Dec 26: Snow

Last night, the house was still and I curled up with peppermint hot chocolate watching a blanket of white cover the world. Today, we're shoveling the walk and getting ready to go sledding. The first half of the show celebrates these shifting moods of snow. (Now if only it would fall everywhere but the roads and the sidewalks...)

Sleigh Ride - Jennifer Simard, Casey Nicholaw, Valierie Wright A Christmas Survival Guide (Original Cast Record)
Snow - Ensemble White Christmas [OC] (Ghostlight)
The Snowman's Got a Sweetheart- Sammy Fain Sammy Sings Fain...Again (Koch International)
Baby It's Cold Outside - Alan Cumming/Liza Minnelli Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays (Centaur Entertainment)
Another Winter In A Summer Town - Christine Ebersole, Mary Louise Wilson Grey Gardens: A New Musical (PS Classics)
Good King Wencelas / Little Girl Blue - Heather MacRae A Christmas Survival Guide (Original Cast Record)
Snow Song - It's Coming Down - Cast of Light In The Piazza Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure Volume 7 (Rock-It Science)
After the Holidays - Andrea Marcovicci A Cabaret Christmas (DRG)
Cold - Whistle Down the Wind Now & Forever - Disc 3 (Universal)
I Don't Remember Christmas - Karen Akers A Cabaret Christmas (DRG)
The Happy New Year Blues [From the Music Box Revue] - Vicki Lewis Broadway Christmas (MCA Special Products)
The Next New Year - Cast of Cabaret Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure 1999 (Rock-It Science)
The Perfect Year [Sunset Boulevard] - Patti LuPone Now & Forever - Disc 3 (Universal)
Auld Lang Syne - Cast of Fiddler On The Roof Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure Volume 6 (Rock-It Science)
Seasons of Love [Rent] - Jonathan Larson Ultimate Broadway Disc 2 (Arista)

Dec 19: Carols for a Cure

I hope this doesn't sound like an info-mercial, but I truly love the Carols for a Cure CD set. Casts of Broadway shows get studio time and sing a song for the holidays of their choosing, in a style of their choosing. This means familiar songs in traditional choral renditions, old songs with a new spin, and some really great new songs that otherwise might not get heard - at least for us here away from the Cabaret circuit. All proceeds benefit Broadway Cares Equity Fights AIDS. All of these albums are available from the Broadway Cares store - there's also a collection of all 9 volumes available. The other CDs available are also on my wish list, they're great.

Something Must Be Wrong with My Mistletoe - Cast of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Vol. 8 2006
Rockin' Christmas Angel - Cast of Drowsy Chaperone Vol. 8 2006
Gospel Hallelujah - Cast of Hairspray Vol. 8 2006
carols v -
Shalom Santa - Tovah Feldshuh Vol. 6 2004
Angelo Rosenbaum - Thom Christopher Warren Vol. 5 2003
carols w -
Rod's Christmas - John Tartaglia Vol. 5 2003
Too Fat To Fit - Cast of The Producers Vol. 9 2007
Holiday Lament (The Fruitcake Song) - Cast of The Lion King Vol. 6 2004
carols x -
Ding Dong Merrily On High/Boarshead Carol - Cast of Mary Poppins Vol. 9 2007
The Holly And The Ivy - Cast of AIDA Vol. 6 2004
In The Bleak Midwinter - Cast of The Producers Vol. 7 2005
Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming/Still, Still, Still/Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabel - Cast of The Producers Vol. 4 2002
carols y -
A Simple Christmas Memory (It's a Wonderful Life musical) - Cast of Mamma Mia Vol. 3 2001
I'm Dreaming Of Christmas And You - Cast of Spamalot Vol. 7 2005
Mary's Lullaby - Cast of Wicked - 1st Ntl Tour Vol. 9 2007
My Gift - Cast of Mamma Mia Vol. 9 2007

Dec 12: Christianity on Stage

The Blessings of the Branch - Company The Christmas Schooner (Louisa May Alleycat Music)
I'll Walk With God - Mario Lanza The Student Prince/The Desert Song (RCA)
Mysterious Ways, The Color Purple - Company, Elisabeth Withers-Mendes The Color Purple (Angel)
What Have I Done? - Colm Wilkinson Les Miserables [OBC] (Geffen/Decca US)
Stars - Philip Quast Les Miserables - Complete Symphonic Recording (Red Ink)
The Pagan Ave Maria - Tina Arena Notre Dame De Paris (Sony)
God Help the Outcasts [Hunchback of Notre Dame] - Heidi Mollenhauer Classic Disney, Vol. 5 (Disney International)
Tower of Babble - Godspell Godspell (Varese Sarabande)
Bless the Lord - Lynne Thigpen Godspell [Original Motion Picture Soundtrack] (Arista)
Strange Thing Mystifying, Last Supper - Ted Neeley Jesus Christ Superstar (Original Motion Picture Soundrack) (Decca U.S.)
Church Rulez - Company Altar Boyz (Sh-K-Boom)
Mabel's Prayer - Dioni Michelle Collins Fame [Original Cast Recording] (DRG)
God Bless Us, Everyone - Company A Christmas Carol [Original Cast] (Sony)

Dec 5: Judaism on Stage

Cohen Owes Me Ninety-Seven Dollars (Irving Berlin) - New Budapest Orpheum Society, Dancing on the Edge of a Volcano: Jewish Cabaret Popular and Political Songs 1900-1945
Second Hand Rose - Fanny Brice, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1
You've Got to Be Carefully Taught - Jason Danieley, South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall (Decca Broadway)
If You Could See Her (The Gorilla Song) - Joel Grey, Cabaret [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks]
Meeskite - Jack Gilford, Cabaret [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony)
If I Were a Rich Man - Zero Mostel, Fiddler on the Roof [Original Broadway Cast] [2003 Bonus Tracks] (RCA)
Act One: Sabbath Prayer - Alfred Molina/Randy Graff, Fiddler on the Roof [2004 Broadway Revival Cast] (PS Classics)
The Family Way - Bambi Linn/Elliott Gould/Harold Lang/Ken Leroy/Lillian Roth/Marilyn Cooper, I Can Get It for You Wholesale [Original Soundtrack] (Sony)
Miracle of Judaism - Danny Gerard, Falsettoland [Original Off-Broadway Cast]
Jason's Bar Mitzvah - Cast, Falsettoland [Original Off-Broadway Cast]
Today You Are a Man - Cast, Wedding Singer
The King of Broadway - Nathan Lane, The Producers [Original Broadway Cast Recording] (Sony Classical)
You Won't Succeed on Broadway - David Hyde Pierce, Monty Python's Spamalot (Decca)Shalom Rav - Cast of Mamma Mia, Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure Volume 6
The Hanukah Song [Performed by the Cast of the Wedding Singer] - Various Artists, Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols for a Cure, Vol. 8 Disc 2

