Search - Richard Rodgers :: No Strings (1962 Original Broadway Cast)

The sublime Diahann Carroll is Matched by Richard Kiley

Oliver Penn | 12/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a very young guy, I saw the touring company of "No Strings" which starred Howard Keel and Barbara McNair. I had seen Diahann Carroll on the Ed Sullivan Show doing a number from the show and she was, of course, superb.I loved the show and the songs. Richard Kiley had one of the great voices of Broadway and Diahann Carroll actually "lives" her lyric in everything she sings. Personally, I think the show's songs are "typical Broadway". That doesn't bother me, I love "typical Broadway".Carroll's reading of "You Don't Tell Me" is worth it all. I love "Look No Further" and "No Strings". Richard Rogers' score was wonderful and the production was different and interesting to watch.I have the old lp, but just ordered the CD along with another favorite, but "lost" show, "Flora, The Red Menace" starring the incredibly young, Liza Minelli and surprisingly engaging singer, Bob Dishy. Great songs.Later, I had the pleasure of seeing Diahann Carroll in person at the Persian Room (Plaza Hotel) in New York. As expected, she was a dynamite performer and garnered deserved standing ovations. Plus, she was one of the most beautiful creatures God ever created. No wonder Richard Rogers loved her so!"

Bright and fresh adult musical - Rodgers only solo work

A. Andersen | Bellows Falls, VT USA | 07/30/1998

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Other than five songs donated to the STATE FAIR film remake, this is the only score that is entirely Richard Rodgers' - music and lyrics. It's a return to the freeweeling style he shared with Larry Hart. Bright, breezy, brassy. The orchestrations (without string instruments ala the title)are unusual and intriguing. Diahann Carroll shines in her Tony Award-winning role. The rest of the cast fares less well and about a third of the songs "don't work". The rest however is sublime. Very worthy of one's attention."