32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
For Musical Theatre Fans Everywhere, August 3, 2000
This review is from: Hey Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (Audio CD)
This Cd has got it all! Diva Songs, Diva Singers, you name it! This Phenomenal Collection of songs is in salute to Mr. Musical Theatre himself, Mr. Producer, Cameron Mackintosh. Producer of such shows and Mega hits as Les Miz, Phantom.., Cats, Miss Saigon, Oliver, Carousel and a gang of other great shows! This CD is not to be missed.
Recorded on a different night than the PBS airing and the video, the CD starts off with about 150 children singing "Food Glorious Food" from OLIVER. A wonderful catchy start to this double disc CD. It soon goes into 5 songs from the revival of MY FAIR LADY starring Jonathan Pryce (Prof. Higgins), Liz Robertson (Eliza), Peter Bayliss as (Eliza's Father). They all do well with the material. John Barrowman dives right into "One Two Three" from the new rock musical THE FIX. Next up is the LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS montage starring Original Audrey, Ellen Greene. After 15 years Ellen still sounds Phenomenal. Not only does she sound great, but her acting is fierce, you can hear it!! Let's sail through GODSPELL and ANYTHING GOES, they were nothing to write home about.
Then we are graced with Bernadette Peters singing "Unexpected Song", a song that she originally sang in SONG AND DANCE (And won the TONY). Next the unknown (to me) DIVA newcomer, Jasna Ivir, dazzles us with her vocal acrobatics in the rousing dance song, "Nicer in Nice" from THE BOYFRIEND. Sail through LAUDER, FIVE GUYS NAMED MO to the OLIVER section where Russ Abbot (Fagan) and Adam Searles (Gavroche from Les Miz Concert, potrays Dodger) in "You Gotta Pick A Pocket Or Two." Then out comes Nancy (Sonia Swaby, Gigi from Miss Saigon Complete Recording) to blow us away with her fierce rendition of "As Long As He Needs Me."
We are next treated with a "sneak peak" at the, then , new Rendition of MARTIN GUERRE with David Campbell (of Saturday Night) singing the title song with tremendous intensity. His voice is clear and powerful. Then Maria Friedman sings "How Many Tears" exploding to it's belting climax, only to softly melt away. MISS SAIGON blasts it's way through the speakers. We are then graced with Lea Solonga reprising her role as Kim. She and David Campbell sing a stunning rendition of "Last Night Of The World." Campbell is literally the BEST Chris I've ever seen or heard. Jonathan Pryce then wows us with the showstopping "American Dream." And all this is just CD 1!!
Disc 2 opens with Colm Wilkonson and Lisa Vroman in PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Next, all the ladies in the show come out and beg the producer with "Broadway Baby." OKLAHOMA is then represented by Hugh Jackman (Wolverine from the New X-Men movie) singing "Oh, What A Beautiful Morning." CAROUSEL'S segment is wonderful too.
The Sondheim section is next, and a real treat at that. "You Could Drive A Person Crazy" is just wonderful sung by Lea Solonga, Maria Friedman, Millicent Martin, and the fabulous Ruthie Henshall (Fantine of Les Miz Concert, Roxie of Chicago!) Judi Dench then sings a stirring, acting rendition of "Send In The Clowns" from A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. True her singing voice isn't strong, but her emotion is haunting. Michael Ball treats us, and his fans to "Losing My Mind" from FOLLIES. Bernadette graces us, yet again with the crowd pleasing "BEING ALIVE" from COMPANY. We then switch gears into the sizzling "You Gotta Get A Gimmick" from GYPSY sung by Bernadette, Julia McKenzie and, ofcourse, the fabulous Ruthie Henshall, who sings most of the song on Ballet Pointe, not to mention in the sizzling hot Butterfly Costume!!
The Cast of CATS electrifies the stage and stereo with "Jellicle Song". Then, when all is quiet, out steps Elaine Paige to sing the infamous "Memory", but this is like you've never heard it before. Elaine has now matured gracefully as an actress and can fully utilize her age to shine through Grizabella, and let me tell you it's the most Phenomenal and Touching rendition ever recorded.
They saved the best for last. LES MISERABLES. Philip Quast, Lea Solonga, Colm Wilkonson, Michael Ball and Lisa Vroman now treat us with a 15 minute montage of LES MIZ. My number one complaint would be the absense of Ruthie Henshall's outstanding performance of "I Dreamed A Dream" as seen on the video. LES MISERABLES is the perfect ending to this wonderful callaboration of songs.
Definately worth the price. Check out the Video too!! Trust me, you'll love them both!! :)
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hey! Mr. Producer, August 2, 2000
This review is from: Hey Mr. Producer! The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (Audio CD)
Excellent review of musical theater.Judi Dench's rendition of send in the clowns get her a standing ovation. Colm Wikinson, Jonathan Pryce, Bernadette Peters, and Lea Salonga wee all in excellent voice. Show keeps your emotions jumping. One minute you're laughing to 'Get me to the church on time' the next you're listening to Maria Friedman's melancholy 'How many tears?' Silly songs like 'Poisoning pidgeons in the park' along with some of the most beautiful love songs ever writen like 'Last night of the world'
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