2009 Releases
Also See Upcoming Release Schedule
This page was updated 1/5/10

2018-19 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 |2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 |



December 29, 2009

Footprints on Broadway: My Journey to the Feet of the Stars
(AuthorPress - Paperback/Hardcover Book)
By David W. Shaffer. Personal memoir of "a journey to the feet of the stars." During his thirty-six years with Capezio Dance as Director of Theatrical Sales and Fittings, David Shaffer fit cast members for hundreds of Broadway Shows, National Tours, as well as Regional and Community Theatres. His clients included many of the greatest performers and "stars" in the world of entertainment. In his book, David relates his personal story while sharing anecdotes of his experiences fitting these wonderful talents for their dance shoes and custom footwear for their performances. 484 pages.

Glee, Vol. One: Road to Sectionals
(20th Century Fox - new on 4 DVDs)

First 13 episodes of TV series Glee which features Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz. Includes director's cut of the pilot episode, behind-the-scenes features, cast audition videos and music performances from the show.

The Princess and the Frog Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Nine songs by Randy Newman for 2009 animated film. "Dig a Little Deeper," "Down in New Orleans," "Down in New Orleans (Prologue)," "Friends on the Other Side," "Gonna Take You There," "Ma Belle Evangeline," "Never Knew I Needed," "When We're Human."

Striking 12 Vocal Selections
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Brendan Milburn/Valerie Vigoda/Rachel Shenkin score for adaptation of The Little Match Girl. 84 pages.


December 22, 2009

21 Guns
(new single)
Green Day song featuring the cast of the stage musical American Idiot. Available now at iTunes as a single bonus track (Track #163) in the giant Green Day Collection. To be available 12/29/09 in mp3 format at Amazon.

Next to Normal Vocal Selections
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Songs from Tom Kitt/Brian Yorkey score. 168 pages.

Nine
(Universal/Geffen Records - new on CD)
Soundtrack recording of 2009 film adaptation of Arthur Kopit/Maury Yeston musial. Daniel Day-Lewis, Penelope Cruz, Marion Cotillard, Nicole Kidman, Judi Dench, Sophia Loren, Kate Hudson. "Overture Delle Donne," "Guido's Song," "A Call From the Vatican," "Folies Bergere," "Be Italian," "My Husband Makes Movies," "Cinema Italiano," "Guarda La Luna," "Unusual Way," "Take It All," "I Can't Make This Movie," "Finale." Bonuses: "Quando Quando Quando" (Fergie), "Io Bacio, Tu Baci" (The Noisettes), "Cinema Italiano" (Ron Fair Remix performed by Kate Hudson), "Unusual Way" (Griffith Frank).

Outrageous Fortune: The Life and Times of the New American Play
(Theatre Development Fund - Paperback Book)
By Todd London and Ben Pesner with additional research by Zannie Giraud Voss. Uses surveys, interviews, panel discussions, and raw data to spark an honest conversation about the art and business of American playwriting. Available at TDF and The Drama Book Shop at 250 West 40th Street in New York City.


December 15, 2009

Million Dollar Quartet
(new on CD)
Chicago cast recording of Broadway-bound show. Eddie Clendening, Lance Guest, Levi Kreis, Robert Lyons, Kelly Lamont, Brian McCaskill, Billy Shaffer and Chuck Zayas. "Blue Suede Shoes," "Real Wild Child," "Matchbox," "Who Do You Love?," "Rock Island Line," "Fever," "Memories Are Made Of This," "That's All Right," "Brown Eyed Handsome Man," "Down By The Riverside," "Sixteen Tons / My Babe," "Long Tall Sally," "There Will Be Peace In The Valley For Me," "Ballad Of A Teenage Queen," "I Hear You Knocking," "Party," "Great Balls Of Fire," "My Baby Left Me," "Riders In The Sky," "See You Later, Alligator," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Available through www.milliondollarquartetlive.com/chicago/.

Vanities
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD/mp3)
Recording of Off-Broadway musical score by David Kirshenbaum. Lauren Kennedy, Sarah Stiles and Anneliese van der Pol. Produced by Joel Moss. Eight-piece led by music director Bryan Perri. Orchestrations by Lynne Shankel. "Setting Your Sights (Reflections)," "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing," "An Organized Life," "I Can't Imagine," "Setting Your Sights (City Limits)," "An Organized Life (1968)," "Fly Into The Future," "Cute Boys With Short Haircuts," "Let Life Happen," "Setting Your Sights (What You Wanted)," "The Same Old Music," "An Organized Life (1974)," "The Argument," "Friendship Isn't What It Used To Be," "Looking Good." CD available at Sh-K-Boom.com; mp3 format available at Amazon. CD store date 2/2/2010. Recorded August 21, 2009.


December 8, 2009

Glee: The Music, Vol. 2 Soundtrack
(Sony - new on CD)
Second collection of songs from the TV show. "Proud Mary," "Endless Love," "I'll Stand By You," "Don't Stand So Close To Me/Young Girl," "Crush," "(You're) Having My Baby," "Lean On Me," "Don't Make Me Over," "Imagine," "True Colors," "Jump," "Smile," "Smile," "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going," "Don't Rain On My Parade," "You Can't Always Get What You Want," "My Life Would Suck Without You.

Glory Days
(Ghostlight/Razor & Tie - new on CD)
OBC recording of Nick Blaemire score from musical that closed one day after opening on Broadway. Steven Booth, Andrew Call, Jesse JP Johnson and Adam Halpin. "My Three Best Friends," "Are You Ready?," "We've Got Girls," "Right Here," "Open Road," "Things Are Different," "Generation Apathy," "After All," "Good Old Glory Type Days," "The Thing About Andy," "Forget About It," "Other Human Beings," "My Turn," "Boys," "My Next Story." Jesse Vargas, arranger, orchestrator, and music director.

Johnny Mercer: This Time the Dream's On Me
(Warner/Turner - new on 2 DVDs)
New documentary marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Johnny Mercer, to air on Turner Classic Movies (along with four nights of films featuring his music) on November 4, 2009. To feature performances by and interviews with Tony Bennett, John Williams, Julie Andrews, Dr. John, Michael Feinstein, Blake Edwards, Jamie Cullum, Audra Mcdonald, Andre Previn And Stephen Holden. Produced by Clint Eastwood. Disc 2 will contain bonus material.

Judy Garland Show Collection
(Infinity - new on 4 DVDs)
TV series shows with Mickey Rooney, Bobby Darin/Bob Newhart and George Maharis. Plus "never-before-seen outtakes" (may be the same as earlier DVD releases).

Making War Horse
(National Theatre/Seventh Art - new on Region 2 DVD)
Oliver Award winning West End play based on the novel by Michael Morpurgo. Filmed by Phil Grabsky and David Bickerstaff, showing how the internationally renowned Handspring Puppet Company makes these animals come to life. Morpurgo gives candid insights into his inspiration for the production from his home in Devon, surrounded by the fields that he drew his creativity from. Shot entirely in HD. 119 minutes. Available now Amazon UK and on January 4 at Dress Circle

New York City Christmas
(Sh-K-Boom - new on CD)
Songs from the 2008 benefit concert for ASTEP. The event was conceived, produced and music directed by orchestrator Lynne Shankel. Holiday songs performed by Raul Esparza, Sierra Boggess, Chester Gregory II, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard, Lindsay Mendez, Constantine Maroulis, Orfeh, Tory Ross, Anya Singleton and Sally Wilfert. Second annual New York City Christmas concert to take place at Joe's Pub on December 14th at 9:30pm.

Rooms: A Rock Romance
(Time Life - new at iTunes)
Off-Broadway cast recording of Paul Scott Goodman and Miriam Gordon Score. Leslie Kritzer and Doug Kreeger. Recorded May 12. Store date for CDs in 2010.

Tale of Two Cities Vocal Selections
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Jill Santoriello score. 116 pages.


December 1, 2009

Donna Lynne Champlin: Old Friends
(new on CD and mp3)
Broadway veteran Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd, Hollywood Arms, By Jeeves sings songs by Jason Robert Brown, Jim Bauer, Megan Gogerty, Randy Newman, Ahrens & Flaherty, Michael John LaChiusa and more. "Hard Times Come Again No More," "Eiffel Tower" (The Blue Flower), "Smile," "Only Hope" (A Walk To Remember), "Cry" (Love Jerry), "County Fair" (Das Barbecu), "Once Upon a December" (Anastasia), "Where've You Been?," "I Cried For Us," "Still Hurting" (The Last Five Years), "When She Loved Me" (Toy Story II), "From God's Arms to My Arms to Yours," "When Eleanor Smiles" (First Lady Suite), "When The End Comes" (The Zero Club), "The Parting Glass." Available at Amazon, CD Baby, donnalynnechamplin.com/buycd.html and Footlight.

Ring Christmas Bells
(Mormon Tabernacle Choir - new on CD)
2008 holiday concert featuring Brian Stokes Mitchell and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Released 9/1/2009.

Ring Christmas Bells Live In Concert
(Mormon Tabernacle Choir - new on DVD)
2008 holiday concert filmed live. Features Brian Stokes Mitchell and Mormon Tabernacle Choir. 151 minutes. Released 9/1/2009.

Sister Act Vocal Selections
(Paperback Book)
Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score. "Prologue," "Take Me To Heaven," "Fabulous Baby! Here Within These Walls," "How I Got The Calling," "When I Find My Baby," "Do The Sacred Mass," "I Could Be That Guy," "Raise Your Voice," "Sunday Morning Fever," "Lady In The Long Black Dress," "Bless Our Show," "The Life I Never Led," "Sister Act," "Spread THe Love Around." Available at Dress Circle.

Someone Talked!
(Equilibrium - new on CD)
19 songs composed through 1945. Pulitzer-Prize-winning composer William Bolcom on piano, with vocals by mezzo-soprano Joan Morris and tenor Robert White. Includes The White Cliffs of Dover, G.I. Jive, Don't Sit Under The Apple Tree, Comin' In On a Wing And A Prayer, A Zoot Suit, Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition!, I'll Be Seeing You, This Is The Army, Mister Jones and more, plus 20 narrations by NPR's "Jazz Revisited" host, Hazen Schumacher. Writers represented include The Ellingtons, Irving Berlin, Johnny Mercer, Lew Brown, Frank Loesser, and Jule Styne and more. Available at Footlight and Equilibrium.

Thank Heaven: A Memoir
(Viking - Hardcover Book)
By Leslie Caron (An American in Paris, Gigi, Daddy Long Legs). From her childhood with her American mother and French father in occupied France to her early success as a young ballerina; to her meeting Gene Kelly and her years in Hollywood; to her love affairs and motherhood; to her alcoholism and depression; and finally her recovery and continuing success in film and television, Caron offers an illuminating account of her career. Filled with reminiscences of MGM at the end of its Golden Era, of the great stars with whom Caron worked, and of her own struggles as an actress. 288 pages.

The Wizard of Oz
(WHV - on 3 Blu-Ray discs)
Blu-Ray release without the collectables offered in the earlier package.


November 24, 2009

13
(Sh-K-Boom/Razor & Tie - new on 2 CDs)
New cast recording of Jason Robert Brown score to reflect changes made after the OBC recording was made. "13 / Becoming A Man," "The Lamest Place In The World," "Hey Kendra," "Get Me What I Need," "Opportunity," "What It Means To Be A Friend," "All Hail The Brain / Terminal Illness," "Getting Ready," "Any Minute," "Being A Geek," "Bad Bad News," "Tell Her," "It Can't Be True," "If That's What It Is," "A Little More Homework," "Brand New You," "13 (Single)", "A Little More Homework" (Single). Bonus tracks: "13 / Becoming A Man" (Karaoke), "The Lamest Place In The World" (Karaoke), "Get Me What I Need" (Karaoke key of C), "Get Me What I Need" (Karaoke key of E flat), "Opportunity" (Karaoke), "What It Means To Be A Friend" (Karaoke), "Being A Geek" (Karaoke key of G), "Being A Geek" (Karaoke key of B flat), "Tell Her" (Karaoke), "A Little More Homework" (Karaoke), "Brand New You" (Karaoke), "Here I Come" (cut original Broadway version), "Opportunity" (cut original Broadway version), "A Little More Homework" (Jason Robert Brown Demo), "Getting Over It" (Jason Robert Brown Demo).

Arts America —Enjoying the Best Art Museums, Theater, Classical Music, Opera, Jazz, Dance, and Film in America
(Huntington Press - Paperback Book)
By Jeffrey Compton. Inside arts scoop on the 20 best U.S cities for the fine and performance arts, as well as major arts festivals. New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington, Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Hartford/New Haven, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle. Practical details for hundreds of arts organizations across the country, including the websites, public transportation options, handicapped access, hours, and admission fees, as well as such cost-saving tips as free days, discounted performances, subscriptions and memberships, and half-price opportunities. Successful strategies for saving money and enjoying the arts at the same time. Where to find current arts information in all the Arts America cities. City-specific arts discounts. 544 pages.

Christmas in New York
(Speckulation Entertainment - new on CD)
Cast album of seasonal musical celebration presented at the Lyric Theatre in London. Available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

The Collaborative Habit
(Simon & Schuster - Hardcover Book)
By Twyla Tharp. The sequel to Tharp's national bestseller, The Creative Habit, explores the art of working with others.

To Connie...Love, Jenna
(new on CD)
Jenna Esposito tribute to Connie Francis, recorded live at NYC Metropolitan Room. "Vacation," "Stupid Cupid," "Father Knows Best (spoken)/Bandstand Boogie," "Who's Sorry Now," "Love At First Sight (spoken)," "My First Real Love," "Are You Satisfied," "Frankie," "Lipstick On Your Collar," "Viva Italia (spoken)/Al Di La," "Tango Della Gelosia," "Mama," "Fallin'," "Roundabout," "My Happiness," "Many Tears Ago," "Among My Souvenirs," "Ev'rybody's Somebody's Fool," "Where The Boys Are," "Playoff-Lipstick on Your Collar," Encore - "Send For My Baby." Available at CDBaby.

The Golden Age of Television
(Criterion - on 3 DVDs)
Live kinescope broadcasts of Marty, Patterns, No Time For Sergeants, A Wind From The South, Requiem For A Heavyweight, Bang The Drum Slowly, The Comedian, and Days Of Wine And Roses. Extras include commentaries by directors John Frankenheimer, Delbert Mann, Ralph Nelson, and Daniel Petrie Interviews with key cast and crew, including Frankenheimer, Andy Griffith, Julie Harris, Kim Hunter, Richard Kiley, Piper Laurie, Nancy Marchand, Jack Palance, Cliff Robertson, Mickey Rooney, Carol Serling, Rod Steiger, and Mel Torme; booklet featuring an essay by curator Ron Simon and his extensive liner notes on each program commentary tracks with directors John Frankenheimer, Delbert Mann, Ralph Nelson, and others, plus interviews with various cast and crew members.

I Dreamed A Dream: Susan Boyle
(Sony - new on CD)
Solo album for Britain's Got Talent contestant. To include "I Dreamed a Dream," "Memory," "Cry Me a River" and "You See."

Michael Ball - Past and Present - 25th Anniversary Tour
(Universal Pictures UK - new on Region 2 DVD)
Michael Ball Royal Albert Hall concert performance. Songs include "Gethsemane (Jesus Christ Superstar), "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" (Les Miserables), "Tell Me It's Not True" (Blood Brothers), "Love Changes Everything" and "You Can't Stop The Beat" (Hairspray) and some songs Michael has never performed in concert before, including "Mack the Knife," "The Impossible Dream" and "The Winner Takes It All." Special Features: Hairspray The Musical: The Final Night, Royal Albert Hall —Michael Looks Back Over 25 Memorable Years, Access All Areas: Behind The Scenes with Michael. Available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle

New York City Christmas
(Sh-K-Boom - new at iTunes)
Songs from the 2008 benefit concert for ASTEP. The event was conceived, produced and music directed by orchestrator Lynne Shankel. Holiday songs performed by Raul Esparza, Sierra Boggess, Chester Gregory II, Andy Karl, Tyler Maynard, Lindsay Mendez, Constantine Maroulis, Orfeh, Tory Ross, Anya Singleton and Sally Wilfert. CD pre-orders being taken at Sh-K-Boom for a December 8 store date. Second annual New York City Christmas concert to take place at Joe's Pub on December 14th at 9:30pm.

Princess and the Frog
(Disney - new on CD)
Soundtrack for 2009 animated musical feature includes Anika Noni Rose, Ne-Yo and Randy Newman. Played through a computer, the CD has bonus content: exclusive behind the scenes, links to various Disney and Princess and the Frog communities, videos, interviews and more.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Deluxe 2-Disc Set
(Disney - on 2 DVDs)
Restored classic 1937 animated musical feature. With extras. DVDs-only version from DVD/Blu-Ray set released October 6.

Too Close to the Sun
(new on CD)
Original London cast recording of the score for John Robinson/Roberto Trippini's musical about the last year in the life of Ernest Hemingway. Jame Graeme, Helen Dallimore, Christopher Howell, Tammy Joelle. Available for at Dress Circle.


November 17, 2009

Broadway Musicals of 1978
(Original Cast - new on CD)
2006 Town Hall concert. Songs from Working, Best Little Whorehouse, Ain't Misbehavin', On the Twentieth Century, Angel, Eubie!, Ballroom. Four unplugged numbers. Bryan Batt, Lari White, Christine Pedi, Nancy Opel, Mary Bond Davis, Carolee Carmello, Noah Racey, Chuck Cooper, Lennie Watts, Julie Garnye. Ross Patterson Little Bird Band. Director, Bryan Batt. Musical Director, Ross Patterson. Produced by Peter Pinne. Available at Footlight.

Broadway Musicals: John McGlinn on Broadway - Boxed Set
(new on 12 Import CDs)
The five complete recordings of famous Broadway musicals made under the direction of the American conductor and musical theatre archivist John McGlinn: Show Boat, Anything Goes, Annie Get Your Gun, Brigadoon, Kiss Me, Kate. Plus the Overtures album, and more extras. Cast members include Brent Barrett, Josephine Barstow, Kevin Colson, Kim Criswell, George Dvorsky, Davis Gaines, Jack Gilford, Cris Groenendaal, Jerry Hadley, Thomas Hampson, Bruce Hubbard, Jeanne Lehman, Michael Pearn, Teresa Stratas, Frederica Von Stade. Available directly from Dress Circle.

An Evening With John Barrowman
(Lace - Import DVD)
Filmed at Glasgow`s Royal Concert Hall on May 14th 2009 during a sell-out UK tour culminating in a full house at The Royal Albert Hall. Special Features: "Amazing Grace," Scottish Medley, Band Bows/Trouser Rip, Daniel Boys and Behind The Scenes. 86 minutes. Available for order at Amazon UK (and NTSC) and Dress Circle - please check format for compatibility.

Goldrich and Heisler - Songbook, Volume 2
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
12 more songs from the award-winning cabaret songwriters and performers: "Alto's Lament," "Amazing (What a Little Faith Can Do)," "Branches of God," "Compromise," "Gabriel's List," "I Always Try," "I Believe in You," "Los Pinguinos (presented in both male and female keys)," "The Things I Know of Love," "This Lonely Road," "A Thousand Stars," "True Believer."

My Life, In My Own Words, With My Own Mouth!
(new on 4 Audiobook CDs)
Kaye Ballard reads her own How I Lost 10 Pounds In 53 Years. Available at www.kayeballard.com/cdset.html.

Jane Powell in the Movies Paper Dolls
(Paper Studio Press - Paperback Book)
Illustrated by Marilyn Henry. Two pretty dolls and clothes from Jane's movie roles including Nancy Goes to Rio, A Date With Judy, Royal Wedding, Two Weeks with Love, and much more! Marilyn Henry worked personally with Jane Powell and her husband Dick Moore on this paper doll tribute.

Nine
(JAY Records - on 2 CDs)
1992 concert cast recording of Maury Yeston score, previously TER release. Jonathan Pryce, Ann Crumb, Anita Dobson, Meg Johnson, Liliane Montevecchi, Becky Norman, Ellen O'Grady, Elaine Paige, Sarah Payne, Nadia Strahan. Timothy Higgs conductor.

Shrek: The Musical (Highlights)
(Decca Broadway - new on CD)
From the Broadway cast: Overture / "Big Bright Beautiful World," "I Know It's Today," "What's Up, Duloc?," "Who I'd Be," "Morning Person," "I Think I Got You Beat," "Make a Move," "When Words Fail," "Freak Flag," "I'm a Believer" (newly-recorded bonus track). "I'm a Believer" single is available for download on iTunes and at Amazon as an mp3.

Wonderland: Alice's New Adventure
(new on CD)
Concept album for Frank Wildhorn/Jack Murphy/Gregory Boyd musical. Cast includes Jose Llana Karen Mason, Darren Ritchie, Nikki Snelson, Edward Staudenmayer. World premiere production playing 11/24/09-1/3/10 at Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Available at www.wonderlandthemusical.org.


November 10, 2009

The Best Plays Theater Yearbook 2007-2008
(Limelight - Hardcover Book)
Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, editor. This annual honors 10 new plays and musicals and three regional plays cited in the Harold and Mimi Steinberg New Play Awards and Citations competition. Includes a comprehensive collection of facts and figures about the year in United States theatre. The plays are: Adding Machine, August: Osage County, The Farnsworth Invention, Dividing the Estate, Eurydice, 100 Saints You Should Know, The Receptionist, Rock 'n' Roll, The Seafarer and Yellow Face. Special Citation: Peter and Jerry by Edward Albee.

Bing Crosby Through The Years; 1952
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
Includes the 26 commercial tracks recorded by Bing Crosby from May-Novembers of 1952. Two songs from Just For You, "On the 10:10 from Ten-Ten-Tennessee" and "Zing a Little Zong," nominated for a Best Song Academy Award. Duets with Peggy Lee: "The Moon Came up with a Great Idea Last Night," "The Merry-Go-Run-Around," "Little Jack Frost Get Lost" and "Watermelon Weather." Four other top 30 songs: "You Don't Know What Lonesome Is," "Open up Your Heart," "Keep It a Secret" and "Hush-A-Bye," from The Jazz Singer. Additional duets with Bob Hope, The Andrews Sisters, Connee Boswell and son Gary.

Captain Louie Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Stephen Schwartz musical.

A Celebration of Lerner & Loewe
(Sepia Records - new on 2 CDs)
Compilation album of Broadway, Hollywood and West End recordings of Brigadoon, Paint Your Wagon, My Fair Lady and Gigi. Jane Powell, Robert Merrill, Jan Peerce, Phil Harris, Maurice Chevalier, Tony Bavaar, Jeannie Carson and Edmund Hockridge. 1958 An Evening with Lerner and Loewe double album; pop recordings of Paint Your Wagon by Tony Bavaar; selections from Brigadoon and 1953 Ice Capades; Norrie Paramor's recording of instrumental and vocal selections from My Fair Lady, starring Patricia Clark, Michael Sammes and the Bill Shepherd Chorus; and Jeannie Carson's "I Could Have Danced All Night." 49 tracks.

Brent Barrett: Christmas Mornings
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
New album of holiday music. "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "White Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," "A Star To Guide Me," "Christmas Waltz/," "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year," "Lovers On Christmas Eve," "O Holy Night," "I'll Be Home For Christmas/A Place Called Home," "Christmas Mornings," "Christmas Time Is Here," "Silent Night," "The Christmas Song." Produced by Bruce Kimmel, with musical direction and arrangements by Christopher Denny, orchestrations by Larry Moore, and Brent Barrett co-producing. Also available for pre-order with early shipping directly from Kritzerland.com.

Dreamgirls/Grease/Footloose
(Paramount - on 3 DVDs)
Three musical films in one package.

Hair
(Ghostlight - double album on vinyl)
Broadway revival cast recording on vinyl. Limited edition with special collector's edition booklet. Available at Ghostlight and, beginning November 24, at the Hirschfeld Theatre.

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: Movies That Rocked 'N' Rolled
(Great Music Treasures - on DVD)
"From Blackboard Jungle launching a new wave of rock and roll movies, to the revolution in cinema created by A Hard Day's Night, to midnight movie madness kicked off by a sweet transvestite from Transylvania in "=Rocky Horror Picture Show, to the tween sensation High School Musical ... the entire history of rock and the movies."

Mamma Mia! The Movie - Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! More Gift Set
(Universal - new on 2 Blu-Ray or DVDs)
Gift set includes: 2-Disc Special Edition version of the film, which features the film plus bonus features sing-along, on-screen lyrics for 22 musical numbers; deleted musical number "The Name of the Game"; feature commentary with director Phyllida Lloyd; The Making of Mamma Mia! The Movie; anatomy of a musical number "Lay All Your Love on Me"; Becoming a Singer; behind the scenes with Amanda; On Location in Greece; A Look Inside Mamma Mia! The Movie; "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" music video; Bjorn Ulvaeus cameo; deleted scenes and outtakes; complete music CD soundtrack; exclusive 32-page collectible book.

Oliver!
(JAY Records - on CD)
Studio cast recording of Lionel Bart score. Julian Forsyth, Sheila Hancock, Stuart Kale, Will Kenning and Sally Ann Triplett. National Symphony Orchestra.

Once Upon a Time
(new on CD)
1972 original studio cast recording of Roger Webb/Norman Lewell pantomime score. Mike Sammes Singers, Peter Gayle, Tony Burrows. the showstopper "Make Your Own Rainbow," omitted in the original recording session. The song later went on to win The Danny Kaye Award at the UNICEF International Song Contest in 1988 with the version featured here performed by Tara McDonald. Available for at Dress Circle and Stage Door Records.

Rose Marie
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
Studio cast recording of Rose Marie starring Julie Andrews, Giorgio Tozzi and Francis Day, in stereo. Bonus tracks: from the 1925 original London production starring Edith Day and Derek Oldham; from the first motion picture talking version of 1936 Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy sing their version of the "Indian Love Call"; Marion Bell singing "Pretty Things" from 19402 Al Goodman and his Orchestra studio cast album; two tracks recorded in London, starring Elizabeth Larner and Andy Cole, "Totem Tom Tom" and the "Finale."

That Time of the Year
(JAY Records - new on 2 CDs)
Original Off-Broadway cast. 2006 York Theatre production. Concept and lyrics: Laurence Holzman and Felicia Needleman; Music: Sanford Marc Cohen, Nicholas Levin, Donald Oliver, Kyle Rosen, Brad Ross, Mark Wherry, and Wendy Wilf. Cast includes Bridget Beirne, Kerri Jill Garbis, Erin Maguire, Jonathan Rayson, Nick Verina.

White Horse Inn
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
1936 Broadway and London show, which never had a cast recording. Music by Ralph Benatsky, lyrics by Irving Ceasar. Includes restored portion of 1935 radio broadcast with the Broadway cast starring Kitty Carlisle, Robert Halliday, William Gaxton, William House, Mme. Reverelly, Albert Korff, Alfred Drake; British and German period recordings; seven German language vocals never before heard on CD; Max Hansen, the original Leopold, singing "Im weissen Rössl."


November 3, 2009

A Christmas Carol
(VCI - new on 2 Blu-Ray discs)
Order at CD Universe
Remastered 1951 film version of Charles Dickens holiday classic. Alastair Sim, Jack Warner, Kathleen Harrison, Hermione Baddeley. Standard Screen; Widescreen; Additional Footage. 86 minutes.

Clint Eastwood Presents: Johnny Mercer - The Dream's On Me (soundtrack)
(New Line - new on CD)
To go with TCM documentary celebrating 100 years birthday of Johnny Mercer. Performances from the film plus favorites performed by Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Jamie Cullum, Audra McDonald, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Bing Crosby, Tony Bennett & Bono, and many more. "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate The Positive," "Travelin Light," "That Old Black Magic," "Midnight Sun," "Something s Gotta Give," "I Had Myself A True Love," "I Wanna Be Around," "My Shining Hour," "Blues In The Night," "Laura," "Spring, Spring, Spring," "I m Old Fashioned," "Any Place I Hang My Hat Is Home," "This Time The Dream s On Me," "Dream," "I Thought About You," "Two Of A Kind," "Skylark," "That Old Black Magic (Live at Newport)"

The Dead
(Lions Gate - new on DVD)
1987 film based on James Joyce story (same source as the Broadway play James Joyces The Dead). Director John Huston's last film. Angelica Huston, Daniel McCann, and Dan O'Herlihy.

Eighty Is Not Enough: One Man's Journey Through American Entertainment
(Phoenix - Hardcover Book/Audio Book)
Dick Van Patten autobiography.

Five Course Love
(Ghostlight/Razor & Tie - new on CD)
Off-Broadway cast recording of Greg Coffin score. Heather Ayers, John Bolton, Jeff Gurner, Erin Maguire. "Curtain Speech," "Overture," "A Very Single Man," "Dean s Old-Fashioned All-American Down Home Bar-B-Que Texas Eats," "Jumpin The Gun," "I Loved You When I Thought Your Name Was Ken," "Morning Light," "If Nicky Knew," "Give Me This Night," "Nicky Knows," "Shelter-Lied," "No Is A Word I Don t Fear," "Der Bumsen-Kratzentanz," "Risk Love," "Gretchen s Lament," "The Ballad of Guillermo," "Come Be My Love," "Pick Me," "The Blue Flame," "True Love At The Star-Lite Tonight." Digipak packaging.

Free for All: Joe Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told
(Doubleday - Hardcover Book)
By Kenneth Turan and Joseph Papp. Oral history of the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Public Theater - two institutions that under the inspired leadership of Joseph Papp have been a premier source of revolutionary and enduring American theater. Turan interviewed some 160 luminaries-including George C. Scott, Meryl Streep, Mike Nichols, Kevin Kline, James Earl Jones, David Rabe, Jerry Stiller, Tommy Lee Jones, and Wallace Shawn. He weaves their voices into a rich tale of creativity, conflict, and achievement. At the center ... the larger-than-life figure of Joseph Papp reigns supreme.

