Stage to Disc - In The Heights

In The Heights (Ghostlight Records 8-4428/2CD), this year’s Tony winner for Best Musical, is one of the most vibrant Broadway scores of recent times. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, who also stars as the central character Usnavi, the work is an exuberant and emotional look at Latin culture undergoing change in New York City. The company number “Carnival del Barrio” absolutely pulses with life, Mandy Gonzalez wrings every bit of emotion out of “Everything I Know,” as do Karen Olivo and Lin-Manuel Miranda with “Champagne.” A Chorus Line veteran Priscilla Lopez scores big-time with “Enough.” ****

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific (Sony/BMG 88697-30457-2) has been around for 59 years, but this is its first Broadway revival. The score has never sounded better, with a 30-piece orchestra playing the original Robert Russell Bennett orchestrations. Brazilian opera star Paulo Szot, as Emile de Becque, has a glorious voice. His two solos, “Some Enchanted Evening” and “This Nearly Was Mine,” are stunning. Likewise Kelli O’Hara is the perfect Nellie Forbush. She breathes new life into “A Wonderful Guy,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” and “Honey Bun.” This is the most complete recording of the score with all the reprises and features “My Girl Back Home,” which was cut from the original. ****

Richard Rodgers also has a connection to Adrift In Macao, which has music by his grandson, Peter Melnick, with book and lyrics by Christopher Durang. The Off-Broadway show is an affectionate parody of Film Noir movies of the 40s and 50s (think Shanghai Express), with a cast of seven and a tight musical ensemble which makes good use of a sax for the period sound. The opening number “In A Foreign City (In A Slinky Dress)” certainly sets the scene, the title song is fun, and the smoky late-night blues ballad to lost love, “So Long,” is a tongue-in-cheek hoot. ***

Peter Rutherford and James Millar’s The Hatpin (NGP01 9369999 007645), which had a brief Sydney season in February, has been given a handsome original cast recording thanks to Kookaburra National Musical Theatre Company. This dark chamber opera is based on a true story of a young single mother in 1892 who pays a couple to look after her baby, only to discover later they have murdered him. The show featured Caroline O’Connor and it is her work that stands out on this CD. She delivers “Bad Fruit” with gusto and theatrical savvy, and is plaintive and warm on “The Hand Of Courage.” The score frequently nods to Sondheim, but lacks his melodic and verbal dexterity. It’s well sung, with excellent orchestrations, and a worthy addition to the Australian musical theatre canon. ***

“One Shot At Today,” cut from The Hatpin, also features on Tyran Parke – Sunday In The Parke (TPCD001), as does “Just Say,” a song dropped from Metro Street, plus “Finishing The Hat” and “Lesson #8” from Sunday In The Park With George, in which Parke recently starred. Parke, a young cabaret/theatre performer knows how to interpret a lyric with honesty and heart, and will win a whole new legion of fans with this splendid album of contemporary theatre songs. Accompanied by a small orchestra heavy on strings, it’s a CD that will bear repeated listening. ****

Rating *Only for the enthusiast ** Borderline *** Worth buying **** Must have ***** Kill for it.

Peter Pinne