THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD is getting a cast recording

[loliveve]

TheBalladeer: I went to the show to buy a window card while it was going on, and a merch guy came into the lobby and sold it to me. You just have to ask one of the people in the lobby, and they will gladly go get a CD and someone to take your money! What was nice for me is that it was at the point in the show where they were just beginning to vote (it's broadcast into the lobby) and they let me stay to watch, so I found out who the murderer was that night (but didn't abuse it to stay and watch any more) :)

[choitoy]

How's the booklet for the CD? I'm so sad that Roundabout didn't do a souviner program, as I think a lot of the costumes and design elements are gorgeous. Are there pictures/synopsis/lyrics (though if the lyrics aren't there, I'm not going to be as worried about it, since the recent OBC release had lyrics).

[Kelly2]

The booklet is lovely, it contains quite a few production shots and detailed synopsis. It's very nicely laid out. But no, there are no lyrics.

[TheBalladeer]

Picked this up this afternoon - it is glorious!!!!

Listening to it now, but I definitely see what Kelly2 was talking about in regards to hearing things in the orchestration that you might not have heard in the theatre. Particular examples are "A British Subject" and "A Man Could Go Quite Mad".

More later...I am still listening! LOL!

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[jacobsnchz14]

Are these new things in the orchestrations good, bad, or just different sounding? Lol.

[Joviedamian]

I am very tempted to buy a plan ticket to NYC (live in California) and purchase the album at the theater. I just can't wait to hear it!!

[TheBalladeer]

@jacobsnchez:

The "additions" are not bad, just different. I am pretty sure they were always in the orchestration, but one would not hear all the instruments as a whole in the theatre, I suspect because they are split between house left and house right. So there is the possibility of missing certain instruments depending on where you have sat in the theatre.

Anyway, highlights include:

- There You Are - sounds great
- Moonfall - beautifully sung, interesting little nuances in orchestration I have never heard in the theatre
- Moonfall Quartet - gorgeous!
- Ceylon/A British Subject - sounded great, a little slower that what is usually heard at the theatre, I think
- The Name of Love/Moonfall - perfection!!!
- Out On A Limerick: Helena - loved it, loved the vocals, and hearing the orchestra full and pulsating under certain musical phrases.
- Murderer Confessions - All of them are fantastic, and the orchestra sounds great on each one. Special mention to Rosa's, Helena's, and Durdles' which I especially enjoyed.

I'm a dork. But I love this show and this amazing cast!

Cheers,
The Balladeer

[Kelly2]

I wouldn't say worse, just different. Some of the tempos felt odd to me too, the confessions, especially Helena's, felt really fast. Whereas, I agree, Ceylon/A British Subject and No Good Can Come From Bad felt slower. Not bad or good, just noticeable.

[Emmaloucbway]

I was able to go to the theatre today to buy the cast album. It's so easy if you don't have a ticket, just ask one of the ushers/ticket-takers and someone will escort you to the merch booth, then you can buy the cd. And the cast album is excellent. I'm already addicted!! This show (and cast) is amazing!! One of my newest Broadway obsessions!

[Joviedamian]

I can't wait TWO weeks for the CD....I need it now....

[TheBalladeer]

I forgot to mention in my haste how AMAZING Stephanie J. Block sounds in everything she sings....Will Chase also sings the $h*t out of his songs too! What a cast...really one of the BEST in recent years!

Cheers,
TheBalladeer

[CATSNYrevival]

I wish they would have recorded more dialogue. Or at least SOME dialogue.

Other than that I really like it. Like everyone has said, the cast is superb and Stephanie sounds flawless. I just wish the cast recording was as joyous and funny as the show is. Those aspects don't really come across just listening to the songs by themselves. Some dialogue might have helped.

Additionally, I'm a little confused about the length of the CDs. When you add them together it's about 72 minutes. Wouldn't that have fit on one CD? Why did they waste money pressing a second disc and needlessly spreading the content over two CDs when it would all fit on one?

[nasty_khakis]

Any chance someone could PM me with a link...if you know what I mean?? Please? I can't wait! lol

[Joviedamian]

^^^ I totally agree...but I am willing to pay for it! I just want to hear what everyone is talking about!

[nasty_khakis]

I too am willing to pay for it, I, in fact, pre-ordered it. I would just like to hear it now without paying $45 in the theatre. I'm too excited!

[Joviedamian]

It's $45 dollars in the theater? Damn!

[ghostlight2]

It's $35 at the theater.

[Joviedamian]

$35 is not bad! Worth the investment!

[CATSNYrevival]

If you like lots of dialogue it's not worth it. You'll be disappointed.

[ghostlight2]

CATSNYrevival, you really are being a sourpuss about this

[CATSNYrevival]

Sorry. Don't get me wrong. I am grateful for what we did get, but I can't say I'm not a little let down.

[TheBalladeer]

Well CATS - I do agree in that I wish more dialogue was included. But the recording is still excellent.

I also wished they included all of the "Limericks", as I think it would have easily fit. I wonder why they decided not to do that? I can understand not needing all of the Lovers' Reprises, but the Limericks are essential to the plot, regardless of who you choose as Datchery.

I do feel that the OBC brilliantly captured the fun and joy of the show, better than the revival recording...when I listened to the OBC, what I imagined in my mind before seeing the show was pretty accurate when I finally was able to see it, and eventually perform in the show itself.

This is nothing against the cast or anyone really - just the way they decided to go with this particular cast recording.

Still, to have this wonderful cast and production preserved is well worth it, and appreciated!

Cheers,
TheBalladeer

[Joviedamian]

Are there any samples up anywhere? Amazon, Itunes etc? I don't seem to find any!

[ghostlight2]

Sorry, CATSNY - I just couldn't resist the pun. I completely understand your disappointment. I love the Donmar version of the PARADE cd precisely for the reason that they include so much dialogue. FYI, I believe the 2 cd decision has to do with sound quality. You probably can put that much time on one cd, but I think quality suffers as a result. I could be wrong about that.

[Kad]

$35 seems pretty bad to me when you can get it for $15.53 on Amazon, and its list price probably can't be more than $18.99.

[ghostlight2]

I'm shocked, SHOCKED that theater concessions would charge more for their fares! Ever buy a drink in a theater? It's outrageous....but if you must have it, and you must have it right now, well, there you are.