Customer Reviews

By the Beautiful Sea (1954 Original Broadway Cast)

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

 

 

First-the show itself was a flop. Not a very original story. But the music is pretty good, not great, but pretty good. The reason that I rate it 4 stars is for Shirley Booth. She gave a 5 star performance in a 3 star musical. Most of the critics adored her in this show and praised her performance (see the book "Opening Nights on Broadway"). Listen to the song "Coney Island Boat" where she sings "In the Good Old Summertime". FANTASTIC! So get this cd just for her brilliant performance. And get "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"(Broadway musical version). She shines in that one, too.

This is throw back to another era, but if you are a Shirley Booth enthusiast like myself, you will enjoy her renditions of the turn of the century songs, which in some cases remind me of the songs in High Button Shoes, only, of course that show was much better! I think there is a plus with the delightful African American actress and songstress, Mae Barnes and her renditions of Happy Habit, and Hang Up...quite comical and good!! Also Wilbur Evans is a standout in his numbers! Will never forget Shirley Booth as Hazel and whenever I hear her voice I think of that character she played on Television for so many years...for Shirley Booth completists there is also "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn", which was also a show of hers from the early fifties and is quite good...the music is a little more memorable from that show...Anyhow this is a good buy!

BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA is one of those Broadway shows that ran simply on the box-office value of its star - Shirley Booth. The score (by Arthur Schwartz and Dorothy Fields) isn't really exciting or memorable, and the storyline (about a colorful boardinghouse by the sea) was hackneyed even by 1954's standards. Shirley Booth was the sole reason why BEAUTIFUL SEA ran for a respectable 270 performances, earning Miss Booth a Tony nomination as well as a Donaldson Award. Miss Booth co-stars with Wilbur Evans (who played Emile opposite Mary Martin in the original London run of SOUTH PACFIC), Mae Barnes and Cameron Prud'homme.

The show also marked the Broadway debut of talented actress Cathryn Damon who appeared in the dancing ensemble. Shirley Booth sings the charming "Lottie Gibson Specialty" and the score also includes "Old Enough to Love", "Happy Habit", "More Love than Your Love", "Throw the Anchor Away" and "Good Time Charlie".

DRG reissue of the 1954 Broadway show BY THE BEAUTIFUL SEA is a curiosity. Angel reissued this as part of their Broadway Classics series, but it sold very poorly and was quickly deleted. The only people who would want this cast album are collectors who want every single show that has ever been recorded. (Thats me!) That said, I have never warmed to this score at all. I have always found the show dull and the album duller. Angel's release had some good background notes.