Glee: The Music, Vol. 1 Soundtrack
(Columbia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
17 tracks performed during the first season of TV show Glee. Cast includes Lea Michele (Spring Awakening) and Matthew Morrison (The Light in the Piazza, Hairspray). "Don't Stop Believin'," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Gold Digger," "Take a Bow," "Bust Your Windows," "Taking Chances," "Alone," "Maybe This Time," "Somebody to Love," "Hate On Me," "No Air," "You Keep Me Hangin' On," "Keep Holding On," "Bust a Move," "Sweet Caroline," "Dancing with Myself," "Defying Gravity."

Gutenberg! The Musical!
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Off-Broadway cast recording of Scott Brown/Anthony King score. Christopher Fitzgerald and Jeremy Shamos. Recorded week of April 30.

I Am What I Am
(Michael O'Mara - Hardcover Book)
By John Barrowman with Carole E. Barrowman. Filled with juicy tidbits from behind the scenes of "Doctor Who" and Torchwood," alongside family anecdotes and personal revelations, including John's perspective on fame and how it has affected him. This memoir, a follow-up to his Anything Goes, gives fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with exclusive anecdotes from recent and ongoing projects.

John Abernathy: Live Out Loud!
(new on CD)
Cabaret performer CD recorded live at the Hi-Hat in Providence, RI. A portion of the proceeds from sale of this CD will be donated to AIDS Care Ocean State. Should be back in stock soon at CD Baby.

John Treacy Egan: On Christmas Morning
(new on CD)
Broadway actor (Bye Bye Birdie, The Little Mermaid, The Producers) brings favorite holiday tunes by composers Styne, Loesser and Torme, and modern composers like Carey, Foster and Menken. Vocal accompaniment by Erin Shields and Juan Jose Ibarra. Musical Direction and Arrangements David Shenton. Should be back in stock soon at CD Baby.

Little Shop of Horrors (Keepcase)
(Warner - on DVD)
1986 musica film featuring Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Vincent Gardenia, Steve Martin, Tichina Arnold. Score by Howard Ashman; and Alan Menken. Any changes other than packaging are unknown.

Marcy & Zina: The Album
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
From the songwriting/performing duo. "Make Your Own Party," "Fifteen Pounds," "Taylor, the Latte Boy," "Love Like Breathing," "Compromise," "Alto's Lament," "There's Nothing I Wouldn't do," "Gabriel's List," "Oh How I Loved You," "Los Pinguinos" (sung by Jill Abramovitz), "Baltimore," "Welcome the Rain" (sung by Scott Coulter), "The Last Song," "Menemsha Moon." 

Nine
(Sony Masterworks - on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Restored 1982 OBC recording. Maury Yeston score. Raul Julia, Karen Akers, Liliane Montevecchi, Shelley Burch and Anita Morris. packaged in an eco-friendly softpack, no new content.

Passion Play
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Sarah Ruhl dramatizes a community of players rehearsing their annual staging of the Easter Passion in three different eras: 1575 northern England, just before Queen Elizabeth outlaws the ritual; 1934 Oberammergua, Bavaria, as Hitler is rising to power; and Spearfish, South Dakota, from the time of Vietnam through Reagan's presidency. In each period, the players grapple in different ways with the transformative nature of art, and politics are never far in the background, as Queen Elizabeth, Hitler, and Reagan each appear, played by a single commanding actor. Named one of the Ten Best Plays of 2008 by The New Yorker.

Power of Two: Cheyenne Jackson and Michael Feinstein
(Harbinger Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Based on Feinstein's at the Regency show. "The Power of Two," "The Time Has Come," "We Kiss in a Shadow," "So In Love," "Old Friend," "Old Devil Moon" "I Get Along Without You Very Well"/"Don't Get Around Much Anymore," "If I Can Dream. Produced by Feinstein and Jackson. John Oddo on piano; Tony Kadleck on trumpet and flugelhorn; David Mann on tenor sax, flute and clarinet; David Finck on acoustic and electric bass; Bob Mann on guitar; David Ratajczak on drums and percussion. Special musical arrangements by John Oddo.

Remember How I Love You: Love Letters from an Extraordinary Marriage
(Touchstone - Hardcover Book)
Jerry Orbach's widow, Elaine, shares their 25-year love story and provides a look into the heart and mind of a beloved actor and New Yorker. By Jerry Orbach and Elaine Orbach. Foreword by Sam Waterston. With Ken Bloom

Rasputin - The Magic Reality Show
(new on CD)
Michael Bitterman & Dennis Drogseth musical takes a satirical approach to how history is written in this carnival-like attempt to get at the "truth" behind Rasputin's story. Available at CD Baby.

Sinatra New York: Boxed Set
(Rhino - on 4 CDs/1 DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Live concerts recorded at Manhattan Center (1955); The United Nations (1963); Carnegie Hall (04/08/1974); Madison Square Garden (10/12/1974); Carnegie Hall (05/1984); and Radio City Music Hall (1990), plus a DVD of his 1980 Carnegie Hall performance.

The Sound of Music 50th Anniversary Edition
(Sony Masterworks - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
OBC recording. New liner notes, archival photo displays, rare bonus tracks: Rare early recording of the original Trapp Family Singers; "From Switzerland: The Prat Family"; 1962 spoof of "The Sound of Music", performed by Julie Andrews and Carol Burnett (from live 1962 recording Julie and Carol at Carnegie Hall ); "Edelweiss" (in German) —Michael Kraus, from the live 2005 Vienna Volksoper recording of the first Austrian production of The Sound of Music; "Sök dig till bergen" ("Climb Ev'ry Mountain," in Swedish) —Tommy Körberg, from 1995 Swedish recording.

Theatremonkey: A Guide to London's West End
(Red Squirrel Publishing - Paperback Book)
By Steve Rich, based on the popular Theatremonkey.com website on London's West End. Color-coded seating plans of over 50 West End venues that highlight seats offering the best value, and those with problems or restricted views. Practical tips for saving money on a theatre visit. Comprehensive venue information including booking details, theatre history and facilities for disabled. 160 pages. Available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

Theatre World Volume 65: 2008-2009
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
Annual volume by Ben Hodges (Editor). Highlights Billy Elliot and 9 to 5, Jane Fonda in 33 Variations, Geoffrey Rush's Broadway debut in Exit the King with Susan Sarandon, Horton Foote's Dividing the Estate Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons in Impressionism, and revivals including The Seagull and Equus. Rock of Ages and four-time Tony Award winner Tovah Feldshuh in Irena's Vow. Regional includes A Civil War Christmas at the Long Wharf Theater in New Haven and Minsky's at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles.

Theatreland
(Digital Classics - Region 2 DVD)
Follows the Theatre Royal Haymarket's daily life from the front of house team dealing with the public, to the production teams backstage working to get a new production up and running, along with all the dramas, disasters and tantrums that can erupt behind the velvet curtain. Filming coincides with the arrival of new artistic director, Sean Mathias, and includes his first production, Waiting for Godot with Sir Ian McKellen, Simon Callow and Patrick Stewart, as well as preparations for the first-ever theatric adaptation of Truman Capote's Breakfast at Tiffany's starring Anna Friel. Region 2. Available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

We'll Meet Again: Very Best of Vera Lynn
(Decca UK - new on import CD)
Order at CD Universe
UK 20-track CD album - to celebrate seventy years after the end of World War II, the very best of Dame Vera Lynn. Twenty tracks. including "We'll Meet Again," "[There'll Be Blue Birds Over] The White Cliffs Of Dover" and "As Time Goes By." Delayed from 9/28/09. Also available directly from Amazon UK.

White Christmas 55th Anniversary Edition
(Paramount - on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
Classic holiday 1954 film featuring Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney with music by Irving Berlin. New bonus features: Bing Crosby: Christmas Crooner, Crosby's family members offer personal memories of the film and their Yuletide connection, and film historians sharing rare stories about Crosby and White Christmas and a visit to Crosby's hometown of Spokane, Washington; Danny Kaye: Joy to the World, sheds light on the multi-talented actor; Rosemary's Old Kentucky Home tour of Rosemary Clooney's home in Augusta, Kentucky, which has become a historical landmark; backstage stories from White Christmas; Irving Berlin's White Christmas feature sheds light on the genesis and enduring popularity of the best-selling single in American history; White Christmas: From Page to Stage the Broadway musical. Also includes previously released bonus material.

Will Ferrell: You're Welcome, America. A Final Night with George W. Bush
(HBO Films - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Cort Theatre show featuring Will Ferrell taking a "sentimental journey through the life, legend, and legacy of the 43rd U.S President, portraying George W. Bush."


October 26, 2009

The American Theatre Wing Presents: The Play That Changed My Life: America's Foremost Playwrights on the Plays That Influenced Them
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Twenty of today's greatest playwrights contribute to this book about the transformative power of theatre. Tony Kushner, Christopher Durang, Suzan-Lori Parks, Edward Albee, Marsha Norman, Horton Foote, David Henry Hwang, Adam Rapp, and more. Ben Hodges, editor. Foreword by Paula Vogel.

Barbara Stanwyck Show, Vol. 1
(Koch - new on 3 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
15 episodes from the star's 1960 TV series, including the unaired pilot, with guests such as Julie London, Ralph Bellamy, Milton Berle, Lee Marvin, Vic Morrow, Michael Rennie, Robert Strauss, Anna May Wong, and more. Bonuses include Stanwyck's 1961 Emmy acceptance speech for "Best Actress in a Dramatic Series" and a 20-page booklet.

Broadway's Carols for a Cure, Vol. 11
(Rock-It Science - new on 2 CDs)
Newest entry in annual series formally known as Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Cast includes members of Billy Elliot, Hair, Wicked, Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia!, Next to Normal, In the Heights, Shrek, South Pacific, The Phantom of the Opera, and many others. Gregory Jbara, Trent Kowalik, and Alice Ripley; as well as Donna Lynne Champlin, James Carpinello, Lauren Molina, Laura Osnes, Jennifer Barnhart and hundreds of Broadway performers and musicians. Executive producer Lynn Pinto. Available at CD Baby, broadwaycares.org and iTunes.

Desiderio
(new on CD)
Greg Purnhagen's (his Babalu-cy! show has been presented at Metropolitan Room) tribute to the music of Desi Arnaz. "I'll See You in C-U-B-A," "Cuban Pete," "Quizas, Quizas," "Tico Tico," "A Rainy Night in Rio," "The Island," "You and the Night and the Music," "Straw Hat Song," "I Love Lucy," "It Never Entered My Mind," "Babalu," "Cielito Lindo," "El Cumbanchero." Available at CD Baby.

Fine on Acting: A Vision of the Craft
(Havenhurst Books - Paperback Book)
By Howard Fine, Acting Dept. Head at the American Musical & Dramatic Academy. Foreword by Michael Chiklis. The acting teacher and colleague of Uta Hagen presents his techniques for actors and those who aspire to be actors. The Common Mistakes, Rehearsal, Auditions, Stage vs. Television and Film Acting, and Comedy vs. Drama; and advice for troubleshooting challenging situations, such as playing opposite a bad actor, nerves, memorizing lines, working with a bad director, and being emotionally blocked.

For Heaven's Sake
(New Day Entertainment - new on CD)
Pre-Order at CD Universe
New Carol Channing solo album of gospel songs. Intro, "He Ain't Never Done Me Nothing But Good," "Joshua Fit," "The Battle of Jericho," "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms," "Roll Jordan Roll," "Modesto, You're My Hometown!," "Do You Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans?," "Razzle-Dazzle," "Old Time Religion," "God's Peace Is Like A Gentle Rose," "Medley of Memories," "Saint James Infirmary," "Shine God's Love To Everyone," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "One More Valley," "I'm Just An Old Chunk of Coal," "The Show Must Go On," "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands."

Glee: Music from the Fox Television Show
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Vocal selections. 16 songs: "Alone," "Bust Your Windows," "Confessions Part II," "Don't Stop Believin'," "Gold Digger," "Halo," "Hate on Me," "It's My Life," "Keep Holding On," "No Air," "Push It," "Rehab," "Somebody to Love," "Take a Bow," "Walking on Sunshine," "You Keep Me Hangin' On."

It's Christmas Time with Sylvia Bennett
(Out of Sight Music - new on CD)
Holiday album from singer who performed with Lionel Hampton. "A Rainbow Christmas," "Winter Wonderland," "Silent Night," "It's Christmas Time," "Silver Bells," "Santa Claus is Coming to Town," "Wrap You Up For Christmas," "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!," "Christmas Lights," "The Christmas Song." Available at CD Baby.

Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol, the Making of the First Animated Christmas Special
(Oxberry Press - Hardcover Book)
Darrell Van Citter relates with wit and clarity the circuitous events that gave rise to the special, which featured Jim Backus, as the voice of Magoo, Morey Amsterdam (Brady/James), Jack Cassidy (Bob Cratchit), Royal Dano (Marley's Ghost) and Paul Frees (a half dozen characters), directed by Abe Levitow. Jule Styne and Bob Merrill wrote the score. 128 pages.

Margaret Whiting: Then and Now
(DRG - new CD-R)
"I Fought Every Step Of The Way," "Moonlight In Vermont," "That Old Black Magic," "It Might As Well Be Spring," "The Lies Of Handsome Men," "The Coffee Shoppe," "Hell Of A Way To Run A Love Affair," "I Got Lost In His Arms/the Best Thing For You," "Our Little Day," "Blame It On My Youth/young And Foolish," "Can't Teach My Old Heart New Tricks," "My Best Friend," "What Is A Man/bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered," "Old Devil Moon," "Now That I Have Everything." With Gerry Mulligan. Pressed on demand.

Robert Lindsay: Letting Go
(Thorogood - Hardcover Book)
Autobiography by Tony, Olivier, AFTA and Fred Astaire Award winning British actor Robert Lindsay (Me and My Girl, The Entertainer). The inside story of one of Britain's best loved, best known actors, which reveals in his own words, for the first time, exactly what makes him tick. Illustrated with photographs, many previously unseen, from his life and career. Available now at Amazon UK.

Sister Act
(First Night - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
U.S. release of OLC recording of musical adaptation of 1992 film. Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score. Nicolas Colicos, Ivan De De Freitas, Thomas Goodridge, Claire Greenway, Sheila Hancock, Chris Jarman, Ian Lavender, Patina Miller, Ako Mitchell, Katie Rowley Jones, Julia Sutton.

The Sound of Music: A Classic Collectible Pop-Up
(Little Simon - Paperback Book)
Illustrated by Dan Andreason. Adapted by Bert Fink.

Twelfth Night
(new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Score by Hem from Shakespeare in the Park production with Anne Hathaway, Raúl Esparza, Audra McDonald, David Pittu and Jon Patrick Walker. Bonus material, including instrumental and vocal passages cut from the production, will also be included. Hem band members include Dan Messe (piano), Steve Curtis (guitar, harmony vocal, percussion), Gary Maurer (mandolin, guitar), Sally Ellyson (vocals), Mark Brotter (drums) and George Rush (bass).

What's Your Sign
(Passion River Films - new on DVD)
1997 film starring Judy Kuhn, Jack Gindi, Doris Belack.


October 19, 2009

Christmas Wish: Olivia Newton-John
(new on CD)
2007 Australian 22-track CD album from the legendary singer, featuring her versions of classic Christmas songs. Also featured on this collection are guest appearances by Barry Manilow, Jon Secada, Michael McDonald, and more.

Close Your Eyes: Annalene Beechey
(new on CD)
Solo album by West End actress (Marguerite, Wicked, Beauty & The Beast). Selection of songs by Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, Stephen Schwartz, Scott Alan, Richard Taylor, Stiles & Drewe, and a previously unrecorded song by Grant Olding. Foreward by Scott Alan. Available at Dress Circle.

The Collected Plays of Mart Crowley
(Alyson Books - Paperback Book)
Introduction by Donald Spoto. Available for the first time, the complete plays of author Mart Crowley, timed to coincide with the first New York production of Boys in the Band in more than a dozen years. These plays - all professionally produced and two never before published - interrelate and revive the protagonist of the explosive gay drama Boys in the Band in his relationships with his family and friends, both gay and straight. The Boys in the Band, A Breeze from the Gulf, For Reasons That Remain Unclear, The Men from the Boys.

The Complete Lyrics of Johnny Mercer
(Knopf - Hardcover Book)
Robert Kimball, Barry Day, Miles Kreuger, Eric Davis. 7th in Knopf's series contains the texts to more than 1,200 of Johnny Mercer's lyrics, several hundred of them published here for the first time. 488 pages.

Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix: Put On a Happy Face
(BAMP Productions - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Children's album with Dick Van Dyke and The Vantastix (including Bryan Chadima, Eric Bradley, and Mike Mendyke). Tracks: "Put On A Happy Face," "You've Got A Friend In Me," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," "Baby Of Mine," "High Hopes," "Bare Necessities," "Pick Yourself Up," "A Lover's Question," "It's Not Easy Being Green," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "Ac-cent-tchu-ate The Positive," "Theme From Dick Van Dyke Show" plus bonus holiday tracks an original song called "Old Fashioned Christmas," and a reading by Dick Van Dyke of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas."

The Far Pavilions
(Stage Door - new on CD)
Charts the musical journey from concept to reality between 1997 - 2005. 25 unique studio recordings performed by such top West End singers as Paul Baker, Helen Hobson, Ian Bartholomew and Hadley Fraser. The musical adaptation of M. M. Kaye`s epic novel features music by Philip Henderson and lyrics by Michael E. Ward. 1998 Recordings tracks 1 - 17, 2001 tracks 18 - 22 and 2004 tracks 23 - 25. The Far Pavilions opened at the Shaftesbury Theatre in March 2005. Available at Dress Circle.

Gay Bride of Frankenstein
(new on CD)
Studio cast recording of 2009 NYMF show with a score by Billy Butler. Available at Footlight.

The Judy Garland Show Holiday Special
(Infinity - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1963 one-hour special with Garland, Liza Minnelli and Lorna and Joe Luft, Tracy Everitt, Jack Jones, Mel Torme. 51 minutes.

Kate Baldwin: Let's See What Happens
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Songs of Lane & Harburg. "How About You?," "That Something Extra Special," "Moments Like This," "Come Back to Me," "Here's to Your Illusions," "Have Feet, Will Dance," "How Are Things in Glocca Morra?," "I Like the Likes of You," "Where Have I Seen Your Face Before?," "Let's See What Happens/Open Your Eyes," "Poor You," "Paris Is a Lonely Town," "He Wasn't You," "I Don't Think I'll End It All Today," "The World Is in My Arms."

Kitty's Kisses
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Studio cast recording of Con Conrad and Gus Kahn score (musical opened on May 6, 1926, at Broadway's Playhouse Theatre). Cast includes Kate Baldwin, Andréa Burns, Danny Burstein, Philip Chaffin, Victoria Clark, Christopher Fitzgerald and Rebecca Luker. Overture, "Walkin' the Track," "Choo-Choo Love," "Kitty's Kisses," "Finaletto Act I Scene 1," "Thinking of You," "Two Fellows and a Girl," "I'm in Love," "Promise Your Kisses," "Finale Act I," "Early in the Morning," "I Don't Want Him," "Needles," "First Telephone Scene," "Whenever I Dream," "Second Telephone Scene," "Bounce Me," "Finale Ultimo." Conductor and orchestrator Sam Davis. Produced by Tommy Krasker. Booklet will include an essay, synopsis and original production photos.

Lights on Broadway: A Theatrical Tour from A to Z
(Blue Apple Books - Hardcover Children's Book)
By Karen Nagel, illustrated by Elliot Kreloff, introduction by Brian Stokes Mitchell. Everything about Broadway, from audition and box office to marquee and understudy. With accompanying quotes from famous Broadway performers, including Bernadette Peters and Sarah Jessica Parker and upcoming stars from Billy Elliot and The Lion King. Comes with a CD, featuring a song by Brian Stokes Mitchell. Ages 4-8. 48 pages.

Liz Callaway: Passage of Time
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
"Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head/Singin' in the Rain," "Eleanor Rigby," "Make Someone Happy/Something Wonderful," "Better," "Secret o' Life," "Patterns," "I'm Not That Girl/Just Another Face," "Nothing to Lose (But Your Heart)," "Children Will Listen," "That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be (Duet With Ann Hampton Callaway)," "The Perfect Year/Memory," "A Child Is Born," "Being Alive."

Rainbow Around the Sun
(new on CD)
Studio cast recording of 2009 NYMF show with a score by Matthew Alvin Brown. Available at Footlight.

Rebecca Luker: Greenwich Time
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Solo album. "On My Way to You," "Ohio, 1904," "Billions of Beautiful Boys," "Greenwich Time," "Remember," "Unusual Way," "Lovely Lies," "Killing Time," "He Never Did That Before," "Out of Love," "What the Living Do," "Birthday Horoscope for B.R.," "Have Had," "Summer With You" (world premiere, music & lyrics by John Kander).

Simon Burke - Something About Always
(new on CD)
Debut album from one of Australian actor currently appearing as Georges London's La Cage aux Folles (numerous credits, including original cast of Australia's Les Misérables, London Sound of Music, A Little Night Music, Phantom of the Opera). "If You Were Wondering," "Song On The Sand," "In Praise Of Women," "Sorry Grateful," "All I Care About Is Love," "You`re The Top" (with Caroline O`Connor), "Edelweiss," "My Country," "What More Can I Say," "Still Crazy After All These Years," "True Love" (with Connie Fisher), "Once In A Blue Moon," "Cuddle Song." Available at Dress Circle.

A Song in the Dark: The Birth of the Musical Film
(Oxford Univ Press - Paperback Book)
Updated and extensively revised version of Richard Barrios' award-winning 1995 historical account of early musical films.

Street Lights
(new on CD)
Studio cast recording of 2009 NYMF show with a score by Joe Dymala. Available at Footlight.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
(WHV - new on Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
1971 musical film with score by Leslie Bricusse and Anthony Newley. Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Jack Albertson, Denise Nickerson, Michael Bollner, Julie Dawn Cole, Ursula Reit, Leonard Stone. Extras: trailers; documentary: Delectable; documentary Pure Imagination: The Story of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory; audio commentary: Mouth-Watering Commentary with the Wonka Kids; featurettes 4 Scrumptious Sing-Along Songs and Tasty Vintage Featurette.


October 12, 2009

Close Companions
(LML Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
DC Anderson.

Cry For Us All
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
1970 OBC recording of Mitch Leigh, William Alfred and Phyllis Robinson score. Steve Arlen, Joan Diener, Helen Gallagher, Darrel Glaser, William Griffis, Scott Jacoby, Todd Jones, Tommy Rall, Edwin Steffe, Robert Weede, Dolores Wilson. First time on CD. Limited release of 1,000 units. Now shipping from Kritzerland.

Essential Barbara Collection
(DRG - 5 CDs/1 DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Barbara Cook collection: Close As Pages in a Book newly remixed and digitally remastered, Live from London, All I Ask of You, Live From The MetMostly Sondheim DVD, four-track bonus sampler CD of songs from upcoming Cook CD including "Give Me the Simple Life," "It Was Written in the Stars," "I've Got You Under My Skin" and "I'd Rather Be Blue."

Ethel Merman's Broadway
(on CD)
Original cast recording of Rita McKenzie's show, which she performed Off-Broadway, Carnegie Hall, Pasadena Playhouse, Harrah's Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, and on an eight-city tour in Japan. "Overture/It's Good To Be Here," "The Parts I Played/ Friendship/ You're The Top/ Down In The Deep," "I Got Rhythm," "The Animal In Me," "Anything Goes/ It's Delovely/ I Get A Kick Out Of You," "Blow, Gabriel, Blow," "Let's Be Buddies," "Doin' What Comes Naturally/ They Say It's Wonderful/ There's," "Entr'acte/ A Lady With A Song," "The International Rag," "The Hostess With The Mostes' On The Ball," "Some People," "Small World," "World, Take Me Back," "So Long, Dearie," "Everything's Coming Up Roses," "Alexander's Ragtime Band." Available at CD Baby and in mp3 at Amazon.

Every Little Step
(Sony - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
2008 documentary about casting of A Chorus Line revival. Bob Avian, Charlotte d'Amboise, Jacques d'Amboise, Natascia Diaz, Marvin Hamlisch, Baayork Lee, Donna McKechnie, Alison Porter, Rachelle Rak, Nikki Snelson, Chryssie Whitehead. Extras: Commentary with directors Adam Del Deo & James D. Stern, and Marvin Hamlisch; deleted scenes; Donna McKechnie: In Conversation; interview with John Breglio, Bob Avian and Baayork Lee

How Glad I Am/Gentle Is My Love
(DRG - on CD)
Order from CD Universe
Nancy Wilson album with bonus tracks.

Katharine Hepburn: A Life in Pictures
(Chronicle Books - Hardcover Book)
By Pierre-Henri Verlhac. Collection of photographs.

Loving Repeating: A Musical Adapted from the Writings of Gertrude Stein
(Northwester Univ Press - Paperback Book)
Libretto for Frank Galati and Stephen Flaherty's musical adaptation of Gertrude Stein`s texts.

More Than A Seasonal Thing: Craig Pomranz
(Previs Productions - new on CD)
Through the American Songbook, the singer takes the listener from the start of the year to its end and a new beginning. "Let's Start The New Year Right," "Winter Wonderland," "It Might As Well Be Spring/Blackberry Winter," "They Say It's Spring," "June Is Bustin' Out All Over/Heat Wave," "Night Song," "Summer Samba," "Summertime/Lazy Afternoon," "The Summer Knows," "'Tis Autumn," "Les Feuilles Mortes/Autumn Leaves," "Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow," "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas/After The Holidays," "Auld Lang Syne/Let's Start The New Year Right," "Forever Didn't Last 'Til Spring," "As Time Goes By." Available at CD Baby.

Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa
(Disney - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2008 television special, featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Krakowski, Nathan Lane, Richard Griffiths, Jesse L. Martin and other guest stars. Bonus features include The Muppet Stocking Stuffer Smorgasbord; deleted scenes. Released 9/29/09

Normal as Blueberry Pie: A Tribute to Doris Day
(Verve - new on CD/Vinyl)
Order at CD Universe
Nellie McKay. "Very Thought of You," "Do Do Do," "Wonderful Guy," "Meditation," "Mean to Me," "Crazy Rhythm," "Sentimental Journey," "If I Ever Had a Dream," "Black Hills of Dakota," "Dig It," "Send Me No Flowers," "Close Your Eyes," "I Remember You."

And Now I Swing: Chita Rivera
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Includes some of Chita's classic theater songs as well as some of her favorite standards re-arranged and recorded by New York's finest jazz musicians. "I Won't Dance/Let Me Sing," "Nowadays," "Where Am I Going," "Sweet Happy Life/Mas Que Nada," "Love and Love Alone," "Carousel," "Not Exactly Paris," "I Don't Remember You," "More Than You Know," "Circle of Friends," "A Nightingale Sang in Berkley Square."

Sherman Brothers Songbook
(Disney - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
59 songs highlighting The Sherman Brothers' prolific Disney years: Annette, The Absent-minded Professor, The Parent Trap, The Wonderful World of Color, The Horsemasters, In Search of the Castaways, Summer Magic, Disneyland, The 1954 World's Fair, Mary Poppins, The Monkey's Uncle, That Darn Cat, Winnie the Pooh, The Jungle Book, The Happiest Millionaire, The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Aristocats, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, EPCOT, Tokyo Disneyland, The Tigger Movie. Newly restored. 26 rare tracks and 6 tracks on CD for the first time. Extensive liner notes reveal the stories behind the songs; illustrated with candid photos of the Shermans at work, and with the star-studded gallery of artists who performed their classic songs: Annette Funicello, Fred MacMurray, Tommy Sands, Maureen O'Hara, Hayley Mills, Maurice Chevalier, Burl Ives, Rex Allen, Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Annette, The Beach Boys, Louis Prima, Tommy Steele, Lesley Ann Warren, John Davidson, Ann Shelton, Louis Armstrong, The Mike Sammes Singers, Angela Lansbury, Kenny Loggins, Walt Disney. Three bonus tracks from the 1969 Disneyland Records recordings of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang", "Hushabye Mountain", and "Me Ol' Bamboo" performed by by The Mike Sammes Singers.

Soundtrack: Linda Eder
(Verve - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Selection of songs from movies. "I Will Wait for You," "Accidentally in Love," "Falling Slowly," "Against All Odds," "Charade," "If I Can't Have You," "Help," "Can't Help Falling in Love with You," "Everybody's Talkin'," "Them from The Valley of the Dolls," "Everything I Do (I Do It for You)." 12 tracks. iTunes version has bonus track, "We Don't Need Another Hero."

The Wild Party (Vocal Selections)
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Sheet music selections from Michael John LaChiusa's Tony-nominated Broadway musical. After Midnight Dies," "Golden Boy," "I Hear You're Moving Uptown," "People Like Us," "Welcome to My Party," "The Wild Party," "Queenie Wazza Blonde," "Lowdown-Down," "Black Is a Moocher," "How Many Women in the World?," "When It Ends," "This Is What It Is." 84 pages. Can also order directly from Alfred Music Publishing.

The Yip Harburg Songbook - 2nd Edition
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Oscar-winning lyricist and Songwriters Hall of Famer - one of the finest composers of the 20th century. Nearly three dozen of his most beloved songs, including: "April in Paris," "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?," "How Are Things in Glocca Morra," "It's Only a Paper Moon," "Old Devil Moon," "Over the Rainbow," "We're Off to See the Wizard," and more. Photos and an introduction/career retrospective by Stephen Holden.


October 5, 2009

The A to Z of the Broadway Musical
(Scarecrow Press - Paperback Book)
By William A. Everett and Paul R. Laird. Through a chronology, an introductory essay, a bibliography, and 900 dictionary entries on Broadway shows, playwrights, directors, producers, designers, and actors, this handy desk reference offers quick information on the many aspects of the Broadway musical. 460 pages.

Dark Matters
(Dramatist's Play Service - Paperback Book)
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa play.