Nov. 28: November Showcase

Bert Williams - Nobody, Star Spangled Rhythm Disc 1 (Smithsonian)
Dennis King - Song of the Vagabonds, Star Spangled Rhythm Disc 1 (Smithsonian)
Dick Powell - Dames, Lullaby of Broadway: The Best of Busby Berkeley at Warner Bros. Disc 2 (Rhino)
Vivian Blaine - A Bushel and a Peck, Guys and Dolls [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks
Stubby Kaye - Sit Down You're Rocking the Boat, Guys and Dolls [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks
Mandy Patinkin - Wrong Note Rag, Leonard Bernstein's New York
Juanita Hall - Happy Talk [South Pacific], A Child's Celebration of Broadway (Warner Bros.)
Richard Burton - Camelot, Camelot [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Carol Bruce - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man [Show Boat], Broadway: The Great Original Cast Recordings Disc 1 (Sony)
Howard McGillin - Easy to Love, Anything Goes [1987 Broadway Revival Cast]
Ron Raines, Karen Ziémba - My Cup Runneth Over [I Do! I Do!], So in Love With Broadway (Jay)
Robert Goulet - I Don't Remember You, The Happy Time
Dorothy Collins - Do I Hear a Waltz?, Sondheim: A Musical Tribute Disc 1 (RCA Victor)
Kaye Ballard - Lazy Afternoon, American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 3
Ann Reinking - Roxie, Chicago
Daisy Eagan - Broadway Baby, Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Disc 2 (Varese Sarabande)

Nov 21: Food Glorious Food

Whoops, the Immigrant Experience show I prepared didn't fully make it to the CD I'd burned for Verne (technology - love it and hate it) so he grabbed last year's Food Glorious Food show instead (glad you could find it fast, Verne!) If you want to hear the Immigrant show, it's there on the Listen link to the right. Meanwhile, here's the playlist from Food. Happy Thanksgiving!

Food Glorious Food - Boys, Oliver! (Broadway cast)
Dieter's Prayer - Amanda McBroom, Live from Rainbow & Stars
Sara Lee - Jim Walton, The World Goes Round
The Ladies Who Lunch (Company) - Elaine Stritch, Star Spangled Rhythm
The Worst Pies in London - Angela Lansbury, Sweeney Todd
A Little Priest - Michael Cerveris & Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd 2005 revival
Feed Me - Michael-Leon Wooley & Hunter Foster, Little Shop of Horrors 2003 cast
The Ragtime Restaurant - Rebecca Luker, Jerome Kern Treasury
Suppertime - Roger Bart, You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
Supper Time - Audra McDonald, Happy Songs
A Real Nice Clambake - Claramae Turner, Carousel (film)
Sing For Your Supper - Rebecca Luker, The Boys from Syracuse (1997 cast)

Nov 21: Immigrant Experience

Lady's Maid - Cast, Titanic: A New Musical (RCA)
Journey On - Mark Jacoby, Peter Friedman, Marin Mazzie, Ragtime [Original Broadway Cast Disc 1] (RCA Victor Broadway)
A Stranger Here - Cass Morgan, Walter Charles, Adam heller, The Immigrant: A New American Musical (Ghostlight)
Simply Free - Adam Heller, The Immigrant: A New American Musical (Ghostlight)
Wayfaring Stranger/Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child/Aye, Lye, - Traditional, Tintypes (DRG)
Rags - Judy Kuhn, Dick Latessa, Rags (Columbia)
That's America - Becca Daniels Noyes, David Holloway, Max Quinlan, The Christmas Schooner (Louisa May Alleycat Music)
Yankee Boy - Nathan, David & Neighbours, Rags (Columbia)
American Dream [From Miss Saigon] - Company; Jonathan Pryce, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 1 (Philips)
Chop Suey - Juanita Hall/Patrick Adairte, Flower Drum Song [Original Broadway Cast] (Columbia)
A Hundred Million Miracles (Finale) - Alvin Ing/Jose Llana/Lea Salonga, Flower Drum Song [2002 Broadway Revival Cast] (DRG)
Great American Melting Pot - Lori Lieberman, Schoolhouse Rock (Rhino / Wea)
America - Rita Moreno/George Chakiris, West Side Story [Expanded Original Soundtrack] (Sony Classical/Legacy)

Nov. 14: Opera vs. Musicals

Not that it's an either-or discussion, but just looking at some of the differences and similarities between musicals and opera. Specifically because Frederica's coming to Spokane on Saturday to sing with the Spokane Symphony, and Thomas Hampson comes in December to wind up the opening ceremonies at the Fox.

