Customer Reviews

She Loves Me: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1993 Revival)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

What a cast! I had heard of SHE LOVES ME, but never had seen it, and loved this revival - I ended up seeing it six times! The cast is enchanting, with excellent voices throughout. This is one of the rare musicals where ALL the songs are gems - no need to skip tracks here - and the voices and personalities perfectly match the roles. Sally Mayes (Ilona) has never sounded better; Howard McGillin is a delight as Kodaly, and Johnathan Freeman a terrific Headwaiter. Boyd Gaines is a charming, boyish, delicious Georg, and if Diane Fratantoni can't quite make you forget about Barbara Cook, well, who can? This is a must for any theater fan, or any connoiseur of outstanding singing. If only this show was still running!

This truly is a remarkable recording, and I personally favor this one over the original cast. All the performers are amazing, and the music is -of course- brilliant, so it makes for quite an enjoyable night's listening. Interestingly enough, I read someone else's review and they mentioned that Brad Kane (who plays Arpad on this CD) was the singing voice of Aladdin in all three "Aladdin" movies. Many people would be surprised to know that Jonathan Freeman (who appears as the pompously lovable Headwaiter in SLM) was the speaking AND singing voice for Jafar in the "Aladdin" film. (He's also featured on that film's soundtrack.) The number he performs here is called "A Romantic Atmosphere" and even though you can't see him perform it, the vocals are enough alone to make you understand the comedy. Freeman is a master at this.

Mr. Freeman is my favorite Bway performer, and I had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get a letter his way when he was doing an off-Broadway show in NYC. I got his response a few days ago, and he sent back a nice note and some great autographed photos! Anyway -- GET THIS CD!

She Loves Me is a treasure to anyone's CD collection. This is by far the best version of the musical. She Loves Me is based on 'Parfumerie', 'The Shop Around the Corner', and 'In The Good Old Summertime'. The show has music and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock who also composed Fiddler on the Roof! The song Vanilla Ice Cream alone is reason enough to buy this CD. Diane Fratantoni is a standout as Amalia, and Vanilla Ice Cream may just be the best song ever! She Loves Me combines Broadway with a lot of technical almost opera-like singing. It's a nice story as well.

When I found out my high school was going to do "She Loves Me," I bought the CD and was a little disappointed at first, but my mind changed when I finally realized that the music it is so BEAUTIFUL! My dissatisfaction soon turned into love, and it has songs that are both funny and moving. Unlike many shows, every song is there to either advance plot or develop character. Also, I think that Diane Fratatoni (or however you spell it) has the most beautiful voice in the world. I doubt anyone else could ever move me to tears with a song about ice cream.

I especially love "Perspective," "I Don't Know His Name," "Try Me" and "Vanilla Ice Cream." I strongly recommend this CD, for I think you will have a hard time putting it back on your shelf.

P.S.: I was cast as Georg, and my fraternal twin brother played Sipos. I will never forget doing this wonderful show!!!!!!!!!

I've often referred to She Loves Me as being a "bon bon" score: a sweet little nothing, packed with far more flavor than could be imagined by looking at it. The Harnick/Bock score has more great songs in 20 minutes than some of the "modern" composers have written in their entire body of work!

The original cast, with the legendary Barbara Cook, is considered by most to be the definitive recording, but this revivial cast is delightful. Boyd Gaines is superb as the somewhat nebbishy Georg, with his voice soaring on the title song and the neurotic "Tonight at Eight;" Diane Fratantoni's Amalia is equally wonderful; and a pair of "Aladdin" alumni, Brad Kane and Jonathan Freeman make the most of their brief moments (Freeman's "Romantic Atmosphere" got him a Tony nomination for about five minutes of work, and he deserved it all the way).

No surprises in this show, just great songs from beginning to end. To name the best songs, just look at the track list. Each is a winner, performed beautifully. Varese Sarabande knows how to make a great cast recording (although they get far too few chances to do so), and this is one of their best.

In a recent interview, Steven Sondheim was quoted as saying he wished we would've written "Vanilla Ice Cream" from She Loves Me. After seeing the show and hearing the music, I can tell why. The music stayed with me for days in the most delightful way, until I finally bought the recording. I find the songs very cleverly written and enjoyable. There is also a good variety of music styles. On an interesting note, the role of Arpad is played by Brad Kane, who did the singing voice of Aladdin in all three of the Disney Aladdin movies. (Aladdin, Return of Jafar and Aladdin and the King of Thieves).

This recording of the 1993 Broadway revival of SHE LOVES ME is a fine summation of the peerless Bock-Harnick score, though the original cast still remains definitive. Diane Fratatoni-Sutherland is a competant Amalia (Judy Kuhn was the original star though left by the time the cast album was recorded). Fratatoni, sounding eerily like original Amalia - Barbara Cook - is thrilling in her singing, especially the Act One heartbreaker "Dear Friend" and the manic "Where's My Shoe?". Boyd Gaines gives Georg an infectious joy, and Sally Mayes is just about the perfect Ilona. My only gripe about this recording is the putrid sound quality. Microphones are full of annoying reverb and extraonious noises, and detract from the full enjoyment of the performance. Nevertheless, a fine recording for admirers of this score.

This show couldn't be any more adorable. The music is diverse: touching, compelling, sweet, and hysterically funny -- everything a light musical should be. I highly recommend this cd.

I first saw this production in a small community theater. That intimate feeling was something I had been hoping this album would keep. And it does! In fact, the voices (especially Arpad) sound exactly like the actors I had seen a decade ago!

First of all, the musical is a gem. Every single tune is a classic, catchy, and one of the most fun musicals to sing along with. Especially "Sounds While Selling," "Tonight at Eight," and "Goodbye, Georg." I love harmonizing and just being corny when no one is watching :)

Skipping the orchestral tracks and "Days Gone By" (the *only* weak tune, and it even gets good at the end), I would listen to the entire album on my commute from work years ago. It really kept me awake and, by the time I arrived home, I was always in a great mood!

This recording has kept the intimate feel of the original production I saw. I fell in love with this musical instantly, glad to have something others didn't. (I love musicals, but it's difficult to think of "The Sound of Music" as one's 'own.')

I am a friend of Johnathan Freeman so I may be a bit partial, but I loved this CD. The Songs were all great and I really liked the talent. I think that many of the songs are hilarious and many of them get the story line across very well. All in all, I'd say, BUY THIS CD!!!!