A fringe benefit of the CD era is the theme for this week’s Dress Circle (4/29 7:00 p.m.). The standard LP could hold about 44 minutes of music, so when CDs arrived that could hold 80 minutes, record labels were in a quandary: Should they just ignore the remaining time or try to fill it with something? We’re very happy that they filled it with something that those of us who love musicals are thrilled to have: Bonus tracks – alternate takes, cut songs, songs left off of the LP because of time constraints, demo recordings, and interviews with stars and creators.
We’ll be looking at just a few bonus tracks including a “Symphonic Picture of The Sound of Music” and a reprise of “How Are Things in Gloca Morra?” left off the original cast recording of “Finian’s Rainbow.” From a re-issue of the original cast of “Hello, Dolly!”, we’ll hear two tracks written for and performed by the star who was meant to be the original Dolly, Ethel Merman. We’ll also hear some delightful stories about the creation of Dolly from Carol Channing. If you’re a fan of Richard Rodgers, you’ll also hear a discarded track from the original TV production of “Cinderella” entitled “Mother and Daughter March.” There will also be some lost music from Styne and Sondheim’s “Gypsy” and a demo recording performed by creators Ed Kleban and Marvin Hamlisch for their legendary show, “A Chorus Line.” Join us for an evening of lost treasures (and some other pieces) this Sunday. Thank you again for being a part of the Dress Circle’s musical family.
