The Boys From Syracuse (1997 Studio Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Davis Gaines, The Boys From Syracuse (Related Recordings), Encores (Concert Series), Malcolm Gets, Michael McGrath, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, Debbie Gravitte, Rebecca Luker

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 16, 1997)
• Original Release Date: September 16, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Drg
• ASIN: B000000PL8
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #105,737 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When musicals were musical, January 13, 2000

By	F. Behrens "Frank Behrens" (Keene, NH USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Of the three versions of <The Boys From Syracuse> that have appeared on CD, the one from DRG (94767) is by far the best. For years I had to be content with the 41-minute recording on EMI, which is very well done but finds itself lacking some 28 minutes of music available on the DRG set. A good deal of the extra material consists of reprises and the dance music for "Sing For Your Supper" and the Twins Ballet; but we also now have the Act I finale and "Big Brother." Another terrific advantage of his 1997 set is that it uses a restoration of the original orchestrations, a fact that gives it instant priority over any other set.

On top of all that, the performers are up to snuff and do full justice to a score that reminds us of a time when musicals had melodies (as I keep lamenting) and we left the theater whistling more than the scenery.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars beautiful new recording of the Rodgers and Hart smash-hit!, October 27, 2003

By	Byron Kolln (the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE is one of the more delighful offerings in the Rodgers and Hart canon. It features some of the most beloved songs ever written for the Broadway stage. This recording is from the acclaimed 1997 concert-reading from the Encores! series.

Rebecca Luker (THE SECRET GARDEN, THE MUSIC MAN), Davis Gaines (THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, SWEENEY TODD), Sarah Uriarte Berry, Julie Halston (GYPSY), Debbie Gravitte and Malcolm Gets, all superb Broadway talents, lead the strong cast.

The musical, based on Shakespeare's COMEDY OF ERRORS, originally opened on Broadway in 1938. This is the first time since then that the show has featured the original orchestrations, restored and played to perfection by the Coffee Club Orchestra, led by Rob Fisher.

Rebecca Luker dazzles and scintillates with "Falling in Love with Love"; Debbie Gravitte belts out "Oh, Diogenes" in her own grand style, whilst Davis Gaines and Sarah Uriarte Berry sing the ballad "This Can't Be Love" (later added to the film score of Rodgers and Hart's JUMBO). Luker, Gravitte and Berry also sing a dizzying rendition of "Sing For Your Supper", arguably one of the score's high-points.

This album is a must-own for fans of this gorgeous show and its candy-box score. Highly-recommended.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional recording of a classic musical comedy, August 5, 1998

By	A. Andersen (Bellows Falls, VT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is an exceptional recreation of the original sound of 1938 Broadway. Here are all the numbers plus the extended dance music and ballet. Performances are excellent, the sound is crisp, clear and fully present, and the original orchestrations, lovingly restored, are a revelation of brightness and bounce. I defy anyone to listen to this joyful recording and not start dancing around the room. This is great theater, great Broadway and great Rodgers and Hart - an exceptional achievement.