Customer Reviews

The Scarlet Pimpernel: The New Musical Adventure - Original Broadway Cast Recording

5 star:		(125)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

It doesn't matter if you are a Broadway fanatic or if you're irritated with friends who can't stop singing/humming/tapping "The Movie in My Mind", "On My Own", "The Music of the Night", "Magical Mr. Mistofolees", etc. This cast recording can make you laugh, sob, want to jump out of your seat, change the world, perhaps even save aristocrats from the guillotine! Christine Andreas' voice soars in "Storybook", especially when she gets to the French lyrics at the end (and the translation is gorgeous as well). One other performance I must specifically commend is Terrence Mann's "Where's the Girl?" Time after time, it's been said that any woman, girl, or female child will be mesmerized by his voice, Frank Wildhorn's music, and Nan Knighton's lyrics; it only gets more true each time it's said. Douglas Sills is incomparable as Sir Percy; he plays the inane Englishman beautifully in "The Creation of Man" but becomes dashing and sigh-worthy when he opens "Into the Fire". Overall this recording belongs in every CD collection, so I must reccomend to everyone, especially those already owning Broadway cast recordings.

I know what you're thinking. You've seen the stage production and then you discover that there are almost as many versions of the soundtrack as Sir Percy has hats. I've seen the production 2 times (it was fabulous, by the way) and this recording is the most satisfying. At the theater where I saw "SP" they were selling the Encore! version. Granted, the sequence of the songs on the Encore! version matches the current stage version slightly better, but you would miss out on the thunderous voice of Terrence Mann, which is showcased wonderfully on this CD. You also get the added bonus of the beautiful song "Only Love", which, unfortunately, is not in the current stage production. Overall, the differences between this CD and the stage production are very slight, BUT that is made of for because you have the best cast. Douglas Sills is great on both versions, but seeing him perform the role in person was total eye and ear candy!

This album never lets up; with every song, you catch yourself laughing aloud, shivering, or smiling. Douglas Sills' performance as Sir Percy is priceless (catch "She Was There", and you'll hear why), and Christine Andreas plays Marguerite to sheer perfection in a heart-rending "You are My Home" (with Gilles Chiasson of the *RENT* OBC). Still between all the emotional music and poetic-yet-concise lyrics, Terrence Mann and his villainous Chauvelin steal centre stage. "Where's the Girl?" will make any female swoon, "Falcon in the Dive" will shock you with the sheer vocal range, and you will thus be hooked on the magic of Terry's voice. This is a great introduction to new Broadway and an amazing CD in its own respect. I reccomend this to any- and everyone; *The Scarlet Pimpernel* is NOT to be missed.

Although there are now three official recordings and four different stage versions of the Frank Wildhorn/Nan Knighton musical, "The Scarlet Pimpernel," this, the original Broadway cast recording, emerges as the definitive version of this ever-changing show. Unfortunately, the show in its present touring incarnation only vaguely resembles what is forever preserved on this recording. The feeling on Broadway was electric in 1997 when this multi-million dollar tale of French love, betrayal, and fine fabrics -- see the show or listen to the recording and you'll understand -- opened in the cavernous Minskoff Theater. Christine Andreas and Terrence Mann, two of Broadway's finest and most-acclaimed stars were joined by newcomer Douglas Sills creating what proved to be one of the most talented trios of leading performers. Unfortunately, critics, many of whom seem to personally resent the decidedly un-theatrical style of the show's composer, lambasted the show, and prevented it from attracting the masses it deserved. Never mind the delightful score. Never mind the superb talent of Andreas, Mann, Sills, and the rest of the cast. Never mind the comic story, the gorgeous sets, the beautiful costumes. The critics frowned on the Pimpernel, and it almost suffered an untimely death. Radio City decided to buy the show with a plan to restructure and re-sell it. A slick, generic advertising campaign began. Broadway veterans Andreas and Mann left the show and were replaced by the mediocre Rex Smith and Rachel York. Sills went on to become the show's only remaining star. Though he still shone brightly, the show did not. Gone were some of the lively songs and the dynamic chemistry among the principals. In their place, Rockette-style choreography and a plot structure simpler than that of a children's novel. The show closed some months later, undergoing more revisions, and reopened with a scaled-down cast, and simpler sets. Carolee Carmello, the only principal in this recast version worthy of mention, sang well, but the whole show seemed rather tired. Within months, it would close again, this time vacating Broadway permanently and instead appearing at regional theaters around the country with a new cast headed by original star Douglas Sills. Throughout this turbulent process -- and this is why I have bothered to describe it -- so much of what was once great about this show has been lost. In 1999, an "Encore!" recording was released with most of the songs from this album, plus some new tracks recorded by Smith and York. To listen to that recording is to understand why this one is so great. Listen to the desperation in Andreas' "When I Look At You," her longing in "Only Love," her passion in "Storybook." Hear Mann's seductiveness in "Where's the Girl," and his fire in "Falcon in the Dive." And delight in Sills comic genius in "The Creation of Man" and "The Scarlet Pimpernel." This recording is a treasure; a remembrance of one of Broadway's rarest gems.

