Customer Reviews

The Brain From Planet X (2006 Original Los Angeles Cast)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

There are movies (and movie genres) that seem naturals for the stage. There are some that have made the leap to Broadway (or off or near or way off) - that should have been left on the screen ("Urban Cowboy" and "Footloose" are a couple that come to mind in an embarrassment of riches). That being said, "The Brain From Planet X" is one of the naturals. You don't have to be familiar with the source material, although your enjoyment of this disc - and presumably the show - will be increased if you are.

With nods to "The Man From Planet X", "The Brain From Planet Arous", and "Plan Nine From Outer Space" and winks to others including "Invaders From Mars" and "The Thing", this musical is still nothing if not original.

Because its authors Bruce Kimmel (music and lyrics) and David Wechter (book - with Kimmel) know their stuff, the audience is in for a treat! IF the cast is in on the joke, it's not funny. Time and again spoofs fail because they are self-consciously funny...they KNOW. There is difference in knowing what you are spoofing and doing it justice and on the other hand making fun of your source material to show your superiority to it. The former makes the audience love you, the latter can turn an audience off. They are there to see something they love being treated with respect.

"The Brain From Planet X" succeeds - at least as far as I can tell in the recording. The photos in the booklet and the reviews seem to validate my thought.

As the story goes: a typical Southern California town is invaded by a flying saucer. As usual, the saucer and its inhabitants including the title Brain are in the vanguard of an invasion force. Of course having lived on Planet Earth all my life, I am hard pressed to know what invaders from space find so damned attractive, but that's a story for another day.

In a musical - and even more important in a cast album - it is the songs and the voices that count. And "The Brain From Planet X" is blessed in both departments. The orchestrations of Kimmel's tunes by New York based Larry Moore are clever and catchy. The lyrics propel you from character to character and situation to situation with no filler.

Recorded by the cast from Los Angeles City College that includes both professionals and students, this CD is great to take in your car. The professional include Kevin Spirtas, Alet Taylor, and Lauren Rubin. Their solo turns and duets are tons of fun. When Rubin (as a Donna Reed type wife) is zapped and "taken over" and tells Spirtas (as a Carl Betz type husband) that 'Things Are Going to Be Changing Around Here', you can't help but laugh.

When Merrill Grant (as a Shelley Fabares type daughter) can't wait to be bad and tries to convince her Maynard G. Krebs type boyfriend Rod (Grady Williams) to go along with her - well the 'Good Girl/Bad Girl' dichotomy is given a sweet voice.

Invaders Yoni (Taylor), Zubrick (Cason Murphy), and The Brain (Egbert Bernard) will NOT be halted from their Plan!!! Each of them shine in various numbers. 'The Plan' and 'The Brain Tap' are musical gems. The solo efforts of these three 'The Brain's Song' (Bernard), 'I Need An Earthman' (Taylor), and 'All About Men' (Murphy) on this disk will make you long for a local production of "The Brain From Planet X" so that you can get a ticket or better yet AUDITION to be part of it.

With lots of BIG numbers and a built in appeal to a growing audience, this one is a keeper.

The spirits of Allison Hayes, John Agar, Sally Fraser, Arthur Franz, and so many others (here and gone) hover around this show. Keep watching the skies.

If you have a brain you know by now you must buy "The Brain...."

I didn't see the show, but I love this CD! Lively, funny, upbeat. So often we really like a couple songs on a CD, but aren't crazy about the others. In this case, all the material is excellent. I liked the whole CD immediately; it didn't need to grow on me. Not just one or two songs, but ALL of them. And talk about catchy! After listening to the CD just a couple times I found the tunes going through my head while doing other things. "What is that?" Well, it was The Brain from Planet X. I really think these are some of the catchiest songs I've ever heard. Listen to it once and you'll see for yourself.

The cast is wonderful. I particularly like the Brain (Egbert Bernard) himself, Zubrick (Cason Murphy), and Yoni (Alet Taylor). You must hear Yoni sing "I Need an Earthman." GREAT!

Everyone associated with this production has reason to be proud. It is top-notch all around. If you enjoy musicals, you'll LOVE this.

I had the pleasure of seeing the original stage production of the sci-fi comedy musical spoof THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X on my last trip to L.A. when I found out a CD cast album was to be released I was ecstatic and managed to wrangle myself an early copy (I couldn't wait for the official release!). This CD is a treasure, particularly for those who love the sci-fi classics (and not so classics) of the 1950s like Plan 9 from Outer Space and Invaders from Mars or who enjoyed MST3K's song filled spoofs. The lyrics on this album are bright, well written, funny and you will soon find yourself singing along to each and every one. Best bets are Merrill Grant's GOOD GIRL/BAD GIRL, THE PLAN (which makes me laugh every time), and THE BRAIN'S SONG (sung by Egbert Bernard as the titled character)...each tune is finger snapping and foot tapping good. Two songs deserve special mention, the funny ALL ABOUT MEN simply for the smooth singing of Cason Murphy (who was absolutely hilarious in the play) and the fantastic Alet Taylor song I NEED AN EARTHMAN. Former soap star Kevin Spirtas shows he has quite a voice in his songs as well, and my next purchase will have to be one of his CDs. Whether you have seen the play or not you will enjoy this OCR...it is just so dang much fun to listen to! And if you should have the opportunity to see the play...I recommend it highly as well!

