As a teen back in '63, I read about the show in reviews and theatre books. I'm sure it was an off-Broadway success in 1963-64, but I was never able to find the LP cast album at any of the Chicago area stores that carried recordings of Broadway shows. I finally got to hear the score when AEI records notified me they would be issuing it on CD. I was blown away by how good the songs were.
Since that time, I have mentioned the show to dozens of influential theatre people I know in both Chicago and New York. Shockingly very few have ever heard the score, and most of the people I spoke with either had little or no idea what I was talking about. The distribution of the original LP for some reason was very limited. The '95 CD release most likely had only a single pressing, and the guy who produced it was a very controversial person. I believe (although I may be wrong) he passed away shortly after its release.
I'm pretty sure I mentioned The Streets of New York to Jim Morgan decades ago. I believe he had heard of it, but my recollection is that he had never owned a recording of the score, although I may be mistaken about that also. Anyway, for some strange reason, this show just seems to have fallen through the cracks. However, I am not giving up. I have met Charlotte Moore a few times, and we have had some nice conversations. Unfortunately I never thought to bring up this show in any of our chats. Once of these days I will. |
