Search - Al Dubin, Christine Ebersole, Michael Cumpsty :: 42nd Street (2001 Revival Broadway Cast)

Kevin G. (kkg-ct) from NEW FAIRFIELD, CT
Reviewed on 7/16/2015...

As a serious fan of the original film score i found the pumped up Broadway treatment overblown. That crisp depression hunger from a early thirties score all glammed up with trills and flourishes looses the edge that stirred. I had a hard time conjuring the sound to 'dem dancin feet and had to content be competent presentation of a terrific song list. Yeah I know Ruby Keeler did not have a great voice , but she HAD to be a STAR....and succeeded.

The sleeper hit of the season gets a dynamic cast recording

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 12/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"42nd STREET made a surprise return to the Great White Way this year even though the original production had closed not ten years ago. The sleeper hit of the season, this production also proved to be an audience favorite and among other things brought the divine Christine Ebersole back to Broadway...in a performance that saw her win a Tony.The entire cast sounds fabulous here in a sparkling recording that also includes much of the dialogue and incidental music adding to the theatricality and makes you feel like you are listening to a real performance.Kate Levering (now replaced by Meredith Patterson) is a lovely and sweet Peggy Sawyer who goes on to replace the injured star Dorothy Brock (Ebersole) before the opening of the new show 'Pretty Lady'.Among the outstanding cast as Mylinda Hull, Michael Cumpsty, David Elder, Mary Testa, Amy Dolan, Jonathan Freeman and Beth Leavel.An exiting and galvanising listening experience."

Truly the musical for those who love Broadway musicals

Byron Kolln | 08/22/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"?I discovered 42nd Street only this year, as it was my middle school musical. The music is catchy and fun, the lines are cute and funny, and the amount of dancing in the show is just amazing. Although I have yet to see the Broadway Revival,(unfortunately I was born too late for the original, I will never get over that)the CD carries the spirit of the show. Although the tapping is stronger on the original cast recording, the songs are just as beautifully done for the most part.(The original Lullaby of Broadway was better, but I liked the fact that you got to hear what I think is one of the mpost powerful lines in the show before the song). Along with the old favorites are some new ones, such as Keep Young and Beautiful and I Only Have Eyes for You. If you have heard both CDs, you will notice that some songs have different lyrics, like Maggie's verse of Shuffle of to Buffalo, and the added lyrics to 42nd Street. Christine Eberdsole's voice is amazing in range, in fact, if you listen to Shadow Waltz and then skip to the Act I Finale, you will hardly believe you are hearing the same person. Mary Testa and Jonathan Freeman are the perfect Maggie and Bert. Michael Cumpsty, although he is no Jerry Orbach, is a very good Julian Marsh. David Elder has a good tenor voice for Billy. Kate Levering, however, is a little disappointing. While a good singer, she isn't quite a Peggy Sawyer. From what I have heard, Meredith Patterson, the understudy, is more talented than Levering. All in all, if you consider yourself a lover of Broadway musicals, you HAVE to see and hear 42nd Street--Truly the Broadway musical for people who love Broadway musicals."