Captain Louie (2005 Studio Cast) [Cast Recording]

Stephen Schwartz (composer) (Artist, Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Stephen Schwartz (composer)
• Audio CD (May 10, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: PS Classics
• ASIN: B0009PAX80
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #207,019 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

CAPTAIN LOUIE is a family musical with music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell, Pippin). Adapted for the stage by Anthony Stein, from the book The Trip by Caldecott Award winner Ezra Jack Keats (who authored and illustrated 24 children’s classics, including the Caldecott Award winning The Snowy Day and the Caldecott Honor Book, Goggle), it's the story of a young boy on Halloween night who escapes into his own imagination as a means of coping with the loneliness he feels when he moves to a new neighborhood.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOUIE a treat for those still a kid at heart!, May 27, 2005

By 

Laurette Murphy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Captain Louie (2005 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)

When I first heard about the family musical CAPTAIN LOUIE, based on Ezra Jack Keats children's book THE TRIP, I blindly purchased the album having not seen the musical, hoping I'd enjoy it as much as Stephen Schwartz' CHILDREN OF EDEN, WICKED, THE PRINCE OF EGYPT, and his two solo albums RELUCTANT PILGRIM and UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

The album finally arrived, and I stuck it in my CD player while at work. What impressed me the most about the disc was after listening it, I couldn't get the songs out of my head! They would pop up from nowhere, and I'd end up humming along with them. When there's a song you just can't escape and it pesters your brain like how a bee can't resist honey, then you immediately *know* it's good! My favorites are "New Kid in the Neighborhood," "Trick or Treat", "Looza On the Block," "Captain Louie," and "Home Again".

In the song "Trick or Treat", for instance, Stephen Schwartz has captured that joyful feeling kids get when they go Trick-or-Treating at nightime on Halloween. (There are even lyric homages to POCAHONTAS, E.T. and STAR WARS.) (Ironically, I first heard this song the day Revenge of the Sith premiered, which was really cool!)

And what's also great about the album is that Schwartz' music has a slight, poppy/motown quality to it a la WICKED, PIPPIN, and CHILDREN OF EDEN.

My congrats go to Schwartz for making another good musical, not only enjoyable for kids but also for people who still have some of there child-like innocence and remember what it was like to be a kid -- with the exception of piloting a Big Red Plane! ;-)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another stunning piece of work from Stephen Schwartz, July 15, 2005

By 

A. Collyer "Andy" (Essex, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Captain Louie (2005 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)

How has the, in my opinion, often underrated Stephen Shwartz followed up his massive success of 'Wicked'? Another big budget Broadway blockbuster? Another high-profile movie? No. Instead he has given us a truly beguiling score for a small-scale family musical with a young cast.

The quality of his writing (and, indeed, the performances on this cast recording) is of just as high a quality as 'Wicked', 'Children of Eden' and the neglected gem that is 'The Baker's Wife' (check it out if only to hear the absolutely magical 'Meadowlark').

There are elements of his previous work in 'Captain Louie' (even going back to 'Godspell'), so it is guaranteed that if you like his writing in any way, you will get a huge buzz from this new show.

By the way, don't think that, because this is a cast of young people, the complexity of his writing is in any way compromised - these young people are challenged and more than rise to that challenge!

Superb listening!

4.0 out of 5 stars another hidden gem!, June 19, 2009

By 

professional singer "songlover" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Captain Louie (2005 Studio Cast) (Audio CD)

I have to admit that I can't take this cd out of my cd player......and I am an adult! What I like most is that this was written by a master theater composer that understands the middle school voice. Although they scream a little on the cd from time to time--it is true to style and it is still ( even though Schwartz is older) fashion forward in many ways. The best songs are: New Kid, Big Red Plane, Trick or Treat, Look Up Above You. From what I understand, he started writing this years ago and it was shorter. Schwartz makes musical references to his old musicals........themost obvious reference I can hear is from Baker's Wife ( Meadowlark).

I hope the story is as good as the musical writing here!