Anyone who grew up in 1950's America or who has a love of 1950's Sci-Fi films will relish the original cast recording of this new musical. And anyone who loves show tunes will love the witty rhyme schemes, catchy tunes and occasional teasing poke at the musical theatre form found in "The Brain From Planet X". The plot references many of the cheesy films that you would be likely to see on Mystery Science Theatre 3000, particularly "Plan 9 From Outer Space" and "The Brain From Planet Arous". But it doesn't just riff on the genre. There's also social and political commentary hidden among the jokes and clever lyrics worthy of Johnny Mercer. The Brain From Planet X is more than just a loving homage to those B movies. It also skewers musical theatre clichés. You don't have to be familiar with musical theatre to enjoy it, but there are numerous inside jokes that will delight those who are. Although the instrumental array is small in number, the arrangements give it a very full sound, and the actors/singers all deliver the material with gusto. The numbers that stand out to me are the ones sung by The Brain and its two minions, Rubrick and Yoni. I find myself playing those particular numbers over and over again. It's so nice to have a new musical that isn't a remake of a movie, but an original work which is both an amalgam and an homage to those goofy movies of my youth. I would love to see this show performed one day, but in the meantime, I am glad to have the CD. It makes me laugh every time I hear it! .

THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X is the kind of musical that musical theater lovers love. It's a show with a fun tale to tell and a great score. The story (as synopsized in the booklet) by David Wechter and Bruce Kimmel is not just a spoof but also a loving tribute to the science fiction B movies of the 1950s. You can tell that the authors know and love the genre. What's unique about the story (at least, these days) is that it's not specifically based on any previously existing material. It's an original musical.

The music and lyrics by Bruce Kimmel are melodic, catchy, fun, touching (when appropriate) and just overall well-written. The whole score sounds like it could've been written back then and it would've been a hit. AND there's an actual theremin playing in the opening sequence! It's perfect!

All of the performers sing their hearts out with great energy and spot-on delivery. You really wouldn't know that most of them are students at Los Angeles City College. They're professional caliber.

Kritzerland has put out some wonderful CDs in the short time that it's been around. Everything's been top-notch and this new CD is no exception. Highly recommended!

There are a handful of cast recordings in my collection that, once I got them, I listened to nothing BUT them for weeks. This is the latest example. If you like Hairspray, Legally Blonde, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Little Shop Of Horrors, City of Angels or the like, you will LOVE this recording. A brilliant spoof of just about every sci-fi movie made in the 40s and 50s (and naming just about every one of them in the opening number), this show is a real treat. Every single song (except the Newsbreaks which are very short) is one you'll be humming and singing along to in no time.

This CD is a lovely, funny and tuneful memento of a delightful and naughty evening in the theater. I loved Bruce Kimmel's Guy Haines CD New Guy in Town and remember his performances on TV going back to my teen years, so I paid attention to the fine reviews this show got in the L.A. Times, and then the NY Times when it was at the New York Musical Theatre Festival. I saw the show with high expectations and they were totally met, and now this CD brings back the memories of that delicious evening in fall 2007 on New York's Theater Row.

First of all, I've not had the pleasure of seeing this musical in a live performance. More's the pity. I have had the cd for about 2 months now, and I have found more and more to admire and enjoy with each trip through this loving sendup. Take the opening number, for example, with it's clever "movie crawl" dialogue consisting of, mostly, titles of old 50's sci-fi classics, bombs, and "other". Song by song, this talented cast leads us into the world of those beloved movies: hated by many for being cheaply made, badly-acted, poorly written...and beloved by many for those same reasons.

Secondly, there is the composition factor. The music sounds simple, but is deceptively complex, at least to my ear. It's hummable, tuneful, and pays homage to a whole spectrum of musical styles. There are hints of Sondheim, hints of Mahler, hints of Schwartz, Beethoven, Meredith Wilson, Gershwin, and the Four Tops...and all of it very original and well-performed. Though tongues are firmly in cheek during this cd, it still contains enough double-entendre humor to entertain the most jaded listener.

I did find some sections a bit weaker than the overall....the chorus back up during numbers is, for the most part, extremely strong and well sung, but the chorus sounded, to me, like a college chorus had been commandeered for participation. I was of the opinion that in several cases (There are Saucers In The Sky being the main offender) it was singularly straightforward without an ounce of acting or character injected. The lead characters were all, however, extremely invested in their roles.

