Music by
Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by
Betty Comden and Adolph Green
Book by
Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov
Based on the play
MY SISTER EILEEN by
Joseph Fields and Jerome Chodorov
and stories by Ruth McKenney
National Symphony Orchestra conducted by
John Owen Edwards
Leonard Bernstein created three masterworks for Broadway that
were set in New York City. WEST SIDE STORY, ON THE TOWN and WONDERFUL
TOWN. This first complete recording of WONDERFUL TOWN joins the
already acclaimed first complete recordings from JAY of WEST SIDE
STORY (CDJAY2 1261) and ON THE TOWN (CDJAY2 1231).
Like the other masterworks, WONDERFUL TOWN is brimmed full with
the joys and vigours of Bernstein's youth, it being the first
Broadway musical that Bernstein wrote when he was just a young
man in his twenties. Hit and fun songs are in great evidence and
the song OHIO is recognised as the great anthem to middle America.
His obvious wacky sense of humour and love of jazz are perfectly
captured by such songs as THE WRONG NOTE RAG and SWING. Beautiful
songs are not forgotten either as demonstrated by IT'S LOVE and
A LITTLE BIT IN LOVE. OHIO, IT'S LOVE and A LITTLE BIT IN LOVE
have been extensively recorded by practically every recording
artists since the 50s.
Three of Broadway greatest talents have been cast for this All
Star Cast recording: REBECCA LUKER (currently appearing on Broadway
in THE SOUND OF MUSIC), KAREN MASON (Norma on Broadway in SUNSET
BOULEVARD) and RON RAINES (Alan Spaulding in TV's GUIDING LIGHT)
as well as other featured stars from Broadway, GREGG EDELMAN (Tony
norminated for 1776) and DON STEPHENSON (current star of TITANIC).
The recording is made with JAY's award winning team, conductor
JOHN OWEN EDWARDS (currently enjoying great acclaim musical directing
the Royal National Theatre's smash hit production of OKLAHOMA!),
the wonderful National Symphony Orchestra and producer John Yap.
As with all the other JAY Original Masterworks series, this was
recorded at the famed Abbey Road Studios in London.