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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You need never buy another show cd!, June 19, 2000
This review is from: Meredith Willson's The Music Man (2000 Broadway Revival Cast) (Audio CD)
Having seen this show during the first week of previews on a trip from London I had to go back and see it again. It is, without doubt, one of the finest productions on Broadway at the moment and exactly what the London stage needs. Shame they took nearly 2 months to release the CD! This recording of Susan Stroman's (the woman's a genius) revival of Meredith Willson's classic captures perfectly the essence of the piece. On stage, The Music Man is larger than life and on CD it's bold, it's brassy and it's fantastic. The orchestrations delight, the performances - especially the fantastic Craig Bierko (this show could almost have been written for him) - sparkle. Rebecca Luker is in dazzling form too and a perfect Marian. Sadly you only get a glimpse of the brilliantly camp Ruth Williamson, who is a potential show stealer if ever there was one...! Unlike the OBC recording, this version has the complete score and what a score it is. It's delivered by the Company exquisitely and Bierko's Harold Hill is a revelation. It's almost unbelievable that this show is Bierko's Broadway debut - he has a presence so rare to find and an ever present twinkle suggesting some sort of mischief is just around the corner! If you've not bought a show cd before (hmmm, why would you be reading this then?) - make this your first - and get yourself along to NYC and see it on stage too. 76 stars for all involved!
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21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great, but no Robert & Barbara!, June 15, 2000
This review is from: Meredith Willson's The Music Man (2000 Broadway Revival Cast) (Audio CD)
The new 2000 Cast Recording of the Music Man has some great material, even including some songs never released before such as "Ice Cream", "Gary Indiana" (by Harold Hill), "Pick-a-little (reprise), and a whole lot a dialogue added, deaming it the "Premiere Cast Recording of the Complete Meredith Wilson Score. I would Highly recommend this CD for anyone who's auditioning for a part in the show, or who's working on it. Although I would highly recommend the Original Cast recording with Robert Preston and Barbara Cook. New comer Craig Bierko (Harold Hill) does not upset at all, as a matter of fact I found him quite charming, but he does have some pretty big shoes to fill. As does Rebecca Luker (Marion Paroo), but I had a bad experience with her watching the TONY AWARDS a few years ago when SOUND OF MUSIC was up. She played Maria and I felt her voice was weak, and not controlled. She sings quite nicely on this CD, my faith is somewhat restored. Familiar face Max Casella (aka Vinnie Delfino of "Doogie Howser" fame) plays Harold's sidekick Marcellus. (He was also Timon in the Broadway production of "Lion King".) An adorable Michael Phelan as the lisping child Winthrop. All in all the CD is great especially with all the bonuses not on the Preston & Cook CD, including a much longer version of "76 Trombomes" and "Shipoopi." Although some diehard MUSIC MAN fans might be disappointed, even a little shocked at the slower pace of some of the tongue twisting songs such as "Trouble" and the beginning of "76 Trombones." But the orchestration and the singing is so lively you soon forget!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Music" to my ears!, June 13, 2000
This review is from: Meredith Willson's The Music Man (2000 Broadway Revival Cast) (Audio CD)
What can you say about "Meredith Wilson's The Music Man?" For starters, it is beautiful, funny, touching, way ahead of its original (1957) time, and absolutely amazing! And that was just for starts! Craig Bierko is wonderful as Professor Harold Hill! With songs such as "You Got Trouble," to the breathtaking "76 Trombones," there is no doubt that he will become a HUGE star of Broadway! Rebecca Luker's voice (though sometimes a bit fluttery) is in it's peak condition! Her performance in this show overshadows her stint in "The Secret Garden" (yet another great show). Her renditions of "My White Knight" and the hilarious "Piano Lesson" are absolutely grand! The ensemble though on this CD is the real high point of the show! Songs such as "Iowa Stubborn," "Shipoopie," and "Pick-a-little, Talk-a-little" will remain in your head for days! The best song on the album in my opinion though is the opening number "Rock Island!" How those men remember the lyrics is beyond me, but breathtaking at the least!
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