Search - Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner, Alfred Drake :: Gigi: The 1974 Original Broadway Cast Recording

A total 'must' in any Lerner & Loewe collection

Gehan Cooray | 05/28/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I can't imagine why this cast recording is so unappreciated, underrated & forgotten. The 1958 film version of GIGI was one of the best film musicals ever, and I have no doubt that the stage version(written and put out on Broadway in 1973) is one of the best stage musicals by Lerner & Loewe. The score is definitely right up there with "My Fair Lady" and "Camelot", and undoubtedly one of the most memorable/unforgettable, most delightful and best scores ever written. And if you loved all the songs in the film version, then you'll adore them here as well because Lerner & Loewe really expanded the score & renewed it beautifully. First off, they added four marvelous new songs: "Paris is Paris Again"(sung by Honore about the wonderful life in Paris. *Utterly* delightful) "The Earth and Other Minor Things"(sung by Gigi, who understands the life set for her but feels lost in it. *Utterly* beautiful) "The Contract"(Aunt Alicia and Mamita meet Gaston's solicitor and lawyer to draw up a contract for assuming responsibility of Gigi. Utterly hilarious) and "Wide, Wide World"(Gigi has a change of heart, and describes her feelings to Gaston. This really isn't as good as the other 3 new songs, but still deeply touching & moving, and great in expressing the way Gigi feels). Not only the addition of songs, but songs like "It's A Bore" "She's Not Thinking Of Me" and "I'm Glad I'm Not Young Anymore" are much extended with brand new verses in addition to the ones in the film. Pity they had to drop "The Parisians" and "Say A Prayer For Me Tonight" though, which were also two of Lerner & Loewe's best songs. Oh well - at least they were replaced with four other marvelous songs. And now onto the performers. Alfred Drake was Tony nominated for this I believe, and he's absolutely marvelous here. Even though it's been like 30 years since he starred in his other unforgettable musicals such as OKLAHOMA and KISS ME KATE, his voice is still as powerful, grand & awesome as ever. Undoubtedly one of the best stage musical actors ever, and it's an absolute crime for all his fans to miss him here - He's 'utterly' thrilling, memorable & charismatic as Honore. And Karin Wolfe is 'utterly' charming & touching as Gigi, with a truly 'beautiful' voice(same thing should be said for Amanda Waring's Gigi on the Original London cast recording). As for Daniel Massey as Gaston, he too give quite an entertaining, admirable & memorable performance, but I can kinda take him or leave him because he also appears to clown around quite a bit. I certainly prefer Geoffrey Burridge from the OLC. And then there's Maria Karnivola as Mamita & Agnes Moorehead as Alicia, who were both really great, really memorable & delightful. Fans of Ms. Karnivola and Ms. Moorehead will truly *love* them here. One thing that has to be mentioned, is the fact that all the characters are portrayed *very* much differently here from the way they were portrayed in the film by Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jordan, Isabel Jeans and Hermione Gingold(and of course, no one will ever top them). But despite how very different the performers are here, they still should be appreciated strictly on their own right because they're still very original & really great. And the orchestrations are positively beautiful & glorious and not to be missed(undoubtedly up there with the MY FAIR LADY and CAMELOT orchestrations, if not even better). And in addition to all of this, there are really great, really informative & really interesting liner notes inside in a booklet which provide a lot of information and lots of great pieces of trivia...if only they'd included a synopsis and the song lyrics as well. So I definitely think that everyone who loves Lerner & Loewe, are fans of the film version of GIGI and the other L & L musicals such as MFL and CAMELOT, should get this without the least hesitation because they really don't know what they're missing. It has to be one of the most memorable, delightful & best cast recordings. And after you get this, I really recommend the Original London Cast Recording too - which came out 12 yrs later."

A lovely Lerner-Loewe score

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 12/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"GIGI, the sparkling film musical based on Colette's novella, was turned into a Broadway stage version in 1973. It proved a rather problematic production and shuttered after a little more than three months after opening at the Uris (now Gershwin) Theatre.Karin Wolfe, as the title character, proves to be a delight, singing "The Earth and Other Minor Things" as well as the sobering "In This Wide, Wide World". Karin Wolfe was a Broadway veteran having made her debut in the original BYE BYE BIRDIE. I recently tried to track her down on the Internet...she is now a top employee in a leading New York realitor! What a career move!Daniel Massey is a top choice for the wordly-weary Gaston, singing "It's a Bore" and "She is Not Thinking of Me" with a deft ear for timing and comedy.In his last Broadway role, legendary Alfred Drake (KISS ME KATE, KISMET and OKLAHOMA!) is a delight as Honore. "Paris is Paris Again" receives top treatment in his clarion vocal style.Also in the cast are Agnes Moorehead (as Aunt Alicia) and Maria Karnilova (the original Tessie Tura in GYPSY) as Mamita Alvarez.A top cast in a delightful musical."

Right up to par with other Lerner and Loewe works

Pope | Wisconsin, United States | 01/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although GIGI stands in the imposing shadows of MY FAIR LADY, CAMELOT, and BRIGADOON, it is one of their best scores. Beginning with the sweeping Overture, GIGI stands up there as one of L&L's best. The cast here is wonderful, and we have the excellent Alfred Drake, who starred in OKLAHOMA, KISS ME KATE, AND KISMET. One often wonders why this is one of Lerner and Loewe's most obscure shows. It was originally written as a successful movie musical for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1958 and came to Broadway in 1973, closing after just over 100 performances (compared with over 2,700 for MY FAIR LADY). Despite the failure it was on Broadway, GIGI is a must in any Lerner and Loewe collection."