110 in the Shade / Various

Amazon.com While 110 in the Shade isn't as familiar to audiences as Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones's The Fantasticks (but then what is?), the original Broadway production was a modest success in 1963 and this 1999 studio recording makes a compelling case for its evocative and beautiful music. Based on N. Richard Nash's play The Rainmaker, it's set in a western state in the middle of a devastating drought. Enter a stranger (Ron Raines) who promises to bring rain, but first must convince the town spinster (Karen Ziemba, 2000 Tony winner for Contact) of his powers--and of course romance ensues. (Music Man, anyone?) This excellent studio cast (also including Richard Muenz and Walter Charles, plus Kristin Chenoweth in a cameo) features a number of principals from the 1992 New York City Opera revival, and the two-disc set incorporates new songs from that production as well as transitional music and underscoring to create a complete recording that is a near-theatrical experience. The choral and orchestral work is outstanding, and the beautiful booklet includes a detailed synopsis, an essay on Schmidt and Jones as well as new notes by both, and photographs, but no lyrics. As an extra treat, though, the booklet also has Schmidt's striking paintings, which he used to help him visualize certain scenes as he was composing. This is very simply one of JAY's best releases ever. --David Horiuchi Product Description This cult classic Broadway Musical previously only enjoyed an abridged cast album. JAY's first complete recording of the score is the answer to this masterworks legion of fans hungry for alternative recordings of it since it's Broadway debut in 1963. The 2 CD set contains over 40 minutes of previously unrecorded material including those that were added to the New York City Opera's revival a few years ago. Hit songs include IS IT REALLY ME? IT'S GONNA BE ANOTHER HOT DAY and LITTLE RED SHOES. Composer Harvey Schmidt and lyricist Tom Jones also wrote Broadway's longest running musical The Fantasticks which is still running after 46 years. The starry cast includes Ron Raines with Karen Ziemba (currently wowing audiences on Broadway in CHICAGO) and Richard Muenz repeating their roles from the New York City Opera production. Recorded in London and New York.