Search - Cy Coleman, Dorothy Fields, Christina Applegate :: Sweet Charity (2005 Broadway Revival Cast)

The Bravest Individual

Music Man | Boston MA | 07/19/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"By now, everybody knows about the pluck Christina Applegate showed in overcoming a broken foot and bringing this revival to New York come hell or high water last spring. What the inner circle naysayers have to say about this Broadway neophyte is beside the point, as this bubbly new cast recording attests to. Ms. Applegate's slight and slightly wobbly soprano may not be an instrument for the ages, but right from her very first song, "You Should See Yourself", she nails the sweet essence of Charity and establishes her character simply through the use of her voice and comic timing. It's amazing that she is new to this game because her alternate use of vocalising and exclaiming the lyrics adds a vibrance and specificity to her interpretation that more accomplished singers often fail to achieve. In fact, her vocal limitations only add to Charity's vulnerability, and the forcefulness of her line readings justifies this one-time TV performer's selection for the role in this revival. In fact, this CD is mostly a joy to listen to. First, of course, there is the score, one of the best of the 60's. "Big Spender" and "If They Could See Me Now" were the hits, but "Charity's Soliloquy", "There's Gotta Be Something Better...", "I'm the Bravest Individual" and "Rhythm of Life" are just as good. The orchestrations are bouncy and dead on crisp, making this score sound contemporary while still betraying it's roots of forty years ago. The one blight on this recording is Dennis O'Hare as Charity's love interest. He sounds at once both too old for her and too fey, and some of his vocal readings are downright annoying. Still, what you have here is a new recording that may not be more than the sum of its parts, but surely some of its parts are more than worth a listen. And above it all sails Ms. Applegtate as the adorable Charity. Let's hope this isn't the last time she'll listen to the lullabye of old Broadway."

Christina takes on "Charity"

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 08/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Overall very pleasing recording to the 2005 revival of SWEET CHARITY starring Christina Applegate in her Broadway debut. She has an attractive and easygoing singing voice which is perfect for the lovelorn taxi dancer Charity Hope Valentine. Though at times she sounds eerily like previous Charity's Gwen Verdon and Shirley MacLaine. On the whole her performance on disc is delightful.



Denis O'Hare is a wonderful Oscar and performs a glowing reading of the Title Song. Kyra DaCosta and Janine LaManna, as Charity's cynical dancer buddies Nickie and Helene, have a ball with "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This" and "Baby Dream Your Dream".



The orchestra, under the direction of Don York, is crisp and solid. The Overture, though, has been sadly-abriged (a real shame because the SWEET CHARITY Overture is one of the all-time greats). However, this recording gives us the Entr'acte and other incidental music that was not included on earlier cast albums.



Some interesting bonus tracks: Christina Applegate performs an alternate verse from "Where Am I Going?"; and some rare Cy Coleman-Dorothy Fields demo recordings. DRG has packaged the disc in one of their flimsy cardboard-style cases, with a foldout insert containing photos and extensive liner notes.



A fine SWEET CHARITY but hardly the definitive rendition."

Fabulous recording of a CLASSIC score!

Lou | United States | 07/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The new Broadway recording of the Cy Coleman/Dorothy Fields score "Sweet Charity" is a great recording. This score is considered one of Broadway's best scores, and this new recording serves the score justice.



Christina Applegate leads the show as Charity, and she does a fantastic job. She is very charming on the recording, and although she might miss a note or two - she still does a great job. Some of Christina's best moments are - "Charity's Soliloquy" which hasn't been in a professional production of Charity since the 60's! Christina also shines on the shows famous hit "If My Friends Could See Me Now", the charming "I'm The Bravest Individual", the heartbreaking "Where Am I Going?", and the new finale for the show which is a beautiful reprise of "I'm The Bravest Individual."

Also starring in Charity is one of Broadway's favorite leading men - the wonderful Denis O'Hare. Denis does a great job as Charity's wacky love interest, Oscar. Denis does a great job on "I'm The Bravest Individual" with Christina, "A Good Impression" which is new for this producion", and the wonderful title song. The supporting cast for Charity is great. As Charity's two buddies are Janine LaManna, and Kyra Da Costa. These two ladies do a fantastic job on "There's Gotta Be Something Better Than This", and the beautiful "Baby, Dream Your Dream." Paul Schoeffler does a beautiful job on his big power ballad "Too Many Tomorrows."



Overall - this is a fantastic recording of this show. This recording also includes some treats! The songs "A Good Impression", and "I'm The Bravest Individual - Reprise" have never been in a production of Charity, they are new for the revival - and they are great songs. This recording also includes Christina singing a unused verse of "Where Am I Going?", and a few demos sung by Cy Coleman.



This recording is a real treat for anyone who loves Sweet Charity, loves the score, or loves Christina Applegate.



Check this recording out. It will bring you fun, laughs, and good times!"