BWW Reviews: Chicago Cast Recordings Not To Be Missed

When walking out of attending a new musical I enjoyed, my first thought, more often than not, is, "I hope they release a cast recording!" In the past, many new musicals I saw in Chicago are simply remembered in my mind. However, perhaps with the quality of accessible recording technology constantly developing, Chicago is now lucky enough that the trend of releasing a cast recording of successful musicals in the city is growing. Here are a few favorites from recent years:

Othello: The Remix (Cast Recording)
One of the most recent offerings, Othello: The Remix, the hit show that played (with multiple extensions) at Chicago Shakespeare's Upstairs Theatre, is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello set to rap music. The show was written, directed, and starred the Q Brothers, who hit the Shakespeare scene with their previous adaptations The Bomb-Itty of Errors and Funk it Up About Nothing. Along with the other guys in their rap crew, Postell Pringle and Jackson Doran, these four men play all the roles in the story of the great MC, Othello, and his rap crew. For those who didn't get a chance to see the show before it closed (or those wanting to experience it again), the recording is an excellent source as the show is rapped/sung-through and captures the entire 70 minute production. The recording accurately portrays both the humor and intensity that made the stage production so successful. The recording can be purchased at http://www.chicagoshakes.com/main.taf?p=13,3.

Eastland: A New Musical (Original Cast Recording)
Lookingglass' original musical Eastland that played last year (also earning multiple extensions) told the story of the sinking of the SS Eastland in the Chicago River, killing over 800 people. While the combination of the inventive staging, along with the music, was the highlight of the physical show, this recording captures the gorgeous folk-inspired score. As the play was also nearly sung-through, the recording captures the full story, reaching its highest points during the ensemble songs such as the opening number, "A Summoning," the song depicting the history of the Chicago River in "Into The River," and the heart-wrenching "Parade of Souls" that explores the lives of various victims of the sinking. This is a chilling recording that is an excellent memento of this moving musical. The recording can be purchased at http://lookingglasstheatre.org/content/box_office/eastland_music.

This is For You: Music From The House Theatre of Chicago Production "The Sparrow"
In 2007, The House Theatre had a huge hit with "The Sparrow," which tells the story of a teenager returning to her hometown where, ten years ago, she was the sole survivor of a tragic accident that killed the rest of her class. While "The Sparrow" was not a musical, the music of the show was, like many shows at The House Theatre, integral to the telling of the story. Mostly instrumental music, the recording is excellent for those who wish to relive their experience of seeing the show, as the music easily transports you back to the magical and touching production. The recording can be purchase at http://thehousetheatre.com/swag.

Photo Credits: www.lookingglasstheatre.org, www.chicagoshakes.com, and www.thehousetheatre.com.

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