David Harris - 'Til The Night Is Gone
(new on CD)
Debut album from one of Australia's most acclaimed leading men (Miss Saigon, The Full Monty, Mamma Mia!, The Boy From Oz, Fiddler On The Roof, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Little Women, Gutenberg!, The Pajama Game, Breast Wishes, Damn Yankees). "Save The Last Dance For Me," "For All We Know," "Harbour," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Always On My Mind," "Vincent," "So Close," "I Honestly Love You / Love Don't Need A Reason," "Bewitched, Bothered And Bewildered," "I'd Rather Leave While I'm In Love," "How Could I Ever Know," "You Walk With Me," "Lost In The Stars." and bonus track "Last Night Of The World" (Featuring Laurie Cadevida). Available at Middle Eight Music.

Enchanted Evenings: The Broadway Musical from 'Show Boat' to Sondheim and Lloyd Webber - New 2nd Edition
(Oxford Univ Press - Paperback Book)
By Geoffrey Block. The second edition includes a greatly expanded chapter on Sondheim, a new chapter on Lloyd Webber, and two new chapters on the film adaptations of the main musicals featured in the text (including such hard to find films as the original 1936 version of Anything Goes and the 1959 film adaptation of Porgy and Bess).

Esther Williams Collection - Vol. 2
(WHV - new on 6 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
Part of TCM Spotlight Series. Thrill of a Romance (1945, with Van Johnson), This Time For Keeps (1957, with Johnnie Johnston), Fiesta (1947, with Ricardo Montalban), Pagan Love Song (1950, with Howard Keel), Million Dollar Mermaid (1952, Annette Kellerman bio-pic with Victor Mature), Easy to Love (1953, with Van Johnson). Extras include rarely-seen deleted musical outtakes, vintage shorts and classic cartoons. Films to be available only as a complete collection, in a collectible digi-pak gift set.

Forbidden Broadway: Behind the Mylar Curtain
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
By Gerard Alessandrini and Michael Portantiere. The story of the longest-running musical revue in the world. An inside glimpse at the evolution of the show in its 20 incarnations to date, with zany parodies, hilarious lyrics, and behind-the-scenes stories. 100s of photos from all the shows, including two 16-page color sections, famous Forbidden Broadway parody lyrics to over 100 songs from the show.

Handel's Messiah Rocks
(Sony/Integrity - new on CD/DVD)
Order CD at CD Universe
Joyful Noise touring production whose concert is to air on PBS. Keith Lockhart, J. Robert Spencer (Next to Normal), La Chanze (The Color Purple), MiG Ayesa, Alex Slotnick, George Lynch.

Masterworks re-releases of OBC recordings in eco-friendly soft-packs. In some cases, new photos have been added: Camelot, Chicago, Finian's Rainbow, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Kismet, Kiss Me, Kate, A Little Night Music, Oklahoma!, Show Boat.

My Fair Lady
(Paramount - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Remastered 1964 film with Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. Director's comments and additional footage expected. Unconfirmed bonuses: commentary with Gene Allen, Marni Nixon, Robert A. Harris and James C. Katz; vintage featurettes, footage & audio; 1963 production kick-off dinner; George Cukor Directs Baroness Bina Rothschild (audio track only with stills); The Fairest Fair Lady; Los Angeles premiere; Rex Harrison Golden Globe Acceptance Speech; Academy Awards ceremony highlights; alternate Audrey Hepburn vocals "Show Me," "Wouldn't It Be Loverly"; posters & lobby cards with Rex Harrison radio interview; "Comments on a Lady" Andrew Lloyd Webber, Martin Scorsese; trailers.

The Playbill Broadway Yearbook: June 2008 - May 2009
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
Taking the form of a high school yearbook, the fifth edition is packed with photos and memorabilia from the entire 2008-2009 Broadway season with chapters on 78 Broadway shows, new and long-running. Robert Viagas, editor.

PS Classics' new releases shipping now from their website (store date is October 20), with special pricing ($49.95) when you buy all four: Kate Baldwin: Let's See What Happens, Kitty's Kisses, Liz Callaway: Passage of Time, Rebecca Luker: Greenwich Time

Prayer For My Enemy
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Play by Craig Lucas.

Shrek Vocal Selections
(Cherry Lane Music - Paperback Book)
Features 18 piano/vocal selections from this Broadway hit that won both Tony and Drama Desk awards. Includes a plot synopsis, four pages of color photos, and these tunes: "The Ballad of Farquaad," "Big Bright Beautiful World," "Build a Wall," "Don't Let Me Go," "Donkey Pot Pie," "Finale (This Is Our Story)," "Freak Flag," "I Know It's Today," "I Think I Got You Beat," "Make a Move," "More to the Story," "Morning Person," "Story of My Life," "This Is How a Dream Comes True," "Travel Song," "What's Up, Duloc?," "When Words Fail," "Who I'd Be." 188 pages.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs: Diamond Edition
(Disney - new on 3 Blu-Ray discs)
Order at CD Universe
1937 animated musical film. Two disc package plus an SDVD of the film (only). Bonuses: "Snow White Returns" storyboard; featurette "Was Walt planning a Snow White sequel?" with newly discovered storyboards; Princess and the Frog sneak peek, The One that Started it All reveals how Snow White forever changed the world of movies and the world at large; all new Tiffany Thornton music video to "Someday My Prince Will Come"; audio commentary with Walt Disney.


September 29, 2009

The Butterfly
(Hardcover/Softcover Book)
Children's book by Neil Bartram with illustrations by Brian Hill, based on a song from their musical The Story of My Life. Tells the story of a butterfly lost in his feelings of insignificance until a few words from a friend open his eyes to his true power. Available at Blurb.com.

Corky Hale ... and Friends: I'm Glad There Is You
(Palisades Records - new on CD)
Romantic ballads presented by singer/pianist Corky Hale with Sally Kellerman, Freda Payne, Ariana Savalas, Tricia Tahara and Brenna Whitaker. Available at CD Baby.

The Fall of the House of Usher
(Exiled Productions - new on CD)
Original cast album of 2009 FringeNYC and DC Fringe Festival show with Mike Johnson and Brent Cirves score. Available at CD Baby.

Joshua Bell: At Home With Friends
(Sony - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Bell with guests on instrumental and vocal duets. "I Loves You Porgy" (with Chris Botti), trumpet), "Come Again" (with Sting, vocals), "Oblivion" (Carel Kraayenhof), bandoneon), "Cinema Paradiso" (Josh Groban, vocals), "Para Tí" (with Tiempo Libre), "My Funny Valentine" (Kristin Chenoweth, vocals), "Maybe So" (Edgar Meyer, Double-bass, Sam Bush, Mandolin and Mike Marshall, Guitar), "Grieg: Sonata No. 3" (with Sergei Rachmaninoff - Zenph re-performance), "Eleanor Rigby" (with Frankie Moreno, piano & vocals), "O, Cease Thy Maiden Fair" (Nathan Gunn, baritone), "Il Postino" (Carel Kraayenhof, bandoneon), "Left Hand Song" (Regina Spektor, piano & vocals), "Chovendo Na Roseira" (Dave Grusin,  piano), "Look Away" (Edgar Meyer, bass and Chris Thile, mandolin), "Variant Moods: Duet for Sitar & Violin" (abridged version) (Anoushka Shankar, sitar), "I'll Take Manhattan" (Marvin Hamlisch, piano).

Lost in Dreams: Curtis Stigers
(Concord Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Jazz singer-saxophonist album with his own tunes, standards and others.

Love Is the Answer
(Columbia - new on CD/Vinyl)
Order at CD Universe
Barbra Streisand and Diana Krall studio album. "Here's To Life," "In The Wee Small Hours," "Gentle Rain," "If You Go Away," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most," "Make Someone Happy," "Where Do You Start?," "A Time For Love," "Here's That Rainy Day," "Love Dance," "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "Some Other Time," "Bonus Track - "You Must Believe In Spring." Orchestral arrangements.

Love Is the Answer Deluxe Edition
(Columbia - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Barbra Streisand and Diana Krall studio album. "Here's To Life," "In The Wee Small Hours," "Gentle Rain," "If You Go Away," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most," "Make Someone Happy," "Where Do You Start?," "A Time For Love," "Here's That Rainy Day," "Love Dance," "Smoke Gets In Your Eyes," "Some Other Time," "Bonus Track - "You Must Believe In Spring." Features the orchestral versions on disc one and quartet arrangements of the songs on disc two.

The Patty Duke Show - Season One
(The Shout Factory -
new on 6 DVDs)
order at CD Universe
1960s TV show created by Sidney Sheldon. featuring regulars Patty Duke, Jean Byron, William Schallert, Paul O'Keefe and Eddie Applegate. 36 episodes from the first of three seasons. Guests include John Spencer, Frankie Avalon, Estelle Parsons, Ilka Chase, Jane Conell, Margaret Hamilton, Phil Foster, Neva Patterson, George S. Irving, Joan Copeland, David Doyle. Bonus material tba.

Right Here on Our Stage Tonight!: Ed Sullivan's America
(Univ of California Press - Hardcover Book)
Gerald Nachman. The history of the "Ed Sullivan Show."

The Garland Touch
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1962 Garland album of songs recorded in London in 1960, her 1961 single "Comes Once in a Lifetime/Sweet Danger," and two tracks from Judy in Love. Six bonus tracks, including five more from the London sessions and the 1957 U.K. single "It's Lovely to Be Back in London."

The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition
(WHV - on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1939 MGM film with Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Frank Morgan. Extras unknown.

The Wizard of Oz - 70th Anniversary Deluxe Songbook (Vocal Selections)
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Features all of the classic songs by E.Y. Harburg and Harold Arlen plus never-before-published "character themes" by Academy-Award winning composer Herbert Stothart, the complete "Munchkinland Musical Sequence" and the "The Jitterbug," which was deleted from the original film. Each song is presented in its original key, utilizing rare M-G-M studio manuscripts and the original motion picture soundtrack. As a bonus, included are two songs from the 1903 Broadway musical production of The Wizard of Oz, with lyrics by original Oz author L. Frank Baum. These songs have not been published in over a century. The songbook also contains dozens of original production stills and publicity photos, an essay on the story behind the songs and score, and biographies of the composers. Alfred Music Publishing is also publishing instrumental solos of the entire catalog of Wizard of Oz music: easy piano, 5 finger piano, and big note piano songbooks plus level 2-3 play-alongs for flute, clarinet, alto sax, tenor sax, trumpet, horn in F, trombone, violin, viola, and cello are coming soon.

The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition
(WHV - on 4 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1939 MGM film with Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Frank Morgan. Remastered with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. 16 hours of enhanced content, four of which are brand new, including new documentaries, featurettes, digital copy on disc and rare and highly collectible memorabilia. Premiums include: 52-pg. Production history book, behind the curtain; exclusive 70th anniversary watch with genuine crystals; reproduction of the original film budget; 1939 campaign book. Exclusive to Amazon are a set of 4 9x1- collectible poster cards featuring the characters of Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz Ultimate Collector's Edition Blu-Ray
(WHV - new on 3 Blu-Ray discs)
Order at CD Universe
Contains 16 hours of enhanced Content, four of which are brand new, including new documentaries, featurettes, digital copy on disc and rare and highly collectible memorabilia. Premiums include: 52-pg. Production History Book, Behind the Curtain; Exclusive 70th Anniversary Watch with genuine crystals; reproduction of the original film budget; 1939 campaign book. Blu-Ray Exclusive: 6 hour MGM documentary When the Lion Roars. Exclusive to Amazon are a set of 4 8x10 collectible poster cards featuring the characters of Wizard of Oz.


September 22, 2009

Actors Talk about Shakespeare
(Limelight - Paperback Book)
By Mary Z. Maher. Personal interviews with American, Canadian, and British performers of Shakespeare onstage: Kevin Kline, Judi Dench, Liev Schreiber, Kenneth Branagh, Derek Jacobi, Stacy Keach, Zoe Caldwell, Martha Henry, William Hutt, Tony Church, Nicholas Pennell and Geoff Hutchings. Each chapter profiles a career in context, using the actor's words along with supporting research material. The result is a treasury of talents, tactics, and tales from veteran performers who return often to Shakespeare from careers in film and television. 256 pages.

Alan Cumming: I Bought A Blue Car Today
(Yellow Sound Label - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
"eclectic mix of pop, theater, punk and chamber rock." "Shine," "Dance and Dance and Smile and Smile," "That's Life," "Wig in a Box/Wicked Little Town," "Don't Tell Me," "Here You Come Again/My Interpretation," "Next to Me," "Unexpressed," "Where I Want to Be," "Thinking of You," "What More Can I Say," "Mein Heir," "All I Know," "Beautiful."

Bluebird
(new on CD)
Original concept cast recording. Music/Lyrics by Gareth Peters. Ramin Karimloo, Sarah Lark, Stephen Weller, Abi Finley, Gareth Chart, Robert Archibald, Gemma Sutton, Jeff Nicholson, Greg Bradley, Kit Orton. 24 tracks. 12-page booklet. Available at Dress Circle.

College Guide for Performing Arts Majors - 15th Edition
(Peterson's - Paperback Book)Carole J. Everett (author) and Jill Schwarz (editor). Guide helps students find the perfect college program for studying dance, music, or theater. Details hundreds of professional baccalaureate and graduate degree programs, with the most current information on costs, deadlines, enrollment, faculty, financial aid, and more. Added features include in-depth advice from a former Juilliard admissions director on choosing a program and applying and auditioning, as well as articles written by current students about what it's really like to major in theater, dance, or music. 464 pages.

Expressions: Jon Secada
(Secada Productions - new on CD)
Jazz album by singer/actor Jon Secada. New songs, classic standards and Secada hits.  "I Do Love You," "Body And Soul," "Chances Are," "Find Me In Your Dreams," "Wishes," "Letter From A Friend," "Angel," "I Found A Reason," "When Night Time Falls," "What A Wonderful World," "I Don't Care Much," "Just Another Day," "Rainbows," "Alone Again (Naturally)."

Dancing in the Dark: A Cultural History of the Great Depression
(W.W. Norton - Hardcover Book)
By Morris Dickstein. From Agee to Astaire, Steinbeck to Ellington, the creative energies of the Depression against a backdrop of poverty and economic disaster ... concentrates on the dynamic energy and insight the arts could provide and the enormous lift they gave to the nation's morale. 624 pages.

Harry Connick, Jr.: Your Songs
(Sony - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Album of cover versions of songs requested by his fans. Full jazz big band and string orchestra, and orchestrations by the singer. Accompanied by Branford and Wynton Marsalis, as well as bluegrass guitar virtuoso Bryan Sutton. All The Way," "Just The Way You Are," "Can't Help Falling In Love With You," "And I Love Her," "(They Long To Be) Close To You," "Bésame Mucho," "The Way You Look Tonight," "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," "Your Song," "Some Enchanted Evening," "And I Love You So," "Who Can I Turn To (When Nobody Needs Me)," "Smile," "Mona Lisa."

The Informant - Soundtrack
(new mp3 album)
Marvin Hamlisch score for 2009 film.

Ira Gershwin: Selected Lyrics
(Library of America - Hardcover)
Robert Kimball. 200 pages.

The Judy Garland Show: Volume 2
(Infinity - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe


The Making of "Some Like It Hot": My Memories of Marilyn Monroe and the Classic American Movie
(Wiley - Hardcover Book)
By Tony Curtis and Mark A. Viera.

Peter Pan
(new on CD)
George Stiles and Anthony Drewe score. 2008 at the West Yorkshire Playhouse cast includes David Birrell, James Gillan, Amy Lennox, Alwyne Taylor and Martin Callaghan. Available at Dress Circle.

Sister Robert Anne's Cabaret Class
(new on CD)
Original cast album of new musical by Dan Goggin (Nunsense). Featuring Deborah Del Mastro. Available at CD Baby.

Sugarless
(Univ of Wisconsin Press - Hardcover/Paperback Book)
New novel by James Magruder (Triumph of Love). "Things look bad for Rick Lahrem, a high school sophomore in a cookie-cutter Chicago suburb in 1976. His mother's second husband is a licensed psychologist who eats like an ape, his stepsister is a stoner slut, and his father is engaged to a Southern belle. Rick's only solace is his growing collection of original Broadway-cast LPs, bought on the sly at Wax Trax."

Tonight at 8:30: Ten One-Act Plays
(Methuen Drama - Paperback Book)
By Noël Coward. First performed in London in 1936, the plays perfectly showcase Coward's talents as a playwright, providing a sparkling, fast-paced and remarkably varied selection of theatrical gems. All ten plays are collected together into this volume that features both Coward's own preface and an introduction by Barry Day, editor of The Letters of Noël Coward. 304 pages.

Wicked: A Pop-Up Compendium of Splendiferous Delight and Thrillifying Intrigue
(DK Publishing/Melcher Media - Hardcover Book )
Featuring memorable moments from the Broadway musical in moveable paper tableaux. From Glinda's dramatical entrance among the Ozians in her bubble machine to Elphaba's gravity-defying maiden flight ... also, the letters Galinda and Elphaba wrote to their parents, a map of the Emerald City, the Shiz University student newspaper, and a miniature Grimmerie complete with spells.

Yellowface
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Play by David Henry Hwang. Introduction by Frank Rich. 112 pages.


September 15, 2009

Amadeus Director's Cut
(WHV - new on 3 Blu-Ray discs)
Order at CD Universe
Extended version of the 1984 film based on Peter Shaffer play about Mozart and Salieri. F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Jeffrey Jones, Vincent Schiavelli, Simon Callow, Elizabeth Berridge, Karl-Heinz Teuber. Directed by Milos Forman. Twyla Tharp choreographer. Also included: one-hour, eight-track compilation CD with music by Mozart; audio commentary by Forman and Shaffer; full-length documentary The Making of Amadeus; 36-page production booklet; trailer; digital copy of the film.

The Best Is Yet to Come: The Songs of Cy Coleman
(New West Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New interpretations of Cy Coleman songs by 12 contemporary female artists. "The Best Is Yet To Come" (Patty Griffin), "I've Got Your Number" (Jill Sobule), "Why Try To Change Me Now" (Fiona Apple), "I Live My Love" (Madeleine Peyroux), "Then Was Then And Now Is Now" (Ambrosia Parsley), "I m Gonna Laugh You Right Out of My Life" (Julianna Raye), "You Fascinate Me So" (Sam Phillips), "Hey Look Me Over" (Perla Batalla), "Too Many Tomorrows" (Sara Watkins), "I Walk A Little Faster" (Fiona Apple), "Where Am I Going?" (Sarabeth Tucek), "The Rules Of The Road" (Nikka Costa), "(I m) In Love Again" (Missy Higgins). All tracks were fashioned by producer/pianist Dave Palmer.

The Crowd You're With
(Northwestern Univ Press - Paperback Book)
Rebecca Gilman play.

Fame
(WHV - on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1980 film with extras: Class Reunion commentary with branching video highlights and featuring Alan Parker, Lee Curreri, Laura Dean, Gene Anthony Ray and Maureen Teefy; vintage featurette On Location with Fame; Fame Field Trip visits the school that inspired the movie; Q&A interviews with Director F. Gary Gray and Producer Patricia Charbonnet; Theatrical Trailer.

Fame: The Complete Seasons 1 & 2
(MGM - on 7 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
Television series based on the 1980 film of students at performing arts school. Debbie Allen, Lee Curreri, Valerie Landsburg, Albert Hague, Carlo Imperato, Gene Anthony Ray. Featurette with Debbie Allen Piece. 4 single-sided discs contain season one 16 episodes; 3 double-sided discs contain season two 22 episodes. First season episode "Come On, Come All" has been musically edited.

Gaily, Gaily and The Night They Raided Minsky's Soundtracks
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
Twofer of Gaily, Gaily, music composed and conducted by Henry Mancini; and The Night They Raided Minsky's, music composed by Charles Strouse. Limited edition of 1,000 copies. Late September release, but orders placed through www.kritzerland.com will ship several weeks early.

Geniuses of the American Musical Theatre: The Composers and Lyricists
(Hal Leonard - Hardcover Book)
By Dr. Herbert Keyser. A reader-friendly collection of stories about the greatest songwriters and lyricists of Broadway musicals, going below the surface to see what made them tick and to uncover the secrets of their success - as well as the personal foibles that sometimes led to their downfall.

Glee: Pilot Episode Director's Cut
(Fox - new on DVD)
Exclusive to Walmart. TV show featuring Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, Jenna Ushkowitz. Includes bonus song "Leaving on a Jet Plane"; preview of episode two; Deconstructing Glee with Ryan Murphy; Dance Boot Camp; What Is Glee?; $5 special price, as well as a mail-in offer for a free Glee t-shirt. Online at Walmart.com.

Grease Paper Dolls featuring Olivia Newton-John
(Paper Studio Press - Paperback Book)
Illustrated by David Wolfe. Features Olivia Newton-John as Sandy, Stockard Channing as Rizzo and Didi Conn as Frenchy in a fun, colorful envelope featuring portraits of Sweet Sandy and and Cool Sandy. Two Sandy dolls and two Pink Ladies plus eight pages of '50s fashions. All four dolls, printed on cardstock, can be punched out and come with stands.

I Feel a Song Coming On: The Life of Jimmy McHugh (Music in American Life)
(Univ of Illinois Press - Hardcover)
By Alyn Shipton. First biography of songwriter Jimmy McHugh (Sugar Babies, Four Jills in a Jeep, Lucky in the Rain).

I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, and New Jersey
(Harper - Hardcover Book)
Collection of humorous essays by Paul Rudnick about life in New York City and New Jersey, the perils of show business, and dealing with one's family, however crazy they may be. 336 pages.

I've Slept With Everybody: A Memoir
(Bear Manor - Paperback Book)
By Sondra Lee. Covers a nearly 50-year stage (High Button Shoes, Peter Pan, Hello, Dolly!, among others) and film (Fellini's La Dolce Vita) career, in front and behind the camera. Recollections of trials and tribulations, countless series of short-lived and lifelong friendships and romantic flings with the famous and not-so famous.

Judy Goes Hollywood
(Savoy - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
From Garland's TV series. Keep Your Sunny Side Up," "Moon River," "Medley: If I Had a Talking Picture of You/Toot, Toot,," "Tootsie!," "Dirty Hands, Dirty Face," "They Can't Take That Away from Me," "Little Drops of Rain 7Puttin' on the Ritz," "More," "Love of My Life," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "Paris Is a Lonely Town," "Love," "I'm Old Fashioned," "Last Night When We Were Young," "That's Entertainment," bonus tracks with Ray Bolger: "If I Only Had a Brain," "We're Off to See the Wizard," "The Jitterbug" (joined by Jane Powell).

Ryness: A Fire in the Night
(new on CD/mp3)
First studio album of original songs by rock band Ryness, which features Bryce Ryness (Hair), Jeff Washburn, Robin Lai and Jae Ko. CD is available at Sh-k-Boom, mp3 at Amazon.com.

And There I Stood with My Piccolo
(Univ of Minnesota Press - Paperback Book/Kindle Edition)
Reissue of Meredith Willson memoir first published in 1948.

Trumbo
(Magonolia Home Entertainment - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
PBS-aired American Masters documentary based on Christopher Trumbo's play. Documents the rise of Dalton's career in Hollywood and his subsequent public humiliation from being among the Hollywood Ten blacklisted by the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1940s for communist associations. Director Peter Askin uses archival footage and home movies of Dalton Trumbo, along with interviews with Dustin Hoffman, Kirk Douglas, writer Peter Hanson, Emanuel Azenberg, Christopher and Mitzi Trumbo (one of Dalton's daughters) to craft this portrait. Included are staged readings of some of Dalton Trumbo's writings ... by Brian Dennehy, Michael Douglas, Paul Giamatti, Nathan Lane, Liam Neeson, David Strathairn, and others; and a reading by Donald Sutherland. 95 minutes.

Vagabond
(Concord Jazz - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New album from vocalist-songwriter-pianist Spencer Day.

We'll Meet Again: Very Best of Vera Lynn
(Decca UK - new on import CD)
UK 20-track CD album - to celebrate seventy years after the end of World War II, the very best of Dame Vera Lynn. Twenty tracks. including "We'll Meet Again," "[There'll Be Blue Birds Over] The White Cliffs Of Dover" and "As Time Goes By." Released 8/25/09. Also available directly from Amazon UK.

Witchfinder - The Musical
(new on CD)
2009 cast recording of Ian Crabtree/Martin Roche score for musical inspired by the Pendle witch trials of the 17th century. Chris Baxendale, Martin Bradbury, Lee Brennan, Jo Farrow, Brian Ganderton, John Hankin, David Hewitt, Gary Jones, Ella Kay, Steve Maxfield, Michael McCaw, Kerry Newton, Andrew Ryder, Sarah Thewlis, Nigel Winters. Available at Dress Circle.


September 8, 2009

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: The Enchanted Musical Edition
(Disney - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1971 musical film starring Angela Lansbury, Roddy McDowell, David Tomlinson. Extras: The Wizards of Special Effects hosted By Jennifer Stone (Wizards of Waverly Place); Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers behind the scenes from a musical point of view with The Sherman Brothers, Angela Lansbury and Scott MacQueen; explores the origins of the songs, including what was deleted and what made it into the final version of the film; Deleted song: "A Step in the Right Direction"; "Portobello Road" recording session clip of David Tomlinson recording.

But He Doesn't Know the Territory
(Univ of Minnesota Press - Paperback Book/Kindle Edition)
New paperback version of classic long-out-of-print memoir by Meredith Willson on the making of The Music Man.

Faber Pocket Guide to Musicals
(Faber & Faber - Paperback Book)
James Inverne provides a guide to his top one hundred greatest shows of all time - and ten of the worst. Includes behind-the-scenes stories, essential song lists and comprehensive recording guides. Foreword by Cameron Mackintosh.

Gloria De Haven Sings
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
RCA tracks plus two songs from Seventh Heaven and studio recordings from film So This is Paris. "Because Of You," "Out O' Breath," "I See A Million People," "Who's Sorry Now," "Blue Moon," "Somebody Loves Me," "I Wish I Wuz," "Hold Me Hold Me Hold Me," "Let The Worry Bird Worry For You," "The Closer You Are," "I Like To Do Things For You," "He's Funny That Way," "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Where Is That Someone For Me," "If It's A Dream," "The Two Of Us," "So This Is Paris," "The Lady Is A Tramp," "Carolina In The Morning," "Time After Time," "Won't You Save Me," "Red Hot Pepper Pot," "Dearly Beloved," "Life," "Love, Love, Love," "I Hadn't Anyone Till You." 27 tracks.

Horton Foote: America's Storyteller
(Free Press - Hardcover Book)
By Wilborn Hampton.

Let's Fall in Love with Jaye
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Jaye P. Morgan's 1959 LP Slow and Easy in stereo plus her biggest hit, "That's All I Want From You" and 15 tracks from early rock 'n roll to country and western; rarities from her time with the Derby and RCA labels. "Should I," "I Never Knew," "Be Careful," "It's My Heart," "When My Dream Boat Comes Home," "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To," "Let's Fall In Love," "I Get The Blues When It Rains," "I Thought About You," "Just For Two," "For All We Know," "Another Martini," "Another Call," "Did I Remember," "Wasted Tears," "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries," "Operator 299, I Ain't Got The Man," "Life Was Made For Living," "That's All I Want From You," "Dawn," "The Longest Walk," "You, You Romeo," "Star Dust" (with the Morgan Brothers), "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "Miss You," "My Reputation," "(It Took) One Kiss," "Somebody Loses, Somebody Wins, Somebody Else Is Taking My Place." 28 tracks.

Mr. Mark Twain: The Musical Soundtrack
(LML Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1991 studio recording of musical by William Perry (Wind in the Willows) and Jane Iredale. Amber LaBella, Andrew Briggs, Angela M. Montague, Anna Agapova, Becky LaBombard, Brett Noorigian, Christina Cortight, David Carroll, Debra Patterson, Donna Ceparano, Douglas J. Graves, Eric Giancoli, Jack Waddell, Jason Mosher, Jim Powers, Joe Conz, Karen L. Sarp, Kristine Ecker Rose. Ran for ten summers (1987-1995) in Elmira, NY and Hartford, CT.

I Remember Him Well: The Songs of Alan Jay Lerner
(LML Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Steve Ross: "I'm On My Way," "I Never Met a Rose," "My Last Love," "I Talk to the Trees," "Spoken Intro," "Hurry! It's Lovely Up Here," "Time for a Love Song/ If Ever I Would Leave You," "Try Love," "Spoken Intro," "I've Been Married," "Dancing the Blues Away," "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever," "I Remember It Well," "Spoken Intro," "Gigimedley," "Heather on the Hill," "With a Little Bit of Luck," "Too Late Now/ What Did I Have That I Don't Have?," "Come Back to Me," "Almost Like Being in Love/ Wouldn't It Be Loverly?."

Think Pink! Kay Thompson
(Sepia Records - new on 3 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Disc One, "The Studio Recordings": I Love a Violin," "How Deep Is The Ocean," "It's All Right With Me," "Basin Street Blues," "Quel Joie," "Katie's Blues," "Moonglow," "Blue Moon," "and more; Disc Two, "Rarities, B-Sides, and Live Performances": "Bazazz," "Light Up the Candles On The Birthday Cake," "Just One of Those Things," "The Steam is on the Beam," "You're Mine, You," "and more; Disc Three, "Demos, Covers, Comedy, and Eloise": Think Pink/'S Wonderful," "Week-End at the Waldorf," "I've Got the Sun in the Morning," "In the Valley (Where the Evening Sun Goes Down)," and more. 75 tracks. Liner notes by Sam Irvin (author of upcoming Kay Thompson biography).

That Hamilton Woman - Criterion Collection
(Image/Criterion - new on DVD)
Alexander Korda's 1941 film with Laurence Olivier as Lord Nelson and Vivien Leigh as Lady Emma Hamilton.

