#70 Musings Beyond the Bunker (Saturday June 26)
Good morning!
MORE BROADWAY
I got a lot of responses about the Broadway musicals last week.
Bridget Gless Keller enjoyed Neil Patrick Harris doing “Being Alive” from Company. But she also reminded me of the classic performance by Dean Jones, the original “Bobby.” Her question, “How many times have you listened to Dean Jones singing “Being Alive” on YouTube?” The answer is I can’t remember how many. It’s that good:
Dean Jones, famous for his many Disney comedies, nailed the part of Bobby. He and the original cast were filmed recording the album. It remains one of the best—and most talked about—documentaries of all time. The interaction of Steven Sondheim (composer/lyricist), Hal Prince (Director) and the incredible cast, as well as the sound engineers, makes this a study in how “art is made.” If you haven’t seen it, you really must. If you have, it’s time to see it again. It’s on Criterion. Here’s an article about it (with some excerpts): https://www.vox.com/culture/2020/6/12/21288505/original-cast-album-company-1970-documentary-now-co-op-streaming
Here’s “You Can Drive a Person Crazy,” sung by a group of Bobby’s ex-lovers, from the filming of the cast album:
. The Producer’s commentary during recording is a great addition, as are the multiple takes in this seven-minute clip from the documentary.
Curiously, shortly after filming the cast album, Dean Jones had other film commitments and asked to be let out of his contract. Director Hal Prince agreed to do so; provided Jones perform for the first month of the Broadway run.
Finally, here’s the recent cast of Company doing a “virtual performance” of the eponymous song, “Company” reimagined with a female Bobby: https://www.onstageblog.com/editorials/2020/6/12/the-cast-of-broadways-company-present-special-virtual-performance. It’s spectacular and reminds us that only a few weeks ago, we were all still in our bunkers, still masking up everywhere, but providing human connections in creative ways.
FIDDLER
Debbee Klein reminds me that Fiddler on the Roof was a monumental part of the American musical canon. Entire generations of couples have been married to the tune of “Sunrise, Sunset,” the most beautiful of songs of reminiscence of a life well-lived in the rearing of children, and the passing of days that must be cherished in celebrations great and small. Here is an excerpt from the 2015 revival, performed for the Tony’s:
JUDY COLLINS
Finally, Paul Kanin points out the extraordinary talent of Judy Collins, suggesting her version of “Send in the Clowns” is masterful. He says this confirms why Stephen Stills wrote “Suite Judy Blue Eyes” for her.
Have a great weekend,
Glenn
FROM THE ARCHIVES