Search - Robert Emmett Dolan, Amy Barkeer, Andrew Gitzy :: Foxy

A Glimpse into what might have been

Ronald F. Payne | Alexandria, VA United States | 02/26/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"First, my 4 stars are based on the perspective of a fan of Broadway Trivia. This recording (with voices and piano accompaniment only)is like listening to a very good backers audition for the 1964 musical "Foxy" that originally starred Bert Lahr, and featured Larry Blyden, John Davidson, and Catherine Damon. The show got rave revues for Lahr and mixed to good reviews for the show, but it ran a mere 72 performances (although Lahr got a best actor Tony for the show). The original cast album had been scheduled to be recorded by RCA, but was never made. This is a pity, because after hearing the songs on this cd, an original cast recording with Lahr and company in a fully orchestrated version of the score would have been a must for collectors of Broadway musicals. Even here in the bare bones version, the score is very enjoyable with hummable tunes by Robert Emmett Dolan, and wonderfully witty lyrics by the great Johnny Mercer. The highlight is the novelty number tailored to Bert Lahr's talents--"Bon Vivant", here sung by Rudy Roberson whose voice and manner are very suggestive of Lahr. There is a nice love duet "Talk To Me Baby", and two excellent comic duets "Larceny and Love" and "I'm Way Ahead of the Game". Old fashioned musical comedy rousing numbers are provided with "S.S. Commodore Ebeneszer McAfee III" (kinda of an off-center "Wells Fargo Wagon"), and "My Night to Howl". Since we didn't get that great original cast recording "Foxy" with Eddie Sauter orchestrations, this cd at least gives a good idea of what we missed."