This Is Christmas Time: Kevin Koelbl
(LML Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Holiday album from stage singer (EFX ). Includes duets with Heidi Godt (Mamma Mia!) and Tami Tappan Damiano.

What Have You Done?: The Inside Stories of Auditioning, from the Ridiculous to the Sublime
(Limelight - Paperback Book)
Louis Zorich brings us up on stage, onto the casting couch, and frequently shows us the exit door ... to share how a brief few moments can seem like an eternity, and how individual triumphs and failures reveal the enduring spirit of the actor, the musician, the artist and entertainer. Included are stories from Robert De Niro, Madonna, Oprah Winfrey, Renee Zellweger, Barbra Streisand, James Dean, Will Ferrell, Nathan Lane, and many, many more. Foreword by Olympia Dukakis.


September 1, 2009

The Big Gay Musical
(BMG - new on CD)
Soundtrack for 2009 musical romantic comedy film featuring Liz McCartney, Daniel Robinson, Joey Dudding, Celina Carvajal, Jeff Metzler, Marty Thomas, Kate Pazakis, Joshua Cruz, Jim Newman, Steven Hayes, Michael Schiffman. 15 tracks. Includes original songs by Rick Crom and Fred M. Caruso "I'm Gonna Go Straight to Heaven," "God Loves Gays," "I Wanna Be A Slut," "As I Am," "Eve's Lament," "Musical Theatre Love Story" & "Someone Up There." Film written & produced by Fred M. Caruso & directed by Casper Andreas. Available at CD Baby.

Directing: American Theatre Wing (Working in the Theatre Seminars)
(Continuum - Hardcover/Paperback Book)
Conversations with theatre professionals on every phase of the theatre. Series editor Robert Emmet Long, with input (across the series) from Edward Albee, Matthew Broderick, Mel Brooks, Billy Crudup, Edie Falco, Harvey Fierstein, John Guare, Anne Heche, Arthur Kopit, Swoosie Kurtz, Tony Kushner, Nathan Lane, Jessica Lange, Frank Langella, Terrence McNally, Arthur Miller, Mike Ockrent, Estelle Parsons, Chita Rivera, Patrick Stewart, Susan Stroman, Paula Vogel, Wendy Wasserstein, August Wilson, Lanford Wilson, and many others.

Origins of the Red Hot Mama, 1910-1922
(Archeophone Records - Set)
Sophie Tucker's earliest recordings, from Edison wax cylinders and rare discs. Documentarians Susan and Lloyd Ecker unravel all the loose ends and contradictory threads comprising the early years of one of the 20th century's most colorful stage personalities. With a hardback book-binding and 72 full-color pages, this package features dozens of illustrations from Sophie's personal scrapbooks, a foreword by Michael Feinstein, and a personal remembrance by Carol Channing. 24 tracks.

[title of show]
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songbook for Jeff Bowen/Hunter Bell score. 13 piano/vocal arrangements: "Development Medley," "I Am Playing Me," "Monkeys and Playbills," "An Original Musical," "September Song," "Two Nobodies in New York," "Untitled Opening Number," and more.

Twiggy: Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
New compilation for Twiggy's 60th birthday celebration. Feature unreleased tracks arranged by Richard Hartley and rare/unpublished photographs. "We're In The Money," "Ten Cents A Dance," "Love Me Or Leave Me," "Don't Tell Him What Happened To Me," "Button Up Your Overcoat," "Painting The Clouds With Sunshine," "Has Anybody Seen Our Ship?," "Men About Town," "A Room With A View," "You Were There," "Mad About The Boy," "I Like America," "The Lambeth Walk," "I Was A Good Little Girl," "The Physician," "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," "London Pride," "If Love Were All," "I'll String Along With You," "Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance." Available at Stage Door Records and Dress Circle.


August 25, 2009

Bernstein Mass
(Naxos - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
2008 concert. Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop, conductor. Jubilant Sykes, baritone; Morgan State University Choir; Peabody Children's Chorus; Morgan State University Marching Band.

Fame
(Lakeshore - new on CD)
order at CD Universe
Soundtrack for 2009 film, which opens on September 25. "Welcome to P.A." (Raney Stockne), "Fame" (Naturi Naughton), "Big Things" (Anjulie), "Ordinary People" (Asher Book), "This Is My Life" (Hopsin, Ak'Sent, Tynisha Keli, Donte "Burger" Winston), "Our Here on My Own" (Naturi Naughton), "Street Hustlin'" (Raney Shockne, Stella Moon), "You'll Find a Way (Switch & Sinden Remix)" (Santigold), "Can't Hide from Love" (Naturi Naughton, Collins Pennie), "Black and Gold" (Sam Sparro), "Back to Back" (Collins Pennie, Asleigh Haney), "I Put a Spell on You" (Raney Shockne, Eddie Wakes), "Get on the Floor" (Naturi Naughton, Collins Pennie), "Try" (Asher Book), "You Took Advantage of Me" (Megan Mullally), "Too Many Women (Damon Elliott Remix)" (Rachel Sage), "Someone to Watch Over Me" (Asher Book), "You Made Me Love You" (Raney Shockne, Oren Waters), "Hold Your Dream" (Naturi Naughton, Asher Book, Kay Panabaker).

Roberta Gambarini: So In Love
(Emarcy - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Italian singer album of love song standards and show tunes. "So In Love," "Day In Day Out," "Get Out Of Town," "Crazy," "That Old Black Magic," "Estate," "Golden Slumbers / Here, There and Everywhere," "I See Your Face Before Me," "From This Moment On," "You Must Believe In Spring," "This Is Always," "You Ain't Nothing But a JAMF," "Medley from "Cinema Paradiso": Main Theme/For Elena," "Over the Rainbow."


August 18, 2009

Adding Machine - A Musical Piano/Vocal/Chords
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Selections from Joshua Schmidt's highly-acclaimed score. "In Numbers," "Id Rather Watch You," "Zeros Confession," "Didnt We," "The Gospel According to Shrdlu," "Daisy's Confession," "Freedom (Reprise)". Released 5/26/09.

Essays: Wallace Shawn
(Haymarket Books - Hardcover Book/Audiobook)
First collection of non-ficton essays by playwright/screenwriter Wallace Shawn (Aunt Dan and Lemon. "... a revelatory journey through high art, war, culture, politics, and privilege. With his distinctive humor and insight, Shawn invites us to look at the world with new eyes, the better to understand and change it." Topics include writing about sex; the relationship between art and politics; the strange world of Manhattan's cultural elite; the genesis of his plays.

Esther Williams Paper Dolls: Movie Clothes and Swimwear
(Paper Studio Press - Paperback Book)
Illustrated by Marilyn Henry. Day dresses, evening gowns, smart suits, pants outfits and lots of bathing suits are included for two pretty Esther dolls. 50 fashion items in all from movies including Bathing Beauty, Easy to Wed, Neptune's Daughter, Skirts Ahoy, Texas Carnival, Dangerous When Wet, On an Island With You, and many others. Several of the bathing suits depicted in the paper doll book are available from Esther Williams' own line of swimwear.

Hair Vocal Selections (Broadway Version)
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
144 pages.

Human
(Dress Circle - new on CD)
Ryan Molloy (West End Jersey Boys) album, previously available only by download. Dress Circle exclusive. "Human," "Crash Landing," "She`s A Girl," "Best Thing," "Wrecking Ball," "Show Me Love," "Passing Trains," "Make My Day," "I Feel Love," "Cant Let Go."

The Finest of Liza Minnelli the Capitol Years
(EMI - new on 2 Import CDs/mp3)
Order at CD Universe
1960s Capitol albums: Liza! Liza!, It Amazes Me, and There Is A Time; plus versions of singles previously unavailable on CD; rare and unreleased recordings from Judy and Liza Live at the London Palladium, and tracks from the New York, New York soundtrack. New material: "Hello, Dolly!" (Live at The London Palladium), "If I Were In Your Shoes" (Live At The London Palladium), "Maybe This Time" (Live At The London Palladium), "How Could You Believe Me When I Said ......" (Live At The London Palladium), "The Man I Love," "But The World Goes `Round," "Theme From New York, New York." All tracks digitally re-mastered at Capitol Studios L.A in 2009 from the original analogue master tapes. Booklet includes sleeve notes by Will Friedwald and rare photos. 43 tracks.

Grace Notes Vol 1: Hope and Humor in Hard Times
(Chantooz Music - new on CD)
From the live show presented at Don't Tell Mama: Grace Notes a Singers' Soiree. Nesha Ward, Miles Phillips, Wendy Russell, Tanya Holt, Grace Cosgrove, Lennie Watts, Maria Moncada. "Skylark," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "Feeling Good," "A Change in Me," "Everything Must Change," "Bacon," "Laughing Matters," "Higher and Higher," "Find My Strength," "Let Yourself Go," "Wonderful," "Devil May Care," "Hymne a l'Amour," "That's Life / Life's a Bowl of Cherries," "Que Sera Sera." Produced by Grace Cosgrove. Lennie Watts, director. Don Rebic, Musical Director an piano; Tom Hubbar, bass. Recorded at Don't Tell Mama 12/4/2008.

Is This Home?
(new at iTunes)
Ethan Feeman (Elisabeth, Phantom of the Opera, Jekyll & Hyde, Dracula, Evita. Live recording of the premiere of Ethan Freeman's solo show recorded on May 13, 2007 in Oberhausen, Germany. Special guest Monika-Julia Dehnert. Songs from shows by Claude Michel-Schönberg, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Frank Wildhorn sung in English and German. CD available from Germany at SoundofMusic.de.

Marlene Ver Planck: Once There Was A Moon
(Audiophile - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Recorded in 2008 with husband Billy producing and arranging with backing by pianist Tedd Firth, drummer Rich DeRosa, bassist Steve LaSpina. Tracks: "I'm In Love Again," "Where Do You Go From Love," "Best Thing For You, The," "Around About Half Past Nine," "It Might As We Be Spring," "I've Got You Under My Skin," "What Are You Afraid of ?," "Evening Star," "They Say It's Spring," "Better Luck Next Time," "You're Laughing At Me," "Ev'rthing I Love," "Dearly Beloved," "Once There Was a Moon."

Pete's Dragon High-Flying Edition
(Disney - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1971 animated/live action film with songs by Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn. Sean Marshall, Mickey Rooney, Helen Reddy, Shelley Winters, Red Buttons, Jim Backus, Jeff Conaway, Jim Dale. Extras: Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Disney's Movie Magic narrated by Sean Marshall; deleted storyboard sequence: "Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliot" rare demo dialog track and storyboard sketches; Original song concept: "Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)" first demo recording with story sketches for an early concept of the song Pete sings to Elliot; special audio-only feature with early demo versions of "Brazzle Dazzle Day" and "Every Little Piece" before they evolved into the songs heard in the movie, and "The Greatest Star of All," originally intended to be sung by cut character Ferdinand; audio only pop versions of "It's Not Easy," "Brazzle Dazzle Day," "There's Room For Everyone" and Academy Award nominee "Candle On The Water"; interactive game; art galleries, trailers; and more.

Ruined
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Lynn Nottage Pulitzer Prize winning play.

These Old Broads
(Sony - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2001 TV movie with screenplay by Carrie Fisher and Elaine Pope. Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Elizabeth Taylor, Joan Collins, Carrie Fisher, Jonathan Silverman, June Allyson, Pat Crawford, Todd Fisher.


August 11, 2009

The Confessions of Edward Day: A Novel
(Nan A. Talese - Hardcover Book)
Valerie Martin's fictional memoir which re-creates the seamy theater world of 1970s New York, when rents were cheap, love was free, and nudity on stage was the latest craze. "Edward Day's confession reminded me of how exciting New York theater really was in the 70s. Valerie Martin has truly captured the reality of being an actor and Edward's tale is as suspenseful as a thriller." —Blythe Danner

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: The 1920s
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Maurice Chevalier, Rudy Vallee, John Boles, Nina Mae McKinney, Jeanette MacDonald, Al Jolson, Helen Morgan, Eddie Cantor, Bebe Daniels, Sophie Tucker. 120 minutes.

Hollywood Singing And Dancing: The 1980s, 1990s and 2000s
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Kevin Spacey, Johnny Depp, John Travolta, Madonna, Nicole Kidman, Bette Midler, Renee Zellweger, Julie Andrews, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Joel Grey, Beyonce Knowles, Jennifer Hudson. 150 minutes.

Leader of the Pack
(Wounded Bird Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Cast album of the 1985 revue. Originally on Electra Records as a double and highlights LP, this release will have the complete double album on a single CD. Dinah Manoff, Darlene Love, Jasmine Guy, Ellie Greenwich.

Naughty or Nice: Ray Jessel
(LML Music - new on CD)
order at CD Universe
Personnel: Ray Jessel (vocals, piano); Shelly Goldstein, Maude Maggart (vocals). 26 tracks.

Paris 36
(Sony - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Christopher Barratier's musical film which "follows a group of unemployed stage performers in 1936 who decide to reopen their neighborhood musical hall." Original vintage-style French songs by composer Reinhardt Wagner and lyricist Frank Thomas. Clovis Cornillac, Bernard-Pierre Donnadieu, Nora Arnezeder, Gerard Jugnot, Pierre Richard, Kad Merad, Francois Morel, Maxence Perrin, Eric Prat, Elisabeth Vitali. Bonuses: commentary with Writer/Director Christophe Barratier and actress Nora Arnezeder; Nora Arnezeder: The Young Revelation's Beautiful Adventure; Paris 36: Interviews with the actors; The Film Locations: Thomas Lautners's "Making-of"; English Subtitles. Soundtrack was released March 17

Porgy and Bess
(Verve - remastered CD)
Remastered 1997 recording of Joe Henderson's jazz interpretation of the Gershwin score. Joe Henderson (tenor saxophone); Sting, Chaka Khan (vocals); Conrad Herwig (trombone); Stefon Harris (vibraphone); Tommy Flanagan (piano); John Scofield (acoustic & electric guitars); Dave Holland (bass); Jack DeJohnette (drums). Principally recorded at Avatar Studios, New York, New York from May 25-28, 1997. "Summertime" was nominated for a 1998 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Rock of Ages: A New Musical
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songbook for current Broadway musical. Includes 30 piano/vocal selections. 176 pages.

Ryan Molloy - Sings Frankie
(new on CD)
Current Frankie in West End Jersey Boys. "My Eyes Adored You," "Can't Take My Eyes Off You," "Ragdoll," "Sherry / Walk Like A Man," "Oh What A Night," "Beggin," "Fallen Angel," "Grease," "Working My Way Back To You," "Who Loves You." Available at Dress Circle.

Stay: Joe Settineri
(LML Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Singer-songwriter Joe Settineri's debut album. 12 original songs that range from ballads to vintage pop tunes.

That's Entertainment!: Songs from M-G-M's Greatest Movie Musicals
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
128 pages.

Wizard of Oz 2010 Wall Calendar
(Red Star - wall calendar)
Featuring photos from the film. Another publisher offers a different version here.


August 4, 2009

The Disney Song Encyclopedia
(Scarecrow Press - Hardcover Book)
By Thomas S. Hischak and Mark A. Robinson. Describes and discusses over 900 of the most famous and not-so-famous songs from Disney films, television, Broadway, and theme parks from the 1930s to the present day, and does so in great detail to determine exactly what it is that makes them so memorable. Glossary of song terms, list of all the Disney songs and their sources, songwriter's directory in which every song by each composer/lyricist is listed, a bibliography, a guide to recordings and DVDs of Disney productions, and an index of people and titles.

Duo!: The Best Scenes for Two for the 21st Century
(Applause - Paperback Book)
Editors Rebecca Dunn Jaroff, Bob Shuman, Joyce E. Henry. Spotlighting the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, regional, and experimental writings since 2000 ... pieces for performance, acting class, and study. Culled from the work of over 100 playwrights - including Tracy Letts confronts the aftermath of betrayal on a night too hot for sleep in August: Osage County; Karen Finley exposes sexual politics outside the Oval Office in George and Martha; Tom Stoppard investigates the difficulties of understanding Greek as well as the younger generation in Rock 'n' Roll; Lynn Nottage delineates gentility, the fear of being alone, and the passage of time in Intimate Apparel; Richard Greenberg weighs the costs of being godly or becoming merely human in the baseball-themed Take Me Out; and Tina Howe bends time, showing the universal power of dramatic recognition across the ages, in Water Music.

George Gershwin: An Intimate Portrait (Music in American Life)
(Univ of Illinois Press - Hardcover)
By Walter Rimler. Makes use of fresh sources, including newly discovered letters by Kay Swift as well as correspondence between and interviews with intimates of Ira and Leonore Gershwin. More than two dozen photographs. 216 pages

Grey Gardens
(Free News Projects - Hardcover Book/CD)
By Sarah Maysles, Rebekah Maysles. Introduction by Albert Maysles. A myriad of collaged illustrations, photographs, film stills, production notes and other archival materials alongside transcripts of the Beales' own stories and conversations edited from unreleased Grey Gardens (documentary, and the basis for the Broadway musical Grey Gardens) sound recordings. Structured to mirror the Maysles' own approach to the world of the Beales, it closely resembles the enchanting clutter of the mansion, a self-contained world littered with mementos and telling ephemera. Also, unpublished photographs by both Albert and David Maysles. Includes drawings and illustrations by Albert's daughter, Rebekah Maysles, and an appendix with the full transcript of Grey Gardens. Includes a 60-minute CD that contains conversations with the Beales and their friends, songs and poetry recited by the two Edies and audio of the Beales during and after watching the film for the first time. Released 6/30/09.

Steve Barton: Only For a While
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
Collection of songs performed by West End/Broadway/Europe actor (Phantom, Tanz der Vampire who died in 2001. 14 unreleased tracks; 16 tracks total, including "Hopefully" bonus track written and performed by son Edward Barton. Liner notes by Dee Shipman. Rare/unpublished photographs. Available at Stage Door Records from the UK and Footlight.

You Must Remember This: The Warner Bros. Story
(WHV - new on 2 DVDs)
Richard Schickel's 5-episode, 85th-anniversary salute to the studio shown on PBS. Amazon exclusive DVD.


July 28, 2009

9 to 5
(Dolly Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
OBC recording of Dolly Parton score. Stephanie J. Block, Megan Hilty, Allison Janey, Marc Kudisch, Kathy Fitzgerald, Andy Karl, Ioana Alfonso, Ann Harada, Lisa Howard. "9 to 5," "Around Here," "Here for You," "I Just Might," "Backwoods Barbie," "Dance o' Death," "Cowgirl's Revenge," "Potion Notion," "Joy to the Girls," "Heart to Hart," "Shine Like the Sun," "One of the Boys," "5 to 9," "Always a Woman," "Change It," "Let Love Grow," "Get Out and Stay Out," Finale.

The Judy Garland Show, Vol. 1
(Infinity - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Garland's 1963 television show newly restored and remastered from the original 2-inch videotapes. Includes Liza Minnelli singing "You Are for Loving" and "Put on a Happy Face"; Liza and Judy duets "Together," "We Could Make Such Beautiful Music Together," "The Best is Yet to Come," "Bye, Bye, Baby" and "Bob White", and "We're a Couple of Swells"; Count Basie (and his band) and Mel Torme with Garland on "I Hear Music," "The Sweetest Sounds," "Strike Up the Band," "April in Paris" and "Memories of You"; Judy Henske, Jerry Van Dyke and Soupy Sales; Judy singing "A Cottage for Sale," "Hey, Look Me Over," "Liza," "As Long as He Needs Me," and "Come Rain or Come Shine." Restored and digitally remastered from the original masters, this dynamic diva will move you like no one else! Look for all 13 volumes, each featuring two hour-long shows. 120 minutes, with both the original mono soundtrack and a new 5.1 Surround Sound track. Bonuses: outtakes. First of 13 releases, each featuring two episodes from the 26-episode run.

A Midsummer Night's Dream Stew
(new on CD)
Score for Shakespeare on the Sound production, written by Stew. Six songs sung by Stew, plus 13 instrumental tracks. Order at http://www.shakespeareonthesound.org/Album.html.

Musical Film Classics 2010 Calendar
(wall Calendar/4 DVDs)
2010 calendar with 4 bonus DVDs featuring 12 movies.

On Broadway 2010 Wall Calendar
(Pomegranate - new Calendar)
Wall calendar for 2010 featuring theatre posters from Triton Gallery. 12 pages.

Sister Act
(First Night - new on import CD)
Order at CD Universe
OLC recording of musical adaptation of 1992 film. Alan Menken/Glenn Slater score. Nicolas Colicos, Ivan De De Freitas, Thomas Goodridge, Claire Greenway, Sheila Hancock, Chris Jarman, Ian Lavender, Patina Miller, Ako Mitchell, Katie Rowley Jones, Julia Sutton. Also available at Dress Circle.


July 21, 2009

Andy Warhol Presents Man on the Moon
(Varese Vintage - new on enhanced CD)
Never-before-released music written and performed by John Phillips from his long-lost musical Man On The Moon (aka Space). The enhanced CD includes 34 previously unreleased original John Phillips songs performed by John and his Celestial Choir, featuring Genevieve Waite, Monique Van Vooren, and Denny Doherty. Includes live recordings of the show made by Andy Warhol from the audience at the Little Theatre in 1975, and studio tracks from the 1974 Phillips-produced rare cult classic Genevieve Waite album, Romance Is On The Rise." Bonus DVD includes rehearsal footage: "Plastic Bouquets" (Company), "Penthouse of Your Mind" (John Phillips); "Champagne And Kisses" (Monique Van Vooren). Bonus PDF file with bonus material from the show, Including Playbill, photos, reviews and clippings, early scripts, selected orchestrations and more.

Barbara Slater: Remembering Johnny Mercer
(new on CD)
Centennial Celebration Collection of Mercer songs. Available at CD Baby with track list and clips.

Broadway and Corporate Capitalism: The Rise of the Professional-Managerial Class, 1900-1920 (Palgrave Studies in Theatre and Performance History)
(Palgrave - Hardcover Book)
By Michael Schwartz. Through an examination of plays, actors, reviews, and audience response of the period, this study traces the development of Broadway as a source of "mature" American drama, and the simultaneous development of Professional-Managerial Class consciousness and habitus.

A Don't Hug Me County Fair
(new on CD)
Original cast recording of Phil & Paul Olson musical (Don't Hug Me and A Don't Hug Me Christmas Carol). Available at CD Baby, with track list and clips.

I'm the Greatest Star: Broadway's Top Musical Legends from 1900 to Today
(Applause Books - Hardcover Book)
By Robert Viagas. First major survey of Broadway musical theatre stars that covers the entire period from 1900 to the present, telling the life stories of the stage luminaries (40 in total) from Al Jolson, George M. Cohan, and Fanny Brice, through Zero Mostel, Alfred Drake, Gwen Verdon, to today's Nathan Lane, Patti Lupone, and Audra McDonald. Full-page photos of the stars accompany each chapter. To be presented as a musical at Hofstra University in July 2009. 352 pages.

In the Theater: Momoka Akiyama
(Right Brain Music - new on CD)
Songs by Tokyo musical theater composer Momoka Akiyama sung by Japanese musical performers. Available at CD Baby, with track list and clips.

The Lucy Show: The Official First Season
(Paramount - on 4 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
First 30 episodes of the 1960s series, remastered. Extras: Flubs: continuity errors; Special Footage half-hour interview with Lucie Arnaz, a 15-minute talk with Jimmy Garrett with his former-child-star perspective and a look at various "Lucy Show" comic books, games, and toys, and 1962 promos for the show; Original Elements sponsor-related spots plus cast commercials for the various products; Meet Special People profiles of the cast and crew; Production Notes miscellaneous behind-the-scenes tidbits of trivia; and Guest Cast profiles of all the main guests in each episode, which include Hans Conried, William Windom, Vito Scotti, Don Grady, William Schallert, Mary Wickes, Ellen Corby, Nancy Kulp, Frank Aletter, Peter Marshall, Carole Cook.

The New Broadway Song Companion: An Annotated Guide to Musical Theatre Literature by Voice Type and Song Style 2nd Edition
(Scarecrow Press - Hardcover)
By David DeVenney. Comprehensive listing of the musical numbers from over 300 Broadway shows. Each song is annotated with the name of the character who sings it, the voice type, the exact vocal range, and a description of the song style. A set of six indexes allows access to this music by voice type (soprano, baritone, etc), song style (uptempo, ballad, etc), vocal arrangement (duets, trios, chorus, etc), and composer and lyricist. 272 pages.

Pushing Daisies: The Complete Second Season
(new on 4 DVDs/2 Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
All thirteen episodes of final season TV series with Lee Pace, Anna Friel, Chi McBride, Kristin Chenoweth, Jim Dale (narrator), Ellen Greene, Swoosie Kurtz. Extras include The Master Pie Maker: Inside The Mind Of Creator Bryan Fuller; From Oven To Table: Crafting A Script Idea Into Reality; Secret Sweet Ingredients: Spotlight On Composer Jim Dooley's Work; Add A Little Magic: Executing Some Giant-Sized Visual Effects. Also available: Pushing Daisies: The Complete First and Second Seasons on 7 discs.


July 14, 2009

At The Saints & Sinners Ball - Betty Hutton
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Betty Hutton's last album, from 1959, plus the title track from TV musical "Satins and Spurs," plus "Back Home," duets with Tennessee Ernie Ford and Marion Hutton.

Broadway Musicals of 1968
(Original Cast - new on CD)
Recorded May 1, 2006 at Town Hall. Jack Noseworthy, Bill Nolte, Brad Oscar, Lorinda Lisitza, Adam Grupper, Lisa Howard, Annie Golden, Scott Coulter, Shayna Steele, Christina Marie Norrup, Kim Shriver, Courtney Young. Directed by Brad Oscar. Hosted by Scott Siegel. Available at Footlight.

Chanson: Amanda McBroom Sings Jacques Brel
(Gecko Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Amanda McBroom, pays tribute to Jacques Brel. Eleven Brel compositions: "Early Morning Hangers On," "Song For Old Lovers," "I Loved," "My Death," "Ca Va," "Ne Me Quitte Pas," "No Love You're Not Alone," "You Don't Forget The Past," "Maricke," "Carousel," "If We Only Have Love." Paul Viapiano (guitar); Mark Isham (trumpet); Michele Brourman (piano); Cliff Hugho (bass instrument); Debra Dobkin (drums, percussion).

Fame 09 the Remixes Volume 1
(Lakeshore - new on iTunes)
Naturi Naughton.

Fine and Dandy - Jane Russell
(Sepia Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Russell's 1958 album plus five never-before-released recordings "Sing You Sinners," "I've Got The World On a String," "One Way Ticket To The Blues," Gentlemen Prefer Blondes demo recording of "Diamond Are a Girl's Best Friend" and "One For My Baby" from Macao.

Grey Gardens
(HBO - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2009 HBO film about the Beales based on the documentary (also the basis for the musical). Jessica Lange, Drew Barrymore, Malcolm Gets, Jeanne Tripplehorn. 104 minutes.

Keys: The Music of Scott Alan - Special Edition
(new on CD)
Special version with including Sutton Foster, Caissie Levy, Julia Murney, Randy Graff, Norm Lewis, Kerry Ellis and More. Now featuring six Karaoke Tracks. Available at CDBaby.com.

Street Scene
(Naxos - new on CD)
1949 Hollywood Bowl concert version of Kurt Weill's Street Scene. Dorothy Sarnoff, Polyna Stoska and Brian Sullivan. Part of a two-hour concert broadcast live from the Hollywood Bowl and recorded by the Armed Forces Radio Service, who pressed it on sixteen-inch transcription discs. Available in the UK at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

Sun Up Sky: Suzanne Jamieson
(LML Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
NY and LA performer debut album, with David Boswell, Rob Hardt, John Boswell, Scott Harlan, Bruce Stone, Brian Boyce. "Til There Was You," "Speak Low," "Infinite Joy," "Medley: Wil You? When The Meadow Was Bloomin'," "Medley: In The Still Of The Night/Night & Day," "Sleepin Bee, A," "You Spotted Snakes," "Christmas Lullaby," "Don't Cry Out Load," "Love Is Only Love," "Medley: Take Me To The World/You're Gonna Hear From Me," "I'd Rather Be Sailing."

We Remember Kate Smith
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
The 26 songs recorded in the late 1950s in stereo and now available on CD for the very first time.


July 7, 2009

Back Back Back; Celebrity Row; Outrage: Three Plays
(Faber & Faber - Paperback Book)
Three plays by Itamar Moses.

Jump For Joy - Peggy Lee
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
First U.S. CD release of Peggy Lee album. In stereo.

Kate Pazakis Unzipped: Live at the Zipper
(PS Classics - new on CD
Order at CD Universe
Kate Pazakis (Jerry Springer the Opera, Newsical) debut album. Recorded live at the now Zipper Theatre in December, 2008. Brian J. Nash, musical director. Produced by Jen Namoff and Danny Gordon. Jason Robert Brown contributed some arrangements and a new song, written for Kate. "Hand In My Pocket," "Me," "Breaking Up Somebody's Home," "I'm Gonna Be Strong," "Sleepy Man," "I Will," "So Far Away," "Sin Wagon," "Band Intros," "Stay With Me," "Sober," "I Just Wanna Dance," "Clarissa's Last Stand." Released digitally in June. In stores July 7.

The Man I Love
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
First U.S. CD release of Peggy Lee album.

Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Tenth Season
(Universal Home Video - new on 5 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1993 episodes from TV series starring Angela Lansbury. Guests include France Nuyen, Hallie Foote, Mickey Rooney, Tippi Hedren, Don Murray, George Segal, Julianna Margules, Elaine Joyce, Herb Edelman, Anne Meara, Davis Gaines, John Saxon, Tony Lo Bianco, Loretta Swit, Edward Hibbert, Dennis Boutsikaris, Martin Milner, Patrick Cassidy.

