Jan 21: Villians

Bargain The Waltz Of Treachery - Les Mis, Les Miserables - Complete Symphonic Recording ()
Bad Companions - Gene Varrone; Margaret Hamilton; Nathaniel Frey; Richard Armbruster, Goldilocks (Sony)
Bring Me My Bride - Cris Grienendaal, Nathan Lane, Cast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Angel]
Kismet/Was I Wazir? - George Forrest, Kismet [Original Broadway Cast] (Naxos Musicals)
A Powerful Thing - Gregory Harrison; Ronn Carroll, Steel Pier [Original Cast] (RCA)
Me and My Town - Angela Lansbury; Harvey Evans; Larry Roquemore; Sterling Clark; Tucker Smith, Anyone Can Whistle [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony Classical)
Those Were the Good Old Days - Ray Walston, Damn Yankees [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
I Want the Good Times Back - Alan Menken, The Little Mermaid [Original Broadway Cast] (Disney)
Fie on Goodness - The Knights, Camelot [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
The Seven Deadly Virtues - Roddy McDowall, Camelot [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Hook's Tango - Cyril Ritchard, Peter Pan [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Tarantella - Cyril Ritchard, Peter Pan [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Alive - Bob Cuccioli, Jekyll & Hyde [Original Broadway Cast] (Atlantic)
Molasses to Rum - Clifford David, 1776 [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony Classical)
Lonely Room , Oklahoma
No Good Deed - Idina Menzel, Wicked (Decca)
Everybody's Got the Right - Cast, Assassins [Original Broadway Cast] (P.S. Classics)

Whoops

I hate it when I push the wrong button, ya know? My apologies to Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwartz, and Civic for playing "Turn Back O Man" from Godspell - in the studio this spring - after introducing songs from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum - on the Main Stage this spring. The worst thing is that I'm at my day job, far from the KPBX studio, so I can't do a thing about it. ;-p Oh well, mea culpa. I'll try to post a list of songs played, but I'm heavily into rehearsal for Cowgirls at Interplayers. Wheeeeeeee....
Thanks for listening! You can always reach me at janean at kpbx.org.

Dec 10 '08: Carols for a Cure

Carols for a Cure is an eclectic mix of classical choral, novelty songs, alternative rock, and world music, created and performed by singers in New York's biggest shows. For today's show, I interviewed Lynn Pinto, an actress who 10 years ago began recording Christmas songs with the casts of Broadway shows and sold the CDs to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Today's show doesn't fit into any cubby hole of music genres. Some are beautiful chorals, some have fabulous sounds that bowled me over, some are silly fun, and one song I just didn't get until Linn explained it to me. It's as fabulously mixed as the musical theater scene today. And it's a perfect foil to the oh-too-familiar music piped through stores and certain radio stations all December long.

To be perfectly honest, I put this show together with the hope that you, the listener, will go to the BroadwayCares.org site and purchase any of the Carols for a Cure series for yourself. The "for a Cure" part means all proceeds benefit research to find a cure for AIDS and services for those with the condition. (I'm a dreamer - I want an end to all diseases and life-threatening conditions, AIDS included.)

I am thoroughly grateful to everyone involved - the music directors who had creative ideas, the songwriters who donated their talents, the singers and musicians who take the time out of their performing schedules every year to make it a reality. It gives me great pleasure to listen to these songs, and I hope that these songs have the same effect on you, too.

Here are the songs I played on this show, just a tiny handful of all the great songs from the whole Carols for a Cure series:
Dreidel Dreidel Dreidel - 2003 Cast of Hairspray
I Wonder as I Wander - 2008 Cast of Spring Awakening
Good King Wenceslas - 1998 Nuns Choir of Sound of Music
Los Peces en el Rio - Antonio Banderas and the 2003 Cast of Nine
Los Peces en el Rio - 2008 Cast of In the Heights
Carol of the Bells (with Djembe) - 2008 Cast of The Lion King
Cold Christmas (by Elton John) - 2008 Cast of Billy Elliott
Eight Lonliest Nights of the Year - 2008 Cast of Avenue Q
Holiday Lament (The Fruitcake Song) - 2004 Cast of The Lion King
Tannenbaum - 2001 Cast of The Producers
The Holly and the Ivy - 2008 Cast of Mary Poppins
White Christmas - Bernadette Peters and the 1999 Cast of Annie Get Your Gun

Dec 3 2008 - Howard Ashman

Okay, it's not pretty - my formatting self destructed. But here's a list of what the songs were for today's show. Thanks for listening!

Title Artist Album
Cheese Nips Howard Ashman Howard Sings Ashman
Sheridan Square (Too Many Hats) Howard Ashman Howard Sings Ashman
Skid Row (Downtown) Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene Little Shop of Horrors [Original Soundtrack]
A Little Dental Music [*][Demo Version] Alan Menken Little Shop of Horrors [2003 Cast]
I Found a Hobby [*][Demo Version] Howard Ashman Little Shop of Horrors [2003 Cast]
Suddenly, Seymour Alan Menken Little Shop of Horrors [OS]
Be Our Guest (Demo) Howard Ashman Beauty and the Beast
If I Can't Love Her Ron Raines So in Love With Broadway
Seize the Day [From Newsies] David Moscow; Newsies Classic Disney, Vol. 5
This Only Happens in the Movies Kerry Butler Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust
I Can't Believe My Heart Susan Egan Coffeehouse
Lights of Long Ago Lynn Ahrens A Christmas Carol [2004 TV Cast]
A Place Called Home (A Christmas Carol) Liz Callaway On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On
Abundance and Charity Michael Mandell A Christmas Carol [Original Cast]
God Bless Us, Everyone Company A Christmas Carol [Original Cast]

Shows and Showtunes in the Region

Tickets to shows make GREAT Christmas Gifts! The BEST place to find arts events is at spokanearts.org, but there are several events outside the county of Spokane that are still of interest to musical theater lovers. The region’s schools are also doing some incredible work. If you want to add a musical theater-related event, please email me.

Spokane Civic Theater presents A Christmas Carol, The Musical from Nov 21 to Dec 20 at Main Stage. Lynn Ahrens (Ragtime, Once On This Island) and Alan Menken (Beauty & The Beast, Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors) teamed up to give new voice to the Dickens' classic. Kelsey Grammar took this adaptation and made a TV movie of it.

Spokane Children's Theatre presents Madeline's Christmas from Nov 28 to Dec 13 at Spokane Civic Theatre Main Stage.

