BWW Reviews: Ghostlight's GIANT (Original Cast Recording) is Majestic, Opulent, and Mesmerizing

The star across the two discs is Michael John LaChiusa's astounding and soaring score. The rich melodies evoke imagery of Texas' wide-open skies and broad plains. Brilliantly, when staged in New York City, the Orchestra was positioned on a loft above the stage, which must have really helped the spirited, swirling, and ambitiously grand score take wing over the audience. Also, for fans of Michael John LaChiusa's other provocative and cerebral works, this lush and inspired score is definitely his most tunefully accessible, but remains impressively layered and complex as it expresses his musical vocabulary and delicately mixes in differing styles of the varied cultures and musical motifs of the 1920s-1950s.

Brian D'Arcy James (NBC's SMASH, SHREK THE MUSICAL, WHITE CHRISTMAS) is excellent as Jordan "Bick" Benedict, the show's valiant and strapping protagonist. His vocals are imbued with magnetizing masculinity and strength. He splendidly vocalizes his many solos. Standout numbers include the ardently mercurial "Did Spring Come to Texas?," "Our Mornings/That Thing," and the romantic "Heartbreak Country."

Leslie Lynnton Benedict, the female lead of the show, is sumptuously sung by Kate Baldwin (2009 Revival of FINIAN'S RAINBOW). Her gorgeous and full voice glides over the vibrant score. Her rendition of "A Stranger" is an instant favorite. She also gives gripping and exquisite performances on "Your Texas," "Topsy Turvy," and "Midnight Blues."

Moreover, PJ Griffith's turn is seductively manly on striking numbers like "Private Property," "Outside Your Window," and "When to Bluff." Michele Pawk is alluringly throaty and visceral with her superb rendition of "No Time For Surprises."

Each of the tracks that feature the full company is incredible as well. The stirring numbers "Aurelia Dolores," "Look Back/Look Ahead," "My Texas," "Act One Finale," "Un Béso, Béso!," and "Auerlia Dolores Reprise/Act Two Finale" are all memorable, evocative, and thrilling.

Chris Fenwick wonderously conducts the talented and abundantly expressive 17-piece orchestra. Each instrumentalist vividly emotes on the undulating and picturesque score, bringing energetic and verdant life to the intriguing score.

Kurt Deutsch, Joel Moss, and Michael John LaChiusa have produced an arrestingly breathtaking and sumptuous recording of GIANT's Original New York cast. Joel Moss has expertly Recorded, Mixed, and Edited the album and Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound has skillfully Mastered the album to ensure that the magnificence of Michael John LaChiusa's sprawling score is preserved and pristinely presented across the two discs. Their work excellently captures the grand scale of the numerous and generously elaborate anthems.

Each track on GIANT (Original Cast Recording) is majestic, opulent, and mesmerizing. The entire cast performs with absorbing enthusiasm and precision. Having missed the production at The Public Theater, the album leaves me with the hope that a regional theatre near me will soon produce a production of this musical. Ghostlight Records' recording of GIANT (Original Cast Recording) was released online and in stores on May 21, 2013. It is available for purchase from Ghostlight Records, iTunes, Amazon, and elsewhere music is sold.

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Image courtesy of Ghostlight Records.