Kiri Te Kanawa - Summertime (Porgy And Bess), The Best Classical Album (Angel)
Jerry Hadley, Kurt Ollmann, June Anderson, Della Jones - Life Is Happiness Indeed, Bernstein Conducts Candide Disc 1 (Deutsche Grammophon)
Manoel Felciano, Michael Cerveris, Company - The Ballad of Sweeney Todd, Sweeney Todd [2005 Broadway Revival Cast] Disc 2 (Nonesuch)
Thomas Hampson - Soliloquy [From Carousel], Leading Man (Angel)
Bryn Terfel - Soliloquy, Something Wonderful: Bryn Terfel Sings Rodgers & Hammerstein (Polygram)
Robert Weede - Ah, Omma Don Know/Mamma, Mamma, The Most Happy Fella [Original Broadway Cast] Disc 2 (Sony Classical)
Ezio Pinza - Welcome Home (Fanny), American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 3 ()
Frederica Von Stade - Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Great American Songwriters (Capitol)
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa/Tatiana Troyanos - I Have a Love, West Side Story [Deutsche Grammophon Highlights] (Deutsche Grammophon)
Thomas Hampson, Jerry Hadley - Puccini • O Mimi [La Bohème], Mad About Opera (Deutsche Grammophon)
Dawn Upshaw - Mozart • Deh Vieni, Non Tardar [The Marriage of Figaro], Mad About Opera (Deutsche Grammophon)
Audra McDonald/Kimberly Jajuan - Way Back to Paradise, Marie Christine (RCA)
Kristen Chenoweth - Glitter and Be Gay, Boston Pops broadcast (WBUR Boston)

Nov 7: Tim Rice

Herod's Song - Victor Spinetti, Jesus Christ Superstar [Highlights: the 20th Anniversary London Cast/14 Tracks] (Madacy)
Heaven on Their Minds - Jerome Pradon, Jesus Christ Superstar [London Revival Cast] (Sony)
Ad for Joseph - Joseph, Now & Forever - Disc 5 (Decca Broadway)
I Don't Know How to Love Him [Jesus Christ Superstar] - Yvonne Elliman, Now & Forever - Disc 1 (Decca Broadway)
Another Suitcase in Another Hall [Evita studio] - Barbara Dickson, Now & Forever - Disc 1 (Decca Broadway)
Rainbow Tour - Patti LuPone, Bob Gunton, Mandy Patinkin, Evita [Premiere American Recording] (Decca U.S.)
Goodnight and Thank You - Colm Wilkinson, Evita [Original Studio Cast] Disc 1 (MCA)
Story of Chess - Neal Ben-Ari, Chess [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Anthem - David Carroll, Chess [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
A Whole New World [From Aladdin] - Brad Kane/Lea Salonga, Classic Disney, Vol. 1 (Disney)
Can You Feel the Love Tonight? [From The Lion King] - Ernie Sabella/Joseph Williams/Studio singers, Classic Disney, Vol. 2 (Disney)
Home [From Beauty and the Beast: The Broadway Musical] - Susan Egan, Classic Disney, Vol. 4 (Disney)
Warm Spring Night [King David] - Philip Chaffin, Warm Spring Night (PS Classics)
Elaborate Lives (reprise) - Heather Headley and Adam Pascal, Aida (EMI)

Oct 31: Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty

Once on This Island Mama Will Provide , Kecia Lewis Evans/The Storytellers
Once on This Island (London) The Human Heart, P.P. Arnold
Lucky Stiff Nice , Janet Metz, Malcolm Gets
Times Like This , Janet Metz
My Favorite Year If the World Were Like the Movies , Tim Curry
Professional Showbizness Comedy , Andrea Martin
Ragtime Gettin' Ready Rag , Brian Stokes Mitchell
Henry Ford , Original Broadway Cast
Christmas Carol, A Link By Link , Original Cast
Schoolhouse Rock Interplanet Janet , Lynn Ahrens
Anastasia Journey to the Past , Liz Callaway
Seussical The Thinks You Can Think , Original Broadway Cast
The Glorious Ones Opposite You, Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley

'High School'ers Get Ready for Spokane's INB

Big news for fans of Disney's High School Musical. WestCoast Entertainment landed the live stage show based on the mega-hit Disney Channel movie, and it comes to the INB Center April 29-May 4. I misspoke on the air - I said that it was the concert version. Boy was I wrong. This is a fully-staged version, similar to what Spokane Children's Theater just produced, but with professional performers and the full Disney budget behind it.

According to the website highschoolmusicalontour.com Spokane is one of only a dozen or so cities booked so far. Those other cities are much bigger than Spokanloo, including D.C., L.A. and San Diego. I'd say Best of Broadway landed a pretty impressive deal for Spokane kids.

And a personal note of thanks to WestCoast for NOT announcing before SCT's production of High School Musical ended. I have no clue if that was even an issue, but the timing honestly couldn't have been better. I know a couple of kids who wanted to go to SCT's show but couldn't get tickets, and SCT had a sold-out show. Sure it was a little community theater production but the kids in the audience and on the stage seemed to have a wonderful time, which in my opinion is what really counts (again, I could be wrong but I'll say it anyway.)

Dirty Rotten Fun

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a hoot. Of course I'm talking about the stage version visiting Spokane this week. Beyond the cute plot ("My Fair Scumbag"?) and the why-am-I-laughing-this-is-soooooo-gross moments, there is a lot to like about this production. Jeff Essex is completely charming as Andre. The ensemble is extremely strong, and each lead has at least one fabulous moment.

And now for something no other theater blogger or reviewer will touch on because it's such a theater geek thing. This production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is a must-see for every director and would-be director in town for one simple element: the scene changes. I swear I wanted to applaud the ensemble for their well-timed, entertaining execution of an excellently-choreographed and interesting transition. In my big-mouthed opinion, THAT is what a scene change is about. It's a mini-show in itself, with singing (okay, they're do-do-do-ing, but it sounds GREAT) and characterizations (I loved the gossiping maids) while moving set pieces.

Not to say that it's a brand-new thing to area theaters. Specifically, Kathy Doyle-Lipe used the same idea in the Spokane Children's Theatre staging of Pinocchio several years ago that won a place at the national community theater awards (AACT). Which goes to show that a fabulously-thought out transition from one scene to another can do more than keep an audience totally engaged in the production. It can enhance the overall show to the point where it becomes one of the best things the audience has seen in a while. Kudos to Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Oct 24: October Showcase

Stars of the stage and screen born in this month. There are far too many to include in an hour, my apologies to Kevin Kline, Hugh Jackman, Gary Beach, Karen Akers, Jodi Benson, Judy Blazer, Cleo Laine, Ethel Waters, David Ogden Stires, Glynis Johns, Jane Krakowski, Tom Bosley, Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, June Allyson, and a lot more...

