The Eclectic Musical Theatre Radio Show - EPISODE THREE
Your Musical Theatre Soundtrack For The Week Ahead
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Here’s the link to this week’s music:
SPOTIFY Eclectic Musical Theatre Episode 3
EPISODE THREE
Eleven Days -Ruthie Ann Miles FROM Here Lies Love (Original Cast Recording)
Currently ripping it up in Broadway with the incredible Arielle Jacobs leading the show, Here Lies Love is great step forward for musical theatre. Set in a club type ambience with an entirely Filipino cast the show tells the story of the Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos who led, terrorised and robbed the Philippines until they were forcibly removed in an uprising. Can’t wait for the Broadway Cast Recording but this version with Ruthie Ann Miles is still fantastic
Out of Your Head - Ariana De Bose and Bobby Conte Thornton FROM A Bronx Tale (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
Based on a movie based on Chaz Palmintieri’s play of the same A Bronx Tale is a great show that had a wonderful cast (it also featured Nick Cordero), and featured a retro-pop score by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. was co-directed by Robert de Niro and had a decent run of 700 performances on Broadway. It is well worth checking out.
Haled’s Song About Love - Ar’iel Stachel & Etai Benson FROM The Band’s Visit (Original Broadway Cast Recording)
This beautiful show is set in Israel and is the most eloquent description of how much stronger is that which we have in common than that which divides us. While much of the attentions rests with Dina and Tewfiq there is so much to learn from younger character Haled and the friendship he builds with his Israeli counterpart Papi. This tender song is built on a kind of male bragadaccio as Haled explains how to treat women after having explained that his marriage is arranged but he sings one of the most beautiful lines ever in a song about love “not break the ice, but melt the ice”
Something Broke - The Assassins Company FROM Assassins (2004 Broadway Revival Cast Recording)
A show about politics and what drives people to commit political violence, Assassins, has truths to tell about society every time it is produced. Something Broke takes the trivial everyday actions that remind us where we were when something major happened. In this case the assassination of a President changes things for ever and in this song we hear the reactions and opinions of a people in different times and locations responding in a multitude of ways.
What’s The Buzz / Strange Thing Mystifying - Keith Burns and the Company FROM Jesus Christ Superstar (20th Anniversary Cast Recording
Before Andrew Lloyd Webber became middle brow and middle of the road he worked with Tim Rice on a full on rock opera featuring proper rock players and songs. It is hard to understate the controversy stirred up by this story of Jesus Christ’s last days told from Judas Iscariot’s perspective. This is one of the greatest shows ever written in terms of force, energy and daring. While the TV and stadium versions are interesting and the movie is off its head (but worth seeing) this is a show that seen live will have you reaching for a glass of scotch and a Marlboro light at the end.
Easy -Alexia Khadime FROM After You (Original Cast Recording)
A beautiful one act show that played at Crazy Coqs, onboard the Queen Mary 2 liner and online from the London Coliseum. Written by Alex Parker and Katie Lam it tells a love story that nearly is. What happens when you are already in a committed relationship but your head is turned? This song is one of the sexiest and romantic in musical theatre. I dare you not to have your head turned as Alexia Khadime breathes“ I know its easy with him…It easy in a way I’ve never known”
Darkness and Trees - The Company FROM Come From Away (Original Broadway Cast)
This song is so often overlooked which is a shame because it perfectly sums up fear and disorientation caused by an event that was so far out of everyone’s experience or imagination. People who an hour before were just passengers and crew planes heading home, or to work or on vacation are now refugees, terrorist suspects and outsiders -there are no touchpoint for them to understand where they are or what is happening - all they can see is Darkness and Trees.
Playbill - Patti Lupone FROM The Album Matters of the Heart Album
Written by John Bucchino this is a very New York song that starts with the line ‘I flashed the Playbill from that Sondheim show…Isn’t it encouraging that love can be blind?’ This beautiful and eloquent song jumps off from Sondheim’s Passion to launch into a soliloquy about falling in love with someone who you think is too beautiful for you, too young or too much for you. Disarmingly vulnerable.
I Didn’t Plan It - Keala Settle FROM Waitress (Original Broadway Cast)
Waitress is a show that fights back against the judgement that women face. In this song Becky (Keala Settle) asks why she should have to apologise for having an affair with her boss Cal. She is in an unhappy and unsatisfying marriage with no way out and had not planned to have an affair but it satisfies her entirely natural desires. She accepts that ‘Its not right but it’s mine and it’s finally something to feel’ - we’ve come along way since I Could Have Dance All Night!
No Llores Por Mi Argentina - Elena Roger FROM Evita (New Broadway Cast Recording)
Argentinian actress Elena Roger was incredible in this 2012 Broadway Revival of Evita that also featured Ricky Martin. By singing the show’s anthem in Spanish Ms Roger gives the song new power, depth and meaning. Even though the original was written by the most English of writers this versions feels authentic and as if the song has come home to its rightful place. Preciosa!
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