Customer Reviews

Jane Eyre: The Musical (Original 2000 Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is an incredible soundtrack I must say! I have been anticipating the release of it ever since I recently heard the recording of the show from the La Jolla Playhouse. I must say, this surpasses the other recording! Beautiful orchestrations only add to already wonderful score that has been written. It is nice to know that it's possible for a clean show to be produced! This music has soaring melodies and star performances by the entire cast. I am so impressed how Marla Schaffel kept up with the score as did James Barbour. They make a perfect team and the recording is a beautiful blend of their voices. The only negative thing about this cd is the ommissions made from the other recording. The opening of the show as made on the La Jolla cd is fabulous as is the song where Helen dies. But, this is a must have cd for any Broadway musical lover! A clean, innocent, fabulously written with the music to set it apart from all other shows out there. Everyone, get this cd!!!!

Ever since I saw the musical at the La Jolla Playhouse, I've been waiting for this CD to come. Although I'm disappointed at its omissions (such as "Let me be brave"--really good song), it's just as beautiful as I remembered it. My favorite songs are: "Forgiveness" and "The Graveyard" for their innocent, sweet, slightly sorrowful, and hopeful melodies. "Secret Soul" and "Sirens" for their passion. "The Finer Things," "The Pledge," "My Maker," (almost gospel-like)and "The Gypsy" (fun/exotic) are also good with their own distinct flavors. (Though after awhile, Blanche's very warbly/vibrating soprano is kind of annoying, but it fits the song and her character.) But my ultimate favorite is "The Proposal," because it has about three or four distinct moods, almost like different short songs all on the same track, all of which I love. As each part progresses, it grows from a light, uneven ryhthm to a more urgent, passionate crescendo (despite some patches of dialogue). Again, the music is beautiful. This musical is my all-time favorite.

Jane Eyre is truly a hidden gem in the world of modern musicals. The score is both haunting and glorious, which serves the content of the show quite well. Some may not like the operatic sound of the recording, but I feel that it works quite well. The cast as a whole is fantastic, with the two leads delevering stellar vocal performances. Marla Schaffel soars above the rest particularly in "Painting Her Portrait", while James Barbour makes "As Good As You" his own. The star number, however, is their stunning end duet: "Brave Enough for Love". The entire number is an emotional powerhouse bursting with incredible grace and beauty.

Paul Gordon's "Jane Eyre" is probably one of the most underrated musical scores of recent years. In fact, when I first listened to the album back around the time the show was on Broadway, I wasn't immediately taken with it. I didn't dislike it, but it just seemed a little too ordinary-- just another pop opera based on a classic literary work. That was an unfair dismissal. When I picked up the album more recently and listened to it more thoroughly, I was much more impressed. This is a well-crafted score, emotional and atmospheric, with fine melody and strong lyrics. While the style and tone of the songs can get just a tad repetitive, the score still offers plenty of riches throughout. Some of the songs are really excellent: "Painting Her Portrait," "As Good as You," and "The Proposal" are especially captivating. But there are other memorable songs here, and even the more functional numbers for the minor characters are enjoyable.

The two leads on the album, Marla Schaffel as Jane and James Barbour as Rochester, have the bulk of the material to sing, and they are an impressive duo. In fact, they've got two of the best voices I've heard on any recent cast album. They also have the dramatic abilities to pull off their characters with skill, and their performances here are very impressive.

So I'm glad I pulled "Jane Eyre" off the shelf again; hopefully others will give it a chance, or more of a chance, as well. This one doesn't deserve to slip into obscurity.

I purposely did not buy this CD until after I had seen the show on the matinee of November 18th in New York. I wanted a fresh perspective on the musical, because I have loved the book by Charlotte Bronte since childhood, and have re-read it many times. The show and Paul Gordon's musical score are lushly beautiful, and the lyrics are faithful to the emotions of the characters in the novel, which appealed to me greatly. I especially loved the fact that the composer was brave enough to include Jane Eyre's Christian faith in the songs (i.e. "Forgiveness"). I also was wowed by the song "Painting My Portrait" which Marla delivered so magnificently it almost brought the house down! I encourage all romantics to see this show, and to buy the CD. Broadway needs more gorgeous, warm, and wholesome musicals like Jane Eyre.

Once in a great while something beautiful comes along that grabs our hearts. The new musical "Jane Eyre" is just that, and does just that also. The music is gorgeous and is NOT dull or tepid. I have heard some people compare it to "Les Miserables", but I can honestly say that this show stands on its own without having to be compared to anything. It has created something I don't think people have seen on Broadway for a long time. It's a musical that is noble, captivating, enchanting, and beautiful. It's very well acted both onstage AND on the CD (buy it to see what I mean). Pretty ballads and tuneful songs are sung emotionally and powerfully by talented performers. You get a lot more from this musical than just 25 songs, you get a performance and a strong beating message that comes across loud and clear. Take a chance on it, don't sit back and wait for ever-biased critics to tell you what to listen to, you will not regret it.