Fanny Brice - Second Hand Rose Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1
Groucho Marx - Lydia the Tattooed Lady At the Circus
Stanley Holloway - Get Me to the Church on Time My Fair Lady [Original Broadway Cast] [2002 Bonus Tracks]
Alfred Drake - So in Love Golden Memories of Stage & Screen 2
Julie Andrews - I Loved You Once in Silence A Little Bit of Broadway
Jerry Orbach - Try to Remember The Fantasticks [1960 Original Off Broadway Cast]
Angela Lansbury & Ken Jennings - Not While I'm Around Golden Memories of Stage and Screen #4
Lotte Lenya - It Never Was You [From Knickerbocker Holiday] Lotte Lenya Sings American & Berlin Theater Songs of Kurt Weill
Barbara Cook - Chain of Love Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 4
Georgia Brown - Why Him? Carmelina
Jennifer Holliday - And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies
Marin Mazzie - Back to Before Broadway Divas
Michael Rupert - Multitudes of Amys [From Company] Unsung Sondheim
Brian Stokes Mitchell - Some Enchanted Evening South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall

Thanks for your Support of Spokane Public Radio

Wednesday was the final day of the Fall Pledge Drive, and Matinee listeners did a wonderful job. Thank you for your support, Matinee listeners raised more than $1000 for KPBX in that hour. (If you still haven't donated, please consider making a pledge today.

Why pledge for something you can hear for free? Cladwell B. Cladwell of Urinetown would say giving it away isn't a good business plan. But that's the principle behind public radio. Public radio stations like KPBX don't air commercials to pay the bills. (Underwriters do support programs, but they get a 10-second announcement with none of the "buy now" stchick.) There are no parent organizations - no universities or school groups to foot the bills. This is community public radio. Without public radio, there would be no local voice for musical theater. After all, KPBX has been the gathering place for the region's artistic folks since 1980.

I would have posted the playlist of pledge-drive show songs sooner but my computer's motherboard decided to die. Gotta love technology... Thanks to Scott Davis for the loaner computer!

Oct 10: Bernadette Peters

Counting the hours until Saturday night's concert with the Spokane Symphony....

Star Tar - Dames at Sea [Original Cast] That's Entertainment
Raining in My Heart - Dames at Sea [Original Cast] That's Entertainment
Oh, You Wonderful Boy George M! [Original Cast]
Time Heals Everything (Mack and Mabel) - Sondheim, Etc.: Live at Carnegie Hall
Sunday in the Park with George - Sunday in the Park with George
Unexpected Song from Song and Dance - Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 1
Stay with Me - Into the Woods
Last Midnight - Star Spangled Rhythm Smithsonian
No More - The Goodbye Girl [Broadway Cast] Columbia
You Can't Get a Man With a Gun - Annie Get Your Gun [1999 Broadway Revival Cast] Angel
Some People - Sondheim, Etc.: Live at Carnegie Hall Angel
The Gentleman is a Dope - Bernadette Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein Angel
I Haven't Got a Worry in the World - Bernadette Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein Angel
Not a Day Goes By - Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Varese Sarabande

Auditions at Spokane Civic Theatre

Civic began doing musicals in the downstairs Firth Chew Studio Theatre some years back: small unusual musicals that probably wouldn't fill the Main Stage but deserve to be heard. The one slated for this year is so intimate it seems made for the Studio space. The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown is like two solo shows for one man and one woman. He tells the story of the unsuccessful five-year relationship beginning to end, she tells it end to beginning. The press release says Yvonne has wanted to direct this show for a long time, and is looking for two strong performers to look ages 28 - 32. Auditions are Nov. 5 & 6 at 6:30p in the Studio Theatre.

The following week (Nov. 12 & 13) are auditions for Laughing Stock for Civic. It's not a musical, but it is a show parodying summer stock theater. Director Troy Nickerson is looking for nine men (look ages 18-75) and five women (look ages 18-65).

Auditions at Lake City Playhouse

Coeur d'Alene's Lake City Playhouse is presenting two more musicals this season, and has announced the dates of all of their auditions (talk about planning ahead!) The information isn't on their website yet, but here are the dates and locations of upcoming auditions:
(M) denotes musical, (CH) denotes children’s theater
* The Littlest Angel (CH) Oct 15 & 16 6:30 pm Lake City Playhouse
* The Gift of the Magi (M) Oct 15 & 16 6:30 pm Harding Family Center
* The Cripple of Inishmaan Nov 12 & 13 6:30 pm Lake City Playhouse
* An Evening of Vaudeville Dec 10 & 11 6:30 pm Lake City Playhouse
* Charlotte’s Web (CH) Jan 7 & 8 6:30 pm Harding Family Center
* On Golden Pond Feb 4 & 5 6:30 pm Lake City Playhouse
* Into the Woods (M) Mar 3,4 & 5 6:30 pm Lake City Playhouse

Oct 3: I Know Things Now

Those "a-ha!" moments in song.
Beautiful, Beautiful World - Alan Alda The Apple Tree [Original Broadway Cast] Sony
The Beautiful Land (Reprise)/Sweet Beginning - Anthony Newley/Cyril Ritchard The Roar of the Greasepaint-The Smell of the Crowd [Original Broadway Cast] RCA
I Know Now - Carla Manning/Pamela Myers/Roxann Pyle Snoopy [Original Cast] DRG
I Know Things Now - Danielle Ferland Into the Woods [Original Broadway Cast] RCA
First Midnight/Giants in the Sky - Benjamin Wright/Joanna Gleason/Kim Crosby Into the Woods [Original Broadway Cast] RCA
Everybody Says Don't - Cleo Laine Cleo Laine Sings Sondheim RCA
The Wizard and I - Idina Menzel Wicked Decca
(Walking) Among My Yesterdays - Robert Goulet The Happy Time RCA
I Didn't Know What Time It Was - Dawn Upshaw Sings Rodgers & Hart Nonesuch
Come Alive Again - Phyllis Somerville Spitfire Grill Triangle Road
I'm Going Back - Judy Holliday Bells Are Ringing [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] Sony
I Resolve - Judy Kuhn She Loves Me [1993 Broadway Revival Cast] Varese Sarabande
Adelaide's Lament - Vivian Blaine Guys and Dolls [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks Decca Broadway
It's Love - Thomas Hampson, Audra McDonald Wonderful Town [1999 Studio Cast] EMI Classics
Marry Me a Little - John Barrowman Putting It Together Image Entertainment

Sep 26: Do I Hear a Waltz?

