The classic American musical Finian's Rainbow returned to Broadway on October 29, 2009, to rave reviews. The New York Times predicted 'permanent sunshine' for this 'thoroughly winning and joyous' production; Variety hailed... more » it as an 'infectious charmer, with one of Broadway's consistently melodious scores;' while the critic for The Wall Street Journal stated simply, I don't think I've ever seen a more musically satisfying show.' Featuring some of the wittiest, most heartfelt and memorable songs ever written for the stage (including How Are Things in Glocca Morra?, Old Devil Moon, and Look to the Rainbow), Burton Lane and Yip Harburg's score - rendered here by a cast of 29 and a full orchestra -- remains one of Broadway's finest. The acclaimed cast includes Broadway stars Jim Norton, Cheyenne Jackson and Christopher Fitzgerald, plus newcomer Kate Baldwin in a star-making turn. With its sparkling score of beloved standards and a whimsical story that dances between romance, satire and fairy tale, Finian's Rainbow is a musical theater treasure, and this' New Broadway Cast Recording will 'carry you away on a cloud of melody, magic and make-you-swoon performances. (New York Daily News).« less
The classic American musical Finian's Rainbow returned to Broadway on October 29, 2009, to rave reviews. The New York Times predicted 'permanent sunshine' for this 'thoroughly winning and joyous' production; Variety hailed it as an 'infectious charmer, with one of Broadway's consistently melodious scores;' while the critic for The Wall Street Journal stated simply, I don't think I've ever seen a more musically satisfying show.' Featuring some of the wittiest, most heartfelt and memorable songs ever written for the stage (including How Are Things in Glocca Morra?, Old Devil Moon, and Look to the Rainbow), Burton Lane and Yip Harburg's score - rendered here by a cast of 29 and a full orchestra -- remains one of Broadway's finest. The acclaimed cast includes Broadway stars Jim Norton, Cheyenne Jackson and Christopher Fitzgerald, plus newcomer Kate Baldwin in a star-making turn. With its sparkling score of beloved standards and a whimsical story that dances between romance, satire and fairy tale, Finian's Rainbow is a musical theater treasure, and this' New Broadway Cast Recording will 'carry you away on a cloud of melody, magic and make-you-swoon performances. (New York Daily News).
CD Reviews
Best cast album I've ever heard!
I Know Music | NY CITY, NY | 02/04/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Wow! This is a gorgeous recording of a wonderful show! Every song is amazing and the voices are beyond beautiful. I don't know when I've heard a more heartfelt song than "GloccaMora" or a more rousing ensemble number than "Come and Get it Day"! Thank you, thank you for giving us this perfect recording of a fabulous show ... we were lucky enough to get to see the show itself in NYC and this is a very faithful memory of a special hit Broadway show!"
Permanent Sunshine
stycher stevens | new york | 02/04/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This new recording of the revival of Finian's Rainbow is one of the those rare recordings that take you away. This score hasn't had a top rate recording is almost sixty years. The cast that was brought together for this revival is amazing. Their voices are pure gold. I saw the show at the St.James and it was Magical. And now I have the CD to remind me what a fantastic night in the theater it was. They don't write them like this anymore. Congratulations to all that were involved in bringing this treasure back to Broadway. It certainly left Broadway way to soon. Maybe someday it shall come back to Broadway after it wins some Tony Awards in June. We can keep wishing on that rainbow."
Sheer Musical Theatre BLISS!!
I Know Music | 02/05/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Truly, this is one of the finest Broadway scores ever, rendered here with a meticulous attention to detail and excitement that is rare. It is classic in the finest sense of the word, with performances and warmth the likes of which I haven't heard on a cast album CD in YEARS. Buy this only if you love fantastic singing of gorgeous songs. This cast album brings this joyous musical straight to 2010, and indeed, beyond, for this CD is one for the AGES! If you saw it live, (I did!) you'll smile and remember how lovely it was, if you didn't, you'll kick yourself, but it's almost as good as being there!"
One of the Best Broadway Cast Recordings Ever
Steven W. Turnbull | New York | 02/04/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I just listened to the cast recording straight through, and then again a second time, and was completely transformed to another place and time. When I saw the recent Broadway production (which definitely lived up to its rave reviews), I frankly knew little about the show or the score, perhaps because the show has not been revived in decades. But the tunes were familiar, they were brilliantly, lavishly, tenderly and enthusiastically performed by an outstanding cast, and I felt that were it possible, Yip Harburg and Burton Lane (the lyricist and composer) would have sent down a rainbow to show their approval. I'm so grateful that the musical director preserved the integrity of the original score and didn't attempt to update it with a more contemporary finish, and that Harburg's and Lane's spirit was so marvelously and magically captured. Classics should be respected as such, and this cast album has preserved for generations to come some of the most brilliant gems of American musical theater."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1