Nine - The Musical (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)

Maury Yeston (Performer), Antonio Banderas (Performer), Chita Rivera (Performer), Jane Krakowski (Performer), Laura Benanti (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Maury Yeston, Antonio Banderas, Chita Rivera, Jane Krakowski, Laura Benanti
• Audio CD (June 17, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: P.S. Classics
• ASIN: B00008Z1NB
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Music
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (46 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,833 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This version of Maury Yeston's Nine is so finely wrought that it deservedly won the 2003 Tony for Best Revival. While not a blockbuster, the original 1982 production, staged by Tommy Tune, was a nice success and allowed Raul Julia to make a splash as the only man in an otherwise entirely feminine cast. Inspired by Fellini's film 8 1/2, Nine succeeds in creating a strong male lead while parcelling out great songs to several different women. The mere fact that Antonio Banderas doesn't get eaten alive by the power cast around him (Chita Rivera, Mary Stuart Masterson, Jane Krakowski, and Laura Benanti) testifies to his charisma; even better, his singing is surprisingly confident ("Only with You" is downright sweet). And leave it to the Broadway pros to shine like diamonds: Listen, in particular, as Jane Krakowski steals the show with her sassy delivery of "A Call from the Vatican." You may need a cold shower after that one. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Product Description

2003 Grammy-nominated cast recording of NINE: THE MUSICAL, starring Antonio Banderas

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A stellar version of "Nine" April 11, 2005

By Steven Valenti VINE™ VOICE

Format:Audio CD

This revival recording of "Nine" is superb. I actually prefer it to the original Broadway recording and the London concert version (which are both fine). Maury Yeston's music and lyrics are among the best for any modern musical, and the cast here is ideal.

The performances are exemplary, from Antonio Banderas as womanizing film director Guido Contini and Mary Stuart Masterson as his long-suffering wife Luisa, to Laura Benanti, Jane Krakowski, and the rest. Their singing easily matches or surpasses the previous casts, and their acting on the whole is stronger. They just feel more assured to me. Banderas also sounds more feasibly Italian than previous Guidos, which is useful in terms of the character. For their part, the women put on fake accents, which has the potential to be a distraction, but here didn't bother me at all.

Highlights from the score and this album include Banderas's charismatic rendition of "Guido's Song," Krakowski's sexy "A Call from the Vatican," Benanti's almost impossibly-beautiful version of "Unusual Way," and Masterson's bitter and expertly acted "Be On Your Own." The orchestra here is smaller than previous versions, but this doesn't detract in any significant way. The strength of the music and the performances comes through just fine.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It's not a 9, It's a 10!!! June 21, 2003

By "boop455"

Format:Audio CD

Nine is one of my favorite musicals. This is the best recording of it out of the three recordings you can buy. Antonio Banderas can sing! He surpasses Raul Julia on the OBC and Jonathon Pryce on the OLC as Guido Contini by far. "Guido's Song" is phenomenal on how he gets his confused feelings across. But the real gem of this album is of course THE WOMEN! The amazing Chita Rivera (West Side Story, Bye Bye Birdie, Kiss of the Spider Woman) is perfect as Liliane La Fleur. Her "Folies Bergeres" is the best you will ever hear. Laura Benanti (Into the Woods) brings an incredible Italian flair to Claudia Nardi. Her "Unusual Way" is unbelievable in it's feeling. Mary Stuart Masterson, in her musical debut, IS the Luisa Contini we've all been waiting for. Her "My Husband Makes Movies" is fantastic and her "Be On Your Own" sends chills down my spine every time I hear it. My personal favorite on the album is Jane Krakowski (Once Upon a Mattress, Company, Grand Hotel) as Carla, Guido's mistress. Her "Call From the Vatican" is so sensual and sexy and is awesome from start to finish. Her "Simple" is great as well. Other great songs are the hilarious "Be Italian", and the touching "Only With You". Nine is a must have for any musical theater lover and will be in your CD player forever.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An all-star spectacle June 19, 2003

By Frankie

Format:Audio CD

WHAT A GREAT CD! This revival has a lot to live up to due to the expectations of a top-notch cast and every performer gives there best. Owning all three cast recordings, I can say vocally, Antonio Banderas is the Best Guido compared to Jonathan Pryce and Raul Julia. He has a rugged sexiness in his voice and his irisistable charm to many women is very believble. As Carla, Jane Krakowski is amazing. She has obviously trained her voice a lot since Grand Hotel. Her range is incredible, as the role of carla demands, and her take on the character is sexy, funny, better than Anita Morris, but not quite as strong as Becky Normand in the London Concert Cast or Alice Ripley in the recently released Maury Yeston Songbooks (Also released by PS records). Mary Stuart Masterson shines in the role of Luisa, Guidos long suffering wife. She Sings "Be on your own" the best I've ever heard it performed. Chita Rivera and Myra Lucretia Taylor also give show-stopping performances. With a rich score, lucious orchastrations, and a talanted and beautiful and sexy cast NINE is finally brought to the glory it deserves.