Nigel Richards - A Shining Truth
(new on CD)
UK singer/actor (Floyd Collins, Les Miserables, Baby) presents 15 songs, 14 are previously unrecorded songs by five American writers. "Tom Sawyer" (Michael John LaChiusa) Romance Language, "Butterfly" (Richard Taylor) The GoBetween, "Easier" (Conor Mitchell) Letters to an Absent Other, "If There Is A Heaven" (Michael John LaChiusa) Cut from The Wild Party, "Death In The Clouds" (Jason Carr) The Six Pictures of Lee Miller, "Sian" (Tim Sutton) Tilting At Windmills, "Never look Back" (Howard Goodall) Silas Marner, "Picture Lullaby" (Gary Carpenter and Michelle Magorian) Goodnight Mr Tom, "Pointy's Lament" (Michael John LaChiusa) The Petrified Prince, "The Good-bye Song" (Gary Fagin and Elise Thoron) Life? Or Theatre?, "What Kind of A Life Is This, Masha?" (Conor Mitchell) The Young Pornographer's Wife, "Cloths Of Heaven" (Timothy Williams and W B Yeats) The Yeats Cycle, "Lady of the Sea" (Chris Miller and Nathan Tysen) The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, "An' She'd Have Blue Eyes" (Adam Guettel) Floyd Collins, "How Glory Goes" (Adam Guettel) Floyd Collins. Available at Dress Circle.

Rock of Ages
(New Line - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Cast recording of Broadway show. Constantine Maroulis, Amy Spanger, Adam Dannheisser, Mitchell Jarvis, Michele Mais, Lauren Molina, Paul Schoeffler, Wesley Tayler, James Carpinello. "Just Like Paradise/Nothin' But a Good Time," "Sister Christian," "We Built This City/Too Much Time on My Hands," "I Wanna Rock," "We're Not Gonna Take It," "Heaven/More Than Words /To Be with You," "Waiting for a Girl Like You," "Wanted Dead or Alive," "I Want to Know What Love Is," "Cum o,n Feel the Noize/We're Not Gonna Take It (Reprise)," "Harden My Heart/Shadows of the Night," "Here I Go Again," "The Final Countdown," "Any Way You Want It/I Wanna Rock (Reprise)," "High Enough," "I Hate Myself for Loving You/Heat of the Moment," "Hit Me with Your Best Shot," "Can't Fight This Feeling," "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," "Oh, Sherrie," "The Search Is Over," "Don't Stop Believin'" Available now at iTunes and Amazon mp3.

Show Girl
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
Carol Channing 1961 revue. With Jules Munshin and Les Quat' Jendis. Limited release of 1,000 units. Also available at Kritzerland.com and Footlight.

X-2 - Bernstein West Side Story Suite/Gershwin Fan Twofer
(Sony Classics - on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Specially priced package with two albums of violinist Joshua Bell.

X-2 - West Side Story Twofer
(Sony Classics - on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Specially priced package including the West Side Story Original Broadway Cast recording and the Original Movie Soundtrack.


June 30, 2009

Barbra Streisand - Live In Concert 2006 Blu-ray
(Hip-O - new on Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
Blu-Ray version of Live in Concert 2006 with (unconfirmed) extras: "Nobody's Heart (Belongs to Me)," "When the Sun Comes Out," and "The Woman in the Moon," the latter preceded by introductions of Barbara Boxer and Nancy Pelosi in the audience; Il Divo "Senza Catene" and "Regresa a mi"' interview with key Behind-the-Scenes personnel behind the tour, and an interview about the Barbra Streisand Foundation.

Bob Barnard's Jazz Party: Rebecca Kilgore, Eddie Erickson, Dan Barrett, Mark Elton
(Nif Nif Jazz - new on CD)
From Australian cornetist Bob Barnard's tenth and final Jazz Party. "Let's Get Away From it All," "If I Had You," "When You and I Were Young Maggie," "Who Walks In When I Walk Out?," "Can I Come In For A Second?," "Play Fiddle Play," "The Lady's In Love With You," "Sway," "Then I'll Be Happy," "My Canary Has Circles Under His Eyes," "Little White Lies," "Stardust," "C'est Si Bon," "Accentuate The Positive," "A Hundred Years From Today." Available at CDBaby.

Cy Coleman Anthology
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Features 50 of Cy Coleman's greatest songs, including: "Big Spender," "I Love My Wife," "If My Friends Could See Me Now," "Never Met a Man I Didn't Like," "The Rhythm of Life," "Witchcraft," "You Can Always Count on Me" and many more.

Lucille Ball Specials - Lucy Gets Lucky & Three For Two
(MPI - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1975 hour-long specials with Lucy trying to see Dean Martin Las Vegas (Lucy Gets Lucky), and pairing with Jackie Gleason for three comic plays (Three For Two).

The Real Thing: Vanessa Williams
(Concord - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New solo album. "Breathless," "Hello Like Before," "Loving You," "Just Friends," "Real Thing, The," "Lazy Afternoon," "Close To You," "I Fell In," "October Sky" (featuring Javier Colon), "Come On Strong," "If There Were No Song." Released 6/2/09.

Road Show
(PS Classics/Nonesuch - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New musical (previously titled Bounce) with score by Stephen Sondheim. Michael Cerveris and Alexander Gemignani, Alma Cuervo, William Parry, Claybourne Elder, Aisha de Haas, Colleen Fitzpatrick, Mylinda Hull, Mel Johnson, Jr., Orville Mendoza, Anne L. Nathan, Tom Nelis, Matt Stocke, William Youmans and Kristine Zbornik. Album to be produced by Tommy Krasker. "Waste," "It's In Your Hands Now," "Gold!," "Brotherly Love," "The Game," "Addison's Trip," "That Was a Year," "Isn't He Something!," "Land Boom!," "Talent," "You," "The Best Thing That Ever Has Happened," "The Game (Reprise)," "Addison's City," "Boca Raton," "Get Out/Go," Finale.

The Very Best of Broadway
(EMI - new on 2 CDs, Import)
Order at CD Universe
Compilation of EMI Classics' John McGlinn catalogue covering a wide representation of all the great Broadway composers, including George Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Kurt Weill, Frederick Loewe, Richard Rodgers, Vincent Youmans and Leonard Bernstein.

West Side Story Exclusive Limited Edition with Playbill
(Sony Classics - new on CD)
2009 Broadway cast recording plus a Playbill from the show. Amazon exclusive. Released 6/2/09.


June 23, 2009

Hair
(Ghostlight - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
2009 revival cast recording. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. Cast includes Sasha Allen, Allison Case, Gavin Creel, Caissie Levy, Darius Nichols, Bryce Ryness, Kacie Sheik, Will Swenson, and Ato Blankson-Wood. Produced by Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss and Galt McDermott with Bill Rosenfield executive producer. "Aquarius," "Donna," "Hashish," "Sodomy," "Colored Spade," "Manchester, England," "I'm Black/Ain't Got No," "Sheila Franklin/I Believe I=in Love," "Ain't Got No Grass," "Air," "Kama Sutra/The Stone Age," "I Got Life," "Initials," "Going Down," "Hair," "My Conviction," "Easy to Be Hard," "Don't Put It Down," "Frank Mills," "Hare Krishna/Be-in," "Where Do I Go?," "Electric Blues," "Oh Great God of Power/Manchester, England (Reprise)," "Black Boys," "White Boys," "Walking in Space," "Minuet/African Drums," "Yes I's Finished on Y'All's Farmlands," "Four Score/Abie Baby," "Give Up All Desires/Hail Mary/Roll Call," "Three-Five-Zero-Zero," "What a Piece Of Work Is Man/How Dare They Try," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Aquarius Goodnights/Ain't Got No/Yip Up the Sun," "The Flesh Failures/Eyes Look Your Last/Let The Sun Shine In," "Curtain Call: Hair (Reprise)," "Curtain Call: Let The Sun Shine In (Reprise)." Recorded April 6.

Jackie Mason - The Ultimate Jew Live on Broadway
(Eagle Rock Entertainment - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Mason's farewell show. 92 minutes.

Legally Blonde Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
14 songs from the Broadway musical with Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin score. Includes piano/vocal arrangements of: "Bend and Snap," "Find My Way/Finale," "Legally Blonde," "Omigod You Guys," "Take It like a Man," "What You Want" and more.

Listen
(Razor & Tie/Sh-K-Boom - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Benefit recording for Our Time Theater, a non-profit organization centered on a one-of-a-kind Arts program that provides children who stutter with an environment of unconditional acceptance…a creative forum, where they can express themselves through art, music, writing and theater, slowly and without risk of being ridiculed. Album features 15 original songs written by children who stutter, performed by Carly Simon, Duncan Sheik, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Mandy Patinkin Kelli O'Hara, Adam Pascal, Michael Cerveris and Sherie Rene Scott, Blue Man Group, Ann Hampton Callaway, Amanda Kravat, Adriane Lenox, Norm Lewis, Anthony Rapp, Nicki Richards, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Stomp, Mary Testa, Michelle Weeks, Lucy Woodward, Spring Awakening, and the youth of Our Time.

PIZZArelli Party
(Arbors Records - new on CD)
Compilation of tracks by Bucky and John Pizzarelli, Jessica Molaskey, Rebecca Kilgore.


June 16, 2009

Chess in Concert: Live From Royal Albert Hall
(Reprise - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Complete live recording of the May 2008 Chess in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Kerry Ellis, Clarke Peters, David Bedella and Marti Pellow with West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall.

Chess in Concert: Live From Royal Albert Hall (Highlights)
(Reprise - new on CD)
Single disc of highlights from ay 2008 Chess in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Kerry Ellis, Clarke Peters, David Bedella and Marti Pellow with West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall. "Story of Chess," "Merano," "Who Needs a Dream?," "Merchandisers," "Chess #1," "Quartet (A Model of Decorum and Tranquility)," "Nobody`s on Nobody`s Side," "Mountain Due," "Embassy Lament," "Heaven Help My Heart" (Idina Menzel), "Anthem" (Josh Groban), "Golden Bangkok," "One Night in Bangkok" (Groban, Menzel), "You and I," "Someone Else`s Story" (Idina Menzel), "Pity the Child," "I Know Him So Well" (Groban, Menzel), "You and I (Reprise)" (Menzel) "Anthem (Reprise)."

Chess In Concert: Live From Royal Albert Hall DVD
(Reprise - new on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
Complete live recording of the May 2008 Chess in concert at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Josh Groban, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Kerry Ellis, Clarke Peters, David Bedella and Marti Pellow with West End Chorus and the City of London Philharmonic with Stephen Disley playing the great organ of the Royal Albert Hall. Introduced by Tim Rice. Region 1 DVD.

The Diary of Anne Frank: 50th Anniversary Edition
(Fox - on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe (Blu-Ray)
1959 film directed by George Stevens. Shelley Winters, Millie Perkins, Joseph Schildkraut, Diane Baker, Ed Wynn, Douglas Spencer, Lou Jacobi, Richard Beymer, Dody Heath, Gusti Huber. Bonus features (marked by * are exclusive to the Blu-Ray version): Audio Commentary with George Stevens Jr, and Millie Perkins; Introduction: George Stevens and WWII; The Making of The Diary of Anne Frank: A Son's Memories; The Diary of Anne Frank: Memories from Millie Perkins and Diane Baker; Shelley Winters and The Diary of Anne Frank; The Sound and Music of The Diary of Anne Frank; The Diary of Anne Frank: Correspondence; Fox Legacy with Tom Rothman; Behind The Scenes Gallery; * Diary of Anne Frank: Echoes from the Past; * Diary of Anne Frank: Excerpt from "George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey; * George Stevens Press Conference; * Millie Perkins Screen Test; * Fox Movietonews Clips; * Theatrical Trailer; * Interactive Pressbook Gallery.

Jewish Cabaret in Exile
(Cedille - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
From Chicago-based touring ensemble New Budapest Orpheum Society. 25 Jewish and Yiddish cabaret songs by Edmund Nick, Hanns Eisler, Friedrich Holländer, Moses Milner, Abraham Ellstein, Viktor Ullmann, Georg Kreisler & Misha Spoliansky of love, lament, observational humor, and social satire presented in thematic sets addressing exile - external and internal, physical and psychological - from a variety of perspectives ... along a timeline that begins in the wake of World War I and ends in the post-World War II period.  64-page booklet includes extensive programs notes by Philip V. Bohlman, artistic director of the New Budapest Orpheum Society and complete lyrics in English and the original German or Yiddish.

Legally Blonde Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
14 songs from the Broadway musical with Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin score. Includes piano/vocal arrangements of: "Bend and Snap," "Find My Way/Finale," "Legally Blonde," "Omigod You Guys," "Take It like a Man," "What You Want" and more.

The Strange One
(Sony - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1957 film version of Calder Willingham's play. Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle, Clifton James, George Peppard, Julie Wilson, Arthur Storch. Ben Gazzara Remembers The Strange One.

Sylvia Brooks: Dangerous Liaisons
(new on CD-R)
Miami and California singer's new interpretations of torch songs in a pop style with a classic standard and jazz influence. Jeff Colella on piano, Chris Collangelo on bass, Kendall Kay on drums, Jamie Havorka on trumpet, Kim Richmond on saxophone and flute, Eric Budman, saxophone and flute, Giovanna Imbesi, keyboards and Brian Kilgore, percussion. "Come Rain or Come Shine," "Never Dance," "Harlem Nocturne," "Sway," "Cry Me a River," "Sophisticated Lady," "When the Sun Comes Out," "Lush Life," "The Man That Got Away," "One for My Baby." Available at CDBaby and CD Universe.

Theatreland
(Continuum - Hardcover Book)
Paul Ibell combines historical narrative with a unique exploration of how London's theatre works today, taking the reader through the streets, squares and alleyways of the theatre capital of the world. Chapters on themes, personalities and trends, the book reflects the co-existence between past and present that is such a feature of London's theatre world, and shows how actors and producers, playwrights and publicists, theatre historians and modern architects, choreographers, critics and customers all play their part in ensuring that London remains the theatre capital of the world.


June 9, 2009

The Fever Chart: Three Visions of the Middle East
(Theatre Communications Group - Paperback)
Play by Naomi Wallace.

Flower Drum Song / 1959 Studio Cast Recording
(Sony Masterworks - on CD/iTunes)
1959 studio cast recording with bonus tracks recorded just after the premiere in 1958 and '59: "Grant Avenue" (Florence Henderson), "Love, Look Away by Richard Rodgers" (Pat Suzuki), "Fan Tan Fannie" (Sandra Church), "Like a God" (Florence Henderson), "Sunday" (Pat Suzuki), "I Enjoy Being a Girl" (Florence Henderson). Arabella Hong, Larry Blyden, Pat Suzuki, Jack Soo, Juanita Hall, Larry Storch, Keye Luke. CD by ArkivMusic, with unseen photos & in depth liner notes.

The Jack Lemmon Film Collection
(Sony - on 6 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1954 Phffft! (Judy Holliday, Kim Novak, Jack Carson), 1957 Operation Mad Ball (Ernie Kovacs, Kathryn Grant, Mickey Rooney, James Darren), 1962 The Notorious Landlady (Kim Novak, Fred Astaire, Lionel Jeffries); 1963 Under The Yum Yum Tree (Carol Lynley, Dean Jones, Edie Adams, Imogene Coca, Paul Lynde), and 1964 Good Neighbor Sam (Romy Schnieder, Dorothy Provine, Mike Connors). Also includes a a disc in tribute to Lennon and his career - hosted by son, Chris.

The King And I / 1964 Lincoln Center Cast Recording
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD/iTunes)
1964 Lincoln Center cast recording with Darren McGavin, Risë Stevens, Patricia Neway, Lee Venora and Frank Poretta. Bonus tracks recorded a few days before the show's 1951 premiere at the St James Theater: "I Whistle a Happy Tune" (Dinah Shore), "A Puzzlement" (Robert Merrill), "I Have Dreamed" (Patrice Munsel and Tony Martin), "Getting To Know You" and "Hello, Young Lovers" (Richard Kiley). CD by ArkivMusic, with liner notes.

Pinkalicious
(Ghostlight/Razor & Tie - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Based on the best-selling kids book of the same name, this musical adaptation is playing New York City, and will be licensing productions out across the country. Music by John Gregor; lyrics by John Gregor, Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann. Sarah Peak as Pinkalicious, with Michelle Czepyha, Molly Gilman, Alan Houser, Danny Rooney. Prologue, "Pinktastic," "Just One More/ You Get Just What You Get/ Cupcake Dream," "When Dreams Come True," "When Dreams Come True Reprise / Pinkititis," "Pinkititis Reprise," "I Got the Pink Blues," "Buzz Off," "The Power of Antioxidants," "Pinkalicious and Peter Ponder the Predicament," "Green Food," Finale, Bows.

The Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook Compilation
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD/iTunes)
Originally compiled in 1993 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration. This expanded edition includes tracks from the original cast recordings of Allegro and Me and Juliet, as well as revivals of Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I and The Sound of Music - as well as the original cast recording tracks from South Pacific, Cinderella, Flower Drum Song and The Sound of Music. CD by ArkivMusic with booklet with show titles, dates of productions, singers, directors and producers. 23 tracks. CD from ArkivMusic with liner notes and history booklet with show titles, dates of productions, singers, directors and producers and iTunes with digital booklet.

The Songs of Boublil and Schonberg: 14 Songs -Women's Edition
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songs from Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and The Pirate Queen, in editions for voice with piano accompaniment. (Men's and Women's editions have completely different contents.)

Were the World Mine
(Wolfe Video - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Director/writer/producer Tom Gustafson's 2008 musical film. Tanner Cohen, Nathaniel David Becker, Wendy Robie, Judy McLane, Zelda Willaims, and Jill Larson.


June 2, 2009

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
(Mutant Enemy - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Initially an Amazon exclusive of Josh Whedon's Internet musical with Neil Patrick Harris, Nathan Fillion, Felicia Day. Includes Commentary! The Musical, commentary by the cast and crew, Evil League of Evil application videos, making-of featurettes. 43 minutes.

House of Flowers
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
1968 Off-Broadway revival United Artists cast recording. Harold Arlen and Truman Capote score. Arrangements and orchestrations by Joe Raposo. Yolande Bavan, Josephine Premice, Daniel Barrajanos, Charles Moore, Tom Helmore, Thelma Oliver and others. Limited edition of 1,000 copies. Available at Footlight and Kritzerland.com.

Julie London Sings the Choicest of Cole Porter
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe


Kate Pazakis Unzipped: Live at the Zipper
(PS Classics - new at iTunes and on mp3)
Kate Pazakis (Jerry Springer the Opera, Newsical) debut album. Recorded live at the now Zipper Theatre in December, 2008. Brian J. Nash, musical director. Produced by Jen Namoff and Danny Gordon. Jason Robert Brown contributed some arrangements and a new song, written for Kate. "Hand In My Pocket," "Me," "Breaking Up Somebody's Home," "I'm Gonna Be Strong," "Sleepy Man," "I Will," "So Far Away," "Sin Wagon," "Band Intros," "Stay With Me," "Sober," "I Just Wanna Dance," "Clarissa's Last Stand." Digital release. In stores July 7.

Keely Smith: Hey Boy! Hey Girl!/Swingin' Pretty
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Twofer plus 6 bonus tracks. With Louis Prima.

Malcolm Gets: The Journey Home
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
"Look To The Rainbow," "Truly Scrumptious," "It's a Fine Life," "Shall We Dance?," "Anytime," "Waitin'," "Huggin' and Chalkin'," "Everything I've Got," "Getting Tall," "You Are Beautiful," "Medley: Blue Skies/It's a Lovely Day Today," "Long Before I Knew You," "The Journey Home." Available now at PSClassics.com, iTunes and mp3.

The Story of My Life
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
OBC recording of Neil Bartram score from 2009 production. Malcolm Gets and Will Chase. Directed by Richard Maltby, Jr. Recording produced by Tommy Krasker. Available now at PSClassics.com, iTunes and mp3.

This Place I Know - Stephanie J. Block
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Stephanie J. Block (9 to 5, Wicked) sings songs accompanied by the writers: "Something Beautiful" with Stephen Flaherty; "Making Good" with Stephen Schwartz; "Smart Women" (cut from Imaginary Friends) with Marvin Hamlisch; "I Will Always Love You" with Dolly Parton; and collaborations with Deborah Abramson, Scott Alan, Zina Goldrich, Marcy Heisler, Andrew Lippa, Paul Loesel, Steve Marzullo, and Claude-Michel Schonberg. 13 tracks, 9 of which are premiere recordings. Produced by music director Dominick Amendum. Available now at PSClassics.com, iTunes and mp3.

West Side Story Revival
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
2009 Broadway revival cast recording of Bernstein/Sondheim score (with translated lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda). Josefina Scaglione, Matt Cavenaugh, Karen Olivo, George Akram, Cody Greeen. Prologue, "Jet Song," "Something's Coming," "Dance at the Gym," "Maria," "Tonight," "America," "Cool," "One Hand, One Heart," "Tonight (Quintet)," "The Rumble," "Me Siento Hermosa (I Feel Pretty)," "Somewhere," "Gee, Officer Krupke," "Un Hombre Así (A Boy Like That)/I Have a Love," Finale. Barnes & Noble exclusive version includes three bonus tracks: "I Feel Pretty" (in English), "Somewhere" (Instrumental) and "Tonight" (Balcony Scene) (Instrumental). The iTunes album with include bonus tracks "A Boy Like That" in English and "Jump."


May 26, 2009

1.3: Images from My Phone
(powerhouse Books - Hardcover Book)
Joel Grey's third book of photography. 120 pages.

Drama Queers!
(Kensington - Paperback Book)
By Frank Anthony Polito (playwright Another Day On Willow St). A follow up to Polito´s 2008 debut Band Fags!, this coming-of-age tale is set against the backdrop of a 1980s high school Drama Club. After his best friend, Jack, crawls back into the closet, 17-year-old Brad Dayton is determined to pursue his dream of becoming a famous actor someday. But at what price? 416 pages.

Hair Digital Download release
(Ghostlight - new at iTunes and on mp3)
2009 revival cast recording. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. Cast includes Sasha Allen, Allison Case, Gavin Creel, Caissie Levy, Darius Nichols, Bryce Ryness, Kacie Sheik, Will Swenson, and Ato Blankson-Wood. Produced by Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss and Galt McDermott with Bill Rosenfield executive producer. "Aquarius," "Donna," "Hashish," "Sodomy," "Colored Spade," "Manchester, England," "I'm Black/Ain't Got No," "Sheila Franklin/I Believe I=in Love," "Ain't Got No Grass," "Air," "Kama Sutra/The Stone Age," "I Got Life," "Initials," "Going Down," "Hair," "My Conviction," "Easy to Be Hard," "Don't Put It Down," "Frank Mills," "Hare Krishna/Be-in," "Where Do I Go?," "Electric Blues," "Oh Great God of Power/Manchester, England (Reprise)," "Black Boys," "White Boys," "Walking in Space," "Minuet/African Drums," "Yes I's Finished on Y'All's Farmlands," "Four Score/Abie Baby," "Give Up All Desires/Hail Mary/Roll Call," "Three-Five-Zero-Zero," "What a Piece Of Work Is Man/How Dare They Try," "Good Morning, Starshine," "Aquarius Goodnights/Ain't Got No/Yip Up the Sun," "The Flesh Failures/Eyes Look Your Last/Let The Sun Shine In," "Curtain Call: Hair (Reprise)," "Curtain Call: Let The Sun Shine In (Reprise)." Recorded April 6. CD release is June 23.

M. Butterfly
(WHV - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1993 film version of David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly, directed by David Cronenberg. Jeremy Irons, John Lone and Ian Richardson.

Les Miz Original Cast Highlights
(First Night Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
First ever highlights CD of the OLC recording, featuring Colm Wilkinson, Frances Ruffelle, Rebecca Caine, Patti LuPone, Roger Allam, Michael Ball, Zoe Hart, Susan Jane Tanner, David Burt, Alun Armstrong. "At The End Of The Day," "I Dreamed A Dream," "Lovely Ladies," "Who Am I," "Come To Me," "Confrontation," "Master Of The House," "Stars," "Red And Black," "Do You Hear The People Sing," "Love Montage," "One Day More," "On My Own," "Little Fall Of Rain, A," "Drink With Me," "Bring Him Home," "Javert's Suicide Soliloquy," "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables," Finale.

The Songs of Boublil and Schonberg: 14 Songs - Men's Edition
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songs from Les Miserables, Miss Saigon, Martin Guerre and The Pirate Queen, in editions for voice with piano accompaniment. (Men's and Women's editions have completely different contents.)

Spotlight on Larry Kert
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
Compilation of tracks from Larry Kert Sings Leonard Bernstein and Larry Kert Sings, all on CD for the first time. "Maria," "It's Love," "Some Other Time," "Somewhere," "Lonely Town," "Tonight," "Lucky To Be Me," "Quiet Girl," "Ohio," "It Must Be Me," "My House," "Something's Coming," "A Band Of Birds ," "Lovely Cricket," "Please Tell Me Your Name," "Fisherman's Song," "Judy Drownded ," "The Trial," "Sweet Chacoun," "Sisal Grass," "Sweet Johnny's Eyes," "The Search ," "This Thing I Must Do," "Have You Heard." 24 bit cedar mastering. Available at Footlight and from the UK at Stage Door Records.

The Theatrical World of Angus McBean
(David R. Godine - Hardcover Book)
The photography of Angus McBean encompasses more than three decades of the history of British theater. His work includes most of the memorable productions of the Old Vic Company and of what is now the Royal Shakespeare Company; opera productions at Glyndebourne and the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden; ballet and operetta at Sadler's Wells; and West End productions of plays and musicals both old and new hundreds of productions in all. McBean photographed virtually every great actor of his era, perhaps the most brilliant years in the annals of British theater. Photographs selected from the Harvard Theatre Collection by the archive's curator, Fredric Woodbridge Wilson. 192 pages. Released 3/1/09.

When Broadway Was the Runway: Theater, Fashion, and American Culture
(Univ of PA Press - Hardcover Book)
Explores the role of commercial Broadway theater in the birth of modern American fashion and consumer culture. Theater historian Marlis Schweitzer examines how these impresarios presented the dresses actresses wore onstage, as well as the jewelry and hairstyles they chose, as commodities that were available for purchase in nearby department stores and salons. Also covers advertisements appearing throughout theaters, in programs, and on the curtains. Through historical analysis and dozens of early photographs and illustrations, Schweitzer aims a spotlight at the cultural and economic convergence of the theater and fashion industries in the United States. 344 pages, illustrated.


May 19, 2009

After the Quake
(Dramatist's Play Service - Paperback Book)
Frank Galati play.

Andrew Lloyd Webber (Yale Broadway Masters Series)
(Yale Univ Press - Paperback Book)
By John Snelson.

Easy Virtue
(Decca - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Soundtrack for film set in 1920s-30s featuring period songs by Noel Coward and Cole Porter (and some reinterpretations of more contemporary songs). Kristen Scott Thomas, Colin Firth, Ben Barnes and Jessica Biel. "Mad About the Boy" (Biel), "A Room with a View" (Barnes), "Makin' Whoopee" (Celia Graham), "You're The Top" (James Gillan), "Car Wash," "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" (Andy Caine), "In the Library" (Musical Director Marius de Vries), "You Do Something to Me" (Sean Palmer), "All God's Chillun Got Rhythm," "Sexbomb" (Caine), "Let's Misbehave" (Ashley), "When You're Smiling (The Whole World Smiles with You)" (Palmer), "Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit Bag and Smile, Smile, Smile" (Graham), "I'll See You Again" (Barnes), "Easy Virtue Foxtrot," "Easy Virtue Tango" (Sophie Solomon, Perry Montague-Mason, Ian Watson), "When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going" (Biel, Caine, Firth, Ben Barnes).

Hollywood Singing And Dancing: The 1960S
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Documentary hosted by Shirley Jones. Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Natalie Wood, Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Judy Garland, Pat Boone, Carol Channing.

Hollywood Singing And Dancing: The 1970S
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Documentary hosted by Shirley Jones. John Travolta, Gene Wilder, Barbra Streisand, Mel Brooks, Stockard Channing, Beverly D'Angelo, Dom DeLuise, Liza Minnelli, Barry Bostwick, Joel Grey, Didi Conn.

Karen Akers: On Stage at Wolf Trap
(V.I.E.W. - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1989 concert, previously on VHS. Shown on PBS, it won the international Emmy Award for the Best Variety Program. "Unexpected Song" "I'm Not Around" "I Know Him Well" "You Can Have the TV" "Not a Day Goes By" "The Rose" "Sailing On" "I'm Still Here" "Just a Housewife" "I Dreamed a Dream" "Taught By Experts" "Maybe" "Nevertheless" "Somewhere" "I Have a Love." 59 minutes.

Pufnstuf
(Universal - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1970 film based on the kids TV series, featuring Jack Wild, Billie Hayes, Martha Raye, Cass Elliot, and others. 90 minutes.

Some Men and Deuce: Two Plays
(Grove Press - Paperback Book)
Two plays by Terrence McNally.

Stage Fright: Overcoming America's #1 Fear
(See Sharp Press - Paperback Book)
By Mick Berry and Michael Edelstein. Interviews with dozens of top actors, musicians, comedians, and political figures reveal how they've overcome their fears of performing and/or public speaking.

Theatre World: Volume 63 2006-2007
(Applause - Hardcover Book)
John Willis and Ben Hodges, editors. Volume 63 features Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater's Tony Award-winning Best Musical Spring Awakening, which also earned a Theatre World Award for actor Jonathan Groff. Tom Stoppard's The Coast of Utopia captured the Best Play Tony Award, as well as Tonys for featured actors Billy Crudup and Jennifer Ehle. Frasier star David Hyde Pierce returned to his theatre roots to capture a Tony for Kander and Ebb's Curtains, and other highlights of the season include the Off-Broadway musical In the Heights as well as Passing Strange, which debuted at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Features include: expanded section of professional regional productions from across the U.S., the longest running shows on and Off-Broadway, full coverage of the Theatre World Awards for Broadway and Off-Broadway debuts, expanded obituaries and a comprehensive index.