Overall, a tremendously successful effort, and a show that would be welcome in many community theaters, if not the Great White Way itself.

People of Earth, the time is nigh to take out your credit cards and order the one and only, refreshingly original, cast recording of THE BRAIN FROM PLANET X, a wacky, zany, and insanely entertaining musical romp through the Sc-Fi B-movie genre of yesteryear. A tip of the ol' composer's cap to Bruce Kimmel, music and lyrics, and Larry Moore, orchestrations. Each of their songs is a finely-crafted gem unto itself.

Yet, you have to have favorites, and this reviewer's choices as the CD-stealing numbers are: the infectious THE BRAIN'S SONG (see if you can get it out of your brain once you hear it); the vampish ode to burlesque I NEED AN EARTHMAN; the campy, make-you-smile cabaret song ALL ABOUT MEN; the peppy vaudeville tune THE PLAN; and the crowd-pleasing THE BRAIN TAP (there is no way a recording can capture the bring-the-house-down spirit of a tap number, so just know there's even more to this one than you're privy to on this CD). Then that title song will have you moving, too, plus NOW!, the make-you-march-around-your-living-room-to-it INDEPENDENCE DAY, and the...oh, forget this. Buy the CD, and pick out your own favorites.

As for the artists, there's no denying the vocal quality and power of mom and dad (Lauren Rubin and Kevin Spirtas). But you gotta love those aliens, the Brain (Egbert Bernard) and his minions Zubrick and Yoni (Cason Murphy and Alet Taylor), who may bumble their attempt at world domination, but completely rule this CD. When they're in the house, it totally rocks. The entire cast is to be commended on their rousing and spirited chorus numbers. You can tell they're all having fun, and you will, too, because there are plenty of puns, jokes, wit, satire, send-ups, spoofs, and silliness to go around.

There's only one complaint. The producers of this CD should have added the following warning label: LISTENERS BEWARE -- The use of this CD could result in chronic humming of any number of catchy tunes contained within.

I'm a sucker for new musicals. Given the rave Amazon reviews and the unique subject matter, I just had to give "The Brain from Planet X" a try. Taking such risks has paid off in many instances in the past. Sadly, not so much this time.

First, in fairness, there was reason to be pessimistic at the outset. I am not a huge fan of camp humor in general or 50's sci-fi movies in particular. So maybe I was crazy to think I would find this recording special. Yet I still believe the right story and score for this subject matter could truly captivate me.

The recording is not all bad in my opinion. The orchestration is good and the vocalists are all quite talented. The main theme is certainly catchy. There is a cohesive story. Yet none of this warrants a recommendation.

The score is simply unremarkable. It's not bad... nor is it anything special. It is not painful to listen to, but neither is it something I yearn to hear again. It's just standard fair. The story is too formulaic. This criticism may seem unfair or ignorant given what the musical purports itself to be: a spoof. One would reasonably expect a spoof of period films to follow formula. But, in my opinion, truly successful spoofs follow the formula just so far and then give us something more that makes them worthwhile as stand alone pieces. There is nothing here that raises it above the genre it targets. Everything seems derivative. And not just the plot, but the musical constructs as well. The introductory narration brings "Reefer Madness" to mind. The intermission reference to "peeing" conjures "Spamalot." The family dynamic (father, mother, daughter) conjures images of the family from "Batboy." The sing-along Brain song is reminiscent of "Pippin." The closing narration calls "Urinetown" to mind. Of course, many of the musicals I've referenced are dearly loved and quite good, so one may assume the creators of Brain are in fine company. But the comparisons are to the constructs alone. The other musicals (at least those I liked) offered something more that made them enjoyable. And here the Brain is lacking. There is just nothing memorable or remarkable about it. And if it is suggested the musical form and constructs are also being spoofed, I still contend that something original must set this work apart. And it doesn't (I love "Spamalot," by the way, which does much the same thing but does it well).

Neither is the comedy or humor remarkable. It just didn't resonate with me. The Brain complains his cohorts have almost given him a headache... and he doesn't even have a head (ba da boom). His lusty female sidekick, Yoni, wants an earthman who is hung... up on her (hee hee) and who has a package (wink wink) to deliver. The final invader, Zubrick, is a male who turns out to be (wait for it) gay. Though interested in musical theater, due to lack of talent he opens a flower shop. There was nothing funny or new in the clichéd 50's housewife finding liberation and confronting her husband. Maybe such clichés have been so fully mined there is nothing new or original left. I certainly hope not, but nothing is in evidence here to suggest otherwise.

The score is okay. The story is okay. Honestly, I would willingly see a production were it possible. Much of the camp value just may not translate well to CD. The live show may accomplish what the CD couldn't. It is certainly plausible that in the right mood (I would suggest "giddy"), the show could be quite enjoyable. But the CD will not receive much airtime for me. There just isn't anything compelling about it.