Musical Theatre has been a strong point of interest for me
for the past few years. Upon recently learning that I’m taking a trip to New
York for my birthday (thanks mum) where it’s beyond guaranteed that I’ll be
catching at least one Broadway show, this seemed like the perfect time to write
about some of my favourite musical theatre albums.
Waitress: Original
Broadway Cast Recording
Based on the 2006 film of the same name, Waitress tells the
story of Jenna, a waitress stuck in an unhappy marriage to her bullying husband
Earl. After unexpecting falling pregnant Jenna sets her sights on a pie contest
and its grand prize to escape and make a new life for her and her baby.
Opening just over a year ago, Waitress is currently one of
the most successful Broadway productions. Waitress is the first production to
have an exclusively all-women’s creative team behind it with music and lyrics
by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. Starring tony-award winner Jessie Mueller,
Waitress originally made its Broadway debut in April 2016 with the original
cast recording following in June.
With a magnificent score including ‘Opening Up’, ‘Everything
Changes’ and the heart-wrenching ‘She Used to Be Mine’ the Waitress cast recording
is a must-listen for any musical theatre fan.
School of Rock the
Musical – Original Broadway Cast Recording
School of Rock the Musical is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most
recent venture. An adaption of the 2003 hit film starring Jack Black, the story
follows Dewey Finn, an out-of-work rock musician who ends up pretending to be a
substitute teacher at a very prestigious school. Dewey is quick to form a band
with his students and attempts to win a battle of the bands competition.
The production opened on Broadway in December 2015 and made its
West End premiere in November 2016. The original Broadway cast recording was
released on December 5th 2015, just a day before the musical’s
opening night. Featuring Alex Brightman and Sierra Boggess as Dewey Finn and Rosalie
Mullins, respectively. One of the standout elements of School of Rock is that
the show features a children’s ensemble who play instruments live throughout
the show, members of the original Broadway cast recorded several instrumental parts
on the cast recording.
Including songs such as ‘You’re in the Band’, ‘Where Did the
Rock Go’ and ‘Stick It To The Man’ School of Rock’s cast recording is bound to
get you rocking.
Miss Saigon: Live
from the Prince Edward Theatre
Miss Saigon tells the tale of Kim, who was orphaned by war,
and, an American GI called Chris. Soon after meeting the two fall in love but
their lives are quickly torn apart by the fall of Saigon. With music and lyrics
by Claude-Michel Schonberg and Alain Boublil, the team beside Les Miserables,
Miss Saigon is one of the most renowned productions around the world.
The West End revival premiered in May 2014 at the Prince
Edward Theatre. The revival cast included Eva Noblezada as Kim, Jon Jon Briones
as the Engineer and Alistair Brammer as Chris. A 25th anniversary
gala performance was held on the 22nd of September 2014 which
featured many members of the original West End production joining the current
cast for a special finale. The performance was recorded and released in its entirety on
News Years Day 2014 with a live DVD released in late 2016.
Featuring stellar performances of songs including ‘The Movie
in my Mind’, ‘Last Night of the World’ and ‘I’d Give My Life for You’ the
definitive recording of Miss Saigon is an incredible listen, and, with the
production just opening on Broadway featuring Eva Noblezada, Jon Jon
Briones and Alistair Brammer reprising their roles America is definitely in for
a treat.
Wicked – Original Broadway Cast Recording
Wicked is the untold story of the witches of OZ, based on
the Gregory Maguire novel; The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. With
music and lyrics by Stephan Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. The story is
told from the perspective of two unlikely friends; Elphaba; the wicked witch of
the west, and, Glinda; the good witch of the north. The story begins before
Dorothy’s arrival in Oz and continues after.
Wicked opened on Broadway in October 2003 starring Idina
Menzel as Elphaba and Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda. The West End production
opened three years later, in September 2006. As of 2017 Wicked is one of the
most long-running productions on both Broadway and the West End, running for 13
years in New York and 10 years in London. Since its inception, the production
has toured in many places across the world including Australia, Manila,
Singapore, the UK and North America.
The original Broadway cast recording was released on
December 16th 2003. Featuring the likes of ‘The Wizard & I’,
‘Dancing Through Life’ and the anthemic ‘Defying Gravity’ it’s no wonder Wicked
has achieved such critical acclaim.
Kinky Boots –
Original West End Recording
Kinky Boots, based on the 2006 film of the same, follows the
story of Charlie Price who inherits a shoe factory from his father and in-lists
the help of drag queen Lola to produce a line of high-heeled boots for men and
save the business. In the process, Charlie and Lola discover that they’re not
so different from one another. With music and lyrics by two-time Grammy award winner
Cyndi Lauper. Kinky Boots opened on Broadway in April 2013. The production went
on to received 13 Tony award nominations and went on to win 5.
The West End production opened at the Adelphi theatre in
September 2015. Featuring Killian Donnelly as Charlie, Matt Henry as Lola and
Amy Lennox as Lauren. The production won numerous WhatsOnStage and Olivier
Awards following its debut. The show has recently celebrated its 600th
West End performance.
The original west end cast recording was recorded during a
live performance at the Adelphi theatre and was released on the 1st
of April 2016. The album went on to be nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best
Musical Theatre Album’. Featuring incredible performances from Killian Donnelly
and Matt Henry on the uplifting ‘Everybody Say Yeah and ‘Raise You Up/Just Be’
as well as the heart-breaking ‘Not My Father’s Son’ and ‘Hold Me in Your Heart’
Kinky Boots’ West End recording is an album that everyone’s sure to enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment