Customer Reviews

Lost in Boston

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This is the first of four CDs that contain recordings of songs that for one reason or another were cut from their shows. Highlights include:

From 110 DEGREES IN THE SHADE:
"Sweetriver" - replaced in the show by "Love Don't Look Away", parts of the melody appear in "Everything Beautiful Happens at Night".
"Flibbertigibbet" - became "Raunchy" in the musical. The music is pretty much the same, but the lyrics are a bit different.

From THE KING AND I:
"Waiting" - Anna sings her frustration of being kept waiting for weeks to see the King. This song was cut after the premier of the show in New Haven.

From FIDDLER ON THE ROOF:
"Dear, Sweet Sewing Machine" - A lullaby sung at the start of the second act by the tailor and Tzeitel. Cut because audiences in previews just didn't respond.

From WEST SIDE STORY:
"Like Everybody Else" - a short fugue for the delinquents A-Rab (the "Shrimp"), Baby John (the young one) and Anybodys (the girl) intended to lighten up the first act. This song was edged out by "Gee, Officer Krupke".

From PETER PAN:
"When I Went Home" - a ballad sung by Peter about the time he tried to go back to his old life, and found everyone had moved on. Seems to have been replaced by the lullaby "Distant Melody".

From ANNIE GET YOUR GUN:
Annie's song about keeping her ego in check when she sees herself on the larger-than-life poster advertising the show. Cut possibly because the melody was too challenging to sing.

Other tracks on this CD include songs cut from CHICAGO, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND, PROMISES PROMISES, THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, FIORELLO!, SILK STOCKINGS and THE HAPPY TIME.

If you enjoyed this CD, you must check out the other three in the series. Also, the same label, Varese Sarabande, has a series and a few composer albums of UNSUNG MUSICALS.

Have you ever wondered about the songs which were dropped out-of-town from your favourite musicals? LOST IN BOSTON recreates some of the lost pieces from such classic musicals as "Peter Pan", "110 in the Shade", "Fiddler on the Roof" and "The King & I".

Using the original musical arrangements wherever possible, musical director James Stenborg and album producer Bruce Kimmel have assembled a glorious feast for the serious musical theatre fans; with some of the most talented Broadway performers singing material that, quite literally, hasn't been heard or performed in years.

Highlights would have to include "Waiting", a fascinating piece cut from "The King & I", which explores Anna's frustrations of adapting to a new country, and trying to finagle a meeting with the elusive King. This dizzily-scored trio is performed by Judy Kaye (Mrs Anna), Ron Raines (The King) and Lee Wilkof (The Kralahome).

"Just Fine", "Sweetriver", and "Flibbertigibbet"; all cut from "110 in the Shade". Sally Mayes does an incredible job as Lizzie Curry, and these three numbers would have added some more layers to the character.

"When I Went Home" (from "Peter Pan"). This was one of the numbers written before Betty Comden and Adolph Green came on board to save the show from inexperienced songwriters Moose Charlap and Carolyn Leigh. It's a very tender and rueful ballad, sung by Peter about what happened when he returned from Neverland only to discover his parents had another baby. It's presumed this number would have sat in the spot which "Distant Melody" now occupies. Michelle Nicastro gives a heartfelt performance as Peter Pan.

LOST IN BOSTON also features fascinating material from "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", "Fiorello!", "Fiddler on the Roof", "West Side Story", "Chicago", "Once on This Island", "Promises, Promises", "Silk Stockings", "The Happy Time", and "Annie Get Your Gun".

For the serious fans of Broadway musicals, this disc will be a much valued and appreciated addition to your collection.

I'm not usually one to buy a CD for just one track...but in this case, I have to admit, that's precisely what I did. Anyone who has seen the musical, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND or had a chance to listen to its soundtrack will be won over. The idea that there were songs cut from this marvelous, "every song is a winner" album, was just impossible for me to resist. And WHEN DANIEL MARRIES in this CD does not disappoint. La Chanze's voice is absolutely marvelous. And the bonus? The other tracks are pleasing and fun for any Broadway buff: Liz Callaway's HONEY from Merrily We Roll Along is musically winning. I also liked the songs cut from GYPSY and FLOWER DRUM SONG. For an impulsive buy, I was completely rewarded. I have also ordered the other CD in the series for the ONCE ON THIS ISLAND song, DOWN FROM THE TREE...which also carries a Liz Callaway song. For musical enthusiasts, this series is a nice collector's item...and something to play on a rainy day.

The "Lost In Boston" series, starting with this first disc, is a great set to have. There are some songs that are pretty apparent as to why they were cut from the show, but others that you might scratch your head about. Some great performers get the opportunity to record these hardly, if ever, heard before songs and preserve them on disc.

Of particular note on this particular disc are Lillias White singing "Come Down From The Tree" from "Once On This Island." This is a beautiful, beautiful song and while it may not have worked on stage, it works very well on CD.

From such classical musicals as "The King And I" comes "Waiting." This song, designed as a trio between the King, Anna, and the Krahalome is interesting to hear, but definitely is not on the same page as "Getting to Know You" or "Something Wonderful," both classic songs from the show.

Also of interest are the songs from "West Side Story," "Fiddler On The Roof," and what was almost the song that Annie Oakley sang in "Annie Get Your Gun" instead of "There's No Business Like Show Business."

This is a fun disc. It does have that overproduced sound that tends to be Bruce Kimmel's trademark, but it's still interesting to hear what almost made it in.

I love all The Lost in Boston 's, and this one is no exception. It's to bad most people will never have a chance to hhear all these great songs. I understand that they're not used because of time or may often slow a scence down. But as a piece of music they can all stand alone. I have all the Lost series on my i-Pod and enjoy them as I garden. Thanks for giveing us the chance to hear what could be Lost forever.

Edmund Arredondo

This CD is the first in a fine series of four releases consisting of songs cut from well-known musicals. Just about any successful musical has had songs cut from it, not always because the song wasn't good, but because it no longer fit the show as updated, or a character or scene was cut (the booklet explains why each song was removed from its show). The songs are all good, some better than others or course, and the performances are wonderful. My favorites are "Ten Percent" (cut from Chicago), "Come Down from the Tree" (Once on this Island), "An English Music Hall" (Mystery of Edwin Drood), and "Take it in your Stride" (Annie Get Your Gun). Bruce Kimmel was smart in using show singers instead of pop singers. I recommend the entire series. This one's a great start and a fine addition to any show music collection.