OK, let's all face the fact that musicals like this one are becoming a rarity. This musical does not remind me of Les Misarable at all. Maybe that is just because i have not seen the show, however it does remind me a lot of a very different and beautiful musical from the early ninties, "The Secret Garden." This score is crafted far too opereticaly to be compared to Les Miz or Miss Sigon; however, it is in no terms opereta. It is not a pop musical like "HYDE" or "PIMPERNEL" because it does not take the basic melodic way out of any of its songs. The score is complex and well crafted with beautiful new melodies that are perhaps what i would call "new broadway." What a concept to actually have a show that isn't bassed on popular trends or music. However, let me express that this may not be the greatest score of the new year. I have yet to hear THE FULL MONTY or SEUSSICAL which although are modern scores may be better. Jane Eyre does have an EYRE of desparate romance about it but at times it can feel snooty and a little cheesy. However, lyrics like "I'm still your flower, i'll just bloom elswhere" keep your longing for good songwriting satisfied. The music falls upon the ears with modern souds but not orchestrations leaving the older fans of broadway, who have come to hate being bambarded with synthesisers, happy.But this score is not old fashioned, and it will keep your ears (however old they are)happy for years to come.

I saw this last week and was blown away! The score is beautiful and the staging was jaw-dropping. Listening to "Secret Soul", "Sirens", and "Brave Enough for Love" are soul-stirring experiences. While the score may not be as strong as Les Miz, it holds its own. It certainly deserves a long, healthy run.

I have not seen the show yet. In fact, (despite protests from friends) I have not even read the book yet. The music in this show is enough to convince me to do both. Most of this CD is beautiful, standouts being "Secret Soul," "Sirens," "Sweet Liberty" and the finale which I think was called "Brave Enough for Love." The leads on here have beautiful voices which do justice to the soaring melodies. The only weak spot that I've heard so far is the exposition songs (especially Mrs. Fairfax's two numbers) are just dull and they will surely grate after several listenings. However, it's DEFINITELY worth getting the CD for the powerful ballads (and there are more on here than just the ones I named). People say the music reminds them most of Les Mis - I don't see that - what I hear is closest to The Secret Garden with a little bit of Jekyll and Hyde thrown in (one of the songs towards the end that Rochester sings has EXACTLY the same opening as Facade!). Anyway, buy this album - you won't regret it.

I was thrilled when I heard that Jane had become a musical. Jane Eyre has been one of my favorite stories and heroines in all her forms, yet at the same time I don't hold things up to the book as Gospel truth. Paul Gordon did quite a good job with music and lyrics, however there is not the variety I was expecting, and after a while some of the songs can run together a bit. But there are some absolutely gorgeous standout songs. "The Graveyard" (sung by both Young Jane and Jane as a grownup) is a beautiful ballad about not being afraid of people's opinions, just do what you know is right and God will be your judge. "Perfectly Nice" (sung by Mrs. Fairfax to Jane just after her arrival) is a very funny song about (among other things) how glad Mrs. F is to have company, and how Jane should behave to be kept in good grace. "As Good As You" (sung by Rochester to Jane as a history of how he came to care for Adele) is a somewhat sad ballad of a not so perfect past riddled with heartache. "The Finer Things" (sung by Blanche) is a gorgeous soprano song (with several coloratura sections!!) which shows her as the shallow soul she is, yet at the same time gives her more depth of character than the movie versions have ever given her. "Sirens" (sung in counterpoint by Jane and Rochester) is a song where they are both trying not to show the love they are feeling for each other. A nice touch is at the end, where Bertha comes in with a lovely vocalese bit that sounds just like a mermaid's song. "Painting Her Portrait" (sung by Jane) is when she draws first a self portrait and then a portrait of Blanche Ingram, comparing herself to Blanche in all her beauty. "In The Light Of The Virgin Morning" (sung by Blanche and Jane in counterpoint as they both walk in the garden) is (on Jane's part) a lament about having to leave Thornfield, and (on Blanche's part) a somewhat triumphant bit when she believes she will marry Rochester and have all his wealth. "The Gypsy" (sung by Rochester in a hysterical falsetto) is when he dresses up as a gypsy woman and tells the woman their fortunes. The last line, where he slides from falsetto to his normal deep voice, is absolutely hysterical! "The Proposal" is absolutely lovely, both dialogue and singing. "Farewell, Good Angel" (sung by Rochester just after Jane leaves him) is a touching, bittersweet ballad (made me cry and I don't cry easily). "My Maker" (sung by Jane after she leaves Rochester) has a slow, gospel feel. "The Voice Across The Moors" (sung by St. John asking Jane to marry him, then Jane and Rochester) is when Jane hears Rochester's voice calling to her across the moor, hauntingly beautiful. "Brave Enough For Love" (sung by Jane and Rochester) is an incredible, emotional finale.
Now on to the performers!!!
Marla Schaffel as Jane Eyre: Marla has an excellent mezzo soprano voice. She sounds mature enough for Jane and yet not too old. She expresses emotion just right, in keeping with Jane's quieter character. In sound she is something like Marin Mazzie.
James Barbour: James has an incredible voice, expressing emotion perfectly. In his lower register, he sounds something like Richard White in Maury Yeston's Phantom, and in his higher register he's like a deeper version of Doug Sills.
Jayne Paterson as Helen Burns: Jayne has a pretty, pleasant voice for her song ("Forgiveness").
Bonnie Gleicher as Young Jane: Bonnie has a very cute, sweet voice. I thought she did very well as Young Jane.
Elizabeth DeGrazia as Blanche Ingram: Elizabeth has a lovely soprano voice, and her solo is just beautiful.
Stephen Buntrock as St. John Rivers: Stephen has a pleasant, light tenor that fit my conception of St. John just right.
Mary Stout as Mrs. Fairfax: Mary was pretty good, although maybe a little too reminiscent of Angela Langsbury singing "The Worst Pies In London". :-)

I also appreciated the fact that Jane's Christianity was kept in the musical, that takes guts nowadays. All in all, Jane is most definitely worth a listen, especially considering there aren't too many clean musicals around recently.