Do I Hear a Waltz? - Elizabeth Allen, Cast Do I Hear a Waltz? Vox/Sony Broadway
The Echo Waltz - Bernadette Peters/Sally Stark/Tamara Long Dames at Sea [Original Cast] That's Entertainment
Let's Take an Old Fashioned Walk - Allyn McLerie/Eddie Albert Miss Liberty Sony Classical
The Strudel Waltz - Phil Gigante, Becca Daniels Noyes The Christmas Schooner Louisa May Alleycat Music
Sound of the Earth/The Carousel Waltz - Lynn Wintersteller A Grand Night for Singing [Original Broadway Cast] Varese Sarabande
Ten Minutes Ago - Bruce Trent/Yana Cinderella Bayview
Falling in Love With Love - Rebecca Luker, Ladies The Boys from Syracuse [1997 Concert Cast] DRG
A Wonderful Guy [From South Pacific] - Mary Martin Broadway: The Great Original Cast Recordings Disc 1 Sony Mid-Price
This Nearly Was Mine - Giorgio Tozzi South Pacific [1967 Broadway Revival Cast] Sony
You've Got to Be Taught - Justin McDonough South Pacific [1967 Broadway Revival Cast] Sony
Molasses to Rum - Gregg Edelman 1776 [New Broadway Cast] TVT
I Waltz Alone - John Wylie Grand Hotel, The Musical RCA
Captain Hook's Waltz - Cyril Ritchard Peter Pan [Original Broadway Cast] RCA
Thénardier Waltz - Alun Armstrong/Colm Wilkinson Les Miserables [Red Ink Original London Cast] Disc 1 First Night/Relativity/Red Ink
Waltz for Eva and Che - Colm Wilkinson, Julie Covington Evita [Original Studio Cast] Disc 2 MCA
Remember - Cast A Little Night Music That's Entertainment/ Sony
Remember - Bobbi Baird/Irving Berlin/Mike Renzi Let's Go Back to the Waltz Premier

Sep 19: Fall Preview

Songs from shows that are on their way to area theaters this fall.

Lake City Playhouse: now through Oct. 6
Man of La Mancha [Original Broadway Cast] , The Barber's Song Golden Helmet - Gino Conforti, Richard Kiley, Irving Jacobson MCA
Man of La Mancha [Original Broadway Cast] , I'm Only Thinking of Him - Mitch Leigh MCA

Civic Theatre: September 29 - October 28, 2007
South Pacific (in Concert from Carnegie Hall), I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair - Reba McEntire Decca Broadway
South Pacific (in Concert from Carnegie Hall), Happy Talk - Lillias White Decca Broadway

Best of Broadway: September 25-30, 2007
Movin' Out, Movin' Out -Anthony's Song - Michael Cavanaugh Sony

Best of Broadway: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007 - 8pm
Chad Mitchell Trio, Mighty Day - Chad Mitchell Trio Varese Sarabande

Best of Broadway: Oct. 30 - Nov. 4, 2007
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels , Here I Am - Sherie René Scott Ghostlight
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels , Chimp in a Suit - Gregory Jbara Ghostlight

Spokane Children's Theatre: Oct. 6 – 28
High School Musical, Breaking Free - Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens Disney

Christian Youth Theater: November 2-4, 9-10
Little Women: The Musical, Days of Plenty - Maureen McGovern Razor & Tie/Ghostlight

Civic Theatre: November 16 - December 16, 2007
The Christmas Schooner, We All Have Songs - Company Louisa May Alleycat Music

Civic Theatre: October 21, 2007
Into the Woods [London Cast], Our Little World - Julia McKenzie/Mary Lincoln BMG

Best of Broadway: Nov. 27 - Dec. 2, 2007
Wedding Singer, Grow Old With Me - Stephen Lynch Sony

Best of Broadway: December 18-19, 2007
Jesus Christ Superstar (Original Motion Picture Soundrack) , Gethsemene - Ted Neeley Decca U.S.

Spokane Children's Theatre
The Velveteen Rabbit: Nov. 23 – Dec. 15

Actors Repertory Theatre
Souvenir: Nov 23 - Dec 8

Sep 12: Spanish Rose

May I Set the Stage? - Plácido Domingo Man of La Mancha Erato
What Does He Want of Me? - Julia Migenes-Johnson Man of La Mancha Erato
(Castles in Spain) On a Roof in Manhattan - Jeffry Denman, Meredith Patterson Face the Music: Original New York Cast DRG
Muchacha - Judy Holliday/Peter Gennaro Bells Are Ringing [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] Sony
All You Have to Do Is Wait - Shawn Elliott City of Angels [Original Broadway Cast] Columbia
Spanish Rose - Chita Rivera/Townspeople Bye Bye Birdie [Original Broadway Cast Recording] Sony Classical
America [From West Side Story] - Chita Rivera Broadway: The Great Original Cast Recordings Disc 1 Sony Mid-Price
Satin Summer Nights - Marc Anthony Songs from The Capeman WEA
Sunday Afternoon - Ednita Nazario Songs from The Capeman WEA
Vampires (The Capeman) - Ray de la Paz Latin Broadway Varese Sarabande
On This Night of A Thousand Stars - Mark Syers Evita [Premiere American Recording] MCA
Buenos Aires - Madonna Evita [Motion Picture Soundtrack] Disc 1 Warner Bros.
Un Mejor dia Vendra - Emilio Hernandez Working [Original Cast Recording] Varese Sarabande
Beautiful Maria of My Soul - Antonio Banderas Mambo Kings Soundtrack Elektra / Wea
Where Is Love? (Oliver) - Natalie Toro Latin Broadway Varese Sarabande

