Today we are revisiting the very best theatre-related items released in 2014 in honor of the holiday shopping season being upon us.
SIX BY SONDHEIM Available on DVD & Amazon Instant For many theatre enthusiasts, 2015 has been largely about the hotly anticipated release of the star-studded Disney feature film version of popular fairy tale musical INTO THE WOODS on December 25, especially for fans of Stephen Sondheim. Yet, both those new to his oeuvre and familiar fans will find a plethora of positives to proclaim about this simply spectacular HBO documentary directed by INTO THE WOODS and SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE Sondheim collaborator James Lapine - SIX BY SONDHEIM. The 6 sensational musical sequences contained within it alone are worth the price of purchase - including a performance cameo by the sage songwriter himself; not to mention Audra McDonald, Jeremy Jordan and Darren Criss - though the astute observations offered by Sondheim throughout the proceedings, utilizing fascinating vintage footage and some newly recorded material, make for a true treasure trove for those seeing further insight into the work of Broadway's most important living artist. If you ever wanted to introduce someone special in your life to the world of Stephen Sondheim, this is an ideal way to do so.
INTO THE WOODS Original Broadway Cast
700 SUNDAYS
HAVE FAITH by Mary Testa & Michael Starobin
HOLIDAY WISHES by Idina Menzel
CHRISTMAS IN NEW YORK by Renee Fleming
AMERICAN MUSICALS: The Complete Book & Lyrics Of 16 Broadway Classics, 1927 - 1969
Available here The show titles themselves basically say it all: SHOW BOAT, AS THOUSANDS CHEER, PAL JOEY, OKLAHOMA!, ON THE TOWN, FINIAN'S RAINBOW, KISS ME, KATE, SOUTH PACIFIC, GUYS AND DOLLS, THE PAJAMA GAME, MY FAIR LADY, GYPSY, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CABARET and 1776. Yes, now is your opportunity to finally own the complete librettos for each and every one of these legendary mainstage musicals amassed all in one place for this scholarly new two-volume collection courtesy of the Library Of America. Whether introducing these essential texts to a new Broadway fan on your holiday list who may be curious about the history of musical theatre or adding these canonical texts to your own theatre book collection, the complete books and lyrics for these 16 Broadway classics undoubtedly belong on every Broadway baby's bookshelf - all 1600 well-preserved, glorious pages of them. Like many of the items on today's gift-giving guide, this is a present that keeps on giving perpetually - whether given to yourself or someone special on your list; or, maybe both.
JERSEY BOYS
ANNIE: 2014 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - Various Artists
COME BACK TO THE FIVE & DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN
ELAINE STRITCH: SHOOT ME
Happy holidays to your and yours - here's hoping 2015 has just as many marvelous theatre selections to relish and savor!
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