Search - Jacques Offenbach, Alun Francis, Maurice Arthur :: Offenbach: Christopher Columbus

Forget History!

11/24/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those of you who like Gilbert and Sullivan, you'll smile at this recording. I did scenes from this piece as a freshman in college, and many of the songs have stayed fresh in my mind even after all these years. Technically, though, Offenbach didn't write it: this is a pastiche of unknown or little-known Offenbach tunes put together in 1976 by a couple of British guys for the American Bicentennial. But even though it sounds like Gilbert and Sullivan, it's a whole lot racier! Columbus has three wives, and is about to wed wife number four, when all the women gang up on him and have him arrested. He is brought before Queen Isabella who, despite a raging hangover from the night before, takes a fancy to him and proceeds to chase him around the couch. Finally, the entire company is sentenced to sail around the world, but not before the licentious Queen finances the trip by giving Columbus her fabulous jewels, while performing a striptease. On the ship after a storm, Columbus gets seasick, everyone gets lost, they toss Columbus overboard, and everyone winds up...well, I won't give it away, but be assured that the results are hilarious. The complete dialogue is included in the recording, which is well-sung, with lively tempos. Even though some of the lyrics are somewhat forced, this is still a preposterously funny show."