BWW CD Reviews: HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is a Sure-Fire Ball of Fun

It is really no surprise to me that the first musical to open on Broadway in 2015 garnered impressive raves from New York critics. I was lucky enough to catch HONEYMOON IN VEGAS at the Nederlander Theatre in previews, and I knew that this smartly crafted piece of theatre candy was just sweet and sassy enough to grab strong notices. Of course, one of the reasons why it is such a gem is because of its fantastically constructed score. Jason Robert Brown, the musical mastermind behind THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY and THE LAST FIVE YEARS, layers glitz and glamour on HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, but his trademark nuances and subtleties also add delightful zest and depth to this appealing score.

To be honest, when I first heard that Jason Robert Brown was working on a musical based on a forgotten romantic comedy movie, I was dismayed. Having been a fan of his smartly crafted and robustly intellectual masterworks, I was afraid we'd have another URBAN COWBOY on our hands. To be fair, he only contributed five songs to that mostly overlooked score. Yet, when I first spun the disc and heard his beguiling and rousing overture for HONEYMOON IN VEGAS, I quickly realized that Jason Robert Brown would be serving his fans while also appealing to the masses. With the charm of the classic composers (think Rodgers and Hammerstein) but with the sophistication that sets him apart from the crowd, he has crafted a effervescing score that sounds lighthearted but still appeals to listeners on an intellectual level. There are fascinating and complex moments of syncopation (like in THE LAST FIVE YEARS), beautiful and catchy melodies (like THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY), and all the splashy showiness we associate with Las Vegas (think Frank Sinatra and The Rat Pack).

The same can be said for his coyly witty lyrics. Much of what is sung is dialogue, thus, like the classics, a majority of the songs further the plot. However, when a character gets an internal monologue via song, Jason Robert Brown keenly lets the lyrics describe the action unfolding on stage, while working in slightly shallow metaphors. This is most apparent in the modestly bluesy "Out of the Sun." On the literal level the lyrics that are about the follies of youth and the cancerous havoc that the sun can wreak on our skin; however, moments of the lyrics can also be plied to be a sentimental exploration of how we can lose ourselves to our favorite temptations.

The vocal performances perfectly capture what happens on the stage of the Nederlander Theatre eight times a week. As wealthy gambler Tommy Korman, Tony Danza sings with a silky smooth purr, ensuring that there is no denying that he is as sleazy as he is dashing. His smartly understated vocals make his take on "Out of the Sun," "Come to An Agreement," "You Made the Wait Worthwhile," and "A Little Luck" come to life with all the pizzazz of Ol' Blue Eyes himself. It's hard not to be won over by his magnetism and the sensual caress of his baritone instrument.

Opposite Tony Danza, Rob McClure is wonderfully charming as the plucky Jack Singer. His sugary tenor styling makes his character the ideal romantic lead in a romantic musical comedy. He sings songs like "I Love Betsy," "Forever Starts Tonight," and "Isn't That Enough?" with copious amounts of heart. Similarly, Brynn O'Malley is a spritely ingénue as Betsy Nolan on the recording. Her voice is absolutely radiant on numbers like "Anywhere But Here," "You Made the Wait Worthwhile," "I've Been Thinking," and the supremely catchy "Betsy's Getting Married."

Other standout moments on the recording include Nancy Opel as Jack's domineering and crotchety mother Bea Singer on tracks like "Never Get Married," Catherine Ricafort as Mahi on "Friki-Friki," and David Josefsburg's brilliant characterizations of Buddy Rocky on "Do Something" and Roy Bacon on "Higher Love."

HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is a shining example of a cast album that captures the spirit and whimsy of a Broadway musical. Like the show itself, the album is a sure-fire ball of fun that is a joy to experience. The songs get stuck in my head, and I dance to them on the 1 train. It also makes me want to visit the show again and again.

Universal Music Enterprises digitally released HONEYMOON IN VEGAS (Original Broadway Cast Recording) on November 17, 2014 and physically on January 13, 2015. The album can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold.

For more information about and tickets to HONEYMOON IN VEGAS on Broadway, please visit http://www.honeymoonbroadway.com.

For information about other theatrical recording releases, click here.

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