I was a bit wary to buy this recording because I was not a fan of Terrence Mann. I am not ashamed to say that I have been proved wrong in my assumption that he cannot sing, and I have discovered another great musical! The Scarlet Pimpernel is absolutely amazing, and although it does have a couple of weak moments(Believe), it is a standout!

To me, Terrence Mann's Chauvelin is the highlight of this CD. "Falcon in the Dive" will have you holding your breath until the last perfect note. You'll melt hearing "Where's The Girl?", and the last note of the reprise of that song will send a shiver down your spine!

Douglas Sills is utter hilarity in such numbers as "Creation of Man" and "They Seek Him Here." He absolutely IS Percy Blakeny. Douglas can take you from laughter in those songs to tears in "Prayer" and "She Was There." He has a beautiful voice, and is incredibly talented at conveying the two sides of his character.

Christine Andreas is quite good as Marguerite, although she does have quite a bit of vibrato at some moments. "You Are My Home" with Gilles Chiasson as Armand is a standout number for her, and I also enjoy "When I Look At You."

The Scarlet Pimpernel is one of the great musicals of our time and anyone who loves Broadway should consider this recording. It has everything...laughs("The Scarlet Pimpernel"), tears("Prayer"), seduction("Where's The Girl"), and adventure and bravery("Into The Fire"). It's definitely a 'must have' and a purchase you won't regret!

A friend who loves Les Misérables sent me a song one day, saying, "Listen to this! It's so much like Javert!" (a character from Les Misérables) So, naturally, I listened, and fell in love. The song was "Falcon in the Dive".

I couldn't stop listening to it, and found out that it was from The Scarlet Pimpernel. I was up for a new musical to obsess over, so I bought the Broadway cast, hoping all of the songs were just as good. I was right. I am very happy I bought it!

This is an AMAZING musical! Very exciting and full of revenge, seduction, and sword-fighting action! It is also extremely funny. It is well worth every penny.

The cast is fantastic. I wouldn't change any of the voices if I had the opportunity to! Every actor/actress is perfect for his/her part.

In most musicals, there are the highlight songs...songs that everyone knows and likes the best...but the rest of the songs, you just want to skip over when you're listening to the CD. I can honestly say there are no boring or bad songs in this musical! When I listen to the CD, I never skip any tracks, because I love all of them! I WANT to hear all of the songs. They're all just that good.

So please consider my review if you're considering purchasing this musical. You'll be VERY happy you bought it, if you decide to do so.

And if you're thinking, "Well, this might be good for you, but who's to say I'll like it? I might not like the same things you do," here are the other musicals I obsess over:

Les Misérables
Phantom of the Opera
Jekyll & Hyde
Secret Garden
Wicked
Miss Saigon

THANK YOU!!!

I was looking for a show to perform in our local theatre, and came across this gem. It's fantastic! I love all the songs, they are so emotional, you can hear the performers singing with their hearts. And yet it is funny too, and the bouncy numbers are so catchy I was singing them at work after only a couple of hearings. I can't believe I've never heard of it before - more people should know and enjoy this fabulous CD. Buy it now - you won't regret it.

I was lucky enough to see a performance of this....at age 12, I was blown away by the whole show. I came home and told my mom she HAD to get me the CD. Years later, I am still listening to it, with the same effect. It even has a place in my CD case with Linkin Park, Hoobastank, and the Beatles. I simply cannot listen to half of this and then put it away!! Great stuff- Percy's solo, Prayer, never fails to make me sit back and forget whatever I'm doing. So much incredible energy is hidden in these songs. Don't miss it!

Frank Wildhorn can really pen a tune. This is one of the best newer musicals to hit Broadway, and the soundtrack is breath-taking. There are some amazingly sensitive songs in the midst of this no-nonsense action-packed musical, particularly, "When I Look at You" and "Only Love." Mr. Wildhorn has not written a bad song yet, nor do I believe that he is capable of doing so. A must-have for your Broadway collection to open your ears, heart, and imagination.

All I can say is that this musical is beautiful in every aspect from voices, to music, to storyline. I saw it on tour and it was even better live. This is probably one of the better musicals out there today. Are you tired of bad voices? This recording has a tapestry of fine and gorgeous voices that sing gorgeous music well. Frank Wildhorn has a gift and uses it melodically. Nan Knighton has a gift and uses it eloquently. Anyone who listens to or sees this show are in for a treat and will have their spirits uplifted. "Into fire, onward ho!"