Search - Frank Wildhorn, Nan Knighton :: The Scarlet Pimpernel: Encore! (1998 Broadway Revival Cast)

If you have to choose, stick with the Original Broadway Cast

Amy | Jersey | 11/28/1999

(2 out of 5 stars)

"As a big Pimpernel and Frank Wildhorn fan, the only reason I was purchasing the CD was for the four new tracks. I already have everything else on it between the orginal broadway cast album, the concept album, and Linda Eder's It's Time. While the album was worth it for me to get the stage version of I'll Forget You, sung by the lovely Rachel York, if I had to choose between the encore and the orginal broadway cast albums, the OBC would always win. Rex Smith's version of Falcon and the Dive and Where's the Girl have little emotion or compassion and even less singing, while Terrence Mann's interpretations are sweeping and heart wrenching and have the fantastic, powerful voice to match. Mann makes you see why the man has had two Tony nominations and why he has orginated so many Broadway roles. Rachel York's singing on Storybook is beautiful as always but may not be worth shelling out the money for if you already have Christine Andreas fun version of the song on the OBC. The Encore CD is a nice addition the the strange history of Pimpernel but not necessarily a needed one."

6 Broadway Leads Supports This ENCORE!

Gerald W. Rowles | Carnation, WA USA | 11/16/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While composer Frank Wildhorn's liner notes on this latest addition of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" is dedicated to "the fans", it's also a tribute to the many talented cast members of this great Broadway show which has had several resurrections and soon to be released US tour. Having the pleasure of listening to Christine Andreas, Peabo Bryson, Linda Eder, Terrence Mann, Douglas Sills, Rex Smith and Rachel York on one Broadway CD is a gift to any Broadway music lover. I have the OBC recording of "The Scarlet Pimpernel" and this addition provided a rare opportunity to listen to other renditions of the shows beautiful lyrics & score. I loved Rachel York's robust and enthusiastic rendition of "Storybook" and her emotional and passionate "I'll Forget You", which was not on the OBC recording, is worth it alone. Rex Smith also adds emotion in his version of "Falcon in the Dive" which adds an extra dimension to the song's message of determination and obsession. Where else does a Broadway musical score provide the listener a rare opportunity to hear two lead actors sing their version of one of the show's hit songs, "Where's The Girl". Closing the CD is a gift of two songs from Linda Eder. The "You Are My Home" ballet with Peabo Bryson is well orchestrated and Linda's romantic "Only Love" leaves this listener wanting more of Wildhorn and his "Encores"."

Almost perfect!

Nalissa | New York USA | 12/05/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The strength of this CD depends on just how much you loved SP 2.0. My love for that retooled production, or Pimpy 2.0 as it is affectionately called, is 100%. I was not only enthralled at the story unfolding but also totally lost in the beautiful music and story. I have both the SP Concept album and the OBCR. What this CD offers (that the OBCR does not) is a chance to relive one scene that for me had the most resonance. With the song "I'll forget you." Marguerite (Rachel York), on the eve of her execution, tries in vain to forget her true love; Percy aka the Scarlet Pimpernel. It is a touching ballad, performed with intense passion and just the right amount of sorrow and regret for a love, unfulfilled. The other "new" songs, while well done, are performed with just as much panache in the OBCR. It would have been such a treat to have a completely new cast recording that reflected the new production more accurately. Alas... So then, you ask, if you already have the OBCR is this new version worth it on the strength of one song? For me the answer is quite obvious: Absolutely!"