Coming Soon to My CD Collection, Part 2

OK, so my list of CDs to buy is growing by leaps and bounds these days.  You may recall a previous post where I detailed my need for Memphis and Glory Days.  Not to much later than that, I discussed my need to be prepared for the upcoming musical stage versions of American Idiot and Whisper House by purchasing their "pre-stage version" versions by Green Day and Duncan Sheik, respectively.

Since I have a trip to the city scheduled for Wednesday, one of those on my list, Memphis, will be taken off the list.  Recent events and closings have made me accutely aware of the saying my dad always tells me: "If you want something and you see it and you have the means, buy it right then, because chances are when you go back it won't be there."  And that has been true for me more times than not.  I mean, I hope Memphis  doesn't close, but given my track record with Brighton Beach Memoirs and Ragtime, I'm not taking any chances.  And since the CD is available only online (with outrageous fees) or at the theatre, I'm high-tailing it to the Shubert to buy it!

No sooner have I arranged to take one off my list, I am adding two to my "must buy" list: Finian's Rainbow and A Little Night Music.  I was fortunate enough to see both of these revivals, and both have considerable enough charms to warrant the purchase of the New Broadway Cast Recordings of each. 

Even though I didn't find the production of Finian's Rainbow to be quite the must-see that the critics did, I have always maintained that the revival's chief strong points were the performances of the three leads, Cheyenne Jackson, Kate Baldwin and Jim Norton.  And the ensemble, a huge one, sings excellently as well.  And while I can pretty much guarantee that the CD will not be in heavy rotation in my player for long, I know I will come back to it on occasion.  I am particularly looking forward to the Baldwin/Jackson duet of "Old Devil Moon," and Miss Baldwin's "Glocca Moora."  Recorded on December 7th, PS Classics will release the Revival Cast Recording on February 2.  It is nice to know that the show, which closed Sunday, after only 92 performances and 22 previews, will live on through this recording.

Also on the PS Classics label (in cooperation with the Nonesuch label) will be the Revival Cast Recording of Stephen Sondheim's A Little Night Music, which was recorded January 4th, with no release date yet announced.  The show, which continues to pack them in at the Walter Kerr, is one that I found immensely satisfying, and I hope to see again.  With the talented top-billed trio of Angela Lansbury, Catherin Zeta-Jones and Alexander Hanson, and a host of Broadway's brightest new stars (including Erin Davie, Leigh Ann Larkin and Aaron Lazar) in support, this recording should be dazzling.  I am looking forward most especially to Larkin's "The Miller's Son," Lansbury's "Liaisons," and Zeta-Jones' "Send in the Clowns."  I suspect that, unless the surrounding scene to the latter is included, the number won't quite have the same impact it does in the theatre.  Nonetheless, I am really looking forward to the release of this this recording.

What cast recordings or theatre-related CDs are you looking forward to?  Share your thoughts!  Either leave a message here or email me at jkstheatrescene@yahoo.com.
Jeff