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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Let's face it the 'comedy' suffix to 'musical' disappeared many years ago and with opera now an essentially elitist art form (unlike in the 19th century) there is a gaping hole that has been filled by the 'serious musical'. The West End and Broadway are now full of such musicals that cover the spectrum of the human experience and are we not all better off for the incredible variety on offer?
After ecstatic press reviews the Donmar Warehouse was packed to the rafters for this West End premiere production of Parade for its entire run. Harold Prince declared composer Jason Robert Brown the new Gershwin - not an easy crown to wear but perhaps apposite if considering Parade alongside Porgy and Bess.
The plot is tough for a musical to tackle and it is to Brown's credit that he approaches the Sondheim end of the spectrum in some style while retaining his own distinct voice, keeping away from the cynicism and detachment clear in some of The Master's work. Brown is personally very much involved and involves the audience in the fate of this unlovable Jew from Brooklyn who feels the South a foreign land. He is regarded as an outsider (not one of us - a damn Yankee!) Yet the sheer horror of his fate is engrossing and reminds us that such deeply held and unreasoning attitudes hold and have held sway in all communities throughout time. The story reaches out across ninety years to today's world. You just substitute the attitudes and hatreds that emerge to today's problems.
The Donmar production, which is faithfully captured in just about its entirety on this release, was exemplary with studied, varied yet understated choreography that never distracted from the seriousness of the plot. The cast performances were considered so good that this recording by the mainly UK cast of a fundamentally American show was enthusiastically supported by the creative team. The original Broadway CD is a must but this London set is its equal in just about every respect and has the immense advanatge of being a practially complete recording.
The only matters of slight regret are that the show hasn't yet transferred to the West End and that the accompanying (and welcome) DVD has no excerpts from the actual production.
Please let us have a DVD or at least a TV broadcast of the show (wake up BBC4!). It was truly memorable yet we should be grateful for the unexpected delight of this magnificent double CD set (with DVD of interviews). Don't delay it might not be around for long.
After ecstatic press reviews the Donmar Warehouse was packed to the rafters for this West End premiere production of Parade for its entire run. Harold Prince declared composer Jason Robert Brown the new Gershwin - not an easy crown to wear but perhaps apposite if considering Parade alongside Porgy and Bess.
The plot is tough for a musical to tackle and it is to Brown's credit that he approaches the Sondheim end of the spectrum in some style while retaining his own distinct voice, keeping away from the cynicism and detachment clear in some of The Master's work. Brown is personally very much involved and involves the audience in the fate of this unlovable Jew from Brooklyn who feels the South a foreign land. He is regarded as an outsider (not one of us - a damn Yankee!) Yet the sheer horror of his fate is engrossing and reminds us that such deeply held and unreasoning attitudes hold and have held sway in all communities throughout time. The story reaches out across ninety years to today's world. You just substitute the attitudes and hatreds that emerge to today's problems.
The Donmar production, which is faithfully captured in just about its entirety on this release, was exemplary with studied, varied yet understated choreography that never distracted from the seriousness of the plot. The cast performances were considered so good that this recording by the mainly UK cast of a fundamentally American show was enthusiastically supported by the creative team. The original Broadway CD is a must but this London set is its equal in just about every respect and has the immense advanatge of being a practially complete recording.
The only matters of slight regret are that the show hasn't yet transferred to the West End and that the accompanying (and welcome) DVD has no excerpts from the actual production.
Please let us have a DVD or at least a TV broadcast of the show (wake up BBC4!). It was truly memorable yet we should be grateful for the unexpected delight of this magnificent double CD set (with DVD of interviews). Don't delay it might not be around for long.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
When I first heard that PARADE - a musical I had never seen but, thanks to the Original Broadway Cast Recording, had heard over and over again nearly 10 years ago - was to be staged at Donmar and then recorded in its entirety, I was overwhelmed! My expectations were greatly exceeded when I first heard the recording yesterday. The new orchestrations are perfect for the show, not straying too far from the original. The performances are incredible and come very close to matching the talents of such performers as Carolee Carmello (original Lucille) and Brent Carver (original Leo). I am so excited to finally have a COMPLETE recording of Jason Robert Brown's UNBELIEVABLY BEAUTIFUL AND ALWAYS MOVING score!!! Thank you, Donmar, for staging this show overseas and for creating such an amazing recording!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Donmar has to be congratulated once again for presenting another musical that would never be staged in the West End (but should be after this). Would have loved to see this more than once, but the experience will stay with me for a long time. The recording is very fine in every way and captures the atmosphere of the entire production. If you are a real musical theatre fan you should have this for your collection, it is a winner in every way. Let's hope we see it again!! Congratulations to a fantastic cast.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Better than Broadway Cast
A rare example of the original recording not being the best. It is even more impressive when you listen to the brilliant deep south accents spoken by British actors and sounding so... Read more
Published 11 months ago by A. H. Fallon
One of the great musicals
This is simply and without doubt one of the greatest musicals written in the last 25 years. This recording is a stunning and fitting tribute to one of the great nights in the... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Nick
Don't let Parade pass you by!
This musical cast album has to be the best find of the year! I can't believe I missed it at the Donmar. Buy it now and you won't be disappointed. It's wonderful stuff.
Published on 15 Aug 2009 by Kev the Gullible Traveller
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