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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
ADORABLE MAGGIE FLYNN",
By
This review is from: Maggie Flynn (1968 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)
"Maggie Flynn" was an old fashioned musical starring Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy which failed because it unfortunately opened at the time of the dawning of Aquarius. "Hair" had opened on Broadway a few months prior and excited audiences for a new direction for shows and old fashioned musicals like "Maggie Flynn" were more or less pushed aside. Jones and Cassidy were married at the time and the marraige was in trouble and they sometimes missed performances but there must have been some strain so it's understandable.
That's what makes it more of a shame because "Maggie Flynn" had better than average music and an unusually strong and provocative book. The story takes place in NYC during the Civil War and the climax features the draft riots of 1863 because poor Irish immigrants were drafted to fight while the wealthy could pay a fee and "dodge the draft". The songs were very tuneful and entertaining and although there were no hits, songs like "Nice Cold Mornin'" "The Thank You Song" "Learn How To Laugh" "Mr Clown" and both the ballad version and the Irish Jig version of "Maggie Flynn" are pleasing to the ears and Mr Cassidy also scores on "Why Can't I walk Away" and Miss Jones has a couple of solid solos on "I Won't Let it Happen Again" and "Pitter Patter". There is also a protest song called "Never Gonna Make Me Fight" which fits into the story even if it's a bit obvious-----but the only mis-step the show makes is "The Game of War". One of the sub-plots involves a pair of confederate spies who rent the basement of the orphanage Maggie runs and the spies have stockpiled a cache of weapons. Late in the second act the orphans find the weapons and sing "The Game of War" about the horror and futility of war-this scene was supposed to manipulate the audiences to tears but didn't. So if you enjoy musicals and light but perky music and want to hear the glorious vocals of Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy-Then you should give "Maggie Flynn" a try. Trust me, you will enjoy.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Maggie Flynn finally makes it to CD. What took her so long!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Maggie Flynn (1968 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)
When I was a 13 year old boy, I had already been a "show tune queen" for a few years. Since my parents never gave me an allowance, most of my record shopping was done at the "cut out" bins because there you could buy a recording for as little as one dollar. And it was in one such bin that I found "Maggie Flynn" and fell in love with its glorious score.
I treasured that record for many years, but as my collection grew larger, I lost track of this overlooked musical. In the 80s, after I finally put aside my dreams of a performance career, I became involved in the development of a musical theater program for The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. I was reintroduced to "Maggie Flynn" while teaching in that program when I gained a copy of the infamous list of "Music Theater Audition Songs" that included many of Maggie's songs. The list was purported to be the best songs to sing at an audition (in place of "I Cain't Say No," "The Impossible Dream," and other overused material that directors were tired of hearing). It was a pleasant surprise, especially when I was able to get the songs from the show in a successful eBay bid. Now, it seems that I've come full circle with the release of "Maggie Flynn" on CD. I can't wait to hear it again! I recently purchased the script to the show in an NYC drama shop. Reading the script has made me understand the failure of the show. Although "Maggie Flynn" had a fascinating plot, its execution rendered it as melodramatic and predictable as any classic "pot boiler" or "penny dreadful." The idea of presenting a musical around the little recalled 1863 New York City draft riots was unique. But you were unfortunately hit over the head by its constant allusions to the then-current war in Vietnam. But that's all beside the point because what we have here is the great score and performances of the original cast. If you don't know this show and you love a tuneful, old fashioned musical, grab this one up before it disappears again.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great score!,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Maggie Flynn (1968 Original Broadway Cast) (Audio CD)
I loved the original LP and this CD just proves again what a beautiful, melodic and often stirring score this is! In a season that included, Hair, Dear World, Zorba, 1776 and Promises Promises I guess this just got lost in the shuffle.
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