Customer Reviews

The Human Comedy [Original Broadway Cast Recording]

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

 

 

I purchased this CD on a whim, after reading a book about Broadway flops. This was one of the few shows picked out for praise, so I thought I'd give it a try. With some trepidation, I popped it into the CD player.

What emerged from the speakers is undenaibly one of the great, if mostly unheard, scores from American theater. This is definately in the "pop opera" vein, such as Les Miserables, etc., but this sounds nothing like the British scores that seemed to take over Broadway during the mid-80s.

This was written by the same man who gave us the music for the 60s musical "Hair," and the careful listener can make this connection. However, the blend of distinctly American styles of music -- country, gospel, "bubblegum pop," etc -- mesh into an exquisite experience.

The cast was in fine form. The mother's voice sounds amazingly like Joan Baez to me, though the liner notes assures me it's not. The young boy playing a 4 year old has an amazingly powerful voice -- one wonders whatever happened to him. The ensemble, in general, is exceptional.

True, the lyrics are sometimes heavy-handed, and there is the occasional grating passage in the music. However, with 2 full-length CDs to fill, these minor and rare occasions are no reason to lower my rating.

If you can get your hands on this, I highly urge you give it a listen. It is well worth it.

It's been too many years since this overlooked musical gem was available to fans. Based on the William Saroyan novella of the same name, MacDermot's score is, quite simply, glorious. His music soars, yet remains as Earth-bound as it's young hero and his family and friends. It's such a shame (and a great loss) that MacDermot didn't write more for the theatre, as few theatre composers (in my opinion) are able to match his gift for unpretentious melody. The songs, fragments, musical scenes, even the recitative are many steps above most of todays Sondheim-clones. THE HUMAN COMEDY is a must-have for any lover of American musical theatre.

When I first heard this recording I was blown away. It is one of the most exciting musical pieces that I have stumbled upon in recent years. MacDermot has managed to create his own and very unique musical landscape. This musical, if you can call it that, deserves a much wider audience and, perhaps, one day to be a hit.

This CD was wonderful! I am currently in the H2H Productions cast of Human Comedy (in the children's chorus) and decided to purcase the Broadway recording to get to know the songs better, and it was a great help! The songs are great, and although the singing isn't excellent all of the time, it's still great. I reccommend it!

I just heard THE HUMAN COMEDY after a 25 year hiatus. Back in the 80's I had a bootleg cassette tape that I simply wore out from overuse. Somehow I missed the CD issue in the late 90's - I know, I know - but I heard the thing so often that I have it in my memory bank and the CD is now simply ressurecting an already well worn path of synapses. Odd that.

I cannot recommend this musical to you highly enough. It is one of the most tuneful (Thanks Galt!) and thrilling musicals ever to hit New York City. And to hear the incomparable Stephen Geoffreys' Tony nominated performance again - and this time not on a tinny, distant bootleg cassette tape is amazing. I have had a crush on that guy since the mid-80's and there he is again as young and fresh as ever.

I have always had an ambivalent relationship with THE HUMAN COMEDY novel and film - perhaps you have too - but the musical eclipses both - perhaps Saroyan just didn't know it was supposed to be a musical all along. Please buy this thing - you won't be disappointed. And while you are at it buy some Stephen Geoffreys films: FRIGHT NIGHT, HEAVEN HELP US, FRATERNITY VACATION, 976-EVIL, etc. That kid had something - still does.

Disappointing. A "rock opera" that would have sounded dated if it were written in 1965. it is unsatisfying and totally out of keeping with the tenor of the libretto. I wish somebody would take Saroyan's novel and write a score that will endure the test of time.