BWW CD Reviews: The Shapiro Sisters' LIVE OUT LOUD: Live at 54 BELOW is Cheerful and Ebullient

On August 28, 2014, I had the pleasure of attending the CD Release event for the Shapiro Sisters' LIVE OUT LOUD: Live at 54 BELOW album. The duo took the 54 BELOW stage for the fourth time and sang many tunes from the album and a few surprises as well, entertaining the audience with their brand of cuteness, charisma, and poised talent. Their debut release from Broadway Records was recorded across their first three appearances at the intimate venue and expertly captures their vibrant charm.

Abigail Shapiro made waves as Cindy-Lou in the Broadway production of DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! THE MUSICAL, and Milly Shapiro was a Tony Honoree for Excellence in Theatre for being one of the four original Matildas in Broadway's MATILDA THE MUSICAL. On the recording, they combine their talents for duets and take their own moments to shine in solos. With their whole careers ahead of them, the pair is celebrating their early successes and leaving audiences anticipating the next time each one tread the boards on Broadway.

The title track, "Live Out Loud," which is from Andrew Lippa's A LITTLE PRINCESS, kicks off the recording and gets listeners into the mood for the cheerful and ebullient album. Milly Shapiro shines on the darkly comedic "The Pretty Little Dolly," and she beautifully sings "The Girl I Mean to Be" from THE SECRET GARDEN. Abigail Shapiro steals the show with her beautiful rendition of "Another World" from A LITTLE PRINCESS, and she is absolutely radiant on "Part of Your World" from THE LITTLE MERMAID. Milly Shapiro as Matilda and Andrea McArdle as Annie on the re-worked "Anything You Can Do" is a true highlight on the disc. In the spirit of fairness, Andrea McArdle sings "Together Wherever We Go" with Abigail Shapiro, and they deliver a brilliant version of the classic tune from GYPSY. Almost ending the album, the sisters duet on SIDE SHOW's "I Will Never Leave You," making the song their own.

As if the performances on the recording were not enough to delight, the Shapiro Sisters, in their continued partnership with No Bully, are donating a portion of the proceeds from each of their performances and CD sales to the organization. No Bully is a San Francisco based non-profit organization that works with schools nationwide to implement a non-punitive and highly effective solution to end bullying and harassment. For more information about or to donate to No Bully, please visit http://www.nobully.org.

Broadway Records released the Shapiro Sisters' LIVE OUT LOUD: Live at 54 BELOW digitally and physically on September 9, 2014. The album can be purchased from iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold. For more information about the Shapiro Sisters, please visit http://www.shapirosisters.com. You can also follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

For information about other theatrical recording releases, click here.

To post a comment, you must register and login.