BWW Album Review: COME FROM AWAY (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is Resplendent and UpliftingApril 11, 2017COME FROM AWAY is the celebrated new musical with lyrics and music by Irene Sankokff and David Hein. COME FROM AWAY (Original Broadway Cast Recording) captures the resplendent, raw emotions of the Broadway production. Just be warned: the uplifting story of human kindness and charity packs an emotional wallop on the album, so you'll probably want to listen to it with tissues in hand.
BWW Album Review: Constantine Maroulis' ALL ABOUT YOU is CatchyMarch 31, 2017Broadway's rockstar and Two-time Tony Award Nominee, Constantine Maroulis, is back with 'All About You.' The new single dropped on iTunes and Spotify this morning, and is a collaboration with hitmaker Sam Hollander (Fitz and the Tantrums, Train, Daughtry, Weezer). The catchy, new track from Maroulis is a heartfelt ballad about being completely caught up on and still in love with someone who got away.
BWW Album Review: A BRONX TALE (Original Broadway Cast Recording) is Entertaining, But Not UnforgettableMarch 29, 2017Ghostlight Records' recent release of A BRONX TALE (Original Broadway Cast Recording) perfectly captures the spirit of the Broadway show. The record sounds reminiscent of JERSEY BOYS with music and lyrics that pulsate with a heart that reminds listeners of HAIRSPRAY. The up-tempo tracks, enthusiastic performances, and pop and funk sounds of the 60s flood the album. This ensures audiences will be tapping their toes to the infectious beats, even if the songs don't stick to their ribs after the CD ends.
BWW Album Review: Levi Kreis's BROADWAY AT THE KEYS is StunningMarch 28, 2017Consummate musician and Tony Award winner Levi Kreis has returned with a stunning new album that celebrates musical theater with BROADWAY AT THE KEYS. His signature gospel and blues inspired vocal stylings reverberate with joy and sincere heart across the album, allowing him to expose the emotional depth of each song with his sparkling arrangements.
BWW Album Review: Karen Mason's IT'S ABOUT TIME is Vibrant and HeartfeltMarch 27, 2017Broadway veteran and twelve-time MAC Award winner, Karen Mason released IT'S ABOUT TIME, earlier this month. The lovely, yet understated, record perfectly captures the vibrancy of Mason's instrument. Despite being recorded in a studio, IT'S ABOUT TIME captures the magic of live cabaret performance and offers it as something listeners can experience anywhere in the world.
BWW Interview: Billy Mitchell Talks VILLAIN: DEBLANKSMarch 22, 2017Billy Mitchell's hilarious VILLAIN: DEBLANKS makes a triumphant New York City return tonight at Feinstein's/54 Below. Tonight's sold out show features Kathleen Turner, Morena Baccarin, Lesli Margherita, Michael Potts, Maulik Pancholy, and Micah Stock and will benefit New York Civil Liberties Union.
BWW Review: PRETTY FILTHY (Original Cast Recording) is Humorous and HeartfeltFebruary 20, 2017The hilarious, sexy, and surprisingly touching musical PRETTY FILTHY made a splash Off-Broadway in early 2015. Ghostlight Records' PRETTY FILTHY (Original Cast Recording) perfectly captures the humor of the show. Michael Friedman's often blunt but always-relatable lyrics are uncompromised on the recording. The cast's voices shine across the 13-track album.
VIDEO: Morgan Reynolds Drops Campy and Catchy 'Twirl Queen' on YouTubeDecember 19, 2016Today, Morgan Reynolds (who recently charmed audiences as the Scarecrow in the 2nd National Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber's THE WIZARD OF OZ) turns 30! As a birthday present from him to the world, he has released a music video for his latest single 'Twirl Queen,' a campy and catchy holiday pop song that is sure to bring a smile to your face.
BWW Album Review: FALSETTOS (2016 Broadway Cast Recording) is Brilliant and BeautifulDecember 16, 2016Surprise! Ghostlight Records just pulled a Beyonce. They dropped the digital edition of FALSETTOS (2016 Broadway Cast Recording) shortly after the stroke of midnight on December 16, 2016. To be fair, they did announce that the cast would be recording the score on October 26, 2016, but no hard date for release was previously set. Now, fans in the United States can purchase the lush score through iTunes (the digital version will be available internationally on December 23, 2016) while they wait for the physical version of the dual disc album to be released on January 27, 2017.
