POSTED JULY 31, 2001
"Bells Are Ringing (2001 Revival Broadway Cast)"
Faith Prince
...available here.
Despite its presence in this year's Tony nominations, the bells
didn't exactly ring for the 2001 revival of Comden-Green and Styne's
funny but touching 1956 musical about a telephone operator. But the
party's not quite over, as the newly released revival cast recording
gives you a chance to listen to Faith Prince's take on the role made
famous by Judy Holliday.
"Bernstein: West Side Story Suite"
Joshua Bell
...available here.
For a new slant on a perennial favorite, try the "West Side Story
Suite" featuring world-class violinist Joshua Bell. His new release
includes a completely new symphonic suite that arranges the
Bernstein musical as a sort of mini violin concerto. Also here are
arrangements of music from "Candide" and "On the Town" and
Bernstein's "Serenade" (beating "Hedwig" to the punch by taking
Plato's "Symposium" as its inspiration).
"Dominic Chianese Hits"
Dominic Chianese
...available here.
Dominic Chianese is most familiar from his role on the hit HBO
series "The Sopranos." But with his own new "Hits" release, Chianese
proves the consummate charmer, adding emotional sincerity and
directness to this collection of traditional and original tunes.
"Playing It Cool"
Lea Delaria
...available here.
An entertainer of many faces--comedienne, actress, singer--Lea
DeLaria switches personae yet again on "Playing It Cool." It's a
witty, sophisticated collection, with nods to Judy Garland and
Billie Holiday, setting up a fascinating counterpoint to DeLaria's
recent (dual-role) appearance in the revival of "The Rocky Horror
Show."
"Dreamsville"
Stacey Kent
...available here.
Stacey Kent became a darling of NPR with last year's album, "Let
Yourself Go," and she continues to hold her own at the top of
London's jazz vocal scene with this latest collection. "Dreamsville"
offers up a tantalizing program of ballads showcasing Kent's relaxed
but seductive style.
HOT NEW/UPCOMING RELEASES
Here are some more titles for Broadway fans to consider during the
dog days of summer:
"Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"
...available here.
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch"
...available here.
"Urinetown"
...available here.
"Breakfast at Tiffany's"
...available here.
WORD FOR WORD
Interview with Engelbert Humperdinck
"Sometimes you do different little inflections here, there, and
everywhere to change it for yourself. But the audiences don't want
you to change it. I keep it fresh because I have a great sense of
humor as well. I never take my image seriously, and I pass my sense
of humor on to the audience and they like it." --Engelbert
Humperdinck discussing his career longevity in the context of his
recent album, "It's All in the Game"
Read the entire Amazon.com interview
...available here.
NOW ON DVD: "PORGY AND BESS"
"The Gershwins' Porgy & Bess / Rattle, White, Haymon, Glyndebourne
Opera"
Trevor Nunn
...available here.
Trevor Nunn's acclaimed production of the beloved but complex
masterpiece by Gershwin is now available on DVD. This version of
"Porgy and Bess" features conductor Simon Rattle, with Willard White
as Porgy, Cynthia Haymon as Bess, and Damon Evans in the role of
Sporting Life.