Customer Reviews

Triumph Of Love (1998 Original Broadway Cast)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

"Triumph of Love" is a fantastic show and deserved a longer run. It is FUNNY. It is WISE. It has GREAT MUSIC and an INTELLIGENT BOOK. There are so many shows out there that rely on chandeliers or helicopters to impress their audiences. This one, with a seven person cast and minimal set, is simply a showcase of everything that a great musical should be. It has the diva (Betty Buckley) and the ingenue (Susan Egan), the comic sidekicks and the befuddled love interest. It has the zany subplots and the listen-to-it-again ballads. And it's written the way I wish more musicals were written--by people who think deep thoughts but don't take themselves too seriously. The cast is BRILLIANT, from the bottom up. But the best thing about the CD--sorry, Betty Buckley--has got to be the breathtaking voice and dead-on sense of humor of "Beauty and the Beast"'s Susan Egan. Last year, Egan headlined the West Coast premier of La Chiusa's "Hello Again". She then starred in the new, improved, and headed-for-Broadway "Putting It Together" with Carol Burnett, and most recently played the Cinegrill in Hollywood over New Year's Eve with her one-woman cabaret. You just can't afford to miss her in this--she's one of the best of the new crop of B'Way performers. In the Billboard review of "Triumph of Love", there was this: "Egan...is a revelation as Princess Leonide, rapidly shifting among several personas with meticulous care. She wisely sidesteps the temptation to chew scenery in favor of small bits of character delineation. Her plucky charisma and seemingly bottomless reserve of energy leaves you guessing how long it will be before Hollywood will beckon."

TRIUMPH OF LOVE is a gorgeous Broadway musical which never fully blossomed in its New York stage incarnation. Though the show itself was a flop, it features lovely songs from Jeffrey Stock and Susan Birkenhead, and strong performances from a capable cast.

Based on the play by Marivaux, the story recounts the exploits of Princess Leonide, who decides to do everything she can in order to land the handsome Agis, the prince from another kingdom. Only one thing stands between Leonide and Agis: they are mortal enemies. Leonide disguises herself as another girl called Cecile, and takes on several different personalities and guises before she finally wins the heart of Agis.

Susan Egan (a Tony nominee for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) gives thrilling life to Princess Leonide, with Christopher Sieber (INTO THE WOODS) as Agis. The cast also features diva Betty Buckley (CATS, CARRIE) along with Kevin Chamberlin, Roger Bart (THE PRODUCERS), F. Murray Abraham and Nancy Opel (URINETOWN).

The score is superb; Susan Egan belts out the delicious "Anything" in grand style, Betty Buckley is in her element with "Serenity", while Egan and Christopher Sieber sing "The Bond That Can't Be Broken". Other standout songs include "The Sad and Sordid Saga of Cecile", "Henchmen are Forgotten", "Classic Clown" and "Teach Me Not to Love You". Susan Egan infuses the 11 o'clock number "What Have I Done?" with dramatics and power to spare.

If you love the incantory Miss Egan and Miss Buckley, or if you love Broadway musicals, you'll adore TRIUMPH OF LOVE.

Four words: BUY THIS CD NOW. "Triumph of Love" was the smartest, sexiest original musical of 1997. "The New Yorker" did a fabulous spread on it, and Show Music magazine will be publishing the brilliant libretto in its entirety in Spring of 1999. Unfortunately, the show's ill-advised PR campaign didn't get the word out in time to prevent premature closing. The soundtrack showcases the talent of an amazing creative team. The lyrics are intelligent and inspired, the score is warm, rich, and light-hearted. The album as a whole is a celebration of all that is best in musical theatre...there are heartbreaking ballads, slapstick comedic riffs, and everything in between. The cast is, in a word, perfect. Of course, Betty Buckley fans treasure this CD for its diva-friendly torch numbers, and yes, "Serenity" is one of the most beautiful, nuanced songs I've ever heard her sing. Nancy Opel ("Sunday in the Park w/George") and Roger Bart ("Hercules") are hysterical, and F. Murray Abraham holds his own. But the true standout in this cast must be the unbelievably talented Susan Egan ("Beauty and the Beast", "Hercules", the new "Putting it Together" set for B'Way in October '99). She plays a young princess who must assume not one, not two but three separate characters in order to get close to, and win the heart of, her chosen man. During the course of the show she goes from regal to airheaded, from boyish to tender-hearted, and her impeccable comedic timing and soaring, note-perfect, achingly pure voice will set the hairs on your body all on end. This is a romp with a moral at the end-a lesson to be learned about the dangers of playing with love. Do not, under any circumstances, pass up this little jewel of a show. It represents the best that Broadway has to offer.