Sep 5: September Showcase

Maurice Chevalier - You've Got That Thing From This Moment On: The Songs of Cole Porter Disc 1 Smithsonian
Mickey Rooney with Judy Garland - I Wish I Were in Love Again (Words and Music) Romantic Duets from MGM Classics Rhino / Wea
Charles Nelson Reilly - It Only Takes a Moment Broadway in Love RCA
Rex Smith - Oh Is There Not One Maiden Breast? The Pirates of Penzance [Original Broadway Cast] [CD] Disc 1 Elektra / Wea
Carol Lawrence with Larry Kert - Tonight (West Side Story) Golden Memories of Stage & Screen Disc 1
Patricia Neway - Climb Ev'ry Mountain The Sound of Music [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] Sony
Stephen "Tebes" Douglass with Shannon Boliin - Near to You Damn Yankees [Original Broadway Cast] RCA Victor Broadway
Billy Daniels - While The City Sleeps Golden Boy DRG
Dorothy Loudon - Little Girls Annie [Original Broadway Cast] [Remastered] Sony
Mary McCarty - Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun Miss Liberty Sony
Madeline Kahn with Jeanne Lehman and Mark Jacoby - Getting Married Today Broadway Divas RCA Victor Broadway
Debbie Shapiro - Windy City [From Calamity Jane] Showstoppers Collection Madacy Records
Len Cariou with Angela Lansbury - A Little Priest A Collector's Sondheim Disc 3 RCA Victor Broadway
Harry Groener - They Can't Take That Away from Me Crazy for You [Original Broadway Cast] Angel Records

Leaving KPBX, not the Matinee

Those who know me know that for the past 11 years, I've spent most of my time doing publicity, graphics, and publishing the magazine for Spokane Public Radio KPBX and KSFC. As of Sept. 14 I'll be a volunteer program producer, bringing in the Matinee once a week. Thank you to the staff of KPBX for some wonderful times and fascinating learning experiences. And of course for the
studio time and creative freedom to create the Matinee!

Cute Baby Tricks

One of KPBX's underwriting representatives has a grandson who started loving musical theater at an early age (18 months).

First, start singing Oklahoma. Get to the part "We know we belong to the land, and the land we belong to is grand, And when we say..." He chimes in with a nice loud "Ey!"
You continue on with "A-yip-i-o-ee" and he comes in with "Ay!" at the right time, and with much enthusiasm. It is very charming.

Got any cute kid moments related to showtunes?

Aug 29: Alan Jay Lerner

Oh, Come to the Ball - Alan Jay Lerner , American Songbook Series: Alan Jay Lerner Smithsonian Collection
We Must Have a Ball - Thomas Hampson , Bernstein: A White House Cantata Deutsche Grammophon
Waitin' for My Dearie - Carol Richards , Brigadoon Turner
I Could Have Danced All Night (My Fair Lady) - Julie Andrews , Golden Memories of Stage & Screen Reader's Digest Music/ Sony Music
The Simple Joys of Maidenhood - Julie Andrews , Camelot Sony
Little Prince - Richard Kiley , The Little Prince Decca
I Remember It Well - Hermione Gingold/Maurice Chevalier , American Songbook Series: Alan Jay Lerner Smithsonian Collection
Gigi - Louis Jourdan , Gigi Turner
One More Walk Around the Garden - Bernie Knee/Gordon Ramsey/Howard Ross , Carmelina Take Home Tunes
Let's Go Home - David Holliday , Coco Decca US / MCA
Anyone Who Loves [from Dance a Little Closer] - Brent Barrett , The Alan Jay Lerner Album Fynsworth Alley/Varese Sarabande
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever - John Cullum , Golden Memories of Stage & Screen Reader's Digest Music/ Sony Music
How Could You Believe Me When I Said I Loved You When You Know ... - Fred Astaire/Jane Powell , Steppin' Out: Astaire at MGM Sony
Another Autumn - Rufus Smith/Tony Bavaar , Paint Your Wagon RCA

Aug 22: Leonard Bernstein

Come Up to My Place - Judy Blazer/Mandy Patinkin Leonard Bernstein's New York Nonesuch
You Got Me - Adolph Green/Betty Comden/Chorus/Cris Alexander/Nancy Walker On the Town [Original Broadway Cast] Sony Classical
Carnegie Hall (Do-Do-Re-Do) - Chorus On the Town [Original Broadway Cast] Sony Classical
Build My House - Marcia Henderson Peter Pan [Original 1950 Broadway Cast] Varese Sarabande
Dream With Me [Cut from Peter Pan] - Glory Crampton Musical Adventures of Peter Pan Varese Sarabande
Ohio - Edith Adams/Rosalind Russell American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 3 Smithsonian Collection
Conga! [From wonderful Town] - Rosalind Russell Broadway: The Great Original Cast Recordings Disc 1 Sony Mid-Price
What a Waste - Richard Muenz, Dawn Upshaw, Donna Murphy Leonard Bernstein's New York Nonesuch
Wrong Note Rag - Audra McDonald, Kim Criswell Wonderful Town [1999 Studio Cast] EMI Classics
Best of All Possible Worlds - Adolph Green, Jerry Hadley, Kurt Ollmann, June Anderson, Della Jones Bernstein Conducts Candide Disc 1 PolyGram
Glitter and Be Gay - Barbara Cook Smithsonian Collection of American Musical Theater, Vol. 4: Shows, Songs and Stars Smithsonian Collection
Undetermined quintet from Candide (was SUPPOSED to be the Old Lady's Tango, mislabeled on the CD) - Cast Bernstein Conducts Candide Disc 1 PolyGram
Maria - Mike Eldred West Side Story: The Original Score Naxos American
One Hand, One Heart - Jim Bryant/Marni Nixon West Side Story [Expanded Original Soundtrack] Sony Classical/Legacy
Lud's Wedding - Leonard Bernstein Bernstein: A White House Cantata Deutsche Grammophon
My New Friends - Dawn Upshaw I Wish It So Elektra/Asylum

Aug 15: New-ish Releases

No One Is Alone - No One is Alone and You're What I Need Barbara Cook , DRG
Kurt Weill in America - It Never Was You Jeff Harnar, Andrea Marcovicci and The River is so Blue Maude Maggart, Andreasong
Face the Music: Original New York Cast - How Can I Change My Luck? Walter Bobbie, Mike Masters, JD Webster; and Manhattan Madness Jeffry Denman, Ensemble, DRG
110 in the Shade [2007 Original Cast] - Old Maid Audra McDonald, Melisande Steve Kazee, P.S. Classics
Curtains - Thataway! Karen Ziemba; It's a Business Debra Monk, EMI Manhattan Records
The Pirate Queen - Here on This Night Stephanie J. Block, Hadley Fraser , Sony Classics
Hairspray Motion Picture Soundtrack - Timeless To Me John Travolta, Christopher Walken; Big Blonde and Beautiful Queen Latifah, New Line Records

Aug 8: August Showcase

The showcase - an excuse to listen to some otherwise overlooked stars.

