Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse's book for this zany "roaring '20s" show (it opened in 1926) came complete with mistaken identities, bootlegers, and, of course, triumphant love. But what makes it endearing to this day are th... more »e Gershwins' fanciful and witty songs. In the title role, soprano Dawn Upshaw confirms that she's one of the few classically trained singers who can "cross over" and sound natural in a musical ("Maybe," "Someone to Watch over Me"). The ace cast also includes Kurt Ollmann ("Dear Little Girl," "Do, Do, Do" with Upshaw), Robert Westenberg, and Liz Larsen. The Orchestra of St. Luke's, conducted by Eric Stern, works wonders with the fully restored score, and swings handsomely on "Clap Yo' Hands." Nicely recorded and packaged (lyrics included!), this is a keeper. --Elisabeth Vincentelli« less
Guy Bolton and P.G. Wodehouse's book for this zany "roaring '20s" show (it opened in 1926) came complete with mistaken identities, bootlegers, and, of course, triumphant love. But what makes it endearing to this day are the Gershwins' fanciful and witty songs. In the title role, soprano Dawn Upshaw confirms that she's one of the few classically trained singers who can "cross over" and sound natural in a musical ("Maybe," "Someone to Watch over Me"). The ace cast also includes Kurt Ollmann ("Dear Little Girl," "Do, Do, Do" with Upshaw), Robert Westenberg, and Liz Larsen. The Orchestra of St. Luke's, conducted by Eric Stern, works wonders with the fully restored score, and swings handsomely on "Clap Yo' Hands." Nicely recorded and packaged (lyrics included!), this is a keeper. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Buff Skidmark | The World's Egg Basket, CA USA | 11/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Having had the good fortune to see this with dazzling pianist Kevin Cole (featured here) at the keyboard, this recording is extra-special. Buy this if for nothing else than Upshaw's exquisite "Someone To Watch Over Me" that showcases the song, not the singer, but you'll listen to every song with pleasure. This is Ira at his best: "It's never too late to Mendelssohn, Two hearts are at journey's endelssohn..." George, of course, is in prime form. The rest of the cast sings,, and acts, as well as Upshaw, for there's a goodly amount of dialogue here. This is, hands down, my favorite of the Roxbury recordings."
I beg to differ
Buff Skidmark | 02/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The only reviewer of this piece prior to me dislikes this recording. I happen to feel it is the just about the most charming of this (now sadly interrupted) series of recordings. Is "Do, do, do" triply dumb? Not as sung here, at least. It's a 1920's pop song which should be accepted for what it is. The whole recording gives a really good idea of what a successful musical of that period was all about. The finish given the choral numbers is sparkling. Anyone who sometimes wonders if the American musical comedy began to die with "Oklahoma" will enjoy this evocation of a time when the form was truly alive."
Oh, Kay is JUST O. K., With Me.
Bob Prochko | Michigan, USA | 06/07/2005
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This reconstruction of Oh, Kay! is a neat and workmanlike job. Miss Upshaw is in fine form, and the supporting cast is good, but the show perhaps looses some of its considerable period charm through the distinctly modern vocal and orchestral performances. One only needs to compare the performances on this disc to those waxed eighty years ago by Miss Lawrence, and a number of other period recordings, notably the Victor "Gems from OH, KAY!" to see the effects of overly slow tempi (for example, Do, Do, Do) and an utter lack of understanding of the type of syncopated music written by the Gershwins (Clap Yo' Hands was intended to be an uptempo production number, not a Minsterel Shout). Perhaps performance practice has changed so very much that an accurate reconstruction can no longer be attempted."
A Sparkling Studio Recording of a 1920s Hit
J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 09/10/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I recently finished reading (and panning) Denny Martin Flinn's history of popular musical theater. In it he comments repeatedly that studio recordings of Broadway musicals come up short. And that is certainly true in some instances (Bernstein's studio recording of 'West Side Story' leaps to mind) but of course there were no original cast recordings for musicals from the 20s. There is a 1950s studio recording of this George and Ira Gershwin musical but I've not heard it. But I've owned the present recording for years and it never fails to please me. In reaction to Flinn's sour attitude about studio recordings I pulled it out again today and must say I've been charmed all over again. Not only is the orchestra (the Orchestra of St. Luke's under the direction of Eric Stern [Isaac Stern's son, by the way]) terrific, as one would expect. The singers are simply marvelous. Leading the cast is that magnificent soprano, Dawn Upshaw, who seems to be able to sing just about anything, popular or classical. Her light, lyric voice and her pert vocal acting is just right for the part of Kay. And she is wonderfully partnered by Kurt Ollmann, no stranger to Broadway and the possessor of a beautiful light baritone voice which he knows how to use in the Broadway style. Surprise participants are the 'Queen of the Soaps', Susan Lucci, as Constance, and veteran Fritz Weaver as her father. And another is Alan Arkin as Shorty.
But of course the main reason to hear this CD is those songs -- my goodness, they don't write 'em like this any more -- like 'Do, Do, Do', 'Clap Yo' Hands', 'Dear Little Girl' 'Maybe', the jazzy 'Fidgety Feet', and 'Someone to Watch Over Me.' All the lyrics are printed in the CD booklet.
I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with this recording.