The music for this show is not only captivating, but contains a universal message about life and love. Heightened by the glorious voices of Susan Egan, Christopher Sieber, and the rest of the intimtimate seven person cast, the music is fun and inspiring. It contains such beautiful melodies as "Teach Me Not to Love You" and "What Have I Done?" along with sweeping, fun numbers such as "Issue in Question" and "Mr. Right" this CD is sure to please!

How can you lose when you're starting off with such a good story? The storyline is captivating, interesting, and very humorous. The music is very catchy, and grabs you right away with keen interest. Susan Egan's (played Belle of Broadway's Beauty and the Beast) voice is very beautiful, though not terribly convincing as a male (which is part of the humor of the story, really). Betty Buckley is likewise amazing. Nancy Opel (also Miss Pennywise in Urinetown) is really cute in this role as the Princess' maiden. She plays a big part with the Gardener, Kevin Chamberlin (Horton the Elephant, Seussical), and Harlequin played by Roger Bart (recently played Snoopy and in The Producers). These three sidekicks add some extra spices to an already delectable show. Christopher Sieber's voice is amazing, as is F. Murray Abraham's. All in all, I can see no flaws in the actual recording itself, and certainly none in the musical, either.
Where was this hiding? I wish short runs on Broadway wouldn't force great musicals like these into hiding from the rest of the world!

I had the great pleasure to be in a college production of this musical recently, and I must say that it is now one of my favorite shows of all time. The lyrics are at times witty, at times bawdy, but never inappropriate. The songs are all short plays within themselves, (especially "The Sad and Sordid Saga of Cecile" and, of course, "Serenity"). The message of the show is nothing too deep, it's just a good evening's entertainment, immortalized here on this fine recording. I highly recomend this CD!

Simply a very lovely recording of a wonderful show that never got its due. Susan Egan continues to be lovely. Nancy Opel is a fabulous character and what a voice! Chris Sieber is simply adorable. F. Murray Abraham had me in stitches. Roger Bart..is Roger Bart. A must for any theatre collection.

A truly magnificent musical which closed far before it should have, "Triumph" is delightful and intelligent. The music is a blending of many musicals styles, and the lyrics are clever. I cannot sing the praises of the cast enough. Led by Susan Egan, they truly have the characters come to life in this extremely underrated show. This is a Broadway recording not to be missed.

This is simply an amazing show! I see many shows and hear even more and this is one of the best that has been around in the past 5 years! This show had a suprisingly short run and should not have! All of the music is great so are the amazing talents in it! Susan Egen should have won the Best Actress tony. Betty Buckley has an amazing voice and sings one of (many) great songs in the show "Serenity". This is one of the first shows in years that I say has a cast in which everyone is wonderful! The song "Mr.Right" is great! F. Murray Abraham and Christopher Sieber are great along with Nancy Opel as Corine. BUY "TRIUMPH OF LOVE" as soon as you can!

Triumph of Love was a charming musical which, unfortunately, had to close earlier than it should have. By far the most brilliant performer in the show was Susan Egan, who possess one of the most beautiful singing voices in musical theatre. The other cast members, including Christopher Sieber, were brilliant, as well. The songs are all well-written, and enjoyable to hear. If you didn't see the show, then at least get the CD. It's definitely something you shouldn't miss out on!