Helen Morgan - Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man , American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 1 Smithsonian
Helen Morgan - Bill [From Show Boat] , Broadway: The Great Original Cast Recordings Disc 1 Sony Mid-Price
Jan Clayton - If I Loved You [From Carousel] , Ultimate Broadway Disc 1 Arista
Billie Burke - Come Out, Come Out , The Wizard of Oz [Rhino Original Soundtrack] Turner
Bert Lahr with Jack Haley, Sr./Judy Garland/Ray Bolger - If I Only Had the Nerve , The Wizard of Oz [Rhino Original Soundtrack] Turner
Bert Lahr - The Clown , Two on the Aisle [Original Broadway Cast] Uptown/Universal
Jill Haworth - Don't Tell Mama , Cabaret [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] Sony
Marcia Lewis - When You're Good to Mama , Chicago [RCA] RCA
Dee Hoty with James Naughton - The Tennis Song , City of Angels [Original Broadway Cast] Columbia
Dee Hoty - My Big Mistake , The Will Rogers Follies [Original Cast] Columbia
Faith Prince - Holding the Ground , Falsettoland [Original Off-Broadway Cast] DRG
Faith Prince, women - Take Back Your Mink , Guys and Dolls [1992 Broadway Revival Cast] RCA Victor
Peter Gallagher - Luck Be a Lady , Guys and Dolls [1992 Broadway Revival Cast] RCA Victor
Antonio Banderas - Oh! What a Circus , Evita [Motion Picture Soundtrack] Disc 1 Warner Bros.
Sarah Brightman - Don't Cry for Me Argentina , Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: Broadway Polydor

Aug 1: Cole Porter

A collection of fun songs from the genius lyricist and composer Cole Porter.

You're the Top - Cole Porter From This Moment On: The Songs of Cole Porter Disc 1 Smithsonian Collection
You Don't Know Paree - Howard McGillin Fifty Million Frenchmen New World
Who Said Gay Paree? [Can-Can - Unused] - Thomas Hampson Cole Porter: Night and Day EMI
Paree, What Did You Do to Me? - Chorus Fifty Million Frenchmen New World
I Love Paris - Maurice Chevalier From This Moment On: The Songs of Cole Porter Disc 4 Smithsonian Collection
You Irritate Me So - Hildegarde From This Moment On: The Songs of Cole Porter Disc 2 Smithsonian Collection
Please Don't Make Me Be Good - Karen Ziémba Fifty Million Frenchmen New World
I'm Getting Myself Ready for You - Randy Graff, John McMartin High Society [Original Broadway Cast] DRG
It's De-Lovely - Anne Francine/Howard McGillin/Kathleen Mahoney-Bennett Anything Goes [1987 Broadway Revival Cast] RCA
I Get a Kick Out of You (Anything Goes) - Ethel Merman Composers on Broadway: Cole Porter Decca
Anything Goes - Kim Criswell Anything Goes (First Recording of the Original 1934 Version) EMI
So in Love [From Kiss Me Kate] - Diana Montague Greatest Love Songs From Musicals MCI Musicals
Where Is the Life That Late I Led? - Alfred Drake Kiss Me, Kate [1959 Capitol Studio Cast] Angel
Too Darn Hot - Stanley Wayne Mathis Kiss Me, Kate [1999 Broadway Revival Cast] DRG

Wizard of Oz Street Fair at Garland District

"We're not in Kansas anymore Toto, we're on Garland."

I grew up reading L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz books, faithfully watched the movie with Judy Garland every year on television, and sing along to the cast album of Wicked. So when the Garland District announced that its 5th Annual Street Fair would have a Wizard of Oz theme, I began brushing off my black pointed hat and witch shoes. Well, it does make sense. The strip of shops and businesses roughly between Howard and Monroe Streets includes the Tin Man Art Gallery, The Ruby Slipper, and the Garland movie theater (for showings of Judy Garland's classic).

The big day is Saturday, August 11 from 10a-8p. Well, until past midnight if you count the midnight showing of The Wizard of Oz at the Garland Theater - the other showing is at 3 p.m. Some free tickets to the 3p showing are available, "ask how at the information booth And imitate either Dorothy or Toto and you or your pet could win one of two contests.

Judy Garland Impersonator Contest: How's your Somewhere Over the Rainbow? Music is provided; show up in costume and sing your heart out to win the prize. Contest is after the movie showing, outside the Garland Theater at 5p. To sign up in advance, please email Sean at Quinn Advertising, sean@quinngroup.com.

Toto Look-A-Like Contest: This is open to all four-legged critters. Your dog, your cat, your iguana... Sign up pets at 11:30a at the Garland Animal Clinic, 623 W Garland. Contest takes place at noon.

At 6p, the stage outside the Garland Theater is turned over to one of KPBX's favorite local bands, The Celtic Nots. No word if the trio has some L. Frank Baum-inspired music in their repertoire, but I wouldn't be surprised if Carlos Alden has something up his sleeve.

Crafts: Kids can make a Glinda Wand or a Lollipop Kids (Munchkins) lollipop, a Tin Can Man, their own lion tail, and tissue paper poppies. They can also have their face painted.
Teen and Older: Volunteers will help make a Munchkin pin or a Ruby Red Slipper magnet.

The Spokesman-Review wrote a story about the Garland District recently, including why street fairs like this are helpful to business communities. Full disclosure: I'm very partial to Garland for several reasons, including the amazing assistance KPBX gets from Dave Sams and Garland Printing.