Lake City Playhouse presents Annie from Dec 4 to Dec 21 at Lake City Playhouse. America's favorite redhead girl gets another production, this time in Coeur d'Alene

Best of Broadway presents The Color Purple from Dec 10 to Dec 14 at INB Performing Arts Center.

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre expands into winter with a concert production of Irving Berlin's White Christmas. The stage production combines several classic Berlin songs with the plot of the movie by the same name, Dec 19-21 at the Schuler Performing Arts Center in Boswell Hall on the campus of North Idaho College.

Interplayers presents A Reduced Christmas Carol or Scrooge vs. The Stopwatch! The 50-minute special event puts Dickens through a blender, a zany treat for the holidays Dec. 17-21. (Okay, it's not a musical, but it's silly fun, and it stars my director ;-p )

Interplayers presents Cowgirls, the musical where classical butts into cowboy country. Your Wednesday Matinee hostess plays Jo, the owner of a bar that needs to blow the roof off on opening weekend and mistakenly hires a classical trio. Jan 29-Feb 14, 2009

Les Misbarack: Showtunes for Obama?

A friend passed along a YouTube video from the Ultimate Improv group, using "One Day More" from Les Miserables as a political parody. It's the night before the election, the scene is the Obama election headquarters. A couple of campaign workers realize their time together might be over, and in comes McCain and Palin singing Javier and Mrs. Thernardier. Yes, it's true that most theatre people I know are 'liberals' and Democratic liberals at that, so the Obama support shouldn't surprise people. Nonetheless it's a cute job of lip-syncing no matter the political position.


While at that political video I noticed another for "Do You Hear the People Sing." Made by someone else, this takes images of anti-war protests and from the economic difficulties that some still term a "downturn" and uses it to connect the Bush administration to McCain and boost Obama.


By the way, while I'm on the topic of YouTube videos, there are several videos of musical theater productions or homemade videos of famous movie or TV clips put to the tune of a musical, such as Avenue Q's "The Internet is for Porn" setting for images of Harry Potter movies.

So where are the playlists?

You know, I love computers and I also despise them. I wouldn't be able to do the Matinee without my MP3s of musical theater songs tucked away on a big portable hard disc, and my great flexible music database program. But every once in a while, the scripts that are supposed to make the technical aspects easy go berserk. A couple of functions now return errors that I haven't had time to fix ;-p So playlists are delayed. I have the info, just not easily portable to the rest of the listening audience. So thanks for listening, I'll work on getting my computer programs to cooperate better, and consider the playlister on vacation. (If Car Talk can send the Puzzler off...)

July 30: New Releases

South Pacific [2008 Broadway Cast] - Bali Ha'i (Reprise), Cast (Sony Classics)
South Pacific [2008 Broadway Cast] - Younger Than Springtime, Matthew Morrison (Sony Classics)
In the Heights Disc 1 - It Won't Be Long Now, Karen Olivo
In the Heights Disc 1 - Breathe, Mandy Gonzalez (Ghostlight)
Mamma Mia - Winner Takes It All, Meryl Streep
A Catered Affair [Broadway Cast] - I Stayed, Tom Wopat (P.S. Classics)
Adding Machine - Didn't We?, Joel Hatch/Cyrilla Baer
Adding Machine - I'd Rather Watch You (revised), Cast
Adrift in Macao - Adrift in Macao, Cast
Adrift in Macao - Rick's Song radio edit, Cast
Forbidden Broadway: Rude Awakening - The Be-Littled Mermaid (Part of Your World), Gerard Alessandrini (DRG)
The Little Mermaid [Original Broadway Cast] - She's in Love, Cast (Disney)
Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust - Disneyland [From Smile], Kerry Butler (P.S. Classics)
Wonder in the World - Make Someone Happy, Kelli O'Hara (Razor & Tie)

July 9: Jerry Herman

Open A New Window - Angela Lansbury, Mame - 1966 Broadway
I Put My Hand In - Pearl Bailey, Hello, Dolly! [1967 Cast Recording] (RCA)
Shalom - Jerry Herman, An Evening With Jerry Herman
It Only Takes a Moment - Emily Yancy/Jack Crowder, Hello, Dolly! [1967 Cast Recording] (RCA)
Before the Parade Passes By - Carol Channing, Star Spangled Rhythm (Smithsonian Collection)
It's Today - Angela Lansbury, Mame - 1966 Broadway
Gooch's Song - Jane Connell, Mame - 1966 Broadway
Each Tomorrow Morning - Angela Lansbury, Dear World [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
I Don't Want to Know - Angela Lansbury, Dear World [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
I Won't Send Roses - Howard McGillin, Mack & Mabel [1995 London Cast] (Capitol)
Whereever He Ain't - Caroline O'Connor, Mack & Mabel [1995 London Cast] (Capitol)
Look over There - Gene Barry, La Cage aux Folles [Original Cast] (RCA)
La Cage aux Folles - Jerry Herman, La Cage aux Folles [Original Cast] ()
I Wanna Live Each Night - Christine Baranski, Miss Spectacular (DRG)

July 2: Independence Day

I Want to Hear a Yankee Doodle Tune - George M. Cohan, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1 (Smithsonian Collection)
Yankee Doodle Dandy - Joel Grey, Company, George M! [Original Cast]
Yankee Doodle Rhythm - George Gershwin, Strike Up the Band
What a Country - Ray Bolger, All American [Original Cast] (Sony Classical)
God's Country - Judy Kaye, Americanegro Suite (PM)
The Country's in the Very Best of Hands - George Reeder/Peter Palmer, Li'l Abner [Original Broadway Cast] [Expanded] (Sony Classical/Legacy)
Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve - William Daniels/Virginia Vestoff, 1776 [Original Broadway Cast]
But, Mr. Adams - David Vosburgh/Ken Howard/Le Clair, Henry/Rex Everhart/William Daniels, 1776 [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony Classical)
Cool, Cool, Considerate Men - Cast, 1776 [New Broadway Cast] (TVT)
The Egg - Ken Howard/Rex Everhart/William Daniels, 1776 [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony Classical)
Is Anybody There? - Brent Spiner, 1776 [New Broadway Cast] (TVT)
God Bless America - Kate Smith, This Is the Army [Original Broadway Cast]
Freedom - Bing Crosby, Holiday Inn [Film] (MCA)
Strike up the Band - George Gershwin, Strike Up the Band (Nonesuch)

Great American Songbook: Shameless self-promotion

If you didn't see the Great American Songbook at CenterStage last spring, there's one more chance to enjoy the music of Cole Porter and the Gershwins this Sunday evening, this time in Post Falls. We're moving the show to The Old Church at the corner of Fourth and William Street, off of I-90's Spokane St. Exit. Doors open at 6 (food served), show at 7p.

