Top Five: Musical Theatre Cast Recordings

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 Starring tony-award winner Jessie Mueller, Waitress originally made its Broadway debut in April 2016 with the original cast recording following in June.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 5^th 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 25^th anniversary gala performance was held on the 22^nd 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 16^th 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 600^th West End performance.

The original west end cast recording was recorded during a live performance at the Adelphi theatre and was released on the 1^st 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. 

International Women’s Day: Five Musical-Theatre Productions Celebrating Women

Today is international women’s day, a day that commemorates the movement for women’s rights. I thought it would be fitting to write an article celebrating a number of musical theatre productions that include creative contributions, centre around and celebrate strong women.

Fun Home

Fun Home is the musical adaption of Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir of the same name. With music by Jeanine Tesori and the book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The production centres on Bechdel during her coming of age. The story particularly focuses on Bechdel’s discovery of her own sexuality, her relationship with her father and her attempts to solve the mystery's surrounding his death. Fun Home is the first Broadway musical to have a lesbian protagonist.

With three actresses playing Alison at different stages of her life, 43 year old Alison serves as the shows narrator, 19-year-old ‘medium Alison’ is a first year college student discovering her sexuality and, 10-year-old ‘small Alison’ is struggling against her father’s expectations and demands.

After opening in April 2015, Fun Home went on to be nominated for 10 Tony awards and took home 5, including ‘best musical, ‘best book of a musical’, ‘best original score and ‘best featured actress in a musical’

Waitress

Waitress, based on the 2006 film of the same name, tells the tale of Jenna, a waitress who is stuck in an unhappy marriage to her bullying husband Earl. After unexpectedly falling pregnant Jenna, with the help of her friends and co-workers, Becky and Dawn, sets her sights on a pie contest and its grand prize as a chance to create a new life for her and her baby.

Waitress is the first Broadway musical to have an exclusively all-women’s creative team. With music and lyrics by singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles, a book by Jessie Nelson. The production was directed by Diane Paulus and choreographed by Lorin Latarro.

Waitress opened in April 2016, starring tony-award winner Jessie Mueller, who previously originated the role of Carole King in ‘Beautiful’. The show was nominated for four Tony-Awards including ‘best musical’, ‘best original score’ and ‘best performance by a leading actress in a musical’.  

The Color Purple

The Color Purple, based on the 1982 novel by Alice Walker, follows the story of Celie, an African-American women in the American south from the early to mid-20^th century. With music and lyrics by Brenda Russel and Allee Willis, and, a book by Marsha Norman. The original Broadway production ran from 2005 – 2008 and earned 11 Tony Award nominations in 2006.

A Broadway revival ran from 2015 – 2017 and gained four Tony-Award nominations, winning two including ‘best revival of a musical’ and ‘best actress in a musical’ The revival starred Cynthia Erivo, who won was awarded the Tony award for best actress for her portrayed of Celie. The show also starred Jennifer Hudson, who made her Broadway debut as Shug, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, and, Joaquina Kalukango as Nettie.

Gypsy

Gypsy is a story that is loosely based on the memoirs of Gypsy Rose Lee, and focuses on her mother Rose who name has become greatly associated with ‘the ultimate show business mother’. The musical follows Rose’s efforts to raise her two daughters to perform onstage and gain a show business lifestyle. Gypsy has been referred to numerous times as ‘the greatest American musical’ by several writers and critics.

The production originally opened on Broadway in 1959 starring Ethel Merman and has since been revived four times with Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Bernadette Peters and Patti Lupone portraying the role of Rose. The original Broadway production received a Grammy award for ‘best musical theatre album’. Following the original Broadway production a film adaption was released in 1962.

A West End revival opened in 2015 starring Imelda Staunton. The production received numerous Olivier, Evening Standard and WhatsOnStage awards nominations with Staunton taking home four separate awards for ‘best actress in a musical.

Funny Girl

Funny Girl is a semi-autobiographic story based on the life and career of Broadway star, comedian and film actress Fanny Brice. The story focuses heavily on Brice’s stormy relationship with gambler and entrepreneur Nick Arnstein. With a book by Isobel Lennart, the original Broadway production opened in 1964, starring Barbra Streisand and was nominated for eight Tony Awards. The original Broadway cast recording was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004.

A West End production opened in 2015, starring Sheridan Smith and was nominated for numerous Evening Standard, WhatsOnStage and Olivier awards. The production took home the WhatsOnStage award for ‘Best Musical Revival’. 

From direction, choreography, composition and lyricism to singing, dancing and acting the amount of amazing women that have contributed the world of musical theatre since its inception has been incredible and there's no doubt that every single woman currently in the industry will only continue to inspire future generations of young girls who will go on to keep the world of musical theatre exceptionally strong.