Tom Jones
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
1963 soundtrack. Limited edition of 1000. Sold out at Kritzerland.com. Still available at Footlight.com and ScreenArchives.com.


May 12, 2009

3 Mo' Divas
(Acorn Media - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
2009 PBS Special with the trio singing styles of opera, Broadway, jazz, blues, R&B, soul, disco, rock & roll, spiritual & gospel. Mezzo-soprano Laurice Lanier (Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème), and sopranos Nova Payton (D.C. Dreamgirls), and Jamet Pittman Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème.

As Time Goes By: The Best of Andrea Marcovicci
(Andreasong - on CD)
Compilation album with material from 6 out-of-print CDs, (Marcovicci Sings Movies, What is Love?, Just Kern, Always, Irving Berlin, Live From London, Some Other Time) and 2 soon to be out-of-print discs (New Words and Here There and Everywhere) and the still available If I Were a Bell. Available at CDBaby, click for song list. 17 tracks.

Churchill: Plays Four
(Nick Hern Books - Paperback Book)
Four Caryl Churchill plays: Cloud Nine, Bliss, Hotel, This is a Chair, Blue Heart, Far Away, A Number, Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?, and A Dream Play.

Memories: Elaine Paige Celebrating 40 Years in the Theatre
(Oberon Books Ltd. - Hardcover Book)
British stage star's (Cats, Evita, Grease, Piaf, Sunset Boulevard, The Drowsy Chaperone) autobiography with color and black & white photographs commissioned for this book and drawn from her own archive, from stage work and away from the stage, in childhood, with family and friends, and on her travels. 144 pages. U.S. publishing date. In stock now at Amazon UK.

Everyone Has A Story
(LML - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Eight stories set to music by eight Broadway performers. Performances were all featured on The Today Show on NBC-TV as part of the "Everyone Has A Story" series. Each song was composed by Kathie Lee Gifford and David Friedman. Featuring: Kathie Lee Gifford, Aaron Lazar, Christine Ebersole, Carolee Carmello, Julia Murney, Paulo Szot, Rebecca Luker, Norm Lewis, Cheyenne Jackson.

Lisa Kirk Sings at the Plaza
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1958 album of Lisa Kirk's act at The Plaza. First time on CD and in stereo. Conducted by Don Pippin who shares his memories of Lisa in the liner notes. Bonus tracks include singles Lisa recorded from the world of music theatre ("Little Girl Blue," "But Not For Me," "My Funny Valentine," "O-hi-o," "A Heart To Call My Own" and "A Smile And A Ribbon" - the last two from a 1956 TV production of The Human Touch. 22 tracks.

The Little Mermaid: From the Deep Blue Sea to the Great White Way
(Disney Editions - Hardcover Book)
In addition to photographs of the show and its rehearsals, the book will explore the creative process with extensive looks behind the scenes. Writer Michael Lassell interviews Francesca Zambello and choreographer Steven Mear, writer Doug Wright and composer Alan Menken, designers George Tsypin and Tanya Noginova as well as all the stars in the cast.

Macbeth
(new on CD)
Collin Simon & Liz Muller musical. Available at CDBaby.

Memories - Ethel Merman
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1955 Ethel Merman album with variety of popular songs, including some that utilized a multi-layered recording technique, which gave her the opportunity to duet and even trio with herself. Plus 15 recordings with Buddy Cole and his Combo from Merman's A Musical Autobiography album. 25 tracks.

Next to Normal
(Ghostlight - new on 2 CDs/mp3)
Order at CD Universe
Arena Stage cast recording of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey score. Alice Ripley, J. Robert Spencer, Aaron Tveit, Jennifer Damiano, Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson. Produced by Kurt Deutsch and Joel Moss. Recorded in February 2009.

The People vs. Mona
(JAY Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Concert cast recording of Jim Wann/Patricia Miller musical. Marc Kudisch, Ron Raines, Christiane Noll, Lillias White, Omri Schein, Natalie Toro. Recorded April 1, 2008.

Selections from Bitter Sweet
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Features 11 tracks from stereo recordings from the 1958 studio cast LP with Vanessa Lee and Roberto Cardinali. Bonuses: major hit songs performed by the three leading ladies - Peggy Wood, Evelyn Laye and Jane Marnac - recorded almost 30 years earlier; and Coward singing "I'll See You Again." 23 tracks.


May 5, 2009

Barrymore
(Blackstone Audio Books - Audiobook on CD)
Order at CD Universe
William Luce has adapted his acclaimed Broadway hit for audio.

Grey Gardens Soundtrack
(Varese Sarabande - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Rachel Portman score for HBO film based on the documentary (also the basis for the musical), including Jessica Lange, Drew Barrymore and Malcolm vocal tracks.

Gypsy 50th Anniversary Edition
(Sony Masterworks - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
OBC remastered with new bonus tracks: "Who Needs Him?" from the commercial demo, a four minute-plus interview with Jule Styne, and a five minute "reflection" on burlesque by Gypsy Rose Lee.

"I Will Always Love You"
(PS Classics - new at iTunes)
Stephanie J. Block and Dolly Parton single from Block's upcoming album.

June Christy/Jeri Southern: Something Latin/Something Porter
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
June Christy.

Marie and Bruce
Order at CD Universe
(Miriam Collection - new on DVD)
2004 film version of Wallace Shawn play, with Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick. Released 3/10/09.

Perforated Heart: A Novel
(Simon & Schuster - Hardcover Book)
New novel by Eric Bogosian (Talk Radio).

The Toxic Avenger
(Time Life - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
2009 original Off-Broadway cast album. Score by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro. Sarah Chase, Nick Cordero, Demond Green, Nancy Opel, Matt Saldivar. "Who Will Save New Jersey?," "Jersey Girl," "Get the Geek," "Kick Your Ass," "My Big French Boyfriend," "Thank God She s Blind," "Big Green Freak," "Choose Me, Oprah!," "Hot Toxic Love," "The Legend of the Toxic Avenger," "Evil Is Hot," "Bitch/Slut/Liar/Whore," "Everybody Dies!," "You Tore My Heart Out," "All Men Are Freaks," "A Brand New Day in New Jersey," "You Tore My Heart Out (Bonus Track). Recorded March 9, 2009. Now shipping when ordered through toxiefans.com/

Ute Lemper: Between Yesterday and Tomorrow
(Chamaleon - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Lemper's first release consisting of self-penned songs, with an extra surprise bonus track included.


April 28, 2009

The American Theatre Reader: 25 Years from American Theatre
(TCG - Paperback Book)
American Theatre magaine's editors have chosen their best essays and interviews from the the quarter-century. Over two hundred artists, critics, and theater professionals, including interviews with Edward Albee, Anne Bogart, Peter Brook, Lorraine Hansbury, Lillian Hellman, Jonathan Larson, David Mamet, Arthur Miller, Joseph Papp, Will Power, Bartlett Scher, Sam Shepard, Tom Stoppard, Luis Valdez, Paula Vogel, August Wilson, and others; essays by Eric Bentley, Eric Bogosian, Robert Brustein, Christopher Durang, Oskar Eustis, Zelda Fichandler, Eva La Gallienne, Vaclav Havel, Danny Hoch, Tina Howe, David Henry Hwang, Naomi Iizuki, Adrienne Kennedy, Tony Kushner, Kristin Linklater, Todd London, Robert MacNeil, Des McAnuff, Conor McPherson, Marsha Norman, Suzan-Lori Parks, Hal Prince, Phylicia Rashad, Frank Rich, José Rivera, Alan Schneider, Marian Seldes, Wallace Shawn, Anna Deavere Smith, Molly Smith, Diana Son, Wole Soyinka, and many others.

Arthur Miller
(Harvard Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
Biography by Christopher Bigsby. "... meticulously researched biography examines his refusal to name names before the notorious House on Un-American Activities Committee, offers new insights into Miller's marriage to Marilyn Monroe, and sheds new light on how their relationship informed Miller's subsequent great plays." 776 pages.

Barbra Streisand the Concerts
(Hip-O - new on 3 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
The concert tour with IL Divo in Ft. Lauderdale, filmed in HD in October 2006; the Concert Live at The Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, Emmy Award-winning HBO TV special previously released on VHS, filmed July 1994; and Putting It Together: The Making Of The Broadway Album the 1986 HBO special previously released on VHS. Bonus material expected. Blu-Ray release expected June 30. Already available in UK at Amazon UK.

Barbra Streisand Box Set
(Madacy Home Video - on 4 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
The Way We Were, Prince of Tides, The Mirror Has Two Faces, and Funny Girl in special collector's edition tin box.

Broadway Musicals Of 1956
(Original Cast Records - new on CD)
April 2006 Town Hall Concert. Devin Richards, Brandon Cutrell, and John Tracy Egan, Christine Andreas, Marc Kudisch and Ashley Brown, Brent Barrnett, Connie Pachl, Marc Kudisch, Emily Skinner, Rachelle Rak. Available at Footlight.com.

Gershwin Vocal Selections from Alfred Publishing - released 3/22/09:
The Gershwin Song Collection (1918-1930): Piano/Vocal/Chords - 52 songs from the brothers' early career. Includes a song-by-song essay plus rare images of original sheet music and family photos.
The Gershwin Song Collection (1931-1954): Piano/Vocal/Chords - t0 songs from shows such as Porgy & Bess and Hollywood films like Shall We Dance. Includes a song-by-song essay plus rare images of original sheet music and family photos.
Porgy and Bess (Vocal Selections): Piano/Vocal with historical photos from the Gershwin estate.

Musical Theatre Training: The Broadway Theatre Project Handbook
(Univ Press of Florida - Paperback Book)
The product of nearly two decades of intensive work and careful honing of the craft by what Playbill calls "the world's most prestigious musical theatre arts education program." Written by project cofounder and noted choreographer Debra McWaters, it explains the methods used by the Broadway Theatre Project to train those pursuing a career in musical theatre. Includes the lessons and advice of cofounder Ann Reinking and past instructors such as Ben Vereen, Joel Grey, Jeff Goldblum, Julie Andrews, Terrence Mann, Tommy Tune, and the late Gregory Hines, among others. Covers techniques and approaches to dance, voice, acting, and the creative process ... emphasizes auditioning techniques, stress management, collaboration, how to create as well as perform, managing finances on the road, and the many other skills necessary to become an informed, well-rounded performer. It is an essential guide for any aspiring Broadway performer.

Prop 8 - The Musical Piano/Vocal Score
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
"Marc Shaiman's Prop 8: The Musical crams more socio-political commentary and pure hilarity into its brief four minutes than many full-length shows can boast! Its star-studded online video debut in December 2008 quickly became a viral phenomenon that has been viewed by millions." 12 pages.

Singin' in the Rain: The Making of an American Masterpiece
(Univ Press of Kansas - Hardcover)
Earl J. Hess and Pratibha A. Dabholkar. Complete inside story of how this classic movie was made, marketed, and received, chronicling every step in production from original concept through casting, scripting, rehearsals, filming, scoring, and editing ... tracing its distribution, critical reception, and enduring reputation. Anecdotes, quotes by and about the film's stars and makers. Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds and Cyd Charisse. Tidbits about censorship troubles, continuity flaws, stunt doubles for Kelly, voice doubles for cast members, the dubbing of taps, and genealogy of all the songs. In-depth analyses of each of the major song-and-dance performances.


April 21, 2009

Autumn in New York and Other Classics: Jo Stafford
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
24 tracks.

The Battery's Down Season One
(Ghostlight - new digital download mp3
Season one of web series. John Gallagher, Jr., Tyler Maynard, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Cortney Wolfson, Dani Spieler, Ana Nogueira, Nina Sturtz. Includes the work of many up-and-coming musical theatre writers, including Larson Grant recipients Genj Pasek and Justin Paul, Ryan Scott Oliver, and Lawrence O'Keefe. Available at iTunes, Amazon mp3, GhostlightRecords.com.

Dad's Army
(WEA - new import CD)
Order at CD Universe
Musical spin-off of popular TV series. Score consists of WWII songs. Also available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

Frost/Nixon
(Universal - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
2008 Oscar nominated film with Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Kevin Bacon.

Great Performances: King Lear
(PBS Home Video - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Royal Shakespeare Company production, aired in 2009 on PBS. Ian McKellen, Mónica Galan, Romola Garai, Philip Winchester. Directed by Trevor Nunn.

Ragtime the Musical Complete Vocal Score
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Complete vocal score for Ahrens & Flaherty musical, arranged for piano/vocal.

Sleeping Beauty Wakes
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Score of Rachel Sheinkin, Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda show which was a co-production between Deaf West Theatre and Center Theatre Group in 2007. Features Milburn and Vigoda, along with third GrooveLily band member Gene Lewin. Available now at PSClassics.com and iTunes.

Steven Pasquale: Somethin' Like Love
(PS Classics - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "On the Street Where You Live," "Laura," "The Lady's in Love With You," "Somethin' Like Love," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "They All Laughed," "Summertime," "If I Were a Bell," "My Funny Valentine," "I Wish I Didn't Love You So," "Maybe." With John Pizzarelli. Available now at PSClassics.com and iTunes.

Stripping Gypsy: The Life of Gypsy Rose Lee
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Noralee Frankel. First ever published about the highly mythologized Gypsy, examines the struggles Lee faced in making a lucrative and unconventional career for herself while maintaining a sense of dignity and social value.


April 14, 2009

Anna Karenina
(WHV - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1961 BBC adaptation with with Claire Bloom in the title role, Marius Goring (Karenina) and Sean Connery (Wronski).

Arias and Barcarolles
(Koch - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Reissue of Leonard Bernstein's last work, world-premiered by New York Festival Of Song and sung by soprano Judy Kaye and baritone William Sharp. Also, songs from On the Town, Wonderful Town, Songfest and Peter Pan, all with pianists Steven Blier and Michael Barrett.

Cranford
(WHV - new on Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
BBC production adapted from the works of Elizabeth Gaskell, with Judi Dench, Michael Gambon, Eileen Atkins, Imelda Staunton, Julia McKenzie, and Francesca Annis.

Funny Lady: Original Soundtrack Recording
(Sony Special Products - on CD)
"Blind Date," "More Than You Know," "It's Only a Paper Moon/I Like Him," "It's Only a Paper Moon/I Like Her," "I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store)," "So Long Honey Lamb," "I Got a Code in My Doze," "Clap Hands! Here Comes Charlie," "(It's Gonna Be A) Great Day," "How Lucky Can You Get," "Am I Blue," "Isn't This Better," "If I Love Again," "Let's Here It for Me," "Me and My Shadow," "How Lucky Can You Get." Repressing only - no new material.

Gershwin: He Loves and She Loves
(Koch - on CD)
Reissue of New York Festival of Song recording with Judy Kaye and William Sharp with Steven Blier.

Inside Daisy Clover
(Film Score Monthly - new on 2 CDs)
André Previn soundtrack from 1965 film featuring Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Christopher Plummer, Roddy McDowell and Ruth Gordon. Remixed and remastered from the original ½" Warner Bros. three- and four-track stereo scoring masters. Disc one features the complete, chronological film score as well as a bonus section of alternate, early versions of cues. Disc two contains the LP assembly of the score as well as demos, source cues and alternate recordings of the songs. Jackie Ward dubs for Natalie Wood. Disc two features Wood's original, unused song performances as well as alternate takes by Ward. Nearly two-and-a-half hours of music, plus a 32-page booklet containing an essay on the film and score by Scott Bettencourt and complete track-by-track commentary by Lukas Kendall. Available at FilmScoreMonthly.com.

Nunsense - The 25th Nunniversary Songbook: Highlights from 6 Classic Nunsense Musicals
(Alfred Publishing - Paperback Book)
Vocal selections from Nunsense and all five sequels: Nunsense 2: The Second Coming, Sister Amnesia's Country Western Nunsense Jamboree, Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical, Meshuggah-Nuns!, and Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue.

Marc Blitzstein: Zipperfly & Other Songs
(Koch - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Reissue of New York Festival Of Song recording With Karen Holvik, soprano, William Sharp and Steven Blier.

Pride and Prejudice
(WHV - new on 2 Blu-Ray discs)
Order at CD Universe
1995 A&E mini-series with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Bonuses: featurettes Lasting Impressions, An Impromptu Walkabout with Adrian Lukis and Lucy Briers, Turning Point, Uncovering the Technical Restoration Process.

Robyn North: Make Believe
(JAY Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
UK's Christine in The Phantom of the Opera. "Sooner Or Later" (Dick Tracy), "Think Of Me" (The Phantom Of The Opera), "So In Love" (Kiss Me, Kate!), "All I Ask Of You" (The Phantom Of The Opera), "The Night It Had To End" (Romance, Romance), "Mr Snow" (Carousel), "Tonight" (West Side Story), "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again," "The Light In The Piazza" (The Light In The Piazza), "Make Believe" (Showboat), "The Point Of No Return" (The Phantom Of The Opera), "I Could Have Danced All Night" (My Fair Lady), "Who Will Love Me As I Am?" (Side Show), "Over The Rainbow" (The Wizard Of Oz). Available at JAYRecords.com.

Susannah Mars: Call It Home: The Music of Richard Gray
(LML - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Portland-based Susannah Mars sings songs written by Seattle composer Richard Gray (Time Again in Oz, Little Rock Forbidden Xmas). His "Hanukkah Gloves" appeared on the 2008 BC/EFA Carols for a Cure.

Two For The Seesaw
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
Original 1962 movie soundtrack by Andre Previn, remixed from the original three-track stereo session masters. 45 minutes. Limited edition of 1,000. Had been available at Kritzerland.com, but now listed as sold out.

Vincente Minnelli: Hollywood's Dark Dreamer
(St. Martin's Press - Hardcover Book)
By Emanuel Levy. 448 pages.


April 7, 2009

24 by 24: The 24 Hour Plays Anthology
(Playscripts, Inc. - Paperback Book)
An anthology of the best of the 24 Hour Play series (created and performed in a single day). 260 pages.

Alphabet City Cycle
(PS Classics - new digital release)
Georgia Stitt and Marcy Heisler's five-song cycle for soprano, violin and piano, starring Kate Baldwin, is available exclusively at iTunes. A hybrid of music theatre and art song, it was produced by Grammy Award-winner Jeffrey Lesser.

Almost an Evening
(Three Rivers Press - Paperback Book)
Ethan Coen trio of one-act plays.

Audra McDonald - Build a Bridge
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Songbook for the program Audra sang for the American Songbook Series for Jazz at Lincoln Center. Vocal/piano arrangements for all 13 tunes, which include: "Bein' Green," "Damned Ladies," "God Give Me Strength," "My Heart," "My Stupid Mouth," "To a Child," "Wonderful You."

Broadway Plays And Musicals: Descriptions and Essential Facts of More Than 14,000 Shows Through 2007
(McFarland - Library Binding - (7 x 10 in 3 vols.) )
By Thomas Hischak. First single-volume book to cover all of the activities on Broadway between 1919 and 2007. More than 14,000 productions are briefly described, including hundreds of plays, musicals, revivals, and specialty programs that have been performed on the Great White Way. Entries include famous and forgotten works, designed to give a complete picture of Broadway's history and development, its evolution since the early twentieth century, and its rise to unparalleled prominence in the world of American theater. Productions are identified in terms of plot, cast, personnel, critical reaction, and significance in the history of New York theater and culture. In addition to a chronological list of all Broadway productions between 1919 and 2007, the book also includes approximately 600 important productions performed on Broadway before 1919.

disinHAIRited
(Sony - on CD)

RCA album with original cast of Hair presenting songs by MacDermot, Ragni and Rado that were first written or projected for the original New York Shakespeare Festival production, some for Broadway, and some just for this recording. Zane Zacharoff, Donald Leight, Idris Muhammad, Jimmy Lewis, Napoleon Allen, Neal Tate, Donnie Burks, Melba Moore, Allan Nichols, Denice Delapenha, Gerome Ragni, James Rado, Galt MacDermot, Leata Galloway, Robin McNamara, George Tipton, Sakinah, William Fontaine, Charles Brown III, Edward Williams, Martin Banks, Richard Landrum, Paul Alicea Jr. 47 minutes. Available at ArkivMusic.com and iTunes.

Doris Day: TCM Spotlight
(WHV - new 5 DVD set)
Order at CD Universe
Set of new-to-DVD remastered digital transfers. Digi-pak packaging. 1952 April in Paris (color) with Ray Bolger; songs by Vernon Duke/E.Y. Harburg and Jule Styne/Sammy Cahn; bonus vintage short So You Want To Wear The Pants, classic cartoon Terrier Stricken, theatrical trailer. 1949 It's a Great Feeling (color) with Jack Carson, Dennis Morgan and numerous star cameos. 1951 Starlift (B&W) with Gordon MacRae, James Cagney, Gary Cooper, Ruth Roman, Gene Nelson, Virginia Mayo, Jane Wyman, Randolph Scott and more; songs by the Gershwins, Cole Porter and others; bonus vintage short Musical Memories, classic cartoon Sleepy Time Possum, theatrical trailer. 1950 Tea for Two (color) with Gordon MacRae, Gene Nelson, Eve Arden, Billy DeWolfe and S.Z "Cuddles" Sakall; songs by Gershwins, Vincent Youmans, Harry Warren; bonus vintage short So You Want to Hold Your Husband, classic cartoon Tee for Two, No, No Nanette Radio Show - From the 1949 "Railroad Hour" series, with Doris Day and Gordon MacRae, No, No Nanette Overture from the surviving Vitaphone disc from lost 1930 Warner Bros. film, theatrical trailer. 1958 The Tunnel of Love (B&W) with Richard Widmark and Gig Young; bonus classic cartoon Tot Watchers and theatrical trailer.

Doubt
(Disney - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
2008 film adaptation of John Patrick Shanley play starring Meryl Streep, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Viola Davis.

The Goldwyn Follies
(MGM - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1938 musical film with Adolphe Menjou, Kenny Baker, Ella Logan, Ritz Brothers, Edgar Bergen. George Gershwin's last score. Was released as part of November 2008 61-disc Hollywood Musicals Collection. 122 minutes.

Hazel Flagg
(Sony - on CD)

1953 RCA OBC recording of Jule Styne/Bob Hilliard score. Helen Gallagher, Benay Venuta, Jack Whiting, John Howard, Thomas Mitchell. Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

Illya Darling
(Kritzerland - new CD)
1967 OBC recording of Manos Hadjidakis/Joe Darion score. Melina Mercouri, Orson Bean. With the songs in correct show order and properly titled, plus two previously unissued tracks from the album session: opening number "Po, Po, Po" and "Birthday Song." Limited edition of 1,000. Shipping now at Kritzerland.com

It's a Pleasure
(MGM - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1945 musical comedy film. First Sonja Henie DVD release in U.S.

Jimmy
(Sony - new on CD)

1969 RCA OBC recording. First time on CD. Bill and Patti Jacob score. Frank Gorshin, Anita Gillette, Julie Wilson, Jack Collines. Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

The Last Sweet Days of Isaac
(Sony - on CD)

1970 RCA Original Off-Broadway Cast recording of Nancy Ford & Gretchen Cryer score. John Long, C. David Colson, Austin Pendleton, Fredericka Weber, Charles Collins, Louise Heath, Clay Fullum, George Broderick, Aaron Bell, Art Betker, Harry Gist. Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

Laughs, Love and Lyrics Collection
(Fox - on 3 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
9 to 5, Hello, Dolly! and The Rose.

Let It Ride!
(Sony - new on CD)

1961 RCA OBC recording of Jay Livingston and Ray Evans score. George Gobel, Sam Levene, Barbara Nichols, Paula Stewart, Stanley Grover, Larry Alpert, Ted Thurston. Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages
(Touchstone - Hardcover Book)
Kristin Chenoweth autobiography.

Marcus Lovett: The Give Moment
(new on CD)
Marcus Lovett (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel) debut solo album. Don Sebesky arrangements. "I Got Rhythm," "My House," "You and the Night and the Music," "Finishing the hat," "10 Minutes ago," "Lazy Afternoon," "Bring Him Home," "I Have Dreamed," "Spring Will be a Little Late This Year," "The Music of the Night," "Our Love is Here to Stay," "Johanna." Available at CDBaby.

Mamma Mia! - 10th Anniversary Year, 1999 - 2009 Edition
(new on CD)
OLC with special 10th Anniversary booklet with images from the various international versions of Mamma Mia! alongside an in-depth history of the show's development, plus three finale bonus tracks (2004 reprise versions of "Mamma Mia," "Dancin Queen" and "Waterloo") and slipcase. Available at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

New Faces of 1952
(Sony - on CD)

Complete (in order) version of 1952 RCA OBC recording of score by Ronny Graham, June Carroll, Arthur Siegel, Sheldon Harnick, and Michael Brown. Performed by Ronny Graham, Bill Mullikin, Rosemary O'Reilly, Robert Clary, Virginia De Luce, Patricia Hammerlee, June Carroll, Eartha Kitt, Alice Ghostley, Joe Lautner, Virginia Bosler, Allen Conroy, Paul Lynde. (includes "Time For Tea"). Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

New Faces of 1956
(Sony - on CD)

Complete (in order) version of 1956 RCA OBC recording of score by June Carroll & Arthur Siegel with Marshall Barer, Dean Fuller, Murray Grand, Matt Dubey, Harold Karr, Irving Graham, Ronny Graham, Paul Nassau, John Rox, Michael Brown. Performed by T. C. Jones, Tiger Haynes, Billie Hayes, Johnny Haymer, Ann Henry, Virginia Martin, Maggie Smith, John Reardon, Jane Connell, Suzanne Bernard, Inga Swenson, Johnny Laverty, Franca Baldwin, Amru Sani, Bob Shaver, Jimmy Sisco. Includes "What Does That Dream Mean?," "The Washingtons Are Doin' Okay," "Girls 'n' Girls 'n' Girls," "I Could Love Him," "Rouge" and "She's Got Everything." Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

New Girl In Town
(Koch/DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Reissue of RCA Victor OBC cast album. Bob Merrill score. Gwen Verdon, Thelma Ritter, George Wallace, Cameron Prud'homme.

Office #7: A Modern Fairytale
(new on CD)
"Combination of pop, techno and standard musical theatre pop/rock." Written and performed by Deborah Johnson (One Little Kiss and Tsarina). Additional lyrics on "Hacker Crew" by Paula Miller. Available at CDBaby.

Rachel Bay Jones: ShowFolk
(new on CD)
Rachel Bay Jones takes eleven songs from the musical theatre repertoire and performs them in authentic acoustic folk/bluegrass settings. "Breeze Off The River," "Little Bird, Little Bird," "Lucky To Be Me," "Stars And The Moon," "The Streets Of Dublin," "Left Behind," "For Good," "Gonna Build A Mountain," "Where, Oh Where Is My Baby Darlin'?," "Wicked Little Town," "Another Day." Available at CDBaby.

A Song Is Born
(MGM - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1948 musical comedy film with Danny Kaye, Virginia Mayo and a many big band stars. Was released as part of November 2008 61-disc Hollywood Musicals Collection.

The Threepenny Opera
(Sony - on CD)
First reissue of RCA 1976 Public Theater Revival cast recording of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill score. Translation by Ralph Manheim and John Willett. Glenn Kezer, Ellen Greene, Raul Julia, Elizabeth Wilson, Robert Schlee, Roy Brocksmith, Tony Azito, Jack Eric Williams, C. K. Alexander, Caroline Kava, David Sabin, Blair Brown. Available at ArkivMusic and iTunes.

Tin Pan Alley Girl: A Biography of Ann Ronell
(McFarland and Co. - Paperback Book)
By Tighe E. Zimmers. Biography of Gershwin-influenced early 20th century composer ("Willow Weep For Me," Count Me In).

Wiedersehen mit Marlene
(DRG - on CD)
order at CD Universe
(new on CD)
1960 Capitol album.

The Ziegfeld Follies: A History in Song
(Scarecrow Press - Paperback Book)
By Ann Ommen van der Merwe. An account of the Follies through the musical productions contained in the show. Ommen van der Merwe takes a broad, chronological approach to the material, addressing such issues as musical style, lyrics, and staging of individual songs. In the process, she identifies the historical trajectory of the Ziegfeld Follies, delineating periods within its history like the development of the production values Ziegfeld was famous for, the success of his spectacles, his adaptation to changing times, and his legacy. She also considers the cultural and performance history of the Follies and its reflection of the society in which it developed. An appendix lists the composer, lyricist, publisher, and performer of each Follies song, as well as a library collection or archive where a copy may be found. Photographs, a select discography, bibliography, and two indexes, by song title and general subject.


March 31, 2009

An American in Paris
(WHV - new on Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
Audio commentary by Leslie Caron, Nina Foch, Arthur Freed, Patricia Ward Kelly, and more; PBS documentary; featurettes: American in Paris: A Portrait in Style, Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer, The Making of An American in Paris, Archival Shorts, 2002, Stellas New "S" Wonderful.

Candide
(Kultur - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2003 production from Rome's Teatro Argentina, featuring Michael Slattery, Rosalind Elias, Robert Orth, Nancy Allen Lundy, Gabrielle Ribis, Hilda Ramos, and Benjamin Brechler, directed by Enrico Castiglione.

The Civilians: An Anthology of Six Plays
(Playscripts, Inc. - Paperback Book)
Steven Cosson, Michael Friedman and Anne Washburn. 300 pages.

Gigi
(WHV - new on Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
Audio commentary: Leslie Caron and Janine Basinger; featurette Thank Heaven for Gigi the complete 1949 feature Gigi (the first Gigi film in French audio); Gigi archival shorts.

Napoleon
(Stage Door - on CD)
Remastered from the original 1994 Toronto cast recording. Lisa Atkinson, John Devorski, Eric Donkin, Kerry Dorey, Bruce Dow, Karen K. Edissi, Lisa Forget, David Keeley, Gary Krawford, Stéphanie Martin, George Masswohl, Aline Mowat, Jérôme Pradon, Avery Saltzman, Milo Shandel, Todd Stewart, Shawn Wright. Available at Footlight.com. Augmented orchestra of 35 players and the entire original cast of 32. 15 tracks.

Nothing Else Matters: Lee Mead
(Polydor - new import CD)
Order at CD Universe
2nd solo album from winner of BBC's"Any Dream Will Do" and star of West End Joseph And The Technicolour Dreamcoat revival. Nothing Else Matters," "Collide," "When The Stars Go Blue," "Breathe You Out," "Drops Of Jupiter," "Holding On To Letting G," "Through The Barricades," "Everything I Left Behind," "Good To Be Alive," "The Time To Say Goodbye," "More Than Word." Available now at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About
(Kultur - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2008 two-hour PBS American Masters documentary featuring rare footage and interview segments with Mikhail Baryshnikov, Suzanne Farrell, Jacques d'Amboise, Arthur Laurents, Chita Rivera, and Stephen Sondheim.

Shakespeare's An Age of Kings
(WHV - new on 5 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1960 15-part series adapted from Shakespeare's history plays, and featuring actors including Sean Connery, Judi Dench and others in early TV appearances.

Sleeping Beauty Wakes
(PS Classics - new on iTunes)
Score of Rachel Sheinkin, Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda show which was a co-production between Deaf West Theatre and Center Theatre Group in 2007. Features Milburn and Vigoda, along with third GrooveLily band member Gene Lewin. Available now at iTunes and on PSClassics.com; elsewhere on April 21.

South Pacific: 50th Anniversary Edition
(Fox - new on 2 Blu-Ray discs)
Order at CD Universe
The original film in 1080p video via the AVC/MPEG-4 codec, with DTS-HD 5.1 audio. (English 4.0 Dolby Surround, English Stereo and French/Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital audio will also be included.) Extras: Disc One the theatrical cut of the film, an audio commentary by Ted Chapin and Gerard Alessandrini, sing-a-long Karaoke subtitles and a songs-only option; Disc Two has the extended "Road Show" version of the film (15 minutes longer), audio commentary by film historian Richard Barrios, the Making of South Pacific featurette, the 60 Minutes exclusive The Tales of the South Pacific, the Fox Movietone newsreels South Pacific on the Screen: A Perfect Hit and State Department Confers High Honor on South Pacific, vintage stage excerpts performed by Mary Martin and Ezio Pinza (including "Some Enchanted Evening" and "A Wonderful Guy"), Mitzi Gaynor's screen test and the original theatrical trailer. Also includes new exclusive feature The Prejudice and South Pacific: Creating an American Masterpiece full-length documentary hosted by Mitzi Gaynor.

Spectacular!
(Sony - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Nickelodeon teen musical. Tammin Sursok, Nolan Funk, Victoria Justice, Greg Germann. Bonuses: featurettes, music videos, downloadable ringtone, Rock Band songs.

Steven Pasquale: Somethin' Like Love
(PS Classics - new at iTunes)
"In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning," "On the Street Where You Live," "Laura," "The Lady's in Love With You," "Somethin' Like Love," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," "They All Laughed," "Summertime," "If I Were a Bell," "My Funny Valentine," "I Wish I Didn't Love You So," "Maybe." With John Pizzarelli. Available now at iTunes and PSClassics.com; elsewhere on April 21.

The Swan Down Gloves
(JAY - new on CD)
1981 OLC recording of Nigel Hess, Bille Brown score. John Bowe, David Bradley, Bille Brown, Judy Buxton, Sinead Cusack, Michael Fitzgerald, Derek Godfrey, Allan Hendrick, Jonathan Hyde, Barbara Leigh-Hunt, Joe Melia, Richard Pasco, David Suchet, Julia Tobin, Sion Tudor-Owen, Terry Wood. Original on TER LP. Available at Footlight.


March 24, 2009

Ain't Misbehavin'
(Rhino - new on 2 CDs)
30th anniversary tour cast, with Ruben Studdard, Frenchie Davis, Trenyce Cobbins, Patrice Covington and David Jennings. Amazon exclusive

Chris & Don: A Love Story
(Zeitgeist Films - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2007 documentary of the true-life story of the three-decade relationship between British writer Christopher Isherwood (whose Berlin Stories was the basis for Cabaret) and American portrait painter Don Bachardy, thirty years his junior. From Isherwood's Kit-Kat-Club years in Weimar-era Germany to the couple's first meeting on the beaches of 1950s Malibu, their against-all-odds saga is brought to life through rare home movies and reminiscences from Don and many of their friends, including Leslie Caron and Liza Minnelli. 16:9 anamorphic transfer, formatted for widescreen televisions. Extras: more of Chris and Don's home movies, including footage from the sets of The Rose Tattoo (1955) and King Vidor's War and Peace (1956); deleted sequences with Don Bachardy, including an interview on gay marriage; deleted interviews with actress Gloria Stuart (Titanic), filmmaker John Boorman (Point Blank), and actress Leslie Caron (Gigi); "Don on Chris": An 8-page printed monograph of Bachardy's paintings of Isherwood. Released 2/24/09.

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: The 1930s
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Highlights include the magic of director/choreographer Busby Berkeley, musical child stars such as Jane Withers, Deanna Durbin, Judy Garland, Mickey Rooney and Shirley Temple; the musical ladies of 20th-Century Fox including Sonja Henie, Betty Grable and Alice Faye; dancers such as Eleanor Powell, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, the Nicholas Brothers, and James Cagney; singing cowboys like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers and musical fantasies such as The Wizard of Oz. 117 minutes.

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: The 1940s
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Highlights include Sinatra creates a furor among bobbysoxers; pin-up girls Betty Grable, Rita Hayworth, Betty Hutton and June Haver; musical acts The Andrews Sisters and The Jivin' Jacks & Jills boost morale; Bing Crosby and Bob Hope hit the road with a series of musical-comedies; and Hollywood experiments with black performers like Lena Horne on main screens in films Stormy Weather and Cabin in the Sky. 102 minutes.

Hollywood Singing and Dancing: The 1950s
(E1/Great Musical Treasures - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Highlights include films of Broadway musicals The King & I, Oklahoma!, Carousel, and South Pacific; Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, favorites from the previous decade including Betty Grable, Esther Williams and Jane Powell; Judy Garland makes a comeback in A Star is Born; Mitzi Gaynor, Leslie Caron, Doris Day and Debbie Reynolds; Elvis Presley and Pat Boone. 104 minutes.

Jeff Ide: With the Heart of Me
(new on CD)
Debut album from singer/actor (and past booking manager from Don't Tell Mama and The Duplex). Musical Director Paul Greenwood (piano and backup vocals); Associate Producer, writer and director Geddes; Michael Blanco (bass); Sean McDaniel (drums); and Ric Molina (guitar). Dedicated to Nancy Lamott and Bruce Hopkins. Available at CD Baby.

Jo Stafford Rarities
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe


Johnny Mercer Sings Johnny Mercer
(DRG - on CD)
order at CD Universe
23 tracks: "Strip Polka," "Air-Minded Executive," "Old Music Master, The," "G.I. Jive," "Blues In the Night," "Jamboree Jones," "Dixieland Band," "On the Nodaway Road," "Tailgate Ramble, The," "(Love's Got Me In a) Lazy Mood," "Duration Blues," "Conversation While Dancing," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "On the Atchinson, Topeka & the Santa Fe," "One For My Baby (and One More For the Road)," "Any Place I Hang My Hat is Home," "Li'l Augie is a Natural Man," "Glow Worm," "Cindy Lou," "It's Great To Be Alive," "Yodel Blues, The," "At the Jazz Band Ball," "Hello Out There, Hello!."

Odd Couple - The Centennial Collection
(Paramount - on 2 DVDs)
Remastered 1968 film version of Neil Simon play. Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, Iris Adrian, Carole Shelley, Herb Edelman, John Fiedler, Monica Evans, David Sheiner. Extras: audio commentary by Charlie Matthau and Chris Lemmon; featurettes In the Beginning ..., Inside The Odd Couple, Memories from the Set, Matthau & Lemmon, The Odd Couple: A Classic; trailers; galleries.

Past & Present: Very Best of Michael Ball
(Universal - new on 2 import CDs)

Compilation plus 6 new tracks from recent musicals including Hairspray. "The Impossible Dream," "You Can't Stop the Beat," "Being Alive," "The Prayer" (with Laura Michelle Kelly), "This is my Beloved / Stranger in Paradise," "Gethsemane," "Love Changes Everything," "Empty Chairs," "All I Ask of You," "The Boy from Nowhere," "Loving You," "Sunset Boulevard," "The is the Moment," "Tell Me it's not True," "If Tomorrow Never Comes," "Not While I'm Around," "Winner Takes it All," "Just When," "The Show Must Go On." Available now at Amazon UK and Dress Circle.

Shrek The Musical
(Universal/Decca Broadway - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Broadway cast recording. Score by Jeanine Tesori (music) and David Lindsay-Abaire (lyrics). Musical Director Tim Weil. Brian d'Arcy James, Sutton Foster, Christopher Sieber, Daniel Breaker, John Tartaglia, Cameron Adams, Haven Burton, Jennifer Cody. Recorded 1/12/09.

Sunshine on Leith
(new on CD)
Dundee Rep Theatre cast recording of show that features songs by The Proclaimers. Written by Stephen Greenhorn with arrangements by Hilary Brooks. "Sky Takes the Soul," "I´m on My Way," "Over and Done With," "Misty Blue," "Heaven Right Now," "Throw the R Away," "Make My Heart Fly," "Let´s Get Married," "Oh Jean," "Hate My Love for You," "Life with You," "Then I Met You," "What Do You Do?," "Should Have Been Loved," "Sunshine on Leith," "Sky Takes the Soul (reprise)," "Letter from America," "I´m Gonna Be (500 Miles)." Available at Dress Circle.


March 17, 2009

Anya
(Kritzerland - new on CD)
Original cast recording of Robert Wright and George Forrest score for the musical version of Anastasia. Constance Towers, Michael Kermoyan, Lillian Gish, Irra Petina, George S. Irving. New liner notes by Walter Willison (Two By Two). Limited Edition of 1000 copies only. Shipping now from Kritzerland.com.

Blumenfeld's Dictionary of Acting and Show Business
(Limelight - Paperback Book)
By Robert Blumenfeld. First complete entertainment dictionary, featuring entries on acting in film, professionalism in acting, microphone, reading, stage, vocal, and verse technique, and more. Index of subjects by category covers 17 topics, including lighting, commercials, contracts, drama, professional organizations, the media, and theatre.

Jason Forbach: A New Leading Man
(new on CD)
Songs from musicals, sung by Jason Forbach (Las Vegas Phantom of the Opera). "Cages or Wings (Intro)," "I Can't Walk On," "Touch Me," "I Cannot Hear the City," "Perfect, Finite," "Variations On a Theme of You," "Mister Choi & Madame G," "Grow Old With Me," "Unexpressed," "What I Wouldn't Do for You," "Part of a Painting," "Louder Than Words," "Touch Me" (Beat Farm Remix). Available at CD Baby.

The Marvelous Wonderettes
(Alfred - Paperback Book)
Songbook for Off-Broadway musical featuring classics from the 1950s and '60s. Released 2/25.

No Harm Done Coquette ... The Songs of Babbie Green and Johnny Green
(new on CD)
Babbie Green, John Boswell and Julie Esposito. "I Cover The Waterfront," "Stars Above Me - Anybody Out There," "Coquette," "The Steam Is On The Beam," "Out Of Nowhere - I Knew I'd Know," "Something In The Wind," "The Turntable Song," "You Wanna Keep Your Baby Lookin' Right," "Twixt Heaven And Hell - Hello, My Lover Goodbye," "Easy Come, Easy Go," "Let's Comb Beaches," "Small People," "Bossy Nova," "Body And Soul," "No Harm Done," "Til The Next Good Thing," "And I Dance." Available at CD Baby.

Oliver! Live
(ADA - new on import CD)
Cast album of the new revival production headed by Rowan Atkinson and I'll Do Anything BBC TV winner Jody Prenger. Available in the UK at Amazon UK and Dress Circle for 3/16/09 release.

Portrait of Petula Clark
(Infinity Entertainment Group - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1969 TV special, with guests Andy Williams, Sacha Distel and Ron (Oliver!) Moody. Includes contemporary interviews with Petula Clark and Andy Williams; bonus tracks "Without a Song" and "Walk Through the World With Me."

The Sound of Broadway Music: A Book of Orchestrators and Orchestrations
(Oxford Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By Steven Suskin. Examines the careers of Broadway's major orchestrators and follows the song as it travels from the composer's piano to the orchestra pit. Suskin has meticulously tracked down thousands of original orchestral scores, piecing together enigmatic notes and notations with long-forgotten documents and current interviews with dozens of composers, producers, conductors and arrangers. Three main parts: a biographical section which gives a sense of the life and world of twelve major theatre orchestrators, as well as incorporating briefer sections on another thirty arrangers and conductors; a lively discussion of the art of orchestration, written for musical theatre enthusiasts (including those who do not read music); a biographical section which gives a sense of the life and world of twelve major theatre orchestrators, as well as incorporating briefer sections on another thirty arrangers and conductors; and an impressive show-by-show listing of more than six hundred musicals, in many cases including a song-by-song listing of precisely who orchestrated what along with relevant comments from people involved with the productions. Intriguing facts and juicy anecdotes, many of which have never before appeared in print.


March 10, 2009

3 Mo' Divas
(Acorn Media - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Mezzo-soprano Laurice Lanier (Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème), and sopranos Nova Payton (D.C. Dreamgirls) and Jamet Pittman Baz Luhrmann's La Bohème present songs in 10 different styles. "Quando M'En Vo," "Let the Good Times Roll," "Broadway & Movie Medley," "Your Daddy's Son," "Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A'Ta Voix," "Moody's Mood for Love," "Summertime," "God Bless the Child (That's Got His Own)," "Feeling Good," "Defying Gravity," "Strange Fruit/Lament," "Everything Must Change," "Io Son L'Umile Ancella," "I'm Every Woman," "Medley of Memories," "His Eye is on the Sparrow."

Banjo Boy
(new on CD)
Live cast album of Randolph Hobler score, recorded in Iowa. " ... a bio-musical with a twist—from heaven an elderly Meredith Willson goes back to 1928 to change three notes of his personal life, including repairing his non-existent relationship with his father. His adventures upon running away from home include meeting a young Louis Armstrong, tracking down an elderly John Philip Sousa in San Francisco, falling in love with Zi Ling, a Chinese mui tsai (indentured servant), forming a group—The Banjo Boys—and returning home to Mason City, Iowa to help win the Iowa High School Band contest with his own song and win back the love of his father." The musical premiered in Fairfield, Iowa, at the Stephen Sondheim Performing Arts Center in 2008. Available at CDBaby.com.

Billy Elliot Songbook
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
U.S. release of vocal selections from Elton John/Lee Hall score. 12 songs include "Born to Boogie," "Grandma's Song," "Once We Were Kings," "Shine," "Solidarity," "The Stars Look Down" and more, in standard piano/vocal format with the melody in the piano part.

Bing & Satchmo
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1960 Bing Crosby/Louis Armstrong album. "Muskrat Ramble," "Sugar," "Preacher," "Dardanella," "Let's Sing Like A Dixieland Band," "'Way Down Yonder In New Orleans," "Brother Bill," "Little Ol' Tune," "At The Jazz Band Ball," "Rocky Mountain Moon," "Bye Bye Blues."

Bless The Bride
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1940s radio cast performance. CD booklet includes many production photographs provided by Lizbeth Webb.

Caroline In The City: The Complete Second Season
(Paramount - new on 3 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1996-1997 NBC comedy series featuring Lea Thompson, Malcolm Gets, Eric Lutes and Amy Pietz.

Hansel and Gretel/The Yeomen of the Guard
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Barbara Cook twofer: MGM Records album of songs from the 1950s TV production; and 1957 television musical. Bonuses expected. Sixteen rare "bonus tracks" as performed by the shows' stars.

Imagine This
(Dress Circle - new on CD)
Recorded live at the New London Theatre 9 in December 2008. Set in Poland, 1942, Imagine This follows a group of actors in the Warsaw Ghetto as they stage a play to inspire hope within their community. However, with rumours of a final solution in the air, their play merges with the reality they are trying to escape and a dramatic love story unfolds. Score by Shuki Levy, lyrics by David Goldsmith and book by Glenn Berenbeim. Marc Antolin, Rachael Archer, Stuart Boother, Emily Jane Boyle, Oliver Brenin, Michael Camp, Richard Cotton, Joel Elferink, Simon Gleeson, Leila Benn Haris, Bob Harms, Sarah Ingram, Paul Iveson, Cameron Leigh, Roy Litvin, Bernard Lloyd, Michael Matus, Gary Milner, Aoife Nally, Grant Neal, Vincent Pirillo, Peter Polycarpou, Steven Serlin, Philippa Stefani, Sevan Stephan, Rebecca Sutherland, Carrie Sutton, Gemma Sutton, Lucy Thatcher, Michael Watson. Available exclusively at Dress Circle.

Jane Morgan Sings Popular Favorites
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
More from her Kapp Records albums, including her British chart-topper "The Day the Rains Came". All 27 tracks are in stereo.

Mainly on Directing: Gypsy, West Side Story, and Other Musicals
(Knopf - Hardcover Book)
By Arthur Laurents. A book about theater, the art, the artist, the insider, the outsider ... enriched by the author's two loves, love for the theater and love for his partner of fifty-two years, Tom Hatcher, who shared and inspired every aspect of his life and his work. Laurents writes about the musicals he directed (I Can Get It for You Wholesale, Anyone Can Whistle, La Cage aux Folles, Gypsy revival, the new bilingual production of West Side Story) and about the works of other directors. A unique close-up look at today's American musical theater by a man who's been involved for more than five decades. 192 pages.

Max Fleischer's Gulliver's Travels
(Koch - on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
1939 animated film with Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin songs; voices of Jessica Dragonette and Lanny Ross. Digitally restored and re-mastered from the original source 35mm film and enhanced for 16x9. Bonuses The Making of a Cartoon; 2 Gabby Cartoons shorts.

The Miracle Worker
(Shout Factory - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1979 television production with Patty Duke and Melissa Gilbert. Includes audio descriptions for the blind.

My Way Home: Kathie Lee Gifford
(LML - new on CD)
0rder at CD Universe
13 newly recorded songs that Gifford co-wrote with David Friedman and David Pomeranz.

Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition
(Disney - on 2 DVDs/3 Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
1940 animated film. Extras: Pinocchio's Matter of Facts interactive game; all-new audio commentary with Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg and J. B. Kaufman; Disney song selection; No Strings Attached: The Making of Pinocchio behind-the scenes featurette; deleted scenes - The Story of the Grandfather Tree and In The Belly Of The Whale; recently uncovered alternate ending in storyboard form; The Sweat Box featurette that traces the history of this small projection room at the Disney studio where Walt critiqued story reels, rough animation, and dailies of films; live action reference footage; art galleries; audio collection of period "pop" recordings of songs that not used in the final film; Pinocchio Puzzles game. Blu-Ray set also includes access to Disney BD-Live Network; Movie Mail; Movie Challenge; Disney Movie Rewards and bonus standard definition DVD of the film; trivia challenge game.

Silk Stockings
(DRG - new on CD)
order at CD Universe
Re-issue of 1955 RCA OBC recording of Cole Porter score. Hildegarde Neff, Don Ameche. Details have not been confirmed.

Simon Bowman: One Night With You
(JAY Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
UK performer, creating the role of Chris in Miss Saigon, also performed in Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera. "Can't Help Falling In Love" (All Shook Up), "High Flying Adored" (Evita), "The Last Night Of The World" (Miss Saigon), "One Night With You" (All Shook Up), "Phantom Of The Opera" (The Phantom Of The Opera), "Bring Him Home" (Les Miserables), "Falling" (They're Playing Our Song), "She's Always A Woman" (Movin' Out), "The Least Of My Troubles" (Blondel), "Breakthrough" (We Will Rock You), "Gethsemane" (Jesus Christ Superstar), "Funny" (City Of Angels), "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" (Les Miserables), "Why God Why?" (Miss Saigon), "The Next Time" (Summer Holiday), "Music Of The Night" (The Phantom Of The Opera), "Oh, What A Circus" (Evita), "Who Wants To Live Forever?" (We Will Rock You).

Sothern Lamour
(Sepia - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Ann Sothern and Dorothy Lamour.


March 3, 2009

Acting Foolish
(Bean Manor - Paperback Book)
Lewis J. Stadlen writes about his life and the people he has worked with during his forty-one year career in the movies, television and theatre.

The Best of Liza Minnelli: Original Keys for Singers
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
25 signature standards, all transcribed exactly as sung in their original keys. Includes: "And All That Jazz," "Cabaret," "City Lights," "Liza with a "Z"," "Losing My Mind," "Maybe This Time," "Me and My Baby," "Mein Herr," "My Own Best Friend," "Theme from "New York, New York"," "Nowadays," "Ring Them Bells," "Stepping Out," "Taking a Chance on Love," and more, plus a foreword by Michael Feinstein.

Desire
(Telarc - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Tierney Sutton album of standards. "It's Only a Paper Moon," "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," "Long Daddy Green," "Fever," "It's All Right with Me," "Then I'll Be Tired of You," "Cry Me a River," "Love Me or Leave Me," "Heart's Desire," "Whatever Lola Wants," "Skylark."

Lorna Luft Live in Oz
(Ovation - new on all-region DVD)
Filmed at The Factory Theatre in Sydney on February 29, 2008. Extras: picture gallery, interview with Lorna backstage, Vox Pox and Judy singing the song "Lorna." Available from Australia at Showtune.com.au.

Shipwrecked!: The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as told by himself)
(TCG - Paperback Book)
Play by Donald Margulies.


February 24, 2009

Connie Fisher: Secret Love
(Universal - new on import CD)
Order at CD Universe
Second solo album by London's Maria. "I Could Have Danced All Night," "Secret Love," "Next Time You Fall In Love" (Featuring Lee Mead), "True Love Ways," "When She Loved Me," "I Guess I'll Miss The Man," "You Must Love Me," "Someone To Watch Over Me," "Make Up My Heart," "If I Ever Fall In Love Again," "Memory," "If Love Were All," "First Impression Counts." Previously announced as From Connie With Love. Also available at Dress Circle.

Doubt Soundtrack
(Howe Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Original score by Howard Shore written for a 17-piece chamber orchestra, features hammered dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, harmonium, recorder, Celtic harp, mandolin and Irish bouzouki.

Diane Walsh: Beethoven 33 Variations
(Jonathan Digital Recordings - on CD)
Diane Walsh plays Beethoven's Diabelli Variations onstage in Broadway's 33 Variations. Her CD of the music was released around the time of the play's world premiere at Arena Stage, Washington in 2007. Also available at CD Baby.

Elaine Paige Live: Celebrating A Life On Stage
(new import CD)
Recorded while Paige was touring through Europe and China at the end of 2008. "Life Goes On," "Tomorrow," "Easy to Be Hard," "Broadway Baby," "I Don't Know How to Love Him," "Shoot the Breeze," "Yesterday," "Argentina Introduction," "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," "As If We Never Said Goodbye," "By the Sea," "I Get A Kick Out of You," "I Know Him So Well," "Poor Old John," "Non, je ne regrette rien," "If You Love Me," "Memory," "With One Look," "The Things You Are to Me" - Bonus Track. Available on tour and at www.epmerchandise.co.uk.

Frost/Nixon Soundtrack
(Varese Sarabande - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Hanz Zimmer score. Released 12/16/08.

Hilary Kole Haunted Heart
(new at iTunes)

Hilary Kole (vocals); John Pizzarelli (guitar); Tedd Firth (piano); Paul Gill (bass guitar); Mark McLean (drums). "It's Love," "There's a Small Hotel," "Deed I Do," "I Didn't Know About You," "Better Than Anything," "Like a Lover," "Blackberry Winter," "The Snake," "Old Boyfriends," "How Am I to Know," "What'll I Do," "You for Me," "Haunted Heart."

Mr. President
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New issue of 1962 OBC recording with Robert Ryan and Nanette Fabray. Irving Berlin score.

Mrs. Ziegfeld: The Public and Private Lives of Billie Burke
(McFarland and Co. - Hardcover Book)
By Grant Hayter-Menzies.

Oliver Twist
(BBC Warner - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Timothy Spall, William Miller, Rob Brydon, Gregor Fisher, Edward Fox, Tom Hardy, Sarah Lancashire, Sophie Okonedo, Julian Rhind-Tutt, John Sessions. Filmed in and around London.

Rocking Horse - A Personal Biography of Betty Hutton
(BearManor Press - Paperback Book)
By Gene Arceril. Hutton "speaks for herself - through recorded interviews before her passing in 2007- from her own point of view of the spectacle, stardom and nostalgia ... she wanted her public to know the truth."

Wish You Were Here
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New issue of 1952 OBC recording of Harold Rome score, with Jack Cassidy.

The Yellow Brick Road And Beyond
(Passport Video - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
This feature documentary takes a look at the phenomenon that is The Wizard of Oz, using clips and interviews with such celebrities as Tommy Tune, Joan Leslie, Mickey Rooney, Joel Grey as well as three of the original munchkins from the classic 1939 film and producer Mervyn LeRoy. Tells the complete history of The Wizard of Oz, highlighting some of the earliest stage and screen adaptations, such as the 1925 silent version and the even earlier, His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz, through the quintessential 1939 film to the musical Wicked. Bonus material includes the 1925 original version of Wizard of Oz featuring a young Oliver Hardy. 150 minutes total. This item may have been cancelled, though Barnes & Noble says they have it.


February 17, 2009

Anthem
(new on CD)
Guitar driven dramatic rock musical by Drew Puzia based on the novel "Anthem" by author Ayn Rand. Available at CD Baby.

Great Mood for a Tuesday - Felicia Finley
(mp3 and iTunes)

The actress/singer's (Happy Days —A New Musical, Smokey Joe's Café, Aida, The Wedding Singer) rock-inspired debut album. Includes "Satin Soldiers,"  "Stories,"  "Closing Time," "My House Tonight," "Tired of Losin' Sleep." Digital download available at Amazon mp3, iTunes and FeliciaFinley.net.

The Helen Morgan Story
(WHV - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1957 Michael Curtiz-directed biopic with Ann Blyth and Paul Newman as Larry Maddux. Songs sung by Gogi Grant.

High School Musical 3: Extended Edition
(Disney - new on 2 DVDs/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
2008 musical film with Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Alyson Reed, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman, Lucas Grabeel. Directed by Kenny Ortega. Extras: Additional Release Material: "Sing-Along Mode - Get In Tune With The Wildcats!"; additional scenes; behind the scenes: Cast Goodbyes - The Cast Of HSM 3 Bids An Emotional Farewell To East High; bloopers; deleted scenes; featurettes Night Of Nights - Prom Scene Tell-All With The Cast, It's All In the Dress - The Ladies of East High Dish on Prom Dresses; DisneyFile Digital Download Copy Disc. Also available in a single disc version.

Kander and Ebb (Yale Broadway Masters Series)
(Yale Univ Press - Hardcover Book)
By James Leve. Examines the collaborators' artistic accomplishments as individuals and as a team ... drawing on personal papers and on numerous interviews. He examines some of their most popular works and he reassesses their "flops" as well as their incomplete and abandoned projects. 7 B&W illustrations & 45 musical exx.

Master of Dreams Concept Album
(new on CD)
David and Joshua Ello's pop/classical influenced sung-through musical. Available at CD Baby.

Murder, She Wrote: The Complete Ninth Season
(Universal - new on 5 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1992-93 season with Angela Lansbury. Guest stars include Cesar Romero, Joseph Bologna, Ken Howard, George Hearn, Harvey Fierstein, George Furth, Len Cariou, Donna Bullock, Penny Fuller, Gary Beach, Cynthia Nixon, Neil Patrick Harris, Beth Howland, William Katt.

Only the Message Mattered
(new on CD)
Bob Warren's song cycle honoring Susan B. Anthony. Features cellist Monica Roach, pianist Bob Warren, and singer/narrators Brittany Rivers, Rebecca Rogers and Barbara Skiff.

The Outrage
(WHV - new on DVD)
rder at CD Universe
1964 film based on Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon. Paul Newman as Juan Carrasco, with Laurence Harvey, Claire Bloom and Edward G. Robinson.

Rachel, Rachel
(WHV - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1968 film that was Paul Newman's directing debut. Based on Margaret Laurence's novel, "A Jest of God." Screenplay by Stewart Stern. Joanne Woodward, Estelle Parsons. Extras: exhibitor footage from A Jest of God; trailer.

The Silver Chalice
(WHV - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Paul Newman's first film, 1954. Newman played a 1st century Greek sculptor who is sold into slavery, but escapes harm when his talent is discovered and he is commissioned to create a replica of the chalice Jesus drank from at The Last Supper. With Pier Angeli, Virginia Mayo and Jack Palance.

Swell
(new on CD)

Cortés Alexander (Liza's At the Palace) solo album with pop, jazz, and R&B flavor. Available at CD Baby and iTunes.

When Time Ran Out
(WHV - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1980 disaster film featuring a volcano. Paul Newman, Jacqueline Bisset, William Holden, Ernest Borgnine, Edward Albert, Red Buttons and Veronica Hamel.

Where Is Love ...
(Neither Nor Music - new on CD)
Debut solo album from Ron DeStefano. theatre, jazz, pop, and cabaret songs include "My Romance," "All the Things You Are," Jeff Blumenkrantz's "Hold My Hand," John Bucchino's "Unexpressed," Michael Bublé's "Everything," "I'll Never Fall In Love Again." Produced by David Snyder. Available at CD Baby.

