You Never Know (2001 Studio Cast) [CAST RECORDING]

Cole Porter, Harry Groener, Donna McKechnie, David Garrison, Kristin Chenoweth

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 3, 2001)
• Original Release Date: April 3, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Cast Recording
• Label: Varese Sarabande
• ASIN: B00005B178
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #40,563 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A madcap farce of pre-Depression dandies and mistaken identities, Cole Porter's 1929 musical You Never Know receives its world premiere recording based on a successful 1991 revival at the Pasadena Playhouse. This delightfully old-fashioned show is presented as a European-style chamber musical, with a small orchestra and only six players, anchored by Kristin Chenoweth (always so perfect in period roles), Harry Groener (Crazy for You), David Garrison, and Donna McKechnie (A Chorus Line). Fans of Porter song collections will recognize "Ridin' High" and "Let's Misbehave" (both borrowed for this production, in Porter tradition) and "At Long Last Love"; "What Shall I Do" is a Chenoweth charmer; and "From Alpha to Omega" will give you an overwhelming urge to dance the Charleston. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, Cole Porter., December 6, 2004

By	Randie Fox-Jackson (Levittown, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

"A Cole Porter show I've not heard of?" I wondered aloud. "And Kristin Chenoweth? Well, I must buy it."

I was certainly not disappointed. As an avid fan of Cole Porter, I must confess that I bought this album because of Kristin Chenoweth. But I can't live without it for many reasons. From start to finish, it is filled with some of the most beautiful Porter songs. I was almost ashamed to admit that I really prefer this version of "Let's Misbehave" over the version on the my beloved 1962 Off-Broadway revival cast recording of Anything Goes.

That's not the only song here that I consider perfection. "I'm Going in For Love" is beautiful and Kristin Chenoweth's vocals are breathtaking. "From Alpha to Omega" is catchy as heck, and my personal favorite - "I Happen to Be in Love" is musically and lyrically outstanding (and the vocals are superb).

Cole Porter called this his worst show, but I couldn't disagree more. I never saw it, but I'm in love with this recording. Really, with Cole Porter music and lyrics and performances from legends like Donna McKechnie (eee!) and Harry Groener and brilliant gems like David Garrison and Kristin Chenoweth, how can you lose?

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great show, great cast!, June 2, 2001

By	"annetam23" (Pawtucket, Rhode Island United States) - See all my reviews

You Never Know is one of Cole Porter's many hidden gems, and this cast has certainly done justice to it! Kristin Chenoweth shines as always, and David Garrison (whom I had only heard before on Yeston's Titanic) is surprisingly better than I had expected. Also in the cast, whom I hadn't heard since her showstopping performance in the original cast of A Chorus Line is the diva herself Donna McKechnie! An all-star cast if you ask me. While all the songs on this CD are spectacular, my personal favorites are "You Never Know," "From Alpha to Omega," and "Let's Misbehave." At times funny, at times touching, You Never Know is right up there with Kiss Me, Kate, Anything Goes, and High Society. It hasn't left my CD player, it won't leave yours!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Paraphrasing Cole Porter "Its the Top", February 26, 2003

By	loesser "lbw22" (colonia, nj United States) - See all my reviews

This is a Porter show that I was not familiar with until my local playhouse put on a production last year and I was delighted. I was not so delighted to find that this show was not recorded. Now, not only do I find it recorded, but recorded beautifully. A small but near perfect cast captures every sophesticated line and sly rhyme. This may not be Kiss ME Kate or Anything Goes but it belongs in every Porter fan's library.