July 25: July Showcase

Gertrude Lawrence - Someone to Watch Over Me American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 1
Gertrude Lawrence/Yul Brynner - Shall We Dance? American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 3
Yul Brynner - A Puzzlement Golden Memories of Stage & Screen 2
Sally Ann Howes - Ev'ry Day (Comes Something Beautiful) [From I Remember Mama] I Won't Grow up: Broadway for Kids
Sally Ann Howes - Lovely Lonely Man Chitty Chitty Bang Bang [Rykodisc]
Betty Buckley - He Plays the Violin 1776 [Original Broadway Cast]
Betty Buckley - Children Will Listen Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Disc 1
Michael Ball - Love Changes Everything Best of Andrew Lloyd Webber: Broadway
Michael Ball with Frances Ruffelle - A Little Fall of Rain Les Miserables [Red Ink Original London Cast] Disc 2
Terrence Mann - Stars Les Miserables [Original Broadway Cast] Disc 1
Terrence Mann - If I Can't Love Her Beauty and the Beast [Original Broadway Cast Recording] [Special Edition]
Kristin Chenoweth - Popular Wicked
Kristin Chenoweth - How Long Has This Been Going On? Let Yourself Go
Audra McDonald - A Little Bit of Love Leonard Bernstein's New York
Audra McDonald - How Glory Goes How Glory Goes

Costume Shop Blowout Sale

If you've ever been in a show at Spokane Civic Theatre or just went there to check out Halloween ideas, you know that the costume shop is wonderful. Racks upon racks of dresses, shirts, gowns, capes, pants, unusual styles and all periods.
Sun Rentals recently sold their costume inventory to Civic, which means there's even more items there -- too many items, not enough space to hold it all. So several items will be available for sale for $20 or LESS on Saturday, July 28 from 9a-3p. (By the way, cash is preferred)
The sale takes place in the Firth Chew Studio Theatre, off of Dean Street. (You might consider parking on the street - the parking lot owners seem to give out tickets every 10 minutes or so for unpaid parked cars.)
Civic provided costumes for at least two KPBX Kids' Concerts, several Children's Theatre shows, and many organizations around town. (Once I went to a show at another theater and saw that one of their characters was wearing one of MY dresses from another show!) I've been a costume nut for more than a decade, and frankly I plan on being one of the first in line. Hope to see you there!

July 18: Sondheim's Putting It Together

I'm not going to lie, I love Stephen Sondheim's songs. He is a master in the art of wordplay and unusual melodies. Unfortunately, the general public doesn't seem to share this opinion. For some reason several of his shows have flopped at the box office even though critics can rave and rave about them. The general guess is that these songs make you THINK. You have to pay attention, and as Forbidden Broadway put it, go "Into the Words." He doesn't repeat his lyrics usually, and if he does it's to make some kind of point. (It's very difficult to remember the next verse sometimes if he's started it with the same words then veers off down a new path. And all the more satisfactory when the song goes right!)

In any case, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre opted to do the "review" (not "revue") of Sondheim's work called "Putting It Together." The lovely and talented Julia McKenzie (who starred as the witch in the London Into the Woods) put this collection of songs together as an update to Side By Side By Sondheim (which also starred Julia McKenzie). In 1992 Cameron Macintosh produced it in Oxford, England, then moved it to New York the following year with Julie Andrews. Five years later Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot ("the artist formerly known as Balke") starred in a Los Angeles production, and a year later took it to Broadway.

Unlike most Sondheim shows, there is no real 'story.' There is a situation - a cocktail party with an older married couple and a younger, well, very hot couple, and another male guest/narrator of sorts. It's an excuse to hear Stephen Sondheim songs slightly out of context, sometimes in new context. For example, "Everybody Oughta Have a Maid" is now sung by an older woman referring to, well, a house boy. It's a nice little switch.

Basically, this week's show explores the songs in Putting It Together, many times from the show's cast recording.

Invocation and Instructions to the Audience - Nathan Lane, Bryn Dowling The Frogs [Original Broadway Cast] P.S. Classics The Invocation isn't performed in the show, but it's fun anyway
Putting It Together - Company Putting It Together Image Entertainment A revised version written specifically for the show. The original song (from Sunday in the Park with George) is about the difficulties of the art world. Barbra Streisand sang another revised version about the recording industry. This version is about stage work and thus is my favorite.
Rich and Happy - Company Putting It Together Image Entertainment From Merrily We Roll Along, sets up the concept of the cocktail party.
Pretty Women - Michael Cerveris, Mark Jacoby Sweeney Todd [2005 Broadway Revival Cast] Disc 2 Nonesuch
Sooner or Later - Karen Ziémba Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Disc 2 Varese Sarabande From Sondheim's score to the Dick Tracy film
Country House - Diana Rigg, Daniel Massey Follies [Original London Cast] First Night On stage for the "review," makes a lovely counterpoint to the passionate young couple who has supposedly found an empty room upstairs.
Could I Leave You? [Follies] - Alexis Smith Sondheim: A Musical Tribute Disc 2 RCA Victor Again, the older couple in a study in contrasts with the young couple.
There's Always a Women [From Anyone Can Whistle] - Kaye Ballard/Sally Mayes Unsung Sondheim Fynsworth Alley This song is a little out of place, I have to say, but it's nice to hear it. It was cut from Anyone Can Whistle, where the corrupt mayor (Angela Lansbury) and an upstanding citizen (Lee Remick) are acting polite towards each other but thinking the worst things about each other...
Marry Me a Little - Liz Callaway On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On Varese Originally meant for Company, but too worldly for Bobby. So many lovely versions of this song, which became the title tune for another Sondheim trunk show; Liz Callaway's is my favorite.
Getting Married Today - Heather Laws Company (Revival) Nonesuch "The wife remembers her wedding day" "FIRST wedding day..."
Like It Was - Dawn Upshaw I Wish It So Elektra/Asylum From Merrily We Roll Along, this is touchingly sung by the wife to the husband here, then blended into Old Friends.
Old Friends - Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Company A Stephen Sondheim Evening RCA