Customer Reviews

Anna Karenina: The Broadway Musical

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

What a great, great pity this wonderful musical only ran for 46 performances in 1992 after being ravaged by the so-caled critics. It has some absolutely wonderful music, A superb duet, track 18, I've listened to it so many times. The whole cd is just wonderful with a slightly updated score from the composer, great orchestration not to mention the top class singing performances. You may need to hear the cd a couple of times to really appreciate its magic - taking you to a different world. Pick a nice evening, sit down in your conservatory, surround yourself with candles, a good bottle of red, turn the volume up and just enjoy.

I bought this simply because it is based on one of my favorite novels. Really, I fully expected to ridicule the plot, as I cannot see how you can possibly get a 800 page book down to a little over twenty songs.

Imagine my surprise when I wound up just loving it.

It stays surprisingly accurate to the novel, as far as it can, at least. It cuts out several portions, and the end after Anna's death is gone. Still, it is not terrible, and is certainly listenable for a fan of the novel.

As for music...this is just beautiful. The score, the performers, they are all perfect. The melodies are haunting at times, although there are those that are a bit lighter. Melissa Errico is superb as the title character; her voice is perfect for the songs.

This is definitely a musical that all should look at. You will not be disappointed.

This recording recreates the ill-fated 1992 Broadway musical version of ANNA KARENINA. Based on the classic novel by Tolstoy with a score by Dan Levine and Peter Kellogg, the show played a run at Circle-in-the-Square (where it received Tony Award nominations for it's book and score), then faded into the void after only 46 performances. On this brand-new recording, we can once again hear the amazing score.

The story of Anna Karenina, who walks away from her marriage to have an affair with dashing Captain Vronsky, has been the subject of many movie and television adaptations (including versions starring Greta Garbo, Vivien Leigh, Nicola Pagett, Jacqueline Bissett and Sophie Marceau); but the story also easily lends itself to the principles of musical theatre, where these kinds of tragic, Fate-thwarted romances are commonplace.

Ann Crumb and Scott Wentworth originated the roles of Anna and Vronsky on Broadway. For this new recording, the roles are filled by the talented Melissa Errico and Brian d'Arcy James. Both hugely talented Tony-nominated stars in their own right, Ms Errico and Mr James bring lots of passion and emotion to their respective roles. Ms Errico originally played Kitty (and understudied Ms Crumb) in the Broadway production, and it's fun having her "graduated" to Anna on this album.

The score of Kellogg and Levine's ANNA KARENINA has a true pre-Revolution Russia flavour (especially in numbers like "I Shall Work", "Journey to Moscow", and the dreamy "We Were Dancing"); the orchestra for the most part is quite understated and minimalist; a true chamber piece.

Brian d'Arcy James and Melissa Errico sparkle with the main love theme, "Waiting for You". Melissa Errico's haunting voice later tears through "I'm Lost" and "Seryozha" with all the pain of a woman who has given up her entire life to be with a man she'll later be torn from.

The talented cast of Broadway vets assembled for this album also includes Kerry Butler, Gregg Edelman (recreating his original role of Levin), Jeff McCarthy and Marc Kudisch. Definitely one for the top shelf of your cast album collection.

A beautiful, soaring score with voices to match. The combination of serious, haunting and humorous songs make the show come alive in my mind as I'm listening. It's a must have for Broadway music lovers.

This cast recording is superior to most I have listened to in the last several years. What a joy it is to hear it over and over again. The lyrics are inventive and the score is truly amazing. The voices are wonderful and the cast will be familiar to many broadway theatre goers. Its nice to hear a full orchestra instead of the skimpy orchestrations used on many studio or concept cast recording. The opening "Journey to Moscow" has a wonderful way of setting up all the actors and their situations. The love songs are stirring. I never saw the show, so I cannot comment on the book, but some shows work best on their recordings and not in the theatre. This might be one of those shows. What a gem!

I¨m quite aware that this is not "Phantom of the Opera". However, it stands by itself as a respectful and sensitive adaptation of the Tolstoi novel into the musical theatre. In general terms, it follows the main story of the novel and the main character has been well translated for the stage. However, the most significant credit is its music. It contains a couple of great songs, being "I Never Dreamed" the most unforgetable of all. It's a pity this one flopped on Broadway; it really deserved better response at the box office; at least we still have the recording which is technically flawless and a suitable way to appreciate its merits.

The title says it all this CD was just amazingly beautiful and I highly recommend it to all Broadway Musical fans!

If you're a musical buff, you'll want to own Anna Karenina. Brian D'Arcy James is a native son of Saginaw, Michigan, and we're all tremendously proud of his musical accomplishments. Anna Karenina will quickly become one of your favorite musicals. Not only is the story captivating, but the music reflects its timeless charm. Buy this CD and enjoy!

Melissa Ericco is great. This is a good listen and I'm glad to have it.

I got tickets to see this musical when it was on Broadway. But my tickets were for two weeks after it opened and by then it had closed. Judging from the score, I'm glad I didn't get to see it. What I don't understand is why it was recorded.