She Loves Me: The New Broadway Cast Recording (1993 Revival) [CAST RECORDING]

Diane Fratantoni, Brad Kane, Jonathan Freeman, Sally Mayes, Sheldon Harnick, She Loves Me (Related Recordings), Jerry Bock, Boyd Gaines

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 23, 1993)
• Original Release Date: November 23, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B0000014U0
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,189 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #32 in

  Music > Broadway & Vocalists > Musicals > Revivals

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Anyone who doubts the influence and enduring appeal of cast recordings should take note of She Loves Me, an intimate, romantic, and totally charming show by the team of Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (Fiddler on the Roof) that had a short Broadway run in 1963. The show was kept alive by a legendary and unprecedented two-LP original cast album that spurred numerous regional productions and, 30 years after the original run, this Broadway revival at the Roundabout Theatre. The sweet story (based on the same Hungarian play that inspired the films The Shop Around the Corner, In the Good Old Summertime and You've Got Mail) focuses on two perfume shop coworkers (played by Boyd Gaines, who won a Tony for the role, and Diane Fratantoni) who can't stand each other, unaware they are romantic pen pals. Heading the supporting cast is the always wonderful Sally Mayes, who received a Tony nomination for the role of Ilona, even if she can't match the ditzy defenselessness of Barbara Baxley in the 1963 cast. In fact, it's almost an impossible task for any cast to match the original, but give this revival credit for giving She Loves Me new life where it belongs--on the stage. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Charming...Romantic...a perfect recording., June 14, 2001

By	Rusty Kransky "Rusty Kransky" (Greenport, NY United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAIZING!, April 20, 2000

By A Customer

SHE LOVES ME IS A FANTASTIC CD. ANYONE WHO ENJOYS MUSICAL WILL LOVE THIS CD. THE VOICES ARE MARVELOUS. I CAN'T STOP LISTENING TO IT! IN FACT, AT THIS VERY MOMENT I'M LISTENING TO IT! I AM A SINGER AND I AM FAMILIAR WITH BASICALLY EVERY MUSICAL EVER MADE AND THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jonathan Freeman shines in "She Loves Me", April 8, 2000

By	Jason Frazier (TX) - See all my reviews

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!