Search - Anne Jeffreys, John Raitt :: Three Wishes for Jamie (1952 Original Broadway Cast)

BROADWAY LEGEND JOHN RAITT AT HIS PEAK . . . . .

J. T Waldmann | Carmel, IN, home to the fabulous new Regional Perf | 08/22/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

""A charming and whimsical musical fantasy -- a bit like BRIGADOON, a bit like FINIAN'S RAINBOW, a bit like PAINT YOUR WAGON . . ." These words appear on the jacket of 1993 Broadway Angel release of THREE WISHES FOR JAMIE -- perhaps in an effort to entice Broadway cast album collectors to buy a show they probably never heard of.



After a fairly disastrous run at the Los Angeles and San Francisco Light Opera companies during the summer of 1951, the producers cancelled the projected Broadway opening, and THREE WISHES FOR JAMIE underwent extensive revisions. Abe Burrows (GUYS & DOLLS) was brought in to rework Charles O'Neal's book, and several of the leads were recast. Former opera soprano Anne Jeffreys replaced Marion Bell (BRIGADOON), and Hugh Wheeler took over the part of the matchmaker, Owen Roe Tavish, from Cecil Kellaway (LUCK OF THE IRISH). Fortunately, John Raitt - who had "been swept to stardom" in CAROUSEL (1945) and appeared (briefly) in MAGDALENA (1948) - was available, having turned down a secondary part in SOUTH PACIFIC.



It is John Raitt's magnificent singing that, for me, is the major reason for listening to THREE WISHES FOR JAMIE. "John Raitt possessed possibly the finest male voice on Broadway at that or any other time, a perfect instrument with the deft grace of a lyric baritone but with a tenor's ringing high notes." (from David Foil's excellent notes for the Broadway Angel CD) Ralph Blaine must have had Raitt in mind when he thought of writing the score, for they fit Raitt like the proverbial glove: "The Girl That I Court in My Mind," "My Heart's Darlin'" (sung with Ms. Jeffreys), "The Army Mule Song," "It's a Wishing World." Wheeler, Jeffreys, Peter Conlow and the rest of the ensemble are also first rate, and there's the added bonus of the incredible Charlotte Rae, even though "Love Has Nothing To Do with Looks" is embarrassingly misogynistic by today's standards.



So, I urge you to ignore the opening quote and to enjoy THREE WISHES FOR JAMIE for what it is: a charming show with a pleasant, if not memorable, score. With Broadway Legend John Raitt at his peak, and a supporting cast who are apparently having a wonderful time, JAMIE is fine listening, indeed. It's a wonder that more community theatre groups haven't staged the show. Perhaps, with this fresh recording, THREE WISHES FOR JAMIE will see new life on the stage.



Recommended.



(These comments are about the 1993 Broadway Angel recording. I have great confidence in DRG's remastering capability, which will undoubtedly improve the somewhat flat sound of the recording.)"