Search - Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II :: Me And Juliet (1953 Original Broadway Cast)

Not Great, Not Bad

Bradley Cooper | 07/25/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The show and score of "Me and Juliet" are mainly memorable for the fact that they represent Oscar Hammerstein's first foray into the genre of musical comedy. Unlike Rodgers' former partner, Lorenz Hart, Hammerstein did not have the gift of musical comedy wit. But when it comes to dramatic musicals, nobody does it better than Hammerstein. There are some good numbers here -- "A Very Special Day," "That's the Way it Happens," "Marriage Type Love," "The Big, Black Giant," "No Other Love" -- and one very interesting departure for R&H -- "Intermission Talk" -- but it all lacks the drama and polish of the great R&H scores. It also has the honor of showcasing the dubious singing talent of Joan McCracken. Joan may have been a great dancer, but a great chanteuse she ain't. Overall, it is a decent score that serves to remind the audience that, while Rodgers felt comfortable with the musical comedy genre, Hammerstein never seemed to grasp it. Keep in mind, by the way, that I am a HUGE fan of Oscar Hammerstein, I just don't think he was the right author/lyricist for this work."

Pleasant, though not essential

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 01/23/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"ME AND JULIET is pretty much forgotten today. It is a light musical comedy with a pleasant score and a weak book. There was no movie or TV version. There was no London production, and no Broadway revivals to yield new recordings. Just this original cast album recorded a few days after the opening night. Several of the songs are performed as part of the show-within-the show, and have no real character relevance, so they remain pleasant songs:"Marriage Type Love", "No Other Love", and "Keep it Gay." The character songs are actually more interesting: "That's the Way it happens" and especially "It's Me" are revealing studies, and "Intermission Talk" is fun - a sly poke at 1950s theatre audiences. It makes an enjoyable listen, yet you get the sense that Rodgers and Hammerstein were taking a break from their more serious shows. The original Lp went out-of-print a few years after the show closed. Victor reissued it briefly in the 1960s, and then released ths CD edition in 1993. It too has now been discontinued. Do not pay top dollar for a copy... the sound quality leaves a lot to be desired, and it no doubt will be reissued again before too long."

Charming but lacking

Michael K. Halloran | 10/21/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was Rodgers and Hammerstein's first foray into pure musical comedy (as distinguished from the musical plays they had been writing), and it was not a success. The story was slight, and is essentially a retelling of the "Oklahoma" love triangle. However, the score is quite enjoyable, with fun numbers like "That's the Way it Happens," and "It's Me." Also, any show that contains "No Other Love," one of the loveliest ballads R & H ever wrote, cannot be dismissed entirely. "Me and Juliet" lacks the depth and brilliance of "Carousel" or "The King and I," but it is quite likable on its own merits."