Customer Reviews

Brooklyn: The Musical (2004 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

Saw the musical in early November and was impressed with the phenomenal cast who were literally holding the matinee audience in the palm of their hands. It became an emotional experience for those in my group who have not been able to stop talking about the show since and who are all looking forward to another trip to New York so that they might have the opportunity to see it again. Waited patiently for the original cast CD to be released and received it this week; have listened to it almost unceasingly. For those who have not seen the show, listening to the CD is the next best thing. The voices are right there up front as is the emotion. If you like Broadway musicals with a good book, then Brooklyn the Musical is your cup of tea. The music is as great as is the cast singing it. I don't know how you could go wrong. Hopefully the show will receive many Tony nominations.

the rock/pop score of Brooklyn the musical provides an extremely fun listen. not to mention some of the highest belt to hit broadway for some time. Awesome preformances from cast members including Eden Espinosa and Ramona Keller make this soundtrack a must have. the listener can follow the entire story of the show with the c.d. because the cast has recorded not only the music from Brooklyn but also segments of dialogue. The show is recorded live which can be a little annoying due to the audience's responses, but Brooklyn is still worth owning.

I first listened to Brooklyn upon recommendation from a friend. Although the show does not scream Broadway finesse, it does have some amazing numbers. Eden Espinosa's vocal-chord-breaking belting is superb, "Once Upon A Time" being possibly the very best musical pop-ballad this year. With a good supporting cast (including Kevin Anderson of Sunset Boulevard fame), this show is great... but not too great. The first few tracks of this cast recording do not sparkle, and, while some may be reminded of RENT - this is no RENT. Whilst this pop-musical tries hard to appeal to a wide range of audiences, few of the numbers from this show manage to hit us with musical joy.

Having said that, the songs that are well delivered are strong, some even managing to raise humming from the listener. Ramona Keller's different yet beautiful solo, "Raven", shines with touching emotion. Sadly, there is little else to speak of in terms of goodness, apart from the fact that Mark Schoenfeld's role in the creation of this show is clearly apparent with the shows rare but hard-hitting emotional touches.

With poor critical reviews, this show never really hit-it-off on the Great White Way and, with its innovative yet cheap-looking costumes and stage design, should have opened off-Broadway. This cast recording (recorded live in the studio) is one to get if you like the musical of today. It's not one for us musical theatre fans of years past, apart from for the odd song here and there.

There is a lot better stuff out there folks... but "Once Upon A Time" is far and away the best you'll get from this show!

One of the most amazing plays I've ever seen, and WELL worth the money. I would gladly see this play again and I enjoyed the CD very much. The cast of the play is only 5 people, who assume different characters as they are needed. All the props onstage were based on things you could find on the street, and were used over and over again. The costumes were also made of items found on the street. For example, later in the play one character's dress is made entirely of "I Love New York" bags. The experience was amazing, and the main characters voice gave me goosebumps.

This CD is excellent, and I would recommend it to anyone asking.

This is an excellent live recording of a show that should be a hit at this year's Tonys. This recording gives you exactly what you hear were you to see the show live, from beninning to end. Eden Espinosa gives a powerful performance as the title character along with the 4 other cast memebers who deliver equally strong vocals. Favorite track: Superlover

Vincentelli needed to decide whether she was going to review the soundtrack that's on sale on this page or the live show. Some soundtracks are spot on when translating from the stage to the studio, while others can't effectively bring the same intensity or feeling that a performer brings to a live performance. Two different mediums, miss.

I haven't listened to this soundtrack so I can't speak on that. However, I have seen the show live, and the American Idol comparisons are insulting. I loved the show. The current cast is great especially Ramona Keller. Cleavant Derricks is the perfect "center" for the show. But no one comes close to EDEN ESPINOSA. If you're fortunate enough to see Eden perform "Once Upon a Time" live, you'll see that this woman can seriously bring it. Period.

It's too bad this show did not last long, because it was actually quite good. Perhaps it was too close in feeling to RENT, but then again if you enjoyed RENT you will enjoy the music to Brooklyn. Unfortunately, I would recommend seeing the show before you listen to the music for then the music would be more enjoyable. Anyway, enjoy the music and take the journey of finding oneself with the characters from Brooklyn.

When I heard "Once upon A TIme", sung by Edin Espinosa, I was no longer commuting to work, I was on Broadway.

The music and lyrics of Mark and Barri are pure passion. This CD is full of emoitional, and thought provoking songs. I did not see the play yet I enjoyed and understood the story from this CD.

The songs on this CD are terrific and are performed by such
an incredible cast. Once Upon A Time features Eden Espinosa, who is Broadway's new star. She is amazing vocally and will give you chills during her amazing numbers including "Once Upon A Time" and "Street Singer". The powerful Ramona Keller is already a star. She shows her unbelievable power during "Raven", "Love me where I live" and "Super lover". Karen Olivo is the show's energy resource. If you saw this terrific show on Broadway, you'll understand what i'm talking about. Kevin Anderson also is also great in his ground shaking number "Sometimes". And last but not least, Cleavant Derricks is back on Broadway! This cast recording shows his talented beautiful voice, especially during his big number "Magic Man". Overall, Brooklyn the Musical is the most fun I had in theater in years. The Cast Recording is just terrific, but go see the show, because it's much more powerful on stage. But if you can't get to New York City, you have to get this amazing recording. A+

I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to see this show in New York. I bought the CD at the show, and it has been in my player almost non-stop. It was an amazing show, amazing voices, and amazing acting! Eden Espinosa blew me away, and I listen to "Once Upon a Time" approximately twice a day! She has a huge voice, but she seems to be belting with proper technique. Her voice did not appear to be at all tired after the show. Karen Olivo has a lovely voice also, and I was just sad she didn't get to do more singing! I agree with Cleavant Derricks' character. After "Brooklyn" sings "Once Upon a Time", his character says that people in attendence that night were witnessing history. He was speaking of a fictional audience watching Brooklyn, but I think that line is valid for the New York audience watching Eden as well! If you liked Rent, you will like this show! I suspect that this show and it's stars (especially Eden) will go very far and be very big.