The show: a musical revue of familiar and unfamiliar songs such as Night and Day, S'Wonderful, Well Did You Evah, and But Not For Me. Includes some interesting anecdotes about the composers, written by Reed McColm (who also directed).

The cast: Tamara Schupman (currently performing at Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre), Kent Kimball (star of many shows in the region, most recently with Spokane Opera), Pamela Brownlee and Sam Mazola (both of the Rockin' B Ranch) and me, Janean Jorgensen (host of the Wednesday Matinee radio show on KPBX). We're accompanied by the fabulous Janet Robel (who just added a baby boy to the family - Congratulations!)

Tickets are $17, available at (208) 457-8950. Hope to see you there!

June 25: Villians

Bargain The Waltz Of Treachery - Les Mis, Les Miserables - Complete Symphonic Recording
Bad Companions - Gene Varrone/Margaret Hamilton/Nathaniel Frey/Richard Armbruster, Goldilocks (Sony)
Bring Me My Bride - Cris Grienendaal, Nathan Lane, Cast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Angel]
Kismet/Was I Wazir? - George Forrest, Kismet [Original Broadway Cast] (Naxos Musicals)
A Powerful Thing - Gregory Harrison/Ronn Carroll, Steel Pier [Original Cast] (RCA)
Me and My Town - Angela Lansbury/Harvey Evans/Larry Roquemore/Sterling Clark/Tucker Smith, Anyone Can Whistle [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony Classical)
Those Were the Good Old Days - Ray Walston, Damn Yankees [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
I Want the Good Times Back - Sherie Rene Scott, The Little Mermaid [Original Broadway Cast] (Disney)
Fie on Goodness - The Knights, Camelot [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
The Seven Deadly Virtues - Roddy McDowall, Camelot [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Hook's Tango - Cyril Ritchard, Peter Pan [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Tarantella - Cyril Ritchard, Peter Pan [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Alive - Bob Cuccioli, Jekyll & Hyde [Original Broadway Cast] (Atlantic)
Molasses to Rum - Clifford David, 1776 [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony Classical)
Lonely Room - Oklahoma, ()
No Good Deed - Idina Menzel, Wicked (Decca)
Everybody's Got the Right - Cast, Assassins [Original Broadway Cast] (P.S. Classics)

June 18: Tony Award Wrap-Up

Playlist: I'll have to post this later due to technical difficulties. Thanks to the labels Ghostlight Records and PS Classics for providing some of the music heard today, and for taking a chance on new theater music!

I occasionally listen to other radio shows celebrating the music of musical theater, and frankly the ones heard on public radio most often are stuck in the 'golden age' of Broadway. If it's not Rodgers and Hammerstein, Lerner and Loewe or the Gershwins, it's not really given much airtime; even their "new releases" episodes thrive on the re-releases of old original cast albums. The host of one of these shows did a Tony awards preview last week and, while he didn't overtly editorialize, he commented that "almost all of the new musicals have a mostly-rock-driven score." He wrapped up with a golden oldie from an old show glorifying Broadway, which had nothing to do with this year's season but was a 'tribute' to what used to be. I might be putting words in his mouth, but the impression was that musical theater has evolved for the worse and today's shows are just not as good. I am of the opposite viewpoint. I do think that some of these shows will have strong lives beyond Broadway and yes, we may have revivals of some of these shows in future decades. Musical theater is alive and creating something new and interesting, and I'm happy to be along for the ride.

Shows and Showtunes in the Region

The BEST place to find arts events is at spokanearts.org, but there are several events outside the county of Spokane that are still of interest to musical theater lovers. The region’s schools are also doing some incredible work. If you want to add a musical theater-related event, please email me.

Spokane Civic Theater presents Man of La Mancha from May 16 to Jun 15 at Main Stage. The tale of Don Quixote as directed by Troy Nickerson.

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre presents All Shook Up from Jun 7 to Jun 21 at NIC Schuler Performing Arts Center. The Northwest Premiere of the Elvis jukebox musical that gave local favorite Cheyenne Jackson his big break on Broadway,

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre presents La Cage aux Folles from Jun 27 to Jul 12 at NIC Schuler Performing Arts Center. Jerry Herman's groundbreaking celebration of family values and the real meaning of love.

Leavenworth Summer Theater presents The Sound of Music from Jul 4 to Aug 31 at Ski Hill Amphitheater, Leavenworth. Their ads call it the most popular production in Washington State history, it's certainly one of the most unique summer theater experiences. The sun goes down and Maria begins "The Hills are Alive" as the 'alps' of Leavenworth seem to spring to life.

Leavenworth Summer Theater presents Sugar from Jul 16 to Aug 29 at Hatchery Park, Leavenworth.

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre presents Once Upon A Mattress from Jul 19 to Aug 2 at NIC Schuler Performing Arts Center. The musical version of the Princess And The Pea gets at the heart of the story with great twists.

Leavenworth Summer Theater presents Kiss Me Kate from Jul 30 to Aug 28 at FestHalle, Leavenworth. Cole Porter and the HOT silly version of Shakespeare's classic Taming of the Shrew

Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre presents Les Misérables from Aug 9 to Aug 23 at NIC Schuler Performing Arts Center. A coup for Cd'A Summer Theatre, one of the longest-running musicals in the world.

June 11: Party

Somebody's Going to Throw a Big Party - Chorus, Fifty Million Frenchmen (New World)
The Policemen's Ball - Mary McCarty, Miss Liberty (Sony Classical)
Oh, Come to the Ball - Alan Jay Lerner, American Songbook Series: Alan Jay Lerner (Smithsonian Collection)
Goin' to the Dance With You - Kristin Chenoweth, Let Yourself Go (Sony)
The Hostess With the Mostes' on the Ball - Tyne Daly, Call Me Madam (Encores Concert Cast) (DRG)
Welcome to My Party - Michael John LaChiusa, The Wild Party [LaChiusa] (Universal)
A Wild Wild Party - Cast, Wild Party [Lippa]
Raise The Roof - Cast, Wild Party [Lippa]
The Life of the Party - David Wayne, The Happy Time (RCA)
The Life Of The Party - Idina Menzel, Wild Party [Lippa]
Well Did You Evah? - Company, High Society [Original Broadway Cast]
Shall We Dance? - Constance Towers, Yul Brynner, The King and I (Soundtrack) (RCA)
It Only Happens When I Dance With You - Fred Astaire, Steppin' Out: Astaire at MGM (Sony)
I Could Have Danced All Night - Julie Andrews, A Little Bit of Broadway (Columbia)
The Ugly Bug Ball [From Summer Magic] - Burl Ives, Classic Disney, Vol. 1 (Walt Disney/EMI)
The Party's Over - Judy Holliday, Bells Are Ringing [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony)

