Search - Thomas Tierney, John Forster, Anne Kanengeiser :: Eleanor: An American Love Story

A rare and intelligent musical

F. Behrens | Keene, NH USA | 02/25/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First I got a call from friends of mine out on Long Island, NY who raved about a show they saw called "Eleanor." Then, soon after, PBS telecast a 2.5-hour biography of that same personage. It was too much of a coincidence, so I was motivated to obtain a copy of the CD from Valkill Productions in New York City and loved every moment of it. Let me make one thing clear. This is no "My Fair Lady." All the tunes are serviceable and pleasant and none really linger in the memory after just a single hearing. But the lyrics and what spoken parts of the book can be heard are quite intelligent (oh rare bird on earth!) and one feels really involved with these people. With a book by Jonathan Bolt, music by Thomas Tierney and lyrics by John Forster, (VK2001) follows the career of young Eleanor Roosevelt from 1902 when she was a shy young thing with deep feelings of inadequacy to the time when she speaks in public for her stricken husband and finds she can be a force in the history of this country. The booklet that accompanies this recording gives a very nice synopsis with photographs but lacks the text. However the singers are quite clear and you can follow each of the 20 numbers from the opening "How the Other Half Lives" to the thematic "Give" which is reprised as the Finale song. The four leads are marvelous: Anne Kanengeiser (Eleanor), Anthony Cummings (Franklin), Rita Gardner (Sara), and Steve Routman (Louis Howe). I want local theater groups to take notice and perhaps consider not doing that Rodgers and Hammerstein for the thousandth time. But first you must hear this set."