Seems kind of unnecessary (the Off-Broadway recording is perfect, minimal changes have been made & most of the principle cast is the same), but I'm all for it! Another recording of an amazing show.
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
What changes have been made? The only ones I noticed Wednesday night were "Al for Short" being replaced with dialog & a few sung lines and "Maps" getting a revised half-verse.
My avatar = A screencap from Avatar, arguably the greatest animated show of all
Personal preferences aside, Emily Skeggs would now have her voice as Medium Alison instead of Alexandra Socha in the off-broadway album. For a show that's made it to broadway, I think that in itself is a reason for a new album.
I'm not surprised since PSClassics did the same thing with Grey Gardens. Hopefully they're just recording a few new tracks and not an entirely new album. That money would be better spent marketing this thing.
I doubt a Grammy is even on their radar. That will likely go to the Finding Neverland concept album given the voters usual favoritism toward names they recognize outside of the Broadway community.
Do concept albums count as cast albums by Grammy rules?
Hrmm--I kinda the that this means losing Al For Short (though I'll have both CDs so I guess I don't care.) Maybe it could be included as a bonus--it's short and pretty self contained.
I remember when I bought the Grey Gardens Broadway cast album they sent along a copy of the Off-Broadway cast album as well. I think it was an additional five dollars for both.
The only musical I can think of that's done this sort of thing where they record the new stuff is Grey Gardens, but those two albums have very different things and the new album made sense for posterity. From what I've heard, not much is different from the original production, but I guess they might as well get theirs while they can. Now I just want a recording of The Visit!
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
"And Doctor Zhivago. I love Fun Home but if they get two cast albums and The Visit and Doctor Zhivago go unrecorded I'll be a little disappointed. "
I don't think there's a possibility of The Visit not being recorded. Between K&E and Chita, it's a sure thing. It's just a matter of when and who's recording it
Someone still has to pay, and given the grosses I wonder if they would use money budgeted for a recording to keep the show open (if that's even a thing). Personally, I always think it's better to spend the money on a recording because the recording will keep the show alive in future, not an extra couple of weeks on Broadway.
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
The Visit will in all likelihood be Kander & Ebb's final new Broadway show since from what I've heard (the demo), All About Us AKA The Skin of Our Teeth is not very good. I can't imagine them not recording it. I'm less worried about them recording Dr. Zhivago and It Shoulda Been You!
"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."
I have the demo for The Skin of Our Teeth and I think it's really great. Rain is a favorite. I can't remember who, but someone told me the current problem with the show is that Thornton Wilder's nephew pulled the rights for the musical.
Yep that was confirmed in the old K&E thread on this page I like it--I think I like it more musically than Visit, actually. Though Skin of Our Teeth is a damn unruly play (often brilliant but its message is also somewhat dated.)
It also requires a very talented director and actors for the play to even begin to make sense. I would (respectfully) disagree with you about its message being dated, though. I think it's a testament to the will of the human spirit. One of my favorite plays, though every production I've seen of it has been a serious mess.
Haven't seen the FUN HOME updates yet, but I was hoping for a new version of EDGES OF THE WORLD... and I don't really think the new artwork is that much better than the old artwork...
... and for the record I'm a FUN HOME super fan... can't wait to see it on Broadway, so these comments are coming from a place of love.