Masterworks Broadway continues to explore the rich history of its unrivaled Off-Broadway catalogue with the release of two cast recording rarities previously unavailable in CD - Elephant Steps: A Fear Radio Show available May 7th and Clownaround available June 4th.
With
Elephant Steps, composer
Stanley Silverman and librettist
Richard Foreman created a work that remains a prime example of mixed-means theater, where sound and light, language and music, images and movement, graphics and films, incense and machinery, props and performers are incorporated into a spectacular mix.
Elephant Steps will be released exclusively for purchase via MasterworksBroadway.com on May 7
th in a limited quantity of physical CDs as well as digital download. The CD will be available via Manufacture-On-Demand through Arkiv Music June 4
th, plus downloads through digital service providers the same day.
Foreman, the iconic avant-garde theater pioneer and founder of the
Ontological-Hysteric Theater, and Silverman, the Obie and Drama Desk winner and classical composer whose Broadway credits include
Ah, Wilderness! and
Bent, conceived
Elephant Stepsas a phantasmagorical radio show.
Elephant Steps was once described by
Jerome Robbins as reminding him of
Orson Welles'
War of the Worlds of 30 years before.
Michael Tilson Thomas leads the cast and instrumental ensemble - including raga group, gypsy ensemble and elephants - and even sings one of the roles in this vibrant recording that perfectly evokes the '60s zeitgeist in all its psychedelic glory.
Billed as "A Funny Kind of Musical for the Entire Family,"
Clownaround was conceived by
Alvin Cooperman, a successful television executive and producer (
The Untouchables) and all-around entrepreneur who also wrote the book and lyrics. According to a souvenir program, he was fascinated by fools, jesters and clowns, and
Clownaround was the result that fascination. The music is by Mark "Moose" Charlap, known to Broadway audiences for his contribution to the score of
Peter Pan and to jazz fans as the father of
Bill Charlap, the acclaimed jazz pianist.
Film legend
Gene Kelly directed the original production, with a cast that included
Ruth Buzzi, but
Clownaround never made it to Broadway, and the original LP release was sold only at venues where the show was performed. When
Clownaround closed, the existing inventory of the LPs were scrapped; this CD reissue is the first time the recording has been available in any format since the show's original run in 1972.
Clownaround will be released exclusively for purchase via MasterworksBroadway.com on June 4
th in a limited quantity of physical CDs as well as digital download. The CD will be available via Manufacture-On-Demand through Arkiv Music July 2
nd, plus downloads through digital service providers the same day.
Masterworks Broadway is a label of Sony Masterworks. For email updates and information on Masterworks Broadway please visit
www.masterworksbroadway.com.
