CD-Charts Position 1
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Greatest Hits: Broadway

from: Sony

Release Date October 29, 1996
I haven't enjoyed this one very much. As a matter of fact, I passed it on. Seemed lackluster somehow.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Say, Darling (1958 Original Broadway Cast)

from: DRG Records

Release Date March 04, 2008
Despite being panned by most critics, SAY, DARLING (based on Richard Bissell's book of the same name) managed to run for 332 performances in a banner season on Broadway, which was also marked by THE MUSIC MAN and WEST SIDE STORY. Vivian Blaine (GUYS AND DOLLS) stars in this bouncy musical treat with a score by Jule Styne.

The premise for SAY, DARLING is the making of a Broadway musical, the virtual plot-less show is spun around several different songs, performed by the would-be diva, her handsome leading man, their eager writer and a supporting gallery of colourful theater folk. In a bold departure for a major Broadway musical of the period, the songs were played "rehearsal-style" using only two pianos (although the cast album ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Essential Leonard Bernstein

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date September 18, 2001
I bought this specifically for Slava as it is the audition piece chosen for this fall's band semester, but let's face it Bernstein's music is brilliant and a lot of fun to listen to. This collection has an excellent mix of his familiar and not so familiar works.

CD-Charts Position 4
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On the Town

by: Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Release Date September 15, 1998
What in the world was MGM thinking eliminating most of these songs for their stupid film? All of the songs are fabulous! I love them all, & I have such fun listening (and singing) to them. I've recently purchased this CD & I'm glad I did.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Broadway - The American Musical (PBS Series)

from: Sony

Release Date October 19, 2004
Of course there should have been much more. I remember there been a Metropolian Opera series called CAST ALBUMS- 100 YEARS that was put out for a limited time only and had like five volumes.
As Peter Filichia noted they left out SHE LOVES ME, BRIGADOON and SWEENEY TODD. Also nothing from PACIFIC OVERTURES, BIG RIVER, CHESS, CRAZY FOR YOU, JEKYLL & HYDE, TITANIC, THE SCARLET
PIMPERNEL, FOOTLOOSE- THE MUSICAL, THE FULL MONTY, URINTOWN...
But they couldn't have put it all. I would have done without Lee Remick's
"Anyone Can Whistle", because the show was a flop. I guess because it was Sondheim's first "serious" show...

CD-Charts Position 6
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On The Twentieth Century (1978 Original Broadway Cast)

by: Cy Coleman, John Cullum, Imogene Coca, Original Broadway Cast, Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Release Date November 19, 1991
ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY was the first "original cast" album I bought 25 years ago. I've never been a particularly big fan of "stage musicals" - - even to this day I own only a handful of original cast albums. I bought this album mainly because I was a Carole Lombard fan and a big fan of the original film TWENTIETH CENTURY as well as an admirer of the great Madeline Kahn and I was curious about this musical. Well, it knocked me out so much I played it constantly for years. The songs are generally hilarious, the arrangements highly innovative and downright thrilling.

It's sad to hear of the backstage squabbles that led to Ms. Kahn's departure early on in the run - you certainly can't detect any undercurrents of tension in the record. ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Bernstein Conducts Candide

from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date April 15, 1997
This CD is broadcasted on the best level for this music. The singers are a pleasure to hear and the orchstra is really perfect. Why only Leonid Bernsteins musicals Candide and West Side Story are availiable in this high quality? There is a lot of musical composers on this level, but CDs like this are not produced.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Wonderful Town (Original 1953 Broadway Cast)

by: Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Adolph Green

Release Date September 25, 2001
This is a terrific show. It has a famous composer, great tunes and a good, upbeat story. Why it has so thoroughly faded from memory is a question that puzzles me greatly.

The orchestrations are attributed to another individual, but Bernstein must have taken some substantial role in their creation, for large parts of "Wonderful Town" resemble only one other musical, "West Side Story."

Rosalind Russell is the star here, and rightly so. She sings--or rather croaks--her material very well, indeed. Only in "Swing" is she overmatched by the musical requirements and even then she fights them to a draw.

Edith Adams is very good, too, as Eileen. I think of her as Edie Adams, a sixties icon, wife of comedian Ernie Kovacs, mayhem-minded ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
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Follies in Concert (1985 Live Performance) + Stavisky Film Score

from: RCA Victor Broadway

Release Date October 25, 1990
I have very definite views on this - in other words, my word rules, ignore the others. Random thoughts - pay no attention to those who disparage Mandy Patinkin singing "Buddy's Blues." This is an album of brilliant pastiche songs, right? Patinkin is giving us the old vaudville, split week in Jersey, performance. Of course he's over the top! Outstanding. However - sorry, I love Barbara Cook, and it's a lovely rendition of "Losing My Mind," but no one, I repeat no one, does it like Dorothy Collins from the original cast. Dorothy Collins, the Hit Parade lady? Come on! Well, OK, I don't know how she did it, what she pulled up from inside herself, but it tears your heart out. The song belongs to her. "Beautiful Girls" is ... well, if you're a woman (or not!) I dare you to listen to this and not get ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Wonderful Town (2003 Broadway Revival Cast)

by: Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, Donna Murphy, Jennifer Westfeldt, Adolph Green

Release Date March 09, 2004
Jennifer Westfeldt hits all the notes required for the role of Eileen, yet her voice isn't my favorite. Donna Murphy's voice is not great either. The real talent there is Gregg Edelman, but I honestly prefer him along Brooke Shields and Jennifer Hope Wills.