Customer Reviews

Woman Of The Year (1981 Original Broadway Cast)

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"Woman of the Year" has long been an overlooked gem in the great Kander and Ebb cannon. Not as flashy as "Cabaret" nor with the grit of "Kiss of Spider Woman" or "Chicago", indeed it is probably one of their most atypical scores. Despite her obvious vocal limitations, Lauren Bacall proves once again (as she did in "Applause") that the acting of the song is so much more crucial to its presentation than a pretty voice, particularly in the rousing title song, and the plaintive "I Wrote the Book". The supporting cast lends fine backup support in such cuts as "It Isn't Working" and "Happy in the Morning". And of course, probably the most familiar of the songs, "The Grass Is Always Greener" is always a joy to listen to...indeed it becomes, along with "The Apple Doesn't Fall" from "The Rink", a sort of Kander and Ebb calling card. This Kander and Ebb score, along with lesser known works such as "The Act" and "The Happy Time", deserves to be rediscovered by a new generation of musical theatre lovers,in the same way that "Chicago" and "Cabaret" enjoyed recent second lives.

"Woman Of The Year" is a Great musical play based on the Katherine Hepburn Spencer Tracy comedy MGM movie of the same name, "Woman Of The Year".The story of "Tess Harding" a powerful career woman who meets and marries "Sam Craig" a powerful career man and the problems with them both having careers with her career more public than his.She becomes the "Woman Of The Year".She's a person who just about everyone in the world knows and she knows just about everyone in the world by 1st name.The movie was adapted for the stage and set to music by Kander and Ebb.The show opened on Broadway in 1981 with Lauren Bacall originating the role on stage.Raquel Welch and Debbie Reyonlds also played the role on Broadway.The show ran more than 770 performances on Broadway and won many Tony Awards like for Best Musical,Best Actress and Best Featured Actress etc. Barbara Eden played the role of "Tess Harding" in the national touring production of the musical play "Woman Of The Year" in 1984.The CD is Great."Woman Of The Year" is a Great musical and has Great songs."Woman Of The Year" is one of the Best musical plays of all time and this CD is also one of the Best.If you Love Theatre especially Musicals and plays then you will Love "Woman Of The Year".

Magnificent. The thrill of the captured performance of Lauren Bacall with the magical words and music of Kander and Ebb make this totally unforgettable. I love this CD and own almost every theater cd every made. Those who also loved Bacall in APPLAUSE, take note, this is a superior score (by far) and Bacall's performance is extraordinary. If you have been waiting for APPLAUSE on CD, get WOMAN OF THE YEAR. You'll be thankful and discover a new world of joy.

"Woman Of The Year", the 1981 musical, based on the classic Katherine Hepburn/Spencer Tracey comedy, brought Lauren Bacall back to Broadway. Ms. Bacall's voice is not stellar, but her presence is captivating & works well with the terrfic Kander & Ebb ("Chicago", "Cabaret", "The Rink", Kiss Of The Spider Woman") score.

Unfortunately, this show lost Tony's top prize to "42nd Street" & has largely been forgotten. Hopefully, it will return as a revival on The Great White Way sometime soon.

Best Tracks:

Woman Of The Year
One Of The Boys (my personal favorite)
I Wrote The Book
The Grass Is Always Greener (great duet & show's most memorable song)

I lost my Lauren Bacall album from Woman of the Year almost a decade ago....!!!! I have been trying everywhere to find it - New York - New Jersey - even in CA... With no luck.. Just the other day, I found an old Brenda K. Starr CD on Amazon.com and it clicked - why not try to find this.... And to my amazement - it was here! Thank you Amazon!!! I just placed my order with priority overnight shipment - I can't wait to sing along with Lauren.... I can still hear her singing those great songs - especially "One of the Boys," "Woman of the Year," and "The Grass is Always Greener."..... This will be like reliving my early 20's..... I can't wait....

I was lucky enough to see the Original Musical on Broadway with Lauren Bacall
I urge every broadway fan to get this cd for your listen enjorment