May 28: Parents

When the Children Are Asleep - Susan Watson/Reid Shelton, Carousel [1965 Broadway Revival Cast] (RCA)
Wheels of a Dream - Audra McDonald/Brian Mitchell, Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - RCA] (BMG)
More I Cannot Wish You - Pat Rooney, Sr., Guys and Dolls [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks (Decca Broadway)
Other Pleasures - Kevin Colson, Aspects of Love [Original London Cast] Disc 2
Stop, Time (Big) - Liz Callaway, On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On (Varese)
Our Children - Marin Mazzie/Peter Friedman, Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - RCA] (BMG)
No Matter What - Susan Egan, Tom Bosley, Beauty and the Beast [Original Broadway Cast Recording] [Special Edition] (Universal)
Fathers of Fathers - Brent Barrett/Patrick Scott Brady/Richard Muenz, Closer Than Ever [Original Cast] Disc 2 (RCA)
Fathers and Sons - Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Schwartz Album
My Heart Belongs to Daddy [From Leave It to Me!] - Mary Martin, American Musical Theater: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 2 (Smithsonian)
Hey There, Single Guy/Gal - Danny Burstein/Jennifer Simard, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
The Baby Song - Danny Burstein, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change
Fandango - Lynne Wintersteller/Richard Muenz, Closer Than Ever [Original Cast] Disc 2 (RCA)
Marriage Tango - Melissa Weil/Robert Roznowski, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Varese Sarabande)
Kids - Marijane Maricle/Paul Lynde, Bye Bye Birdie [Original Broadway Cast Recording] (Sony Classical)
Kids (Reprise) - Johnny Borden/Marijane Maricle/Parents/Paul Lynde, Bye Bye Birdie [Original Broadway Cast Recording] (Sony Classical)
Everyone Hates His Parents - Chip Zien, Danny Gerard, Faith Prince, Michael Rupert, Falsettoland [Original Off-Broadway Cast] (DRG)

May 21 Irving Berlin

You'd Be Surprised - Eddie Cantor, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1 (Smithsonian Collection)
Shaking The Blues Away (Ziegfeld Follies) - Ruth Etting, ()
Alexander's Ragtime Band - Al Jolson/Bing Crosby, The Best of the Decca Years (MCA)
The Army's Made a Man out of Me - Chorus/Corporal Philip Truex/Oshins, Sgt. Julie/Staff Sergeant Ezra Stone, This Is the Army [Original Broadway Cast] (Howard's)
Oh, How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning [From This Is the Army] - Irving Berlin, American Musical Theater: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 2 (Smithsonian)
Rock-A-Bye Baby (Music Box Revue of 1924) - Grace Moore/Rosario Bourdon, The Ultimate Irving Berlin, Vol. 2 (Pearl)
Heat Wave - Ben Selvin/Ethel Waters, Great American Songwriters, Vol. 4: Irving Berlin (Rhino)
Blue Skies - Al Jolson, Let Me Sing and I'm Happy: At Warner Bros. 1926-1936 (Turner)
Puttin' on the Ritz [From Idiot's Delight] - Clark Gable, Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals Disc 1 (Rhino)
Steppin' Out With My Baby - Fred Astaire, Fred Astaire at MGM Disc 1 (Turner/Rhino)
They Say It's Wonderful [Outtake] (Annie Get Your Gun) - Howard Keel/Judy Garland, Romantic Duets from MGM Classics (Turner/Rhino)
My Defenses Are Down - Ron Raines, Broadway Passion (That's Entertainment)
Anything You Can Do - John Raitt/Mary Martin, Annie Get Your Gun [TV Soundtrack] (Angel)
You're Just in Love - Tyne Daly, Call Me Madam [Original Soundtrack] (DRG)
Falling out of Love Can Be Fun - Anastasia Barzee/Karen Morrow/Meredith Patterson, White Christmas [Original Studio Cast] (Ghostlight)
Count Your Blessings Instead Of Sheep - Cast of Annie Get Your Gun, Carols For A Cure 2000 (Rock-It Science)

May 7: Bing Crosby

Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals Disc 1 - True Love [From High Society], Bing Crosby/Grace Kelly (Rhino)
King of Jazz - So The Bluebirds And The Blackbirds, Bing Crosby
One More Chance - Just One More Chance, Bing Crosby
Big Broadcast - Please, Bing Crosby
I Surrender Dear - At Your Command, Bing Crosby
Blue of the Night - Where The Blue of the Night, Bing Crosby
Going Hollywood - We'll Make Hay While The Sun Shines, Bing Crosby
College Humor - Moonstruck, Bing Crosby
Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1 - Thanks/Buckin' the Wind, Bing Crosby/Nat Finston & Paramount Studio Orchestra (Smithsonian Collection)
Anything Goes - You're The Top, Bing Crosby/Ethel Merman
Road to Utopia - Put It There Pal, Bing Crosby/Bob Hope
Road to Morocco - Moonlight Becomes You song, Bing Crosby
Going My Way - Swingin On A Star, Bing Crosby
Holiday Inn - Lazy, Bing Crosby
High Society - Well Did You Evah, Bing Crosby/Frank Sinatra

Apr 16: Paris

Welcome to Paris - William Perry, Mark Twain [Original Cast] (Premier)
Do You Want to See Paris? - Howard McGillin/James Harder/JQ and The Bandits/Karen Ziémba/Kim Criswell/Peggy Cass, Fifty Million Frenchmen (New World)
Ah Paris - , Follies
Stranger in Paris - Jeannette MacDonald, The New Moon
Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart) - Bernadette Peters, Anastasia [Atlantic]
I Love Paris (Can Can) - Georgia Gibbs, The Best Of Broadway - The Early '50s
Paris Wakes up and Smiles - Allyn McLerie/Thompson, Johnny V.R. Thompson, Miss Liberty (Sony Classical)
Paris Loves Lovers - Don Ameche/Hildegarde Neff, Silk Stockings [Original Broadway Cast]
Paris Stay the Same - Maurice Chevalier, The Love Parade
Bidin' My Time (French Reprise) - Jeremy Harrison/Jon Clairmonte/Kieran Mcllroy, Crazy for You [Original London Cast]
French Lesson - Adolph Green/Betty Comden, Perform Their Own Songs (DRG)
Corner of the Rue Cambon - Katharine Hepburn, Coco [Original Broadway Cast]
Paris Original - Kristi Lynes/Lillias White/Megan Mullally/Victoria Clark, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying [New Broadway Cast] (RCA)
The Parisians - Betty Wand, Gigi (Turner)
I Hate the French - Patrick Wilson, Richard Kind, Bright Lights, Big City [Original Cast]
The Last Time I Saw Paris (Lady Be Good) - Ann Southern, Music From MGM Classics
Paris Is Paris Again - Alfred Drake, Gigi [Original Cast] (RCA)You Don't Know Paree - Howard McGillin, Fifty Million Frenchmen (New World)
April in Paris - Dawn Upshaw, Sings Vernon Duke (Nonesuch)

Apr 9: Beefy Baritones

Gordon MacRae - Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, Oklahoma! [MCA/Capitol] (Snapper)
Don Ameche/Hildegarde Neff - All of You, Silk Stockings [Original Broadway Cast]
Burke Moses, Susan Egan - Me, Beauty and the Beast [Original Broadway Cast Recording] [Special Edition]
Howard Keel - Where's The Mate For Me? (Gambler's Song), Show Boat (Sony Classical)
John Raitt - I'm a Bad, Bad Man, Annie Get Your Gun [TV Soundtrack] (Angel)
Kevin Kline - Oh, Better Far to Live and Die, The Pirates of Penzance [Original Broadway Cast] [CD] Disc 1
Stanley Holloway - Get Me to the Church on Time, My Fair Lady [Original Broadway Cast] [2002 Bonus Tracks] (Sony)
James Naughton - All I Care About, Chicago [RCA] (RCA)
Peter Gallagher - Luck Be a Lady, Guys and Dolls [1992 Broadway Revival Cast] (RCA Victor)
Paul Robeson - Old Man River (Paul Robson & original broadway cast - extended play), Showboat
Ron Raines - Dulcinea, Broadway Passion (That's Entertainment)
Robert Meadmore - If Ever I Would Leave You [From Camelot], Greatest Love Songs From Musicals (MCI Musicals)
Brian Stokes Mitchell - This Nearly Was Mine, South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall (Decca Broadway)
Terrence Mann - Stars, Les Miserables [Original Broadway Cast] Disc 1 (Geffen/Decca US)
Tommy Koerberg - Anthem, Chess Disc 1 (Polygram)
Len Cariou, Laurence Guittard - It Would Have Been Wonderful, A Little Night Music (That's Entertainment/ Sony)

Apr 2: Wiser Women

Broadway Baby (Follies) - Elaine Stritch, (DRG)
Everything's Coming Up Roses - Ethel Merman, Gypsy [Original Broadway Cast] (Nonesuch)
Before the Parade Passes By - Carol Channing, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 3 (Smithsonian Collection)
Hello, Young Lovers [From The King and I] - Valerie Masterson, Greatest Love Songs From Musicals (MCI Musicals)
Bali Ha'i - Lillias White, South Pacific in Concert from Carnegie Hall (Decca Broadway)
Little Girls - Dorothy Loudon, Annie [Original Broadway Cast] [Remastered] (That's Entertainment/Sony)
And I Was Beautiful - Angela Lansbury, Dear World [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Memory [From Cats] - Elaine Paige, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 2 (404 Music Group/Phillips)
As If We Never Said Goodbye [Sunset Blvd.] - Elaine Paige, Ultimate Broadway Disc 2 (Arista)
Send in the Clowns (A Little Night Music) - Judi Dench, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 2 (404 Music Group/Phillips)
The Ladies Who Lunch - Elaine Stritch, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 4
I'm Still Here [Follies] - Nancy Walker, Sondheim: A Musical Tribute Disc 2 (RCA Victor)

Mar 26: Wild West

The Deadwood Stage (Whip-Crack-Away) - Doris Day, Calamity Jane
Belly up to the Bar, Boys - Joseph Sirola/Tammy Grimes, The Unsinkable Molly Brown [Original Broadway Cast] (Capitol)
Moonshine Lullaby - Mary Martin, Annie Get Your Gun [TV Soundtrack] (Angel)
Bidin' My Time - Brian Nalepka/Hal Shane/The Boys/Tripp Hanson, Crazy for You [Original Broadway Cast] (Capitol)
The Farmer and the Cowman - Charlotte Greenwood/Gene Nelson/Gloria Grahame/Gordon MacRae/James Whitmore/Jay C. Flippen/Mixed Chorus & Orchestra, Oklahoma! [MCA/Capitol] (Snapper)
The Lonesome Cowboy - Male Chorus, Girl Crazy [1951 Studio Cast] [Bonus Track] (Sony Classical)
Cowboy's Dream - Clarke Thorell, Harriett D. Foy, Lone Star Love (P.S. Classics)
Bless Yore Beautiful Hide [From Seven Brides for Seven Brothers] - Howard Keel, Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals Disc 1 (Rhino)
Doin' What Comes Natur'llly - Ethel Merman, Annie Get Your Gun (Decca)
The Wild Wild West - Virginia O'Brien, Harvey Girls (Soundtrack Factory)
Way Out West - Melissa Rain Anderson, Babes in Arms [1999 New York Cast Recording] (DRG)
Kansas City - Charlotte Greenwood/Gene Nelson/Lee Dixon, Oklahoma! [MCA/Capitol] (Snapper)
Windy City [From Calamity Jane] - Debbie Shapiro/National Symphony Orchestra, Showstoppers Collection (Madacy Records)
March of the Doagies [Outtake] - Don Ellis/Don Williams/Eugene Dorian/Frankie Laine/Joseph Karnes/Judy Garland/M-G-/Ralph Blane, Harvey Girls (Soundtrack Factory)
They Call the Wind Maria - Chorus/Rufus Smith, Paint Your Wagon [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Joey, Joey, Joey - Art Lund, The Most Happy Fella [Original Broadway Cast] Disc 1 (Sony Classical)
Don't Fence Me In - Roy Rogers, Hollywood Canteen

Mar 19: Myths and Legends

Out of This World - Prologue, Peter Scolari; I Jupiter, I Rex, Ken Page/Male Ensemble (DRG)
The Frogs OBC - Hades, Bryn Dowling/Francesca Harper/Jessica Howard/Meg Gillentine/Naomi Kakuk/Peter Bartlett (P.S. Classics)
Golden Apple OC - Helen Is Always Willing, Cast; The Departure for Rhododendron, Cast (RCA)
Marie Christine - Beautiful, Beautiful (Reprise), Audra McDonald (RCA)
Classic Disney, Vol. 4 - One Last Hope [From Hercules], Danny DeVito (Disney International)
Xanadu on Broadway - I'm Alive, Kerry Butler, Company; Have You Never Been Mellow, Company (P.S. Classics)
American Musical Theatre: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 4 - Camelot, Richard Burton (Smithsonian)
The Music of Disney: A Legacy in Song Disc 1 - Higitus Figitus (Sword in the Stone), Karl Swenson/Ricky Sorenson (Disney)
EFX! - The Magic That Surrounds You, Pt. 3, Lisa Geist/Michael Crawford (Telstar)
Sings Rodgers & Hart - Thou Swell, Dawn Upshaw (Nonesuch)
Mark Twain OC - The Camelot Rag, William Perry (Premier)
Camelot OBC - C'Est Moi, Robert Goulet (Sony)
Monty Python's Spamalot - All for One, Tim Curry, David Hyde Pierce, Michael McGrath, Hank Azaria, Christopher Sieber, Steve Rosen; Knights Of The Round Table, Cast (Decca)

Mar 12: Pass the Torch

Torch songs on stage and screen
Lover, Come Back to Me - Evelyn Herbert, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1 (Smithsonian Collection)
It Never Entered My Mind - Mary Martin, Mary Martin Sings, Richard Rodgers Plays (RCA)
The Party's Over - Judy Holliday, Bells Are Ringing OBC (Sony)
Ain't Got No Tears Left - Donna Murphy, Leonard Bernstein's New York (Nonesuch)
What Did I Have That I Don't Have? - Barbara Harris, Broadway Divas (RCA)
As Long as He Needs Me [From Oliver!] - Sonia Swaby, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 1 (404 Music Group/Phillips)
So in Love - Patti LuPone, The Lady with the Torch (Ghostlight)
But Not for Me - Jodi Benson, Crazy for You OBC (Angel)
Nobody's Heart/Why Can't I? - Kristin Chenoweth, Let Yourself Go (Sony)
He Was Too Good to Me - Dawn Upshaw, Sings Rodgers & Hart (Nonesuch)
I Had Myself a True Love - Audra McDonald, How Glory Goes (Elektra/Asylum)
The Man That Got Away - Judy Garland, Hollywood Magic: The 1950s (Sony)
Tell Me on a Sunday - Betty Buckley, Children Will Listen (Sterling)
Losing My Mind - Barbara Cook, Broadway Divas (RCA)

Feb 27: Gospel On Broadway

Blow, Gabriel, Blow-Patti LuPone, Anything Goes [1987 Broadway Revival Cast]
Sit Down, You're Rockin' the Boat-Walter Bobbie, Guys and Dolls [1992 Broadway Revival Cast] (RCA Victor)
Mysterious Ways-Chantylla Johnson, Zipporah G. Gatling, Cast, The Color Purple [Original Broadway Cast] (Angel)
We Beseech Thee-Cast, Godspell [Original Off-Off-Broadway Cast] (Arista)
Simon Zealotes-Tony Vincent, Jesus Christ Superstar [London Revival Cast]
The Crossing-Cast, Big River
till We Reach That Day-Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime [Original Broadway Cast Disc 1] (RCA Victor Broadway)
Light at the End of the Tunnel-Cast, Starlight Express [Original London Cast] Disc 2
The Meek Shall Inherit-Cast, Little Shop of Horrors [Original Soundtrack]
Mabel's Prayer edit-Dioni Michelle Collins, Fame [Original Cast Recording] (DRG)
Run, Freedom, Run!-Hunter Foster, Urinetown (RCA)
Waiting for the Light to Shine reprise-Cast, Big River
Everybody Rejoice-Cast, The Wiz [Original Cast Recording] (Atlantic)
This Time of Year-Cast, Finian's Rainbow [1960 Broadway Revival Cast Recording] (RCA Victor)
It Ain't Necessarily So-Dallas Symphony, Porgy And Bess Orchestral Suite 1996

Feb 20: Based on the Life Of ,,,

Rose Hovak: Some People-Ethel Merman/Stephen Sondheim, Gypsy [Original Broadway Cast] (Nonesuch)
Rose Louise and June Hovak: If Momma Was Married-Lane Bradbury/Sandra Church, Gypsy [Original Broadway Cast] (Nonesuch)
Evelyn Nesbit: The Crime of the Century-Ensemble/Lynnette Perry, Ragtime [Original Broadway Cast Disc 1] (RCA Victor Broadway)
Nesbit and Harry Houdini: The Show Biz-Jim Corti/Lynnette Perry, Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - RCA] (BMG)
Queen Catherine of Aragon: As Once I Loved You-Barbara Andres, Rex [Original Cast] (RCA)
King Henry VIII: The Chase-Ed Evanko/Merwin Goldsmith/Tom Aldredge, Rex [Original Cast] (RCA)
Eva and Juan Peron: I'd be Surprisingly Good for You-Patti LuPone, Bob Gunton, Evita (BMG/Jupiter)
Emma Goldman: What Does a Man Do...?-Anne L. Nathan, Assassins [Original Broadway Cast] (P.S. Classics)
The Night That Goldman Spoke at Union Square-Camille Saviola/Steven Sutcliffe, Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - RCA] (BMG)
Maggie Brown: I Ain't Down Yet-Bill Starr/Bob Dalley/Sterling Clark/Tammy Grimes, The Unsinkable Molly Brown [Original Broadway Cast] (Capitol)
Titanic Passengers: The 1st Class Roster-Matthew Bennett, Victoria Clark, Cast, Titanic: A New Musical (RCA)
Maria and Georg Von Trap: An Ordinary Couple-Mary Martin/Theodore Bikel, The Sound of Music [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony BMG)
Annie Oakley: You Can't Get a Man With a Gun-Mary Martin, Annie Get Your Gun [TV Soundtrack] (Angel)
George M. Cohan: Give My Regards to Broadway-Joel Grey, George M! [Original Cast] (Sony)
"Mama" Rose: Rose's Turn-Angela Lansbury, Gypsy [Original London Cast] (RCA)

Soap box: Shows I wish would play Spokane

I got an email this week from someone asking what shows I'd like to see come to Spokane. So at the risk of sounding self-important, here's my list of what I think MIGHT come through town, and the list of what I WISH would come through town.

The companies that produce touring shows have advertised several that might still be running in the 2008-09 season. They include the Man of La Mancha, The Will Rogers Follies, Fame, Grease, Ring of Fire, Fiddler on the Roof, and Evita. They're all valid choices for a Best of Broadway or other tour, but they're not high on my wish list. The advertised ones that I'd really LIKE to see come to town are:

- Wicked (pop-y music, great fun, huge hit - it's on every theater group's wish list)
- 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (a bit risque but fun)
- Pajama Game (a fun little classic, featuring Steam Heat)
- Color Purple (the second act has problems, but all in all a good rendition of a fabulous novel)

Then there are the shows that don't have a national tour, but I hope that at least one of the theater organizations around the Inland Northwest is seriously considering. They are:
- Light in the Piazza
- Drowsy Chaperone
- Avenue Q
- Grey Gardens

And then there are some older or more obscure shows that I think might have a different spin today and give audiences something new to enjoy. A partial list of them: Dear World, Working, The Apple Tree, The Baker's Wife, Wonderful Town, Unsinkable Molly Brown, High Society, Kismet, Mack and Mabel, Strike Up The Band.

In any case, the theaters are starting to announce their shows for the coming season. Actually, we know Coeur d'Alene's season this summer (Les Miserables, Once Upon and Mattress, La Cage aux Folles, and All Shook Up) and Civic's season (with even more musicals than usual). Best of Broadway will announce before too long, and I'll climb up on my soapbox then, too ;-)

Feb 6: Lullabies of Broadway

A couple of weeks ago I was having problems with my CD burner. That's how I make the Matinee program for KPBX - I burn a CD from my home computer. Turns out there was a problem again, and this week's show didn't copy correctly. Verne pulled an archive CD of a program from 2006 - Lullabies of Broadway. I'll look for that playlist later this week and post it here as soon as possible. But I have to say some of these songs playing today I haven't heard in a while, and I'm loving hearing Liz Callaway's voice and Mary Martin's and all of these wondeful soft lullabies. I hope you're enjoying this lemons-to-lemonade technical difficulty as much as I am.

Feb 6: Jazz Restaged

The Joint Is Jumpin' - Eugene Barry-Hill/Michael-Leon Wooley/The Pointer Sisters, Ain't Misbehavin' (The New Cast Recording) (RCA Victor Broadway)
It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) - De Shields, Andre/Larry Marshall/Lawrence Hamilton/Yvette Cason, Play On [Original Broadway Cast] (Varese)
Hit Me With a Hot Note (And Watch Me Bounce) - Carl Anderson/Cheryl Freeman/Duke's Band, Play On [Original Broadway Cast] (Varese)
Play the Music for Me - Tonya Pinkins, Jelly's Last Jam (Mercury)
Prelude to a Kiss - Carl Anderson/Cheryl Freeman, Play On [Original Broadway Cast] (Varese)
Medley: Hurry Home/I Know What I've Got/Is You Is or Is You Ain't ... - Company, Five Guys Named Moe [Original London Cast] (First Night)
Bessie Smith Blues - Bertrice Reading, The Jazz Train [Bonus Tracks] (Sepia Recordings)
I Gotta Right to Sing the Blues - Carrie Smith, Black & Blue [Original Broadway Cast] (DRG)
Blues in the Night - Ann Hampton Callaway, Swing [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Am I Blue - Carrie Smith/Claude"Fiddler"Williams, Black & Blue [Original Broadway Cast] (DRG)
Black and Blue - Eugene Barry-Hill/Michael-Leon Wooley/The Pointer Sisters, Ain't Misbehavin' (The New Cast Recording) (RCA Victor Broadway)
That's How You Jazz - Crowd/Gregory Hines/Stanley Wayne Mathis, Jelly's Last Jam (Mercury)
Let the Good Times Roll - Ron Taylor, It Ain't Nothin But the Blues (MCA)
Choo Choo Ch'Boogie - Company/Paul J. Medford, Five Guys Named Moe [Original London Cast] (First Night)
There Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens - Clarke Peters/Newton, Peter Alex, Five Guys Named Moe [Original London Cast] (First Night)
Caravan - Gotham City Gates, Swing [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)

Jan 30: Solo Albums

Mary Martin Sings, Richard Rodgers Plays , Mary Martin - I Could Write a Book (RCA)
The Alan Jay Lerner Album , Brent Barrett - She Wasn't You [From On a Clear Day You Can See Forever] (Fynsworth Alley)
Broadway Passion , Ron Raines - The Impossible Dream (That's Entertainment)
The Lady with the Torch , Patti LuPone - Guess I'll Hang My Tears out to Dry (Ghostlight)
Warm Spring Night , Philip Chaffin - That's All (PS Classics)
Here's to the Ladies , Christine Andreas - The Music That Makes Me Dance (Image)
Fifteen Seconds of Grace , Victoria Clark - Before the Parade Passes By [From Hello Dolly!] (P.S. Classics)
Broadway My Way , Linda Eder - Don't Rain on My Parade [From Funny Girl] (Atlantic)
On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On , Liz Callaway - Sleepy Man (Robber Bridegroom) (Varese)
How Glory Goes , Audra McDonald - A Sleepin' Bee (Elektra/Asylum)
A Deeper Shade of Red , Andréa Burns - What More Do I Need? [From Saturday Night] (P.S. Classics)
Here and Now , Lauren Kennedy - Unanswered Question (P.S. Classics)
No One Is Alone , Barbara Cook - Long Before I Knew You I Fall In Love Too Easily (DRG)
Let Yourself Go , Kristin Chenoweth - The Girl in 14g (Sony)

Jan 23: Jason Robert Brown

Hear My Song - Company, Songs for a New World (RCA)
King of the World - Ty Taylor, Songs for a New World (RCA)
All the Wasted Time [Parade] - Brent Carver/Carolee Carmello, Broadway in Love (RCA)
Letting You Go - Lauren Kennedy, Songs of Jason Robert Brown (PS Classics)
The Next Ten Minutes - Norbert Leo Butz/Sherie René Scott, The Last Five Years (Image)
Goodbye Until Tomorrow/I Could Never Rescue You - Norbert Leo Butz/Sherie René Scott, The Last Five Years (Image)
What It Means - Thirteen Demo
Mr. Hopalong Heartbreak - Jenn Colella, Urban Cowboy demo
Wearing Someone Else's Clothes - Jason Robert Brown, Wearing Someone Else's Clothes (Sh-K-Boom)
Stars and the Moon - Audra McDonald, Way Back to Paradise (Elektra/Asylum)

Jan 16: For King and Mandela, Songs of Freedom

Lynching Blues-Cast, Bring in Da Noise Bring In Da Funk (RCA Victor Broadway)
Colorful-Sammy Davis Jr, Golden Boy (DRG)
I Know Where I've Been-Mary Bond Davis/Shayna Steele, Hairspray [Original Cast] (Sony Classical)
Don't Forget 127th Street-Sammy Davis Jr, Johnny Brown, Cast, Golden Boy (DRG)
Welcome To Atlanta-Dorothy, Matthew (Kenny Andrews), Abe, Nathaniel (Daniel Washington), Ensemble, King (London)
March At Edmund Pettus Bridge-Ensemble, King (London)
I Have A Dream-Simon Estes, King (London)
African Homeland-Renee Elise Goldberry, LaChanze, Cast, The Color Purple [Original Broadway Cast] (Angel)
One by One-Cast, The Lion King [Original Broadway Cast] (Disney)
Stand and Fight-Mbongeni Ngema, Sarafina! [Original Cast Recording] (RCA)
Nelson Mandela and Water Dance (Omm Ohh Ho la la (Reprise)-GumBoots, Gum Boots (RCA)
Freedom Is Coming Tomorrow-Traditional, Sarafina! The Sound of Freedom [Original Soundtrack] (Qwest/Wea)
No More-Sammy Davis Jr, Golden Boy (DRG)
Make Them Hear You-Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - RCA] (BMG)
Run and Tell That!-Corey Reynolds/Danelle Eugenia Wilson, Hairspray [Original Cast] (Sony Classical)

Civic's 2007-08 Season includes Oklahoma, Forum

The exciting thing about the Spokane Civic Theatre season is the number of musicals it's producing: 4 upstairs, 1 downstairs. I think this might be a record for Civic.

The opener will be Oklahoma, the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical that pushed the book musical in a new direction, and still is considered one of the top, if not THE top, musicals in history. Run dates are Sep 26-Oct 26.

At Christmastime comes the musical version of A Christmas Carol, the version by Alan Menken and Lynn Ahrens. Menken says in interviews that this is some of his favorite work. After being presented at Madison Square Garden 10 years in a row, Kelsey Grammar starred in a TV movie version of it. Civic run dates are Nov 21-Dec 20.

Someone in the Spokane theater community has lobbied Civic a long time to produce No No Nanette, and it's finally happening Feb 20-Mar 15 '08. It's a darling show, one that's about to get new life from Walter Bobbie (director of the Chicago revival on Broadway) in a special one-week production in New York. By the time Civic does it, the show will be 84 years old - so will the songs Tea For Two and I Want To Be Happy. Kudos to Civic for pulling this one off the shelf.

"Sondheim doesn't sell" is the phrase I hear often, meaning Stephen Sondheim's work is too cerebral to make for popular entertainment. Frankly, "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" SHOULD sell - it's a farce that sneaks in some satirical comments on social class. This was Stephen Sondheim's first Broadway musical writing both lyrics and music. Civic's main stage run happens May 15-June 14 '09.

Downstairs in the Firth Chew Studio, they'll tackle Godspell from March 20-April 19. This little show from Stephen Schwartz has gotten the film and Broadway treatment, but it's wonderful in a little black-box stage like the Studio. Since the show is a musical version of the Gospel of Matthew, it's appropriate that this is taking place during Lent (the Christian season leading up to Easter). I'm a little surprised that the run dates include April 19, which is the Eastern/Greek Orthodox date of Easter itself. (Catholic and Protestant churches celebrate one week earlier, on April 12).

Jan 9: Stage to Screen

The film version of Sweeney Todd is still one of the top 10 movies at the box office this week. Tim Burton's take is a bit too 'blood spraying everywhere like Monty Python'-esque for my taste, but it's great to see more stage musicals getting the film treatment. So this week, a glimpse into the world of the stage-to-screen jump, past and present. As for the future, I'm excited for the Mamma Mia film this summer.

On the Town - New York New York , Gene Kelly/Frank Sinatra (Warner Home Video)
The Music Man - The Sadder but Wiser Girl, Robert Preston (Warner Bros.)
The King and I - Shall I Tell You What I Think of You, Marni Nixon/Deborah Kerr (Angel Records)
West Side Story - I Feel Pretty, Jo Anne Miya/Marni Nixon/Suzie Kaye/Yvonne Othon (Sony Classical/Legacy )
My Fair Lady - Wouldn't It Be Loverly, Marni Nixon (Sony)
The Sound of Music - Maria, Marni Nixon/Nuns (BMG/RCA)
Oliver! - Food Glorious Food, Boys (RCA)
Cabaret - Maybe This Time, Liza Minnelli (Hip-O Records)
Fiddler on the Roof - Sunrise Sunset, Topol/Ensemble (RCA)
Grease - Summer Nights, John Travolta/Olivia Newton-John (Polygram International)
Little Shop of Horrors - Skid Row (Downtown), Rick Moranis/Ellen Greene (Geffen)
Chicago - All That Jazz, Catherine Zeta-Jones (Sony)
Hairspray - Good Morning Baltimore, Nikki Blonsky (Sony Classical)
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - Not While I'm Around, Edward Sanders/Helena Bonham Carter (Nonesuch)

Jan 2: Winter/Spring Preview

Gypsy - You Gotta Have A Gimmick, Debbie Shapiro, Susann Fletcher, Faith Prince (RCA)
Man of La Mancha - Dulcinea, Richard Kiley, Cast (MCA)
Into the Woods - Hello Little Girl, Danielle Ferland/Robert Westenberg (RCA)
Annie - Easy Street, Alan Cumming/Kathy Bates/Kristin Chenoweth (Sony)
The Last Five Years - Moving Too Fast, Norbert Leo Butz; A Part of That, Sherie René Scott (Image)
Forever Plaid - Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, Jason Graae, Stan Chandler, David Engel, Guy Stroman (RCA Victor)
Mamma Mia! - Money, Money, Money; Jenny Galloway/Louise Plowright/Siobhán McCarthy (Polydor)
High School Musical - Start of Something New, Cast (Disney )
Great American Trailer Park Musical - This Side of the Tracks, Cast; Flushed Down the Pipes (SH-K Boom)
Company (Revival) - Being Alive, Raul Esparza, Cast (Angel)

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