Customer Reviews

The Fantasticks: The (1993) Japan Tour Cast Recording - The Definitive New American Cast Album

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This recording of "Fantasticks" is a must for anyone who loves the show - and almost everyone who has seen it does love it. The only criticism that could be made of this recording is that Alfred Lakeman as El Gallo, the narrator who holds the show together, lacks the dash, charisma and soaring voice of Jerry Orbach from the original recording. But then, Mr. Obach is someone that would be impossible to replace in almost any role he has done. Yes, the same Jerry Orbach in "Law and Order" created legendary performances in "Fantasticks"; "Carnival"; the original "Chicago"; "Promises, Promises"; Lumiere in the film of "Beauty and The Beast"; "42nd Street" and others. So replacing a truly magnetic star is a tough assignment for anyone. It's a crime that he does not have the opportunity to display his singing voice more often today.

This recording preserves the wonderful poetic diaglogue that is so much a part of the magic of this show. It is a treat to have the dialogue of the Old Actor and Mortimer in "The Old Actor's Farewell" as well as El Gallo's "You Wonder How Such Things Begin" and the beautiful "Curious Paradox" (yes, the latter two are on the original recording too, but to have them in this context is wonderful).

Then there is the bonus track of "A Perfect Time To Be In Love" written for the 30th Anniversary tour with Robert Goulet that comes just before "Soon It's Going To Rain" in the show. It is a lovely addition to an already legendary score.

Don't abandon the original recording, but get this one to make memories of this wonderful show even better.

In my humble opinion, the Fantasticks is the greatest show ever written, and I seem to be borne out by posterity, the highest judge of all. To those who feel differently, including the unfortunatley misguided reviewer on this page, I say that no one should completely trash a show without having actually seen it. This disc has much of the spoken dialogue, so you can get a general idea of the plot, but nothing is quite like sitting in that tiny theatre on Sullivan St. in the village as the harp and piano play that magical opening. I'm obviously biased, but I challenge anyone to go to see this show with an open mind and not fall completely in love. The story is a simple and univeral one, as are the themes and characters. The music.. well what can I say? Harvey Schmidt is a bit of a genius. His style is so unique and distinctive. The music always avoids sappy sweetness by its sharp dissonances and rhythms. I've read that as a kid Schmidt's favorite music was jazz and Bartok, and I think it shows. Overall the Fantasticks is the antithesis of the broadway show; it is intimate, bittersweet, nostalgic, economical, and even after forty years, amazingly fresh and young. I plead with everyone to go see it wherever you can. If you've already seen it, go see it again.

Many musical lovers I have talked to know very little about Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's musical "The Fantasticks." I find this odd. What's the longest-running musical in history? No, it's not CATS, thank God. It's "The Fantasticks." And you can check if you don't believe me. It opened in an off-Broadway theater in 1960 and has been playing ever since--more than 10,000 performances to date. The story is a classic one, reminiscent of Shakespeare in parts: there is a boy and a girl. Their parents want their children to fall in love, and so they pretend to feud, knowing that "to manipulate children, you merely say 'no'!" the children fall in love and try to keep it from their parents (unsuccessfully, though--the parents know what's going on all along). When the boy and girl find they have been tricked, they go their separate ways to find out what they really want. I won't tell you the end, although you can probably guess. The script is wonderfully comedic, if predictable at parts. Much of it is included on the recording. The music is wonderful--some of the songs are loved right when you hear them, while others take a few listens to grow on you. It would be great if there were a few more samples of the music here. If you can, see this show performed! It's excellent!

The vocals on this recording are lacking compared to the original off-broadway cast recording, however the plus of this recording is that it features the original orchestrations whereas the off-broadway recording has augmented the orchestra with a second piano. In my opinion, that alone makes this recording worth owning.

The Fantasticks is absolutely amazing! If you're a broadway lover or even if you aren't, you will fall head over heals for this!

"The Fantasticks" remains fantastic. This is the simplest of musical plays and continues to play somewhere on the globe every day of the year....for very good reason: it radiates joy. This 1993 recording captures all the fizz and zest and tenderness and metaphor of the original cast recording and magnifies everything so that the piece holds even more joy. A thoroughly refreshing revisit with an old friend. It keeps us young!

I, unlike other reviewers, am very upset with this recording. The content is wonderful; however, the actors used in the recording don't seem to grasp the "feel" of the piece itself.

El Gallo's voice is simply not up to par. It lacks the richness and mysterious quality that is El Gallo.

Matt is supposed to be nearly 20, yet he is delivered as if he were only 15.

Louisa's character is a bit of a ditz, and immature. However, this Louisa lacks the forceful vigor that makes Louisa real beneath the immature outside.

The best performance on the whole CD is given by the actor who plays the old actor, Henry. For once, we have someone who knows what their character is about. It's sad, though, because he doesn't have a lot to do in the show.

Again, this is just my opinion. But if you want a GREAT recording of THE FANTASTICKS, stick to the original cast. They knew what they were doing.

I can't claim to be any kind of musical expert, but I know what I like, and I love this CD. Need to escape to a simpler time and place? Want to viscerally experience the most fundamental of human emotions? Pop in this in your player and you'll be transported there, instantly. Heck, this is worth the price just for the chance to hear the loveliest of voices, that of Chiara Peacock. Angels do sing, and one does on this record.

This pretty little musical finally closed after umpteen years off Broadway, but will always live on in dinner theatres and regional productions. It's terribly sweet and deservedly a classic. This particular recording, however, doesn't do justice to the original recording, largely as a result of the casting. Nouveau political correctness and strange sounding young leads leave this version coming up short. Stick with the original and, for a treat, check out the straight-to-video FANTASTICKS film with a divine Luisa!

This is the highly unusual case of a revival cast album which surpasses the original. The classic, sparkling Jones & Schmidt score is well sung by the talented cast, the tempos are generally better, and -- best of all -- much of the dialogue is preserved, giving a better impression of the magic of the show. Even the reduced instrumentation contributes to this album's charm. I wouldn't be without it.