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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A CULT FAVORITE. GIVE A LISTEN, AND YOU'LL SEE WHY. . . . . . , May 9, 2007
"This wonderful cast album continues to mystify listeners as to why THE BAKER'S WIFE was a huge flop." (David Barbour, "The TheaterMania Guide to Musical Theater Recordings") Was it because of Joseph Stein's book? (He had, after all, received a Tony for FIDDLER ON THE ROOF four years earlier.) The musical score? (Stephen Schwartz already had GODSPELL, PIPPIN, and THE MAGIC SHOW under his belt.) Was it the choreography? Perhaps the director? Maybe the producer? ("Producer David Merrick was continually firing people during the troubled out-of-town previews, including the two stars, the director and choreographer, and multiple revisions turned a promising show into a mess that closed before even making it to Broadway." - Michael Dale, broadwayworld.com)
After its six-month pre-Broadway tour, THE BAKER'S WIFE finally "made like a Verdi heroine" and up and died in Washington. Shortly thereafter, composer Stephen Schwartz assembled the remaining cast to make this private recording. The baker in a " . . . small Provençal town, still surprisingly provincial in the mid-1930s . . . " is now played by Paul Sorvino, who had replaced Topol on the road. Patti LuPone played Geneviève, the baker's young wife, who is seduced by the village stud (Kurt Peterson) and leaves her husband for a torrid romance with her young Lothario. Teri Ralston, as the cafe proprietor's wife, beautifully established the show's mood with her opening song.
Although each of the singers is remarkable, it is Paul Sorvino who is the revelation here. Best-known as Det. Sgt. Philip "Phil" Cerreta in TVs LAW & ORDER (1991-1992) & the 1972 Drama Desk Award winner for THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, his ringing tenor carries the show. "His superb singing may take some fans by surprise, but he is brilliant in 'Merci, Madam,' 'Any-Day-Now-Day,' and the powerful lament 'If I Have to Live Alone.' Patti Lupone's powerful rendition of 'Meadowlark' became a cult event in itself, and Kurt Peterson is wickedly funny in 'Proud Lady.' I know many who think Teri Ralston's 'Chanson' is a jewel. " (John Kendrick, musicals101.com)
"When interest in stock and regional productions grew, as well as a London premiere, Schwartz and Stein took the opportunity to look at the show objectively and make changes without the pressures of being on the road to Broadway." (Michael Dale) Subsequent productions at the Paper Mill Playhouse (2005), the Windfall Theatre in Milwaukee, WI (2007), Seattle's Civic Light Opera (2007), and Philadelphia's Arden Theatre (2001), and others have met with both critical and popular success.
Very highly recommended. "No serious showtune collection is complete without this one. " - John Kendrick
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, Sad and Melancholy, November 18, 2005
I purchased this album years ago because I was chasing every musical that Patti LuPone was a member of; there's something about her voice.
I was surprised at the quality of the recording too. I'd warn anyone purchasing this, the recording is not in stereo and almost sounds tinny in places but I grew to love this sound because I listened to the music beneath it.
Traditional French town, a nice traditional story, what better than to have the music sound almost as if it's been lifted out of the period over a stronger version of a grammophone?
I like all the songs and it's difficult to choose my most loved one. Chanson speaks so much about life but the song I'd have to choose as my favourite: the melancholy "If I have to live alone". I find it so sad and it reminds me of how it feels to be alone and lonely; and listening to it, I want to help the baker too.
In all, it's a good CD, just judge it for what it is!
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
All we need is Meadowlark..., April 4, 2004
By A Customer
"The Baker's Wife" should have been called "Meadowlark". The sublime song says everything the show says in about six minutes. Schwartz seems to either write songs woven with beautiful metaphors and complexity [Meadowlark] or sloppy, boring, shultzy 70's crap. This is indeed one of the Great pieces in 20th century music theatre; "Meadowlark" speaks volumes about the irrational pain and complexity of love, through the metaphor of a lark, trapped in a triangle of potential betrayal. In great theatrical tradition, the lark is killed - a blatant, but nevertheless telling example of the emotions love conjures. It is sung here by Patti LuPone, in fine belting form.
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