Customer Reviews

A Day In Hollywood, A Night In The Ukraine (1980 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This show is a pure delight. I only wish I could have seen it, but the recording is plentily enjoyable enough. Great old-fashioned songs, about old-fashioned movies, and the old-fashioned spirit of Hollywood. The first act is more of a revue of songs about film, the second act is an "unproduced" Marx Brothers film, Chechov's 'The Bear' complete with Margaret Dumont and the star-crossed lovers. It's a shame local theaters don't produce this show more. It's just too marvelous for words!

I was lucky enough to catch a local college's performance of A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine, and I was so thrilled with the show that I HAD to get the original Broadway cast recording. Performed to the hilt by multi-talented cast members David Garrison, Frank Lazarus, Priscilla Lopez, Peggy Hewett, Stephen James and Kate Draper, the show is half tongue-in-cheek salute to movie musicals, and half Marx Brothers romp--and the music stands well on its own.

You probably shouldn't be drinking anything while listening to this CD for the first time, as you seriously run the risk of having it come right out your nose when a lyrical barb comes out of nowhere. As Jeanette MacDonald, Peggy Hewett sings of her beloved mountie in "Nelson": "A picture of strength, and good breeding of course, and of passion and warmth (I'm discussing his horse)..." Later, in Act Two, David Garrison (as Groucho Marx as Samovar the Lawyer!) sings to his dear Natasha: "Your angelic face I regard as the face of a Saint...Bernard." And who couldn't love the scatty tap-dance number "Doin' the Production Code," or hearing "The Good Ship Lollipop" piped out of a baritone sax?

But, as Frank Lazarus said in "I Love a Film Cliché": "Why am I telling YOU all this? And you, a perfect stranger!" So just buy the CD, and have a good time at the movies.

As a huge fan of the Marx Bros, I saw this show in previews and again a month or two later. (Our local theatre company performed the musical several years ago and the production, although not Broadway quality, couldn't hurt the music.) I bought the LP and will and found it very enjoyable. I did not realize that it was on CD. I will definately buy it.

This recording is, quite simply, one of the all-time underrated gems in musical theater history. The show was profitable in its original run, but it's pretty much forgotten these days. The plot-less first act takes place at the Graumann's Chinese Theater, and is basically a wonderful collection of songs performed by the ushers. There's not a bad number in the entire lot, but my favorites include "Just Go to the Movies," "Best in the World," "Nelson," and "Doin' the Production Code." All but the last are by Jerry Herman, who was brought in to perk up the score. The second act is a fictional Marx Brothers movie, and the parodies and homages are dead on. Simply put: you must own this disc.

I saw the show as a youngster in 1981 with the original cast. Lopez, who should have won a Tony for her magnificent performance in A Chorus Line, finally won one here. Thanks Pricilla!!!!!!!! Great show - great CD. Anyone who wants to discuss, e-mail me: djr10@cornell.edu.

When one of the ushers in Act One of "A Day in Hollywood/ a Night in the Ukraine" enthuses "a smile-a-minute, songsational, musical mirthquake!", that sums it up nicely. This is somewhat unknown gem of a show, featuring a first act paying loving tribute to the movies - specifically the star-studded, studio-system extravaganzas of the 30's - complete with singing and dancing ushers and usherettes who croon and tap their way thru songs that celebrate the music of Richard Whiting, familiar film cliches, "Famous Feet" and an incredibly clever tap-and-speak recitation of the infamous Hayes Office "Hollwood Production Code".
Act Two treats us to a non-existent Marx Bros. movie, "A Night in the Ukraine", based on Chekov's "The Bear", which features the same ensemble from Act I impersonating Groucho, Harpo and Chico as well as Margaret Dumont and others, all of whom are pitch-perfect as they romp thru some truly devastatingly funny songs, among them "Samovar the Lawyer", "Again" and "Natasha".
All the way around, a charming listening experience.

Im a student at the ontario school of ballet and this year for competition we're going to be singing the Hollywood Production code. It's an amazing dance and when I was looking for the lyrics I found this and I got to hear ALL of the songs, which gave me a backround of the musical so me and my friends can understand the song and sing it with knowledge.im so excited and my dance teacher Tracy Carins-Sharpe used to be in the show so we're ALL excited!

This CD is funny and great with wonderful melodies and schtick!

What can be said after saying the Marx Bros.
There wacky, zany comedy will keep you in stitches for hours.

I heard a tune on my XM music station which was a perfect fit for one of our soloists in our community theatre group. I searched until I found the name of the show it was from. I didn't realize it was a two-fer (two shows in one) CD. The music is delightful and the CD is in perfect condition.