Only just started listening, but it sounds even better than in the theatre! Such a gorgeously produced album, the voices and orchestra all sound so pristine. Also, since we've already had praise for Laura and Victoria, I gotta say Santino sounds fantastic on here, too. Great job with this one!
Words don't deserve that kind of malarkey. They're innocent, neutral, precise, standing for this, describing that, meaning the other, so if you look after them you can build bridges across incomprehension and chaos. But when they get their corners knocked off, they're no good anymore…I don't think writers are sacred, but words are. They deserve respect. If you get the right ones in the right order, you can nudge the world a little.
This just makes me love this show and score even more. Santino also sounds great, and I never thought much of his voice! The orchestrations are Tony worthy.
Does anyone have any "insider" scoop on where all the additional music came from (i.e., Prologue, Me, Who Am I?, etc...)
I think the obvious response is that it was discarded material from the original score, but what I really want to know is stuff like:
* Who is responsible for "finding" it and restoring it to this version?
* Are the vocal arrangements for the new material original, or did someone else write them?
* How did they get permission from R&H estate to make such drastic changes to this score? (Honestly, I barely recognize it from what I grew up on!)
From the rumors I've read and heard about the R&H estate, I can't for the life of me imagine how this version of Cinderella ever got permission to be produced.
I'm so intensely curious because this new version is completely messin' with a very beloved, childhood introduction to musical theater from my life. I know that because of DVD, I can always choose the version I love, but maybe a little knowledge will open my eyes to something more to appreciate.
@John Adams, I don't know the answer to all your questions, but I'm pretty sure that the R&H Organization was pretty heavily involved with this production, I know they definitely played a large part in casting.
The impetus for this production actually came from the R&H estate. Ted Chapin, who heads the R&H organization, approached the producer of this production to ask her to put an updated version of Cinderella together. The R&H people were involved every step of the way, including the selection of DCB to write a new book and working with him to select R&H trunk songs to include. Ted Chapin has said that he is thrilled with this show.
The great news Clyde, is that they are all to be produced by Ghostlight Records, the same company that did the Carrie album. Excited for Cinderella as well. :)
>> "The impetus for this production actually came from the R&H estate."
--and--
"I'm pretty sure that the R&H Organization was pretty heavily involved with this production"
I had gotten the impression that the R&H (or 'R+H") organization was very protective of their properties, so it would make complete sense to me that they would be closely hovering over this production of Cinderella.
I'd not considered that the impetus for a new version would come from them, but (of course) that completely explains a lot about how this new version was approved.
I wish they'd kept the old version, though and had just expanded that score. I really miss Cinderella's father, the King:
King: "Don't forget the marshmallows!" Queen: "Who wants marshmallows?" King: "I do." Queen: "Why?" King: "For toasting!"
--and--
King: "I want the wine of my country, I WANT the wine of my country, I WANT THE WINE OF MY COUNTRY! The wine of my country is... BEER."
Why replace that kind of humor with a villainous prime minister? Can't Cinderella just triumph over her wicked step-family? Does she have to be competitive on a Disney princess level and save an entire kingdom from political ruin?
Can we all take a moment to admire Victoria Clark some more?
Everyday.
I find Osnes in the released samples more Leslie Ann Warren than Julie Andrews; but I suppose Andrews is unique.
John, you heard right. The R&H Organization (I don't get the R+H joke) has always kept tight control on their properties, both those written by R&H and other works (such as ANNIE, GET YOUR GUN) that the pair produced. Unless something has changed, the Library reserves casting approval on all major productions (Broadway and tours) in addition to right of approval of any changes.
Do you think they will be delayed until they can include "Winner of X Tony Awards?" Or maybe just the physical release would be delayed and the digital release would be the same.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
I didn't really think it would affect the digital releases, especially since they're so much earlier than the physical release. It's not like people really buy CDs anymore. Probably just at the theatre.
"Pardon my prior Mcfee slip. I know how to spell her name. I just don't know how to type it." -Talulah
Since posting this, I have listened to a handful of songs a few times over. Pardon my French, but this score is ****ing magical, and the album captures that magic flawlessly. The score is treated with an immense amount of respect. These orchestrations are to die for. I am so in love with this recording.