I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast) [Cast Recording]

Joshua Salzman (Composer), Ryan Cunningham (Composer), Stephanie D'Abruzzo (Performer), Colin Hanlon (Performer), David A. Austin (Performer), Farah Alvin (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 3, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B000HDZJYC
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,067 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #100 in Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Contemporary Musicals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

I Love You Because is sort of a Company for the 21st century, a romantic comedy examining the dating scene in New York City. Opening off-Broadway at the Village Theater in February 2006, I Love You Because originated as Ryan Cunningham and Joshua Salzman's thesis project at NYU's graduate musical theatre writing program. It's obvious their talent bears watching. Salzman's pop-jazz score is melodic, bright, and fresh sounding, and Cunningham's lyrics (he also wrote the book) are witty and natural. Colin Hanlon and David A. Austin play brothers Austin and Jeff who fall into relationships with best friends Marcy (Farah Alvin) and Diana (Stephanie D'Abruzzo), navigating through tricky issues such as their exes, rebound time, and being "just friends with benefits." I Love You Because is more than a coming-out party for a promising new musical-theater team; it's simply a lot of fun to listen to. --David Horiuchi

Product Description

A modern-day musical love story, I LOVE YOU BECAUSE is a sweet and funny romantic comedy about contemporary dating in New York City. The Wall Street Journal called it "everything an off-Broadway musical should be ... a charming piece of work that will send you home smiling," and The New York Times concurred, praising it as "terrific, refreshing fun – filled with wit and zest." And the acclaimed score by the new writing team of Ryan Cunningham & Joshua Salzman was hailed as "impressive, distinctive, tuneful and smart."

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It hasn't left my CD Player since I bought it, October 20, 2006

By 

PhillyGuy "Brian" (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

This recording is really my favorite CD right now. Having seen it during its run in NY, I was afraid that some of the charm of the show would be lost without the visuals. I am happy to say that I couldn't have been more wrong. The music is fun and walks the line between pop and broadway unlike so many shows recently. And what a nice change to hear a modern pop score that isnt overamplified and all hard rock all the time. The lyrics, though, are the best thing about this CD. In the theater, it was sometimes hard to take them in, and here you can hear every one. Any show that speaks about friends with benefits, rebound time, and that chinese restaurant on the upper west side with the free wine is all good with me. Seriously, if you are a musical theater fan, you will love this album. I know I do.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Listenable, Clever, and Fun, November 2, 2006

By 

anonymous (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

This is a great album. It's well scored, well sung, and well recorded. You can listen to it over and over again just for the catchy tunes, but I really recommend taking the time to listen to the lyrics. They're often laugh-out-loud funny, but manage to carry a lot of insight too. If you've ever been in a relationship (good, bad, or otherwise), you'll certainly hear things on this album that ring true. This is the kind of album that'll be a staple in your collection for years.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars innovative and hilarious, October 20, 2006

By 

Gerry Gagnon "A Pretty Big Chunk" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love You Because (2006 Original Off-Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)

I saw this performed live and it was phenomenal. The music will keep your feet tapping, and the lyrics are clever and absurdly funny. Behind the humor is a lucid take on love in the 21st century, surviving life in the big city, and stealing free wine from an all-you-can-drink restaurant. This show has a distinctive style and I highly recommend it.