June 24: There's No Business Like Show Business

Willkommen - Joel Grey, Cabaret (Sony)
Lullaby of Broadway - Winifred Shaw, Dick Powell, Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals Disc 1 (Rhino / Wea)
Broadway Baby - Debbie Shapiro Gravitte, Gala Concert for Hal Prince Disc 2 (Tristar/First Night Records)
She's No Longer a Gypsy - Bonnie Franklin, Applause (Decca U.S.)
Nothing - Natalie Cortez, A Chorus Line [2006 Broadway Cast] (Sony)
A Summer in Ohio - Sherie René Scott, The Last Five Years (Image)
Show People - Debra Monk, David Hyde Pierce, Cast, Curtains (Manhattan Records)
Welcome to the Theatre - Lauren Bacall, Applause (Decca U.S.)
Opening Night - Company, The Producers [Original Broadway Cast Recording] (Sony Classical)
I Hate Musicals - Rita McKenzie, Ruthless [Los Angeles Cast] (Colosseum)
Life upon the Wicked Stage - Jan Hunter, Show Boat [1971 London Revival Cast] [Highlights] (Delta)
There's No Business Like Show Business [From Annie Get Your Gun] - Bruce Yarnell; Ethel Merman; Jerry Orbach; Rufus Smith, American Musical Theater: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 2 (Smithsonian)
Make 'Em Laugh - Donald O'Conner, Singin' In the Rain (Turner)
I Want to Make Magic - Gavin Creel, Fame [Original Cast Recording] (DRG)
What I Did For Love - Priscilla Lopez & Company, Golden Memories of Stage and Screen #4 (Reader's Digest Music/ Sony Music)

June 17: Fathers

You Two - Michael Ball; Carrie Fletcher; George Gillies, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang [Original London Cast]
No Matter What - Susan Egan, Tom Bosley, Beauty and the Beast [Original Broadway Cast Recording] [Special Edition]
Woe Is Me - Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Sh-K-Boom)
Other Pleasures - Kevin Colson, Aspects of Love [Original London Cast] Disc 2 (Polydor)
The First Man You Remember - Kevin Colson, Diana Morrison, Aspects of Love [Original London Cast] Disc 2
Chavaleh song - Alfred Molina, Fiddler on the Roof [2004 Broadway Revival Cast] (PS Classics)
Something Was Missing - Reid Shelton, Annie
Never Say No - Harvey Schmidt, The Fantasticks [2006 Off Broadway Recording]
Fatherhood Blues - James Congdon; Todd Graff; Dennis Warning; Philip Hoffman; Martin Vidnovic, Baby [Original Broadway Cast 1999] (Jay)
Your Daddy's Son - Audra McDonald, Ragtime (RCA Victor Broadway)
Race You to the Top of the Morning - Mandy Patinkin, The Secret Garden [Original Broadway Cast] (Original Cast Record)
Hardest Part of Love - Danny Kosarin; Adrian Zmed; William Solo, Children of Eden (RCA Victor Broadway)
Fathers and Sons - Stephen Schwartz, Stephen Schwartz Album
Fathers of Fathers - Brent Barrett; Patrick Scott Brady; Richard Muenz, Closer Than Ever [Original Cast] Disc 2

June 10: Cy Coleman

Hey, Look Me Over! - Lucille Ball; Paula Stewart, Wildcat [Original Cast Recording] (RCA)
I've Got Your Number (Little Me) - Swen Swenson, Broadway Scene Stealers the Men
If My Friends Could See Me Now - Gwen Verdon, Sweet Charity [Original Broadway Cast #1] (Sony Classical)
You're a Lovable Lunatic - Ken Howard, See Saw (Original Cast) [DRG]
Bows: It's Not Where You Start - Company, See Saw (Original Cast) [DRG] (DRG)
Hey There, Good Times - Lenny Baker, Joanna Gleason, lene Graff, James Naughton, I Love My Wife [Orig. Cast] (Disques Swing)
I've Got It All - Madeline Kahn John Cullam, On the Twentieth Century
There's A Sucker Born Every Minute - Jim Dale, Barnum
You're Nothing Without Me - Gregg Edelman, James Naughton, City of Angels [Original Broadway Cast] (Columbia)
Lost and Found - Rachel York, City of Angels [Original Broadway Cast] (Columbia)
You There in the Back Row (13 Days to Broadway) - Liz Callaway, On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On (Varese)
Give a Man Enough Rope - Jason Opsahl; Jerry Mitchell; John Ganun; Keith Carradine; Troy Johnson, The Will Rogers Follies [Original Cast] (Columbia)
A Lovely Day to Be Out of Jail - Pamela Isaacs/Lillias White, The Life [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
It Started With a Dream - Cy Coleman Lillias White, Pamela's First Musical
The Best Is Yet To Come - Cy Coleman, It Started With A Dream
Double-Talk Walk - Gregg Edelman, James Naughton, City of Angels [Original Broadway Cast] (Columbia)

Tony Awards on Sunday!

One of my favorite television showcases comes on this Sunday night. The Tony Awards, the celebration of Broadway's current season, focuses on musical theater because it's so much easier to perform a song than it is to pull a scene from a play out of context. And that's another story, but since my passion is musical theater songs, I'm in heaven. The website for the Tonys is quite thorough, with clips from the musicals and interviews with nominees. I still need to find time to go through all the stuff at tonyawards.com.

And no, I don't have any favorites or clues on who will win. Between pre-season prep for Spokane Children's Theatre, prep for this show, and my daughter's 6th birthday (oh yeah, our 11th wedding anniversary too) I haven't had a chance to hardly look at the nominees. I'll be even more surprised than you on Sunday. Here in Spokane, the Tony Awards are on channel 2 (KREM-TV) starting at 8 p.m.

June 3: Kander & Ebb

All I Need (Is One Good Break) - Liza Minnelli and Artists, Flora the Red Menace (RCA)
Mein Herr - Natasha Richardson, Cabaret [1998 Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
I Don't Care Much [*] - John Kander, Fred Ebb, Cabaret [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony)
I Don't Remember You [From the Happy Time] - Ron Raines, So in Love With Broadway (Jay)
Why Can't I Speak - Carmen Alvarez; John Cunningham, Zorba [Angel] (CCT)
70, Girls, 70 - Company, 70, Girls, 70 [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony Classical)
How Lucky Can You Get - Barbra Streisand, Funny Lady
Theme from New York, New York - Fred Ebb, And the World Goes 'Round
All That Jazz - Chita Rivera, Company, Chicago [Original Broadway Cast] (Arista)
Chief Cook and Bottle Washer - Chita Rivera, Rink [Original Broadway Cast] (Jay)
Dear One - Merle Louise, Kirsti Carnahan, Anthony Crivello, Brent Carver, Kiss of the Spider Woman [Original Soundtrack] (First Night)
Sometimes a Day Goes by (Woman of the Year) - Brent Barrett, The Kander and Ebb Album (Varese Sarabande)
I Miss the Music - Jason Danieley, Curtains (EMI Manhattan Records)
Second Chance - Daniel McDonald; Karen Ziémba, Steel Pier [Original Cast] (RCA)
Cabaret - Liza Minnelli, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 4

May 27: Comedy Songs

Comedy Tonight - Nathan Lane, Company, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Angel]
Professional Showbizness Comedy - Andrea Martin; Ensemble; Tom Mardirosian, My Favorite Year (RCA)
Johnny One Note - Melissa Rain Anderson, Babes in Arms [1999 New York Cast Recording] (DRG)
Is It a Crime - Judy Holliday, Bells Are Ringing [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony)
The Rumor - Bea Arthur; Ensemble; Leonard Frey, Fiddler on the Roof OBC (RCA Victor Broadway)
We Both Reached for the Gun - James Naughton, D. Sabella, Ann Reinking, Chicago [RCA] (RCA)
Gee, Officer Krupke! - Jets Cast; Kieran Daniels, West Side Story [Leicester Cast] (Curtain Call)
Shipoopi - Buddy Hackett; Ensemble, The Music Man [Original Soundtrack] (Warner Bros.)
Lydia the Tattooed Lady - Groucho Marx, At the Circus (Raven)
Adelaide's Lament - Faith Prince, Guys and Dolls [1992 Broadway Revival Cast] (RCA Victor)
You Gotta Get a Gimmick - Jule Styne, Gypsy [2008 Broadway Revival Cast] [Barnes & Noble Exclusive] Disc 1 (Time Life)
Schadenfreude (edited for radio) - Avenue Q
Friendship [From Du Barry Was a Lady] - Bert Lahr; Ethel Merman, American Musical Theater: Shows, Songs and Stars, Vol. 2 (Smithsonian)
Brush up Your Shakespeare - First Man & Second Man, Kiss Me, Kate [1999 Broadway Revival Cast]

Mar 20: Mothers

Momma, Momma, Momma - Elliott Gould; Lillian Roth, I Can Get It for You Wholesale [Original Soundtrack] (Sony)
Tomorrow's Mothers Day [Cut from Gypsy]
Glamorous Life - Elaine Tomkinson, A Little Night Music
Mother Darling - Erin Davie, Christine Ebersole, Bob Stillman, Matt Cavenaugh, Grey Gardens: A New Musical (PS Classics)
Piano Lesson/If You Don't Mind My Saying So - Pert Kelton; Shirley Jones, The Music Man [Original Soundtrack] (Warner Bros.)
Tina's Mother - Joan Ryan, Ruthless [Los Angeles Cast] (Colosseum)
Our Little World - Julia McKenzie; Mary Lincoln, Into the Woods [London Cast] (BMG)
Swinging Song/Thomas - Victoria Clark, Fifteen Seconds of Grace (P.S. Classics)
Your Mother and Mine - Disney’s Peter Pan
My Best Girl - Broadway Cast, Mame - 1966 Broadway
Mamma A Rainbow Minnies Boys - Michael Digioia, Another Look
My Son - Christine Ebersole, Patrick Wilson, Bright Lights, Big City [Original Cast] (Sh-K-Boom)
Slipping Through My Fingers - Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia
The Portrait [A...My Name Is Alice] - Barbara Walsh, My Name Will Always Be Alice (Original Cast Record)
I Don't Know Where She Got It - Lillian Hayman; Robert Hooks, Hallelujah, Baby! (Sony Classical)
Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now - Marissa Jaret Winokur; Nikki Blonsky; Ricki Lake, Hairspray [2007 Soundtrack] (Universal Classics)

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.

Lake City Playhouse presents Big River from May 8 to May 23 at Lake City Playhouse. The tale of Huck Finn and Joe's epic journey down the Mississippi with excellent music by Roger Miller

Spokane Civic Theatre presents A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum from May 15 to Jun 14 at Main Stage. Stephen Sondheim's silly but popular romp through Greek farce

Spokane Children's Theatre presents Heidi from May 16 to May 31 at Spokane Community College Lair.

Spokane Civic Theatre Academy presents Rent: The School Edition from May 30 to May 31 at Main Stage.

Best of Broadway presents Fiddler on the Roof starring Topol from 1-Sep to Sep 6 at INB Performing Arts Center.

Spokane Civic Theatre presents Pirates of Penzance from Sep 25 to Oct 25 at Main Stage.

Spokane Children's Theatre presents Disney's High School Musical 2 from October to at TBA.

Spokane Civic Theatre presents Chess in Concert from Oct 30 to Oct 31 at Main Stage.

Best of Broadway presents Disney's The Lion King from Nov 11 to Dec. 6 at INB Performing Arts Center.

Spokane Civic Theatre presents Tuna Christmas/Best Christmas Pagent Ever from Nov 20 to Dec 20 at Main Stage.

Spokane Civic Theatre presents Curtains from Jan 15 to Feb 7 at Main Stage.

Best of Broadway presents Avenue Q from 11-Feb to Feb 14 at INB Performing Arts Center.

Spokane Civic Theatre presents Spitfire Grill from Mar 17 to Apr 11 at Firth Chew Studio Theatre.

May 6: Bernadette Peters

Bernadette Peters is on stage again in the Spokane area, this time at Northern Quest Casino Sunday May 10 (Mother's Day). In honor of the diva, here's an hour of songs from her career. She is also reading from her children's book Broadway Barks on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Valley Barnes & Noble.

Star Tar - Bernadette Peters, Dames at Sea [Original Cast] (That's Entertainment)
There's Something About You - Bernadette Peters; David Christmas, Dames at Sea [Original Cast]
Musical Moon/Oh, You Wonderful Boy/All Aboard for Broadway - Jerry Dodge, Betty Ann Grove, Bernadette Peters, Joel Grey, George M! [Original Cast] (Sony)
Time Heals Everything (Mack and Mabel) - Bernadette Peters, Sondheim, Etc.: Live at Carnegie Hall (Angel)
Sunday in the Park with George - Bernadette Peters, Mandy Patinkin, Sunday in the Park with George [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Tell Me on a Sunday - Bernadette Peters, Song & Dance - The Songs [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Unexpected Song [Song and Dance] - Bernadette Peters, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 1 (404 Music Group/Phillips)
Stay with Me - Bernadette Peters; Pamela Winslow, Into the Woods [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
Last Midnight - Bernadette Peters, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 4
No More - Bernadette Peters, The Goodbye Girl [Broadway Cast] (Columbia)
Doin' What Comes Natur'lly - Bernadette Peters, Annie Get Your Gun [1999 Broadway Revival Cast] (Angel)
Some People - Bernadette Peters, Sondheim, Etc.: Live at Carnegie Hall (Angel)
The Gentleman is a Dope - Bernadette Peters, Bernadette Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein (Angel)
I Haven't Got a Worry in the World - Bernadette Peters, Bernadette Loves Rodgers and Hammerstein (Angel)
Not a Day Goes By - Bernadette Peters, Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Disc 2 (RCA)

Apr 29: Sondheim

Lovely - Ruthie Henshall, Carol Burnett, Cast, Putting It Together (Image Entertainment)
Bring Me My Bride - Cris Grienendaal, Nathan Lane, Cast, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Angel] (Angel)
The Miller's Son - D. Jamin Bartlett, A Little Night Music (That's Entertainment/ Sony)
Kiss Me - Lauren Molina, Benjamin Magnuson, Sweeney Todd [2005 Broadway Revival Cast] Disc 1 (Nonesuch)
You Could Drive a Person Crazy [Company] - Lea Salonga; Maria Friedman; Millicent Martin; Ruthie Henshall, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 2 (404 Music Group/Phillips)
Everybody Loves Louis - Bernadette Peters, Sunday in the Park with George [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
What Can You Lose? - Judy Kuhn, Unsung Sondheim (Fynsworth Alley)
Goodbye for Now [From Reds] - Liz Callaway, Unsung Sondheim (Fynsworth Alley)
Send in the Clowns - Glynis Johns, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 4
I Remember (Evening Primrose) - Megan Mullally, The Sweetheart Break-In
Loving You - Mandy Patinkin, Oscar & Steve (Nonesuch)
Losing My Mind [Follies] - Michael Ball, Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron MacKintosh Disc 2 (404 Music Group/Phillips)
No One is Alone - Barbara Cook, No One Is Alone (DRG)
Free - Nathan Lane, Jim Stanek, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Angel] (Angel)
Pretty Little Picture - Nathan Lane, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum [Angel] (Angel)

Mar 11: Gardens

Winter's on the Wing - The Secret Garden [Original Broadway Cast] (Original Cast Record)
The Springtime Cometh - Irwin Corey, Flahooley
Green-Up Time [From Love Life] - Lotte Lenya, Lotte Lenya Sings American & Berlin Theater Songs of Kurt Weill (Sony)
Hurry! It's Lovely up Here! [From On a Clear Day You Can See Forever] - Bryn Terfel, If Ever I Would Leave You: The Songs Alan Jay Lerner (Polygram)
The flowers that bloom in the spring, tra la - D'Oyly Carte Opera Company, Mikado ()
Edelweiss - Theodore Bikel, The Sound of Music [Original Broadway Cast] [Bonus Tracks] (Sony BMG)
Spring Is Here - Julie Andrews, Broadway: The Music of Richard Rodgers
One More Walk Aroun the Garden - Julie Andrews, Here I'll Stay: The Words of Alan Jay Lerner (Philips)
Come to My Garden/Lift Me Up - The Secret Garden [Original Broadway Cast]
Wick - The Secret Garden [Original Broadway Cast]
Somewhere That's Green (Little Shop Of Horrors) - Ellen Greene, Hey Mr. Producer (404 Music Group/Phillips)
Make Our Garden Grow - New Broadway Cast Recording, Candide (RCA)
The Fantasticks/Plant a Radish - Harvey Schmidt, The Fantasticks [2006 Off Broadway Recording] (Ghostlight)
Mountain Greenery - Dawn Upshaw, Sings Rodgers & Hart
The Apple Tree (Forbidden Fruit) - Larry Byden, The Apple Tree [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
The Spring of Next Year - Joe Masiell, William Larsen, Clifford Fearl, Charles Karel, Zale Kessler, Charles Welch, Dear World [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)

Mar 4: Vincent Youmans

Take a Little One Step - , Lollipop
Tea for Two - No No Nanette
Too Many Rings Around Rosie - No No Nanette
You Can Dance WIth Any Girl At All - Helen Gallagher, No No Nanette 1971 Revival
Telephone Girlie - Bobby Van, No No Nanette 1971 Revival
Hallelujah [From Hit the Deck] - Ann Miller; Clark Burroughs; Debbie Reynolds; Kay Armen; Tony Martin; Vic Damone, Somewhere Over the Rainbow: The Golden Age of Hollywood Musicals Disc 1 (Rhino)
I Know That You Know (Hit the Deck) - Jane Powell; Vic Damone, Romantic Duets from MGM Classics (Turner/Rhino)
Sometimes I'm Happy - Charles King; Louise Groody, Star Spangled Rhythm [Smithsonian] Disc 1 (Smithsonian Collection)
The Carioca Song - Etta Moten, Flying Down to Rio
Flying Down to Rio Song - Fred Astaire, Flying Down to Rio
You're Everywhere - Brent Barrett, Through the Years
Through the Years - Heidi Grant Murphy, Through the Years
Kinda Like You - Hunter Foster, Jennifer Cody, Through the Years
Lucky Bird - Joan Morris, Carioca: Songs Of Vincent Youmans, Vol. 2
Without A Song - Robert White, Orchids in the Moonlight: Songs of Vincent Youmans
Soft Eyes - Vincent Youmans, Carioca: Songs Of Vincent Youmans, Vol. 2

Feb 25: Car Tunes

Henry Ford - Larry Daggett, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Ragtime [Original Broadway Cast Disc 1]
Driving at Night - Cast, State Fair
Waiting for Life - La Chanze, Once on This Island [RCA]
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - Carrie Fletcher; Emma Williams; George Gillies; Michael Ball, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang [Original London Cast]
Travel Hopefully - Don Stephenson; John Scherer; Martin Jarvis, By Jeeves [Original Broadway Cast]
Lovin' Al - Original Cast, Working [Original Cast Recording] (Varese Sarabande)
Brother Trucker - James Taylor, Working
Traffic Jam - James Taylor, Working
Road Kill - Cast, The Great American Trailer Park Musical
Come Up to My Place (Taxi Number) - Cris Alexander; Nancy Walker, On the Town [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony Classical)
On the Highway of Love - Danny Burstein, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Varese Sarabande)
Beep Beep - The Playmates
Greased Lightnin' - Original Broadway Cast, Grease
Alone at a Drive-In Movie - Jim Jacobs, Grease
Wheels - Barbara Walsh, A My Name Will Always Be Alice
Wheels of a Dream - Audra McDonald; Brian Mitchell, Ragtime [Original Cast Recording - RCA] (BMG)

Feb 18: Down With Love

Down with Love - Barbra Streisand, Live in Concert 2006 Disc 1 (Columbia)
You Can Always Count on Me - Randy Graff, City of Angels [Original Broadway Cast] (Columbia)
If - Adolph Green; Betty Comden, Perform Their Own Songs (DRG)
The Love of my Life - Judy Kaye, Brigadoon (Redline)
Making Love Alone - Bernadette Peters, Sondheim, Etc.: Live at Carnegie Hall (Angel)
Economics [From Love Life] - Brent Barrett, The Alan Jay Lerner Album (Fynsworth Alley)
In the Broken Promise Land of Fifteen [from Lolita, My Love] - Brent Barrett, The Alan Jay Lerner Album (Fynsworth Alley)
It Would Have Been Wonderful (from Annie Warbucks) - Jason Graae, You're Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile: The Songs of Charles Strouse
Where Is the Warmth? - Patti LuPone, The Baker's Wife [Original Cast Recording] (Take Home Tunes)
When She Loved Me [From Toy Story 2] - Kerry Butler, Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust (P.S. Classics)
Falling Out of Love Can Be Fun - Mary McCarty, Miss Liberty (Sony Classical)
One Hundred Easy Ways - Kim Criswell, Wonderful Town [1999 Studio Cast] (EMI Classics)Rocks in My Bed - De Shield, Andre; Larry Marshall, Play On [Original Broadway Cast] (Varese)

Feb 11: Broadway In Love

If Ever I Would Leave You (Camelot) - Robert Goulet, Golden Memories of Stage & Screen Disc 1 (RCA)
All the Things You Are - Bruce Hubbard, Great American Songwriters [Capitol] (Capitol)
I Got Lost in His Arms - Mary Martin, Annie Get Your Gun [TV Soundtrack] (Angel)
Unusual Way - Elaine Paige, Jonathan Price, Nine (Sony Classical)
A Quiet Thing - Jim Walton; Karen Ziémba, And the World Goes 'Round
Bill - Christine Andreas, Here's to the Ladies (Image)
What Makes Me Love Him? - Barbara Harris, The Apple Tree [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
I Have a Love [From West Side Story] - Andréa Burns, A Deeper Shade of Red (P.S. Classics)
My Funny Valentine - Kristin Chenoweth, Let Yourself Go (Sony)
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What More Can I Say - Michael Rupert, Falsettoland [Original Off-Broadway Cast] (DRG)
You Walk With Me - Jason Danieley; Ted Sperling; Romain Frugé, The Full Monty [Original Broadway Cast] (RCA)
I Love My Wife - Lenny Baker, I Love My Wife [Orig. Cast] (Disques Swing)
Shouldn't I Be Less in Love With You? - Robert Roznowski, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Varese Sarabande)
The Human Heart - Andrea Frierson, Broadway in Love (RCA)

Jan 28: Baby Songs

Me and My Baby - Ann Reinking, James Naughton, Chicago [RCA]
The Baby Song - Danny Burstein, I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change (Varese Sarabande)
Fandango - Lynne Wintersteller; Richard Muenz, Closer Than Ever [Original Cast] Disc 2 (RCA)
Triplets - Fred Astaire; Jack Buchanan; Nanette Fabray, The Band Wagon (Columbia/Rhino)
It's a Fish - Alan Alda, The Apple Tree [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Go to Sleep, Whatever You Are - Barbara Harris, The Apple Tree [Original Broadway Cast] (Sony)
Somebody Gonna Love You - LaChanze, The Color Purple [Original Broadway Cast] (Angel)
You'll Be In My Heart - Kala, Ensemble, Tarzan: The Musical (Disney Records)
Baby Mine [From Dumbo (1941)] - Betty Noyes, Classic Disney, Vol. 4 (Disney International)
Children Will Listen - Bernadette Peters, Sondheim, Etc., Etc.: Live at Carnegie Hall -- The Rest of It (Angel)
A Father Now - Jerry Colker, 3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down (Jay)
It's a Boy edit - John Cullum, Shenandoah
Soliloquy - John Raitt, Carousel [1965 Broadway Revival Cast] (RCA)
My Child - Blood Brothers [International Cast Recording]
The Story Goes On (Baby) - Liz Callaway, On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On (Varese)
I Won't Mind - Audra McDonald, How Glory Goes (Elektra/Asylum)
Stop, Time - Barbara Walsh, Big (Uptown/Universal)

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)