Broadway Bound – The Musicals That Never Came to Broadway
Rob W. Schneider and Charles Kirsch
As we’ve learned from past iterations (six) of this series, that a musical doesn’t reach Broadway is not necessarily a reflection of its quality. Rob W. Schneider, Charles Kirsch, and Michael Lavine manage to unearth worthy songs – most of which are otherwise not performed – as well as stories about just why shows languished out of town. Patter is often as entertaining as vocals.
Highlights:
Christiane Noll
“So Many People” (Saturday Night by Stephen Sondheim) is one of the few songs with which many of us are familiar. In 1960, Jule Styne suggested working on the show, but Sondheim felt his skill had evolved too far to return to it. Hands behind her back, focused on lyrics, Christiane Noll is warm and persuasive. Phrasing is splendid. Soprano floats above Michael Lavine’s gentle chords.
Joe Iconis; Jeremy Morse
Some years ago, Joe Iconis (at the piano) was asked to write an opening song for potential development of a musical based on The Forty Year Old Virgin (a Steve Carell film). “Andy’s song” is performed by Jeremy Morse who sings, tap dances, conjures a bicycle and inhabits a character ostensibly content with only a goldfish for company. A bundle of daffy cheer, the multitalented actor is adorable. In a single turn, Iconis tells us all we need to know.
Michael Thomas Holmes, Klea Blackhurst, Douglas Cohen, Emily Ricaldi
Michael Thomas Holmes, Klea Blackhurst, and Emily Ricaldi – a find, seamlessly stepping in at the last minute, do justice to Douglas Cohen’s “So Much In Common (No Way to Treat a Lady). During a first meeting of the detective character’s fiancé and mother, expectations of disaster are quashed by the women’s unexpected (not always welcome) similarities. Use of Jewish idioms/words is adroit and wry.
The scene is beautifully handled by all.
Steve Ross; Robert Cuccioli
Steve Ross, standing by the piano, performs a quietly poignant “You There in the Back Row” (Home Again, Home Again by Cy Coleman and Barbara Fried). It’s a perfect example of less is more. Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz’s “Like Any Man” (The Hunchback of Notre Dame) finds handsome Robert Cuccioli exposing the heart and soul of misshapen Quasimoto. Emotional shading is empathetic, resonant vocal compelling.
Karen Mason
In Barry Kleinbort and Joseph Thalken’s Was, a 1980s man is determined to prove Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz) existed. The utterly lovely “Time” is performed by thoroughbred Karen Mason who makes it shimmer, a paradigm of sensitivity and restraint.
Michael Lavine jauntily duets with Christine Pedi on “At the Same Time” (Freaky Friday – Tom Kitt and
Brian Yorky) once again contributing skilled accompaniment throughout. The artist shares his idea for a new series featuring songs cut from Broadway Productions – a terrific idea. Stay tuned.
Photos by Maryann Lopinto
Broadway Bound- The Musicals That Never Came to Broadway
Hosts/Producers- Robert W. Schneider, Charles Kirsch
Music Director/Piano- Michael Lavine
Featuring: Klea Blackhurst, LaDonna Burns, Mary Callanan, Douglas J. Cohen, Robert Cuccioli, Michael Thomas Holmes, Joe Iconis, Aaron Jackson, Amy Jo Jackson, Bianca Marroquin, Karen Mason, Neal Mayer, Michael McCoy, Lisa Dawn Miller, Jeremy Morse, Christiane Noll, Christine Pedi, Eve Plumb, Emily Ricaldi, Steve Ross, Stacey Scott, Amy Spanger, Jim Walton
54 Below
254 West 54th Street