BWW Review: BUYER & CELLAR with Nick Cearley Charms and DelightsNovember 21, 2016Playing Alex with aplomb, Nick Cearley instantly buries himself deep in the hearts of the audience. With a charming smile and glittering personality, he gently wraps the audience around his finger before the opening statements about the story being entirely fictional come to an end.
BWW Interview: Ian Campayno Talks TRIP OF LOVE and BROADWAY BARESJune 23, 2016Last Sunday, BROADWAY BARES: ON DEMAND raised $1.48 million for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Musical theater dancer and actor Ian Campayno personally raised over $3,000 as a member of the cast for this years show. Just before this years BROADWAY BARES show, I sat down with Ian Campayno to talk about his current show, TRIP OF LOVE and BROADWAY BARES.
BWW Interview: Michael McCormick Talks HIMSELF AND NORAJune 22, 2016In July 2012, HIMSELF AND NORA premiered at the New York Musical Theater Festival. In 2014, Jay Records released HIMSELF AND NORA (Original Off-Broadway Cast Recording). Following the steamy romance between James Joyce and his muse, Nora, the musical has returned to New York in a lush Off-Broadway production at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Recently, I sat down with Michael McCormick, who plays John Joyce, Ezra Pound, and others, to chat about the show.
BWW Tonys Special: Ultimate Guide to This Season's Cast RecordingsJune 11, 2016It's that time of year, and I can't help but wonder if your CD collection and iPod are Tonys ready. It's just a handful of hours until the 70th annual Tony Awards, and New York City and theatre fans across the world are excitedly buzzing about this year's ceremonies which will be broadcast live on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at 8/7c on CBS. This Broadway season has some exciting contenders in the musical categories, and to get you ready for the big night, I'm recapping the albums you should be listening to (or at least pre-ordering).
BWW CD Review: AMERICAN PSYCHO (Original London Cast Recording) Brings Driving Synth-Pop to Musical TheaterMay 10, 2016The synth-laden opening strains of Concord Music Group's AMERICAN PSYCHO (Original London Cast Recording) are appropriately dark and sterile. In crafting the score for the musical adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis' novel by the same title, Duncan Sheik has created a Broadway score that purposefully reminds listeners of synth-pop music by the likes of Giorgio Moroder while mixing in updated technologies to ensure that the score is as crisp and pulsating as any track on Daft Punk's RANDOM ACCESS MEMORIES. The end result is an album filled with addictive looping and backbeats that masterfully mixes throwback modalities with modern technology to create an unexpectedly electronic musical score.
BWW Review: Ragtag Theatre Company's THE COMMEDIA CINDERELLA Mixes Lessons with LaughsApril 28, 2016Helmed by Sam LaFrage, the Ragtag Theatre Company is back. Following their rip-roaring THE COMMEDIA RAPUNZEL, the talented troupe is tickling ribs with their latest concoction: THE COMMEDIA CINDERELLA. Billed as LGBTQ theatre designed for the entire family, this show puts a refreshing and much appreciated new spin on the timeless fairytale, finding a way to speak to the individual heart of every member of the audience.
BWW CD Review: CYNTHIA ERIVO AND OLIVER TOMPSETT SING SCOTT ALAN is SpellbindingApril 25, 2016Scott Alan has been giving music theater performers vividly emotionally and stirring songs to perform ever since 2007. Cynthia Erivo captured the hearts of many as Celie in THE COLOR PURPLE. Oliver Tompsett is best known for playing Fieryo in the West End production of WICKED. The three artists joined forces for Alan's most spellbinding album yet, Cynthia Erivo and Oliver Tompsett Sing Scott Alan.
BWW CD Review: Matt Doyle's UNCONTROLLED is Heartfelt Pop PerfectionApril 21, 2016After two successful EPs, Broadway veteran Matt Doyle has released his first full-length album, Uncontrolled. Doyle successfully crowd-funded the album on Kickstarter, and his passion for the material shines on every track. For fans of his EPs, the pop tonality emanating from Will Van Dyke's skillful arrangements will be familiar. For those listening to Matt Doyle for the first time, this aural landscape is inviting and addictive.