this Joshua Schmidt guy anyway? Turns out that he's never written a musical before. Maybe that's why this score is so incredibly good. The piano work is nothing short of amazing - featuring rhythmically challenging passages that feel more at home on an Emerson Lake & Palmer album than in an off-Broadway production. And the use of deep, electronic, highly synthetic keyboard accompaniments mixed in with all that progressive piano - well, it's enough to make any composer worth his or her salt stand up and say, "I wish I had written that." Truly original is the only way that you can describe this score.

But the accolades don't stop with the underscore. In fact, what makes all of this so brilliant is the intermittent use of simple compelling melodies intermixed with semi-atonal vocal rants that bounce you between Sondheim and Schwartz (if that is even possible) within a matter of seconds. And just when you think the score has run away from you, a simple repeating melody or lyric somehow brings everything right back into focus. Just incredible.

And then there's the story. Well, we can't credit the composers for that. But we can credit them with having had the vision to know that this is the story that musical theater has been in desperate need of for the last decade. You can have your bubble game remakes of 80's movies and TV shows. You can have your poorly executed and oversold band "biopics" which, I'm sorry, are just excuses to rehash old hit songs and somehow attempt to bring them together to form a profitable storyline. Yes, you can have all of that. But give me this dark, disturbing, plot line any day over any of that nonsense. Yes, Adding Machine is a story that actually says something to its audience and makes you think about a few things in life. And, what's more, this CD (and the fantastic lyrics that go with it) tell the story brilliantly - as if you are listening to some kind of musical book-on-tape. Just amazing.

So, if you haven't gotten it yet - I LOVED this CD. And that's coming from someone who isn't exactly easy on most new musical theater (if you couldn't tell). Sometimes I ask myself if I'm being too harsh. But, when a score like this comes along and shows us all what musical theater CAN BE, I start to think that I might have it pretty darn right.

I know I haven't spent any time on the performers, who also deserve more than just a brief mention, even if that's all I can give them (I'm still too floored by the music!). Of course. I couldn't love a musical soundtrack this much without also loving the performers who deliver it. The standout is, of course, Joel Hatch who, in Mr. Zero, gives you a character that you can empathize with, relate to, yet, somehow, never quite cheer for - while he and his castmates, with their over-dramatized accents, allow the listener not only to feel, but also to SEE, every scene in which they are acting. Ralph Kramden has nothing on this guy, and you love him every bit the same. And that's exactly why the message that he delivers somehow cuts right through.

In summary, I urge you to give this music a listen. I don't know why, but I keep coming back to Keith Emerson meets Stephen Sondheim. I know a lot of people probably won't make that leap. But, those of you who do, you'll know what I mean.

Here's to a long and prosperous career, Mr. Schmidt - whoever you are. I'm sure nobody will be saying that for too long.

From start to finish, I loved this recording of "Adding Machine," the new musical by Joshua Schmidt and Jason Loewith. Strikingly original, the show offers further proof that any subject, with the right approach, can be turned into an effective musical. This will certainly be high on my list of the decade's best new scores.

Based on an expressionist play by Elmer Rice, "Adding Machine" is social commentary wrapped in a surreal story about a working-stiff accountant, Mr. Zero (Joel Hatch), who, when not berated by his wife at home, performs mind-numbing work--thoroughly unappreciated, except by an assistant who longs for him from afar. Things get even bleaker when, after learning he's being replaced by new adding machines, Zero snaps and kills his boss.

The plot gets plenty twisted (and darkly funny) from there, and it's all represented vividly on this recording by a fine cast, who act and sing with the gusto of a live performance. From the grating of Mrs. Zero (Cyrilla Baer) at the beginning as she lashes out at her docile husband, to the truly satisfying conclusion to Zero's oddysey, "Adding Machine" holds you in its grip.

Of course, that grip comes in large part from the music by Joshua Schmidt, which is fantastic. Consisting of percussive rhythms and keyboards (regular and electronic), the score is ominous and forceful, and complements the bizarre story perfectly. Only a couple numbers sound "traditional," used effectively in the few touching moments amid all the bleakness (featuring Amy Warren, poignant as Zero's assistant). But this isn't a show meant to put a bounce in your step. It's meant to knock you on your a--. Schmidt and Loewith achieve that brilliantly.

This musical is great. Better than 99% of musicals that go to broadway. The score is amazing. The cast is great. The show is funny. Buy it.

This is easily the most satisfying and interesting musical theater score of the year, emerging from the best musical to arrive in New York this season. The show itself is a wonder, and the CD captures much of what's great about it. This is a score that confounds expectations, although it does include a few pastiche numbers, for dramatic effect. But for the most part, composer Joshua Schmidt, along his libretto collaborator Jason Loewith, have created something totally new, while certainly reflecting the influence of Kurt Weill, Marc Blitzstein, and others. Anyone interested in the future of serious musical theater will want this CD.

When I first heard about ADDING MACHINE, I felt the need to purchase the cast recording. Little did I know that the score is disturbingly lovely and the performances are brilliant. The subject matter is dark and somewhat twisted - I must confess, I am usually attracted to such storylines, and here is no different. The score is just as dark but manages to be touching and heartwarming at times. Particularly noteworthy - at least, for my own personal tastes - are the songs "Zero's Confession," "The Gospel According to Shrdlu," and "Daisy's Confession." Overall, the show is both smart, striking, and beautiful. This recording is certainly a must for any serious theatre lover.

I bought this specifically because Joel Hatch had the lead role in this musical. He's originally from Trimont, MN. I found it intriguing and memorable. Some of the tunes are really haunting. It isn't for everyone but I really like the avant garde. Joel's voice was great. I just wanted to own it because I've always liked his voice. I played in a pit orchestra long ago for "Annie Get Your Gun" when Joel (Frank Butler) was just starting out.