Rags, A New American Musical [Cast Recording]

Charles Strouse (Composer), Eric Stern (Conductor), Michael Starobin (Orchestra), Larry Wilcox (Orchestra), London Musicians Orchestra (Orchestra), Larry Kert (Performer), Judy Kuhn (Performer), Terrence Mann (Performer), Marcia Lewis (Performer), Dick Latessa (Performer), Josh Blake (Performer), Lonny Price (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Larry Kert, Judy Kuhn, Terrence Mann, Marcia Lewis, Dick Latessa, et al.
• Orchestra: Michael Starobin, Larry Wilcox, London Musicians Orchestra
• Conductor: Eric Stern
• Composer: Charles Strouse
• Audio CD (May 24, 1991)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000026HL
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,913 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Album, July 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Rags, A New American Musical (Audio CD)

"Rags," for the most part, has evolved into being no more than a footnote (if that) when discussing Broadway shows of the 1980's. In all fairness, its stay in New York was rather brief, and the show was largely dismissed by critics. However, the 1991 album, which features members of the original Broadway cast, turns out to be surprisingly pleasant. Julia Migenes sings the lead role of Rebecca with a soaring operatic soprano. While she hardly has the accent of Jewish immigrant, she is in fine voice and brings emotion and passion to her performance. Particularly outstanding is her signature song on the album, "Children Of The Wind." Terrence Mann is enticing as usual and brings raw sexual energy to "Wanting," one of the albums finest duets. Judy Kuhn also delivers an outstanding performance with her solo in the show's title number, "Rags." Marcia Lewis and Josh Blake are also in top-form, however, Larry Kent disappoints as Rebecca's husband, Nathan. He is neither convincing nor enthusiastic, much unlike his co-stars.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating tale, September 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rags, A New American Musical (Audio CD)

OK, so it was a Broadway flop with a run lasting a whole four days, but the storyline, characters and music will touch your life and stay with you. As a cast member of a recent production of this show I can say the music is not only challenging, but beutifully composed with a music theory that relates closely to the central themes of the play. This recording is very well done and includes songs that are no longer used in the production (Hard to be a Prince, Cherry Street Cafe, and Yankee Boy). I firmly believe this show would be a great success on Broadway with it's new script revisions and a strong cast.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Rags": A Stunningly Beautiful Score, August 12, 2005

By 

Helluva Godtime - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rags, A New American Musical (Audio CD)

When it first debuted on Broadway in 1986, the musical "Rags" was a major flop on all accounts: The reviews were savage and the show closed after only four performances. Written by Stephen Scwartz ("Wicked", "Pippin"), Charles Strouse ("Bye Bye Birdie", "Annie") and Joseph Stein ("Fiddler on the Roof"), "Rags" has one of the most beautiful and lush scores I've heard in the past 20 years. Thank God that a cast recording was made to preserve this breathtaking music!

The show opens in 1910, when Eastern European Jews fled to New York City to escape religious persecution and pogroms. Rebecca Hershkowitz (Julia Migenes for this recording; Teresa Stratas in the original Broadway production) arrives on Ellis Island with her son David (Josh Blake), hoping to find her husband, Nathan (the late, great Larry Kert), who has been in America for some time, trying to save up enough to send for them.

Also new to America is Avram Cohen (Dick Latessa) and his daughter Bella (a pre-"Les Mis" Judy Kuhn), who want a better life for themselves. Bella is in love with Ben Levitowitz (Lonny Price), who has also come to America in search of the riches the land is said to possess.

All of the immigrants go off to manual labor work at slave wages in sweatshops and with pushcarts. Saul (the wonderful Terrence Mann), a labor unionizer who wants to unionize the shop where Rebecca works, instantly falls in love with her, although the don't agree on any political issues. Rebecca is later reunited with her husband, now calling himself Nat Harris, who is working his way up in the ranks of the Democratic Party by doing dirty work.

Ms. Migenes, a trained opera singer, soars through the sweeping Schwartz/Strouse ballads, which are all thrilling. I did not see Ms. Stratas in the role, so I cannot compare performances, but I must say that Ms. Migenes sets the bar very high. "Children of the Wind" is harrowing and beautiful; "Blame it on the Summer Night" is sensual and breezy; and "Nothing Will Hurt Us Again" is heartstopping.

The rest of the ensemble, especially Ms. Kuhn (who has several knock-out numbers, including the title song) and Mr. Price, are all in top form.

Anybody who calls themself a musical theatre buff must own this recording!