Search - Jim Steinman (Composer), Ray Errol Fox (Lyricist), Bobby Blume :: The Confidence Man

The Confidence Man

Phyllis M. | New York, NY USA | 03/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When a friend gave me "The Confidence Man" as a Christmas gift, he advised me that I would be in for a treat. I was somewhat skeptical since I had never heard of it, but since it was based on a Herman Melville novel, I was intrigued. And it had music by Jim Steinman. I liked the story, of course, and the music, but it was the lyrics (by Ray Eroll Fox) that captivated me. They are witty, literate and consistently surprising. I find something new to admire every time I listen. Anyone into American musical theater shouldn't be without this one!"

Loved it so much I got the rights!

James P. Updike | Cincinnati, OH | 05/25/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Upon hearing this musical I loved it so much I went out and got the rights to direct it onstage this October in Cincinnati! I was always a fan of Jim Steinman's music, but I now also have a great respect for the lyrics of Ray Fox. Fox is a wordsmith much in the tradition of Stephen Sondheim, with intricate wordplay and quick patter. I would suspect that it was his early work with Fox on this project that led Steinman himself into developing into a world class, phrase twisting. lyricist himself. And of course you have Steinman's great ear for melody, but with a much different feel than his Rock music. A great lost treasure of American theater (come see it in October!)"

The Confidence Man

RLetizia | Neverland | 04/02/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the undiscovered classics of the century. I hope to produce the first Australian production in November 2005. This show has a long and winding history, but I'll leave all that to the liner notes. Ray Errol Fox is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. I have never seen another talent like him - expect for Rupert Holmes - and these are the men I hold among my chief inspiration. Jim Steinman, the composer, whom many of you will remember from Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell has actually re-used many of these tunes in his subsequent projects. If you want the original version of his closing song from Pandora's Box, listen to Track One. "Milady" and "Something of this Masquerade may Follow" were re-used for TANZ DER VAMPIRE. Thank God this was finally released. It's a beautiful, heroic and courageous, discovered-at-last masterpiece of American musical theater."