Wish
(Ghostlight - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Sutton Foster's debut solo album. "I'm Beginning to See The Light," "Warm All Over," "The Late, Late Show," "Up on the Roof," "My Romance/Danglin'," "I Like The Sunrise," "Air Conditioner," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," "My Heart Was Set on You," "Flight (w/Megan McGinnis)," "Once Upon a Time," "Nobody's Cryin'," "Come the Wild, Wild Weather," "On My Way," "Oklahoma" (bonus track).


February 10, 2009

Amadeus: Director's Cut
(WHV - new 2-disc Blu-Ray Book)
Order at CD Universe
1984 film adaptation of Peter Shaffer play. F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Vincent Schiavelli, Jeffrey Jones, Simon Callow, Elizabeth Berridge, Karl-Heinz Teuber. Directed by Milos Forman. Special Digi-book includes hardcover "bonus book" case with an exclusive book featuring 35 pages of essays, photography, trivia and details about Mozart and his music; with audio commentary by Forman; Making of Amadeus documentary; digital copy; trailer and CD soundtrack compilation.

Bad Girls - The Musical
(2 Entertain - new on Region 2 DVD)
West End musical based on the first season of the British TV show set in a women's prison which had much of its cast reprising their roles on stage. Kath Gotts composer/lyricist; book by Maureen Chadwick and Ann McManus. Region 2 format. Available at Amazon UK.

Broadway Musicals of 1930
(Original Cast Records - new on CD)
Recorded March 6, 2006, live at Town Hall. Overture (Band), "I Got Rhythm," (Company), "Take Me Back To Manhattan (Deven May, unplugged), "Embraceable You" (Michael Winther/Celia Keegan-Bolger), "On The Sunny Side Of The Street" (Miles Phillips), "He Came Along" (Mary Testa), "Memories of You" (Michael Winther), "If I Were You, Love (I'd Jump In The Lake)" - previously unrecorded (Deven May), "I've Got A Bug In My Head" - previously unrecorded (Celia Keenan-Bolger), "But Not For Me" (Nancy Anderson), "Strike Up the Band" (Douglas Ladnier, May, Phillips, Winther, Sean Martin-Hingston), "I Happen to Like New York (Mary Testa), "Right At The Start Of It" (Marc Kudisch), "Time On My Hands" (Deven May/Shannon Lewis), "My First Love - My Last Love" (Mary Testa), "Body and Soul" (Douglas Ladnier), "Barbary Coast" (Jennifer Simard), "He Was Too Good For Me" (Celia Keenan-Bolger), "Ten Cents a Dance" (Nancy Anderson), "Who Cares" - previously unrecorded (Michael Winther, unplugged), "Love For Sale (Celia Keenan-Bolger, Nancy Anderson, Emily Skinner, unplugged), "I've Got A Crush on You" (Emily Skinner), "Get Happy" (Company). Available at Footlight.com.

Cabaret Girl
(Albany Records - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
2008 Ohio Light Opera cast recording of Jerome Kern score (book by P. G. Wodehouse and George Grossmith).

Carousel
(Sony Masterworks - on CD/ Digital Download)
1965 Lincoln Center recording, with bonus tracks featuring John Raitt from the 19502 RCA Victor mini-recording he did, plus excerpts from the 1955 RCA Victor album with Robert Merrill and Patrice Munsel, conducted by Lehman Engel. Jerry Orbach, Katherine Hilgenberg, Eileen Christy, Susan Watson, John Raitt, Reid Shelton. Four bonus tracks represent the first authorized digital release of excerpts from two early studio recordings (Jay Blackton conducts): "If I Loved You (Doretta Morrow / John Raitt), "What's the Use of Wond'rin'" (Doretta Morrow), "If I Loved You" Robert Merrill / Patrice Munsel), "Soliloquy" (Robert Merrill). Available at Arkiv Music and iTunes

Contemporary Broadway Comedy Songs Songbook
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
Funny numbers from Avenue Q, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, The Full Monty, Hairspray, Spamalot, The Producers, Young Frankenstein and more. Includes: "Chimp in a Suit," "Hakuna Matata," "He Vas My Boyfriend," "I'm Not Wearing Underwear Today," "Jeanette's Showbiz Number," "The Song That Goes like This," "Springtime for Hitler." 200 pages.

Dennis Potter: 3 To Remember
(Koch - new on 3 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1980 U.K. London Weekend Television productions of Cream in My Coffee (with Peggy Ashcroft, Lionel Jeffries, Peter Chelsom, Shelagh McLeod), Blade on the Feather (with Donald Pleasence, Tom Conti, Denholm Elliott) and "=Rain on the Roof (with Cheryl Campbell, Michael Stoddard).

The Elie Siegmeister Centennial
(Original Cast - new on CD)
Songs by Elie Siegmeister that could have been on Broadway (although only #1 actually was) performed by Helene Williams, Lars Woodul and The Metropolitan Philharmonic Chorus, conducted from the piano by Leonard Lehrman. 28 tracks. Available at Footlight.com.

Essential Art House: Vol. 2
(Criterion/Image - on 6 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
6 films: Pygmalion, La Strada, 400 Blows, Black Orpheus, Ikiru/ Life And Death of Colonel Blimp. Also available individually.

Maggie Flynn
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
1968 OBC album. Luigi Creatore, Hugo Peretti, George David Weiss score. Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy.

Oklahoma!
(Sony Masterworks - on CD/ Digital Download)
1952 Columbia studio cast album with Nelson Eddy, plus John Raitt's mini-recording for RCA Victor from the same year. Four bonus tracks represent the first authorized digital release of an early studio recording of highlights from Oklahoma!: "Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin'" (John Raitt), "The Surrey With The Fringe On Top" (John Raitt / Jay Blackton), "People Will Say We're In Love" (John Raitt / Patricia Northrup / Jay Blackton), "Oklahoma!" (John Raitt / Jay Blackton). Available at Arkiv Music and iTunes

On a San Francisco High: Sony Holland
(Van Ness - new on CD)
11 original songs first recorded in 2003 but now with brand new vocals, a remix, new artwork and eco-packaging. Also available at CDBaby.com.

Pygmalion
(Criterion Collection/Image - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Janus Films' "Art House Essentials" re-release of 1938 film with Leslie Howard and Wendy Hiller. 95 minutes.

Rodgers Conducts Rodgers
(Sony Masterworks - on CD/Digital Download)
Richard Rodgers leading the New York Philharmonic in selections from his score for Victory at Sea, "Carousel Waltz," "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue," "March of the Siamese Children," and a medley of his waltzes, plus a bonus interviews with Rodgers and Goddard Lieberson. Available at Arkiv Music and iTunes.

Sally
(Music Force Media - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe or
New Sally Kellerman album. With musicians Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Dean Parks, Jerry Peterson, Andrew Gold, and Music director Chris Caswell. "Nobody's Perfect," "I Put a Spell On You," "Say It Isn't So," "Sugar in my Bowl," "Over Over Night," "Somebody Call the Cops," "Tarpolean Napoleon," "By Heart," "Love Potion #9," "Feelin' Blue," "Time of Your Life, The," "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."

So Hard to Forget: Bucky Pizzarelli & Strings
(Arbors - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Bucky Pizzarelli, Frank Vignola, Sara Caswell, Aaron Weinstein, Valerie Levy, Jessy Levy, Jerry Bruno, Martin Pizzarelli. "Laura," "Slow Burning," Duke Ellington Medley: "Do Nothin' Till You Hear From Me/In A Sentimental Mood/Satin Doll," "It's Easy To Remember," "Sonatina In A First Movement," "Sonatina In A Second Movement," "My One And Only Love," "Prelude To A Kiss," "Wabash One More Time," "Tarantella Opus 87a," "Test Pilot," "Boots Blues," "Last Night When We Were Young."

Stan Freberg Singles
(DRG - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Capitol singles.

Sunset Boulevard Dutch Tour Cast
(new on 3 discs)
Simone Kleinsma, Maike Boerdam, Peter De Smet, Pia Douwes, Antonie Kamerling. Includes bonus tracks by Pia Douwes singing the big solo numbers and bonus DVD with "Making of" featurette (Region 2). Language: Dutch. Available at SoundofMusic.de and Dress Circle.

This is One of My Good Days - Bill Solly's Greatest Hits, Vol. 5
(new on CD-R)
More songs from Kleban Award winner Bill Solly (Boy Meets Boy, The Cat in the Castle). Available at CDBaby.com.

La Strada
(Criterion Collection/Image - on DVD)
Janus Films' "Art House Essentials" re-release of 1954 Federico Fellini film with Anthony Quinn, Guiliette Masina.

What Makes Sammy Run?
(Koch - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1959 NBC "Sunday Showcase" non-musical TV adaptation of the novel by Budd Schulberg. With Larry Blyden, John Forsythe, Barbara Rush, Dina Merrill, and Normal Fell. Audio Commentary by Dina Merrill and Barbara Rush; interview with Budd Schulberg.


February 3, 2009

Alec Guinness Collection
(Lionsgate - on 5 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
Kind Hearts And Coronets (1949), The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), The Man In The White Suit (1951), The Captain's Paradise (1953) - which became the Broadway musical Oh Captain! - and The Ladykillers (1955)

Allegro
(Sony Classics - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe or
New studio recording, and the first complete recording of Rodgers & Hammerstein score. Patrick Wilson as Joe Taylor, Jr.; Nathan Gunn and Audra McDonald as Joe's parents; Marni Nixon as Joe's Grandma; Judy Kuhn as Beulah; Liz Callaway as Emily; Laura Benanti as Jennie; and Norbert Leo Butz as Charlie. With Judy Blazer, Maureen Brennan, Ashley Brown and Kathy Morath, a full chorus, a children's chorus, and vocal cameos by Schuyler Chapin, Dr. Galen Guengerich and Stephen Sondheim. 50-piece orchestra conducted by Larry Blank. Original orchestrations by Robert Russell Bennett and dance arrangements by Trude Rittman. Bruce Pomahac musical director, and Ben Whiteley choral director (with choral arrangements by Crane Calder). produced by David Lai and Bruce Pomahac. Ted Chapin is executive producer. 44 tracks.

At Last
(Telarc - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Ann Hampton Callaway celebrates romance with original songs and classics by Cole Porter, Stevie Nicks, Harold Arlen, Joni Mitchell, Chick Corea and more. With Wycliffe Gordon and Rodney Jones.

Judy Carmichael: Come and Get It
(new on CD)
Grammy Award nominated stride jazz pianist, singer, radio host and author. "All the Cats," "Love Is Just Around the Corner," "Memories of You," "Gee Baby," "Minor Drag," "Come and Get It," "Wanderlust," "Boisdale Blues," "Everything But You," "Deed I Do," "Drivin' Me Crazy," "Christopher Columbus." Performing at Jazz at Lincoln Center April 13, 2009. Available at CD Baby.

The Little Flower of East Orange: A Play
(Faber & Faber - Paperback Book)
Stephen Adly Guirgis play.

Liza's at the Palace
(Hybrid - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe or iTunes
Studio recording of Liza Minnelli's show at the Palace Theatre. Produced by Phil Ramone. "Teach Me Tonight," "I Would Never Leave You," "If (You Hadn't, But You Did)," "What Makes a Man a Man?," "My Own Best Friend," "Maybe This Time," "He's Funny That Way," Palace Medley, "Cabaret," "But the World Goes 'Round," Tribute to Kay Thompson, "Theme from New York, New York." Cast includes Johnny Rodgers and Jim Caruso.

The Natalie Wood Collection
(Warner - 6 DVD set)
Order at CD Universe
Newly remastered versions of Splendor in the Grass and Gypsy; plus new-to-DVD Inside Daisy Clover, Sex and the Single Girl, Bombers B-52 and Cash McCall. Extras include deleted "Together Wherever We Go" and "You'll Never Get Away From Me," Warner cartoons and trailers.

Open Your Heart: A Love Song Collection
(Collector's Choice Music - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Petula Clark compilation featuring previously unissued, remixed and alternate tracks.

Our Man In Havana
(Sony - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1959 film featuring Alec Guinness, Maureen O'Hara, Noel Coward, Burl Ives, Ernie Kovacs. Bonus featurettes: Martini Movies-Secrets Of Seduction and Martini Movies-How To Travel In Style.

Rent: Filmed Live On Broadway
(Sony - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
Directed by Michael John Warren. Final Broadway performance of Jonathan Larson musical filmed on September 7, 2008. Will Chase, Adam Kantor, Eden Espinosa, Renee Goldsberry, Rodney Hicks, Justin Johnson, Michael McElroy, Tracie Thomas. Features a special appearance by the original cast. Extras: "The Wall," "The Final Curtain," "Home," "The Final Lottery," "Casting," "Rent: The Final Days on Broadway," Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation PSA, National Marfan Foundation PSA. Blu-Ray version includes additional bonuses: Home, a behind-the-scenes look at the theater that was transformed into the home for Rent; Casting, Bernard Telsey talks about casting the show for the past 12 years; Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation PSA; BD-Live™ functionality.

A Spoonful of Stiles and Drewe
(Speckulation Entertainment - new on CD)
Live highlights recording of songs by composer George Stiles and lyricist Anthony Drewe from Honk!, Just So, Peter Pan and Mary Poppins, as well as previously unrecorded material and six exclusive tracks from their upcoming show, Soho Cinders, an alternative gay fairytale based on the Cinderella story. Joanna Riding, Clive Rowe and Leanne Jones, pop star Gareth Gates and musical theatre stars Julie Atherton, Helena Blackman, Daniel Boys, Richard Dempsey, James Gillan, Alison Jiear, Shona Lindsay, Lisa O'Hare, Caroline Sheen, Scarlett Strallen, Rebecca Thornhill and Oliver Tompsett. Previously available as an import only.

Stuck
(new on CD)
(Mostly original) cast recording of Riley Thomas musical, produced at Chicago's Jeanne T. Arrigo, Jennifer Knox, Jesus Martinez Jr., Terry Price and Samara Smith February 2008. "six people. one train. STUCK." Jeanne T. Arrigo, Jennifer Knox, Jesus Martinez Jr., Terry Price and Samara Smith. Available at CD Baby.

Yentl - Director's Extended Edition
(MGM - new on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
Bonuses: Streisand introduction; commentary with Barbra Streisand and Executive Producer Rusty Lemorande; 11 deleted scenes; Barbra Streisand's introduction to disc 2, Barbra Streisand's original concept reel; the Director's Reel; rehearsal and final film comparisons for "Where is it Written?," "No Wonder," "The Way He Makes Me Feel," "No Wonder" Reprise, "Tomorrow Night," "Will Someone Ever Look at Me That Way?"; storyboard montages for musical numbers; deleted Number: "The Moon and I"; deleted number: "Several Sins a Day"; "Papa, Can You Hear Me?; "A Piece of Sky" and "Tomorrow Night"; teaser trailer; theatrical trailer; photo gallery.


January 27, 2009

Bernard Shaw and the BBC
(Univ of Toronto Press - Hardcover Book)
By Leonard Conolly. Portrait of many contentious issues negotiated between George Bernard Shaw and the public broadcaster. Details debates about freedom of speech, the editing of plays for broadcast, and the protection of authors' rights to control and profit from works performed for radio and television broadcasts. Conolly also scrutinizes Second World War-era censorship, when the British government banned Shaw from making any broadcasts that questioned British policies or strategies. Also provides links to online appendices of Shaw's broadcasts for the BBC, texts of Shaw's major BBC talks, extracts from German wartime propaganda broadcasts about Shaw, and the BBC's obituaries for Shaw.

The Count of Monte Cristo
(Hit Squad - new on CD)
2008 studio highlights recording of Frank Wildhorn, Jack Murphy score (the show is to have its world premiere in St Gallen, Switzerland, on March 14, 2009). Thomas Borchert, Pia Douwes, Patrick Stanke, Mark Seibert, Mathias Edenborn, Jesper Tydén, Alexander Goebel, Brandi Burkhardt. In English. Available at SoundofMusic.de and Dress Circle.

Divas!: The Fabulous Photography of Kenn Duncan
(Universe - Hardcover Book)
Text by Stephen Silverman. Foreword by Bette Midler. A celebration of Duncan, his divas, and the times in which they lived, loved, and partied. It includes such famous images as Anita Morris' controversial shot from Nine, and rare photographs of Susan Sarandon, Carrie Fisher, Lily Tomlin, LaBelle, and Diane Keaton (Angela Lansbury is on the cover) ... among many others which were featured at NYLPA in 2008. 228 pages. Released 10/7/2008.

Famous Movie Dance Stars Paper Dolls
(Dover Publications - Paperback Book)


Far From The Madding Crowd
(WHV - on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
Remastered 1967 film featuring Far From The Madding Crowd.

Heather Headley: Audience of One
(EMI - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Gospel album by Lion King Tony Award winner.

I'll Cry Tomorrow: Lillian Roth
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
Roth's musical autobiographical studio album and other 1950s recordings. 24 bit Cedar remastering. Many tracks on CD for the first time. New liner notes. Available from UK at StageDoorRecords.com.

John Pagano: Pure Imagination
(JonVin Records - new on CD)
Album of show tunes and standards from singer who is a featured vocalist in Burt Bacharach's band. Accompanied by a 40 piece orchestra, and recorded at Capitol Recording Studio A. "Let's Fall In Love," "Time After Time," "Night And Day," "This Guy's In Love (With You)," "Call Me Irresponsible," "All My Tomorrows," "Any Day Now," "8 Ain't That A Kick In The Head," "Wives And Lovers," "(Love Is) The Tender Trap," "Talk To Me," "Pure Imagination." Available at CDBaby.com.

Julie Andrews Musicality
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
Early recordings from The Boyfriend, My Fair Lady, High Tor, Cinderella and more. 24 bit Cedar remastering and new liner notes. Available from the UK at StageDoorRecords.com.

Gigi
(Stage Door Records - new on CD)
Studio recordings of songs from the film score by Googi Grant and Tony Martin plus bonus tracks from the French recording featuring Maurice Chevalier and Sacha Distel, and from the Spanish recording featuring Andrew Toffel, Manolo Fabregas, Marilu and Rosa Lopez Negrette. All on CD for the first time. 24 bit Cedar remastering and new liner notes. Available from the UK at StageDoorRecords.com.

Krazy Love
(Sunny Side - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe or iTunes
New Luba Mason album in a "Brazilian mood." Renato Neto on piano and keys, bassist Jimmy Haslip and guest performances by Hubert Laws and Ruben Blades. Mason co-produces and has written eight songs for the album.

Goodbye Mr. Chips
(Warner - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
1969 musical remake directed by Herbert Ross. Peter O'Toole, Michael Redgrave, Sian Phillips, Alison Leggatt, George Baker, Petula Clark, Jack Hedley, Michael Bryant, Clinton Greyn, Barbara Couper.

Mary Poppins - 45th Anniversary Edition
(Walt Disney - on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1964 film with Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Hermione Baddeley, Arthur Treacher, Ed Wynn. Extras include featurette on the stage musical version of Mary Poppins, including the complete "Steps in Time" number.

Nancy LaMott: Original Keys for Singers
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
16 LaMott standards, in David Friedman arrangements, including: "Autumn Leaves," "Downtown," "I Got the Sun in the Morning," "I Have Dreamed," "It Might As Well Be Spring," "Just in Time for Christmas," "Moon River," "No Moon at All," "Old Devil Moon," "Out of This World," "Skylark," "So in Love," "Some Children See Him," "The Surrey with the Fringe on Top," "That Old Black Magic," "When October Goes."

Passing Strange: The Complete Book and Lyrics of the Broadway Musical
(Applause - Paperback Book)
The new musical that won the 2008 Tony Award for Best Book and is soon to be a Spike Lee film.

Warner Bros Romance Classics Collection
(Warner - 4 DVD set)
Order at CD Universe
Palm Springs Weekend, Parrish, Rome Adventure and Susan Slade. To be sold as a collection only.

Whisper House
(RCA - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe or iTunes
Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) solo album of of songs written for a forthcoming theatrical piece (book and lyrics by Kyle Jarrow) that will have its premiere in April 2009 at The Delaware Theatre Company. 10 songs weave together to tell the story of a child's grief and spinster's longing as seen through the eyes of the ghosts that haunt the remote, World War II-era Maine lighthouse where they live. Accompanied by singer-keyboardist Holly Brooke.

Wildcat
(DRG Records - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Long out of print 1960 OBC recording of Cy Coleman/Carolyn Leigh score. Lucille Ball, Keith Andes. Overture, "Oil!," "He, Look Me Over," "Wildcat," "You've Come Home," "That's What I Want For Janie," "What' Takes My Fancy," "You're A Liar," "One Day We Dance," "Give a Little Whistle," "Tall Hope," "Tippy, Tippy Toes," "El Sombrero," "Corduroy Road," Finale. Includes new packaging with rare photographs and interviews provided by Ken Jones.


January 20, 2009

Charles Aznavour: Duos
(EMI France - Import 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Recorded over the last three years, a collection of Aznavour's greatest songs with some of the biggest stars of the French and international stage, including Paul Anka, Céline Dion, Placido Domingo, Bryan Ferry, Josh Groban, Herbert Grönemeyer, Johnny Hallyday, Julio Iglesias, Elton John, Carole King, Liza Minnelli, Nana Mouskouri, Laura Pausini and Sting.

In Color
(Electric Fountain Records - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe )
Michael Cavanaugh (Movin' Out). Nine songs from rock legends who have influenced him through the years: Pete Townshend, Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Michael Stanley Band, Joe Cocker/Dave Mason, Led Zeppelin and Big Joe Turner. Also, four new songs, of which "Miles Away" and "Give It Time" were written by Michael. Produced by Rob Mathes. In store date.

Ken Ard: Ballads, Blues & Cocktails
(new on CD)
Grammy Award winning stage performer's (Smokey Joe's Cafe, Cats, Starlight Express, and Jelly's Last Jam) first solo CD, featuring songs from the American Songbook with his trio, The Incredibles. Available at CD Baby.

Kevin Dozier: Love-Wise
(new on CD)
NYC and San Francisco cabaret performer sings classic show tunes and standards. Arrangements by Christopher Marlowe. Available at CD Baby.

MGM: When the Lion Roars
(Warner - new on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1992 3-part, 6-hour documentary hosted by Patrick Stewart. Loaded with film clips, rarely seen archival footage and commentary from stars. Also includes a 12-page pictorial booklet.

Oklahoma! Karaoke
(Stage Stars - new on 2 CDs)
Order at CD Universe
Tracks 1-14 contain the background tracks and guide vocals; tracks 15-28 contain the accompaniment tracks alone. This album is a re-recording in the original show key and show tempo. There are no on-screen lyrics or lyric booklet provided with this album. Released 1/13/09.

Radio Show
(Telarc - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe
New Tony deSare album. Embraces a variety of eras in American popular music, all tied together by the voices of radio announcers who set the tone for each individual track and the recording as a whole, including Joe Piscopo. With guests Jane Monheit and Bucky Pizzarelli. Includes "Get Happy," "A Little Bit Closer," "Bizarre Love Triangle," "Lazy River," "Easy Lover," "The Times They Are A-Changin'."

Repo! The Genetic Opera
(Lions Gate - new on DVD/Blu-Ray)
Order at CD Universe
Film version of Darren Smith and Terrence Zdunich stage piece. Paul Sorvino, Anthony Head, Alexa Vega, Bill Moseley, Sarah Brightman, Paris Hilton, Ogre, Terrance Zdunich. Extras: audio commentary by director Darren Lynn Bousman and actors Bill Moseley, Alexa Vega and Ogre; audio commentary by director Lynn Bousman, creators Darren Smith and Terrance Zdunich and music producer Joseph Bishara; featurettes: From Stage to Screen, Legal Assassin — A Repo Man. Blu-Ray has extra extras: select scene audio commentary by Bousman and actress Paris Hilton; featurettes Zydrate Anatomy—Amber Sweet: Addicted to the Knife, Chase the Morning—Blind Mag: The Voice of GeneCo; deleted scenes; video sing-alongs.

Scot Albertson: With Every Note, A Step...
(new on CD)
The singer's fourth CD. Available at CD Baby.


January 13, 2009

Breakfast at Tiffany's - Paramount Centennial Collection
(Paramount - on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1961 film with Audrey Hepburn, George Peppard, Patricia Neal, Mickey Rooney, Martin Balsam, Buddy Ebsen. Additional Footage; Soundtrack English; Soundtrack French; English Subtitles; Director's Comments; Dolby Digital 5.1 Re; Sensor Matic. Extras: featurettes A Golightly Gathering, Henry Mancini: More Than Music, Mr. Yunioshi: An Asian Perspective, The Making of a Classic, It's So Audrey: A Style Icon, Brilliance in a Blue Box, Audrey's Letter to Tiffany, Behind the Gates: The Tour; original theatrical trailer.

The Cherry Orchard
(Grove Press - Paperback Book)
Tom Stoppard's new translation (Bridge Project production now at BAM). [the Amazon description lists Mamet as the translator, but this is the Stoppard version].

Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab
(DRG - new on CD)
Order at CD Universe or iTunes
New Off Broadway cast recording. Christina Bianco, James Donegan, Gina Kreiezmar and Michael West with David Caldwell at the piano. "Forbidden Broadway Goes to Rehab," "All That Chat," In the Heights Segment, Tale of Two Cities Segment, South Pacific Segment, Mary Poppins 2nd Season, August: Osage County, Equus Segment, Gypsy Segment, Young Frankenstein, "Xanadude," "Glitter & Be Glib," "Putting Up Revivals," Sondheim Finale, Bonus tracks: "My Musical Comedy Smile," "Hey, Harry," "See Me On a Monday."

Funny Face - Paramount Centennial Collection
(Paramount - on 2 DVDs)
Order at CD Universe
1957 film with Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire. Extras: featurettes Kay Thompson: "Think Pink", This is VistaVision, Fashion Photographers Exposed, The Fashion Designer and His Muse, Parisian Dreams, Paramount in the '50s; original theatrical trailer; text/photo galleries.

The Henry James Collection
(WHV - new on 6 DVDs)
Order at CD Univers
TV adaptations of 1968 The Portrait of a Lady (Suzanne Neve, Richard Chamberlain, Edward Fox); 1970 The Spoils Of Poynton (Pauline Jamesonon, Gemma Jones, Ian Oglivy); 1972 The Golden Bowl (Daniel Massey, Barry Morse, Jill Townsend, Cyril Cusack); 1979 The Wings of the Dove (Elizabeth Spriggs, Betsy Blair, John Castle); 1988 The American (Matthew Modine, Diana Rigg).

Love Songs: Judy Garland
(Savoy Jazz - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Compilation from the soundtrack of her TV series (none previously on Savoy). Produced by John Fricke. "From This Moment On," "That's All," "Old Devil Moon," "Nearness Of You, The," "Medley: Almost Like Being In Love/This Can't Be Love," "I Can't Give You Anything But Love," "I Am Loved," "Alone Together," "Island In The West Indies," "Do It Again," "I Wish You Love," "Come Rain Or Come Shine."

Passing Strange Vocal Selections
(Hal Leonard - Paperback Book)
From musical score by Stew. Songlist includes: "Amsterdam," "The Black One," "Love Like That," "Mom Song," "Must Have Been High," "Work the Wound," "Youth's Unfinished Song" and more.

Take Me Along
(DRG - on CD)
Order at CD Universe
Details not confirmed. OBC recording of Bob Merrill score. Jackie Gleason, Walter Pigeon, Eileen Herlie, Una Merkel, Robert Morse. Overture, "The Parade," "Oh, Please," "I Would Die," "Sid, Ol' Kid," "Staying Young," "I Get Embarrassed," "We're Home," "Take Me Along," "Volunteer Fireman Picnic," "Wint's Song," "That's How It Start's," "Promise Me A Rose," "Staying Young (reprise)," "Little Green Snake," "Nine O'clock," "But Yours," Finale.


January 6, 2009

Abie's Island Rose
(Original Cast Records - new on CD)
Original cast recording of Ron Sproat (book), Richard Engquist and Frank Evans (co-lyricists) and Doug Katsaros (music) musical. Heather Mac Rae, Keith Lee Grant, Steven Rosen and Carla Wood. Premiered at Hollywood Playhouse in Hollywood, Florida and produced by Jewish Repertory in 2000. "Two Islands" (The Company), "That Was Him" (Mac Rae and Rosen), "Looking for a Rainbow" (Mac Rae), "The Omens" (Grant & Woods), "A Bit of Surprise" (Woods & Rosen), "That Girl" (Rosen), "Something Else" (Rosen & Woods), "Crazy Mixed Up Me" (Rosen and Mac Rae), "Somewhere in the World" (Grant), "Liberal" (Mac Rae), "All for Her" (The Company), "Welcome to Manhattan" (The Company), "Nice While It Lasted" (Woods), "The Way It's Supposed to Be" (Grant), "Late Night T.V" (Rosen), "He Used to Whistle" (Mac Rae and Woods), "Two Islands Finale" (The Company).

Cyrano de Bergerac
(Image Entertainment - new on DVD)
Order at CD Universe
2007 Broadway production starring Kevin Kline, Jennifer Garner, Daniel Sunjata, Chris Sarandon, Max Baker. Directed by David Leveaux. 141 minutes.

A Streetcar Named Desire (Audiobook)
(Caedmon - new on 2 CDs)
1973 Lincoln Center cast recording, with Rosemary Harris and James Farentino. 2-1/2 hours.

Theatre World: Volume 64 2007-2008
(Applause Books - Hardcover Book)
John Willis and Ben Hodges, editors. Now in its 64th year. Annual record of the American theatre season - Broadway, Off-Broadway, Off-Off-Broadway, and regional. Features A Catered Affair, August: Osage County, Sunday in the Park with George, South Pacific, Come Back, Little Sheba Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Country Girl, Passing Strange, In the Heights, Mask and True Life Tales. Expanded section of professional regional productions from across the U.S.; expanded listing of all the major theatrical awards; longest running shows on and off Broadway; full coverage of the Theatre World Awards; expanded obituaries and a comprehensive index.




-- Sound Advice Staff

Additional information provided by
Max O. Preeo




We are partners with Amazon.com.