Thanks for sharing. So excited for this recording. Sounds wonderful. Hilty and York sound sensational. And does York's voice get better and better with age? Sounds better than ever.
"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
Is anyone who saw the ENCORES production let down by the samples of Megan Hilty?
I didn't see it and I ask only because I'm a bit disappointed after all the raving here. I'm wondering if the recording seems representative of the evening. (Not that Hilty is bad by any means; but I've heard her sing better on SMASH.)
I didn't see the show either Gaveston, but based on what I heard in all of the video footage from the production, I see (well, hear) what you mean about Hilty in these audio snippets. Hilty sounds a bit more, subtle perhaps? Almost as if she toned her vocals down somewhat for the recording.
Nevertheless, this recording sounds divine. I can't wait to hear the whole thing! What a gem of a score.
Hilty also appears to be doing very odd dialect work here. The southern accent she used in the actual production is all but gone, but there are bizarre moments where it creeps back in too.
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter
I didn't realize that the ensemble never joins in on "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend." I know the men join in a little in the movie. I'm so used to the movie version and others I didn't realize that the stage version was different until now.
I'm listening right now and loving it. The full orchestra and singing ensemble are such gifts.
I think Hilty loses a little on the CD because so much of her humor on stage came from her facial expressions and Rando's direction, especially with DIAMONDS. Her voice alone is a bit too modern, I agree. It doesn't express Lorelei's personality as well as she did in performance. The rest of the cast is exquisite, though. They all sound so spot on and absolutely right for the period.
And may I just say, Aaron Lazar's voice makes me melt!
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter