Audios
Beauty and the Beast
Vienna, December 20, 1995
Ethan Freeman (Beast), Caroline Vasicek (Belle), Kevin Tarte (Gaston), Rosita Mewis (Mrs. Potts), Viktor Gernot (Lumière), Heinz Zuber (Cogsworth), Rudolf Wasserlof (Maurice), Eric Minsk (Lefou), Anne Mandrella (Babette), Marika Licther (Mme de la Grande Bouche)
VERY heavy bass overload, almost as though the taper was right on a speaker. Also mechanical noise, likely the recording equipment. Minor amount of hiss. Still, worth it to hear Ethan as the Beast.
B
Beauty and the Beast
Vienna, June 29, 1997
Steve Barton (Biest), Caroline Vasicek (Belle), Kevin Tarte (Gaston), Soeren Fenner (Lumière), Heinz Zuber (Herr von Unruh), Jutta Ellinger (Babette), Roswitha Mewis (Madame Pottine), Eric Minsk (Lefou), Josef Helmut Ettl (Maurice)
Final performance of the Vienna production. A fair bit of analog hiss, some overload on the loud bits. Some mechanical noise. But the vocals are nice and clear. Steve's "If I Could Love Her" sends shivers down my spine.
B+
Beauty and the Beast
Broadway, November 5, 1998
James Barbour (Beast), Toni Braxton (Belle), Steve Blanchard (Gaston), Jamie Tortellini (Lefou), Meschach Taylor (Lumière), Beth Fowler (Mrs. Potts), Skip Harrad (Cogsworth), Tim Jerome (Maurice)
Some analog hiss, but there's a solid sound underneath. This role could have been written with Barbour's voice in mind.
A-
Beauty and the Beast
Broadway, March 4, 1999
James Barbour, Andrea McArdle, Steve Blanchard, Patrick Page, Bill Nabel, Beth Fowler, Jonathan Andrew Bleicher, Tim Jerome, Pam Klinger, Jeffrey Howard Schecter, Judith Moore
Very good quality for the age. Mildly echo-y, mild overload on loud bits, mild hiss (most likely this was originally analog, so mild is a good sign.)
A-
Beauty and the Beast
US Regional, August 1, 2004
Beverly, MA (North Shore Music Theater)
Brad Little (Beast), Nikki Renée Daniels (Belle), Brian Noonan (Gaston), Jeff Skowron (Lefou), George Merritt (Maurice), Ron Wisniski (Lumiere), Dick Decareau (Cogsworth), Jeanne Lehman (Mrs. Potts), Jessica Leigh Brown (Babette), Gina Ferrall (Madame de la Grande Bouche)
Slight overload at the loud bits. Not bad enough to downgrade though.
OMG. Brad is a formidable Beast!
A
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
London, April 16, 2002
Michael Ball (Caractacus Potts), Emma Williams (Truly Scrumptious), Brian Blessed (Baron Bomburst), Nichola MacAuliffe (Baroness Bomburst), Richard O’Brien (The Child Catcher), Anton Rodgers (Grandpa Potts)
Opening Night - includes Michael's speech at the curtain call, and an encore of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". A fair bit of analog hiss over top of the audio. Sounds like it was recorded in a tin can (I know the Palladium was massive so it might just be theatre acoustics.) Track cuts are ... slightly odd. Just that some of them are long (the final track is nearly 17 minutes, and could have been separated into at least three or four and have it still make sense.)
B
Damn Yankees
US Regional, March 9, 2012 (Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey)
Howard McGillin (Applegate), Chryssie Whitehead (Lola), Christopher Charles Wood (Joe Hardy), Joseph Kolinski (Joe Boyd), Patti Cohenour (Meg Boyd), Nancy Anderson (Gloria Thorpe)
Some overload on loud bits, but otherwise a good audio.
A-
Elisabeth
Vienna, November 8, 2004
Wietske van Tongeren (3rd US), Máté Kamarás, Serkan Kaya, André Bauer, Lukas Permanschalger, Lenneke Willemsen (alt.)
Wietske's first performance as Elisabeth.
A
Elisabeth
Frankfurt, December 7, 2011
Annemieke Van Dam, Oliver Arno, Kurosch Abbasi, Lars Rindelaub, Gernot Romic, Betty Vermeulen, Elissa Huber, Dennis Kozeluh, Noel Wilde
One track per act. Some mild overload at loud bits.
A
Evita
Broadway, January 1?, 1981
Patti LuPone (Eva Peron), James Stein (Che), David Cryer (Peron), James Whitson (Magaldi), Cynthia Hunt (Peron's Mistress)
Patti LuPone's final performance. This was listed as a soundboard but I'm not completely convinced - in the first minute or so of "Eva Beware Of The City" there's a cough, although I suppose it could have come from a mic somewhere. It has the other markings of a soundboard however, so I'll leave that out there. For the age though, the quality is EXCELLENT. Very minimal analog hiss. No overload or any of the other age associated problems I usually see in audios from this time period.
Some confusion on the exact date. It was listed as "January 8", but the metadata states it as 1/1/81. Anyone who knows for sure when LuPone left the Broadway production, I'd appreciate anything that can clear this up.
Please bear in mind that I do take age into account when grading - this doesn't meet the standards of today's A recordings since it did spend time as an analog.
A
Evita
Vienna, October 30, 2001
Luzia Nistler, Jesse Webb, Thorsten Tinney, Predrag Stojanovic, Gaby Kosik
Evita
London, May 19, 2007
Elena Roger, Matt Rawle, Philip Quast, Greg Castiglioni, Lorna Want
Some overload on the bass. I can't put my finger on just what it is about this audio, but it doesn't sound clear enough for me to think late 2000's.
B
Evita
Edinburgh, June 9, 2008
Louise Dearman, Seamus Cullen, Mark Heenehan, James Waud, Nikki Mae
Evita
Stratford Shakespeare Festival, August 14, 2010
Chilina Kennedy (Eva), Josh Young (Che), Juan Chioran (Peron), Vince Staltari (Magaldi), Josie Marasco (Mistress)
Evita
Broadway, July 18, 2012
Jessica Lea Patty (Eva u/s), Max Von Essen (u/s Che), Michael Cerveris (Peron), Constantine Germanacos (Magaldi), Rachel Potter (Mistress)
Flowers For Algernon
London, June 1979
Michael Crawford, Cheryl Kennedy, Aubrey Woods, Ralph Nossek), Betty Benfield, George Harris, Jeanny L'Esty
SOUNDBOARD of the Original London cast. A fair amount of analog hiss from a likely cassette transfer, but given the age of this recording it's in EXCELLENT condition. Some mild overload here and there, as though the mics aren't mixed properly. I'm giving this an A, but please remember that this audio IS from 1979, so it is more comparable to a B/B- from today.
Not sure if this is the full show or not - Act 1 runs 1 hour 9 minutes, but Act 2 only runs just over 27 minutes including bows. Act 2 does seem to end where the book does, but given that this isn't currently running and there aren't many recordings, I've nothing else to compare it to.
Based off of the novel "Flowers For Algernon". Very interesting to listen to, though. Michael Crawford did a fantabulous job playing a mentally handicapped young man who became 'smart' through a breakthrough surgery, only to return to his original state.
A
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
London, June 2016 (Preview)
Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley), Norma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter), Alex Price (Draco Malfoy), Sam Clemmett (Albus Severus Potter), Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy)
Not sure on the exact date, (And given the nature of this show, it could be recorded on two different dates), but if it's still previews it might be later on in the previews. There are some minor dialogue differences between this audio and the released "Special Rehearsal Edition Script". Would love to get an exact date on this though. This is Part I and Part II.
Audio quality is excellent and the audience is very receptive.
A
Jekyll and Hyde
Atlanta Tryout 1996
Robert Cuccioli (Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde) Linda Eder (Lucy Harris) Christian Noll (Lisa Carew) Philip Hoffman (Gabriel John Utterson)
SOUNDBOARD. Analog hiss from the cassette transfer. Tracked VERY heavily (over 30 tracks per act). Quite a few changes would take place between this performance and what would eventually perform on Broadway.
B+
Jekyll and Hyde
Bremen, 1999
Ethan Freeman, Lyn Liechty, Carina Sandhaus (u/s)
For the time period, an AWESOMELY clear audio! Other than some overload on the loud bits and heavy bass (pretty much expected still) I'd swear this audio was a much later recording.
Freeman is BRILLIANT. Just saying.
A+
Jekyll and Hyde
Bremen, October 30, 2000
Ethan Freeman (final), Eva-Marie Marold (first), Nicole Seeger
Another beautiful recording from the original Bremen production. Supposedly this was originally analog - if so, it must have been transferred in the first few generations, because I'd have guessed digital. Some mild overloading, mostly the loudest bits. The real detractor is the group of screaming girls who made this audio and their orgasmic cries and applause every time Ethan blinks; the applause for The Confrontation (clocking in at around two and a half minutes) literally stops the show and Ethan speaks briefly to his fans. (Although to be honest at least that was tons better than the audio I have of Tanz where the taper talks through songs!) Almost every track starts with the fangasming, which makes it a bit difficult/taxing to find a particular song.
But seriously, Ethan's final Jekyll. Brilliant. 'Nuff said.
A
Jekyll and Hyde
Patchogue, NY, July 25, 2001
Brad Little, Alicia Irving, Miriam Couch
Overload at the loud bits. And there's something I can't put my finger on, but it's definitely a theatre accoustic issue.
I fully admit to getting this for Brad Little's performance, and he doesn't disappoint. I swear the man's voice was made for dark roles.
A-
Jekyll and Hyde
Pittsburgh, August 2002 (Civic Light Opera)
Kevin Gray, Michelle Dawson, Kate Suber
A Performance by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Missing a few lines in I Need to Know. Slightly muffled, with minor analog hiss. Original CD copy had 3 second pauses (I'm *still* not sure how that will translate - if at all - if I were to put this to CD, but I'm throwing it out there since I was warned. But then, I don't even know if most traders these days bother with burning their own copies of a full show to CD any more ...)
Another one I got with a specific performer in mind, this time Kevin Gray (who SHOULD have been my first Phantom) ... he doesn't disappoint here. While not as brilliant as Ethan Freeman, he brings his own turn of darkness.
B+
The Little Prince and the Aviator
Broadway, January 1982
Anthony Rapp (Little Prince), Michael York (Toni), Ellen Greene (Suzanne/The Little Rose), Brooks Almy (Lotus Club Girl/Nurse), Kenneth D. Ard (Pilot/The Vulture), Larry G. Bailey (Pilot/Drunkard), Edward Conery (Businessman), Joe DeGunther (Cactus), Mark Dovey (Pilot/Morse Code Operator/Lamplighter), Janet Eilber (Rose), Jennifer Fetten (Suzanne as a Child), Chip Garnett (Snake/Cap Juby Pilot #3), Lynn Gendron (Lotus Club Girl), Alan Gibert (Pilot/Cap Juby Pilot #2/King), Lee Gordