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)