Customer Reviews

Romance Romance (1988 Original Broadway Cast)

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1988 saw the premiere of two one-act musicals put together by Barry Harman and Keith Herrmann; Romance, Romance. It was a new concept for Broadway in not only the idea of two one-act musicals, but it had one of the smallest casts in Broadway musical history, 4. Two actors, the talented Scott Bakula and Alison Fraser, play Alfred and Josefine in the first act, entitled 'The Little Comedy.' Based on a short story of the same name by Arthur Schnitzier and set in turn of the century Vienna, Alfred and Josefine are two well-to-do people who have been unsuccessful in finding love in their means. Destiny pulls them together as they both decide one day to dress as peasants and meet in town. Josefine finds the 'poet' she has been longing for, and Alfred has found a woman whose interests aren't in fashion and theatre. Neither of them are prepared for what would happen if they were to reveal themselves to their partner, but when they both decide to do so on the same evening, it truly is the little comedy. The music is very much like the 3/4 waltz style Stephen Sondheim perfected in his 1972 musical, A Little Night Music. There are a few moving numbers reminiscent of the bittersweet 'Send in the Clowns,' but for the most part they are light, delightful romps. Robert Hoshour and Deborah Graham are virtuoso actors playing the other parts in this act, which range from Josefine's ex-lover to Alfred's friend's lover. In Act Two, Summer Share, Bakula and Fraser play Sam and Monica-self proclaimed plutonic friends. But from what we learn of them in the first act, could fate be trying to bring them together once again? With Graham and Hoshour playing Sam and Monica's spouses, it may be a little hard for romance to bloom between our heroes. Set to music that has a bit of an 80s feel but mostly a universal style that, in my book, has withstood the test of time, 'Summer Share' is based on the play Pain de Menage by Jules Renard and set in August of the current year in The Hamptons. This musical satisfies the tastes of people who have broad musical tastes, and carries the theme 'It's not too late for love.' With delightful music and stellar actors, it's a shame that it's not in print anymore. Let's hope they bring it back.

The one bad thing about Broadway cast albums is that if they are great, you get bummed out because you'll never see the performance live. I wish I could go back in time, to 1988, and see this show.

Since I've never seen the play itself, I can't comment on the story. But I can say that all four actors have such expressive voices that I can fully imagine their characters and interaction. The first act is set in Vienna, and waltzes to an innocent 3/4 time; the second act is modern music, with a touch of sarcastic commentary. Scott Bakula, Alison Fraser, Robert Hoshour, and Deborah Graham do a great job. I didn't know any of these songs, and had only barely ever heard of the show before I bought the CD (I was buying the Quantum Leap soundtrack and figured, what the heck?) and after listening through once, I was hooked. The music is interesting and catchy, my favorite song being "Words He Doesn't Say."

As I said, now that I've gotten a taste of this show, I'm sad that I'll never get to see it live with this cast.

I have been seeking this CD for over a year and found it on Amazon and no where else. The quality is perfect and it arrived in three days. I couldn't be more pleased.

I only ordered this because I wanted to hear more of Scott Bakula singing. Now I wish I had been able to see the show because the entire score is simply wonderful. Catchy tunes, heartfelt themes and great performances by all the singers - the only thing that would have made it better was to have a visual to go with it!