"A Little Night Music" and "Merrily We Roll Along" Backers?

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 10:09pm

Were there Backer auditions recorded? I believe they hit the public, but I'm not sure. If so, does anyone have one?

[COOOOLkid]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 10:27pm

Yes to both shows.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 10:28pm

That's what I thought. Now, does anyone have these?

Updated On: 1/5/08 at 10:28 PM

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 11:09pm

I'm also curious, when are the Backers Auditions. In terms of the process of creating and mounting the show, I mean.

[jv92]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 11:40pm

I think the recording of "The Glamorous Life" on Sondheim Sings Volume I is from the backer's audition. I also think the recording of "It's a Hit" on the remastered Merrily OBC is from the backer's audition too. Remember with Night Music, Hal lost so much money on Follies that he had to hold his first backer's audition since Pajama Game! (I think) Besides the fact that some of his backers were getting old and passing on, people were affraid that he'd lose that much money again.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/5/08 at 11:44pm

Those two songs are available, but I am pretty sure both recordings have hit the public. Does anyone have it?

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 1/6/08 at 2:13am

Sorry - I can't really help the thread, but I just picked up "A Little Night Music" and I'm looking forward to listening to it. I really love "Silly People" - a cut song from the show that ended up on someone's solo disc that I heard it.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/6/08 at 2:23am

"Silly People" is a great song, and it's a shame it was cut.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 1/6/08 at 2:25am

I love the Sweeney backer's audition. I would love to hear the one for Night Music, it's in my top ten of favorite shows.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 1/6/08 at 7:51pm

I adore the Sweeney Backer's Audition too. So, does anyone have these?

[jv92]

Posted: 1/6/08 at 8:11pm

I too am interested in these various backer tapes (Sweeney too). If anyone can help the various individuals interested, I'm sure it'd be appreciated. I know I would appreciate it.

[nobodyhome]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 6:18am

I believe the Sweeney audio to which you're referring (and probably the Night Music too) is not actually a backers' audition, but a presentation for people who already were backers (and friends and associates of Sondheim and Prince).

[Jon]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 1:55pm

"Silly People" was performed George Lee Andrews at the first Sondheim Tribute Concert - the infamous "Scrabble" album.

The concert was performed on the set Night Music on an "off" night.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 1/9/08 at 2:25pm

"Silly People" is also on Philip Chaffin's album "Warm Spring Night" (availible on iTunes).

And yes, the title comes from the "King David" song. He seems to have a yen for obscure musical numbers (He also has a song from "My Life with Albertine").

P.S. Sondheim's version of "Worst Pies In London" is one of my absolute favorites.

[Mr. Nowack]

Posted: 4/19/15 at 10:16pm

Did anyone ever get ahold of the MERRILY one?

You know where to find me.

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 4/19/15 at 11:00pm

Same here, I'd love to hear it.

 

edit: while we wait for the postive answer that must, please god, be coming, here's the backer's auditions for Sweeney Todd (197 and Company (1969)

Updated On: 4/19/15 at 11:00 PM

[1971FolliesFan]

Posted: 4/20/15 at 1:01pm

It's a shame that the Sweeney Todd backers tape isn't complete. It would be very interesting to hear the whole thing.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/20/15 at 2:03pm

the infamous "Scrabble" album

 

Why "infamous"? Did it do something wrong?

[Scripps2]

Posted: 4/20/15 at 2:34pm

Infamous in our household because it was so difficult to get hold of a copy (c. late 1970s).

I think my father missed a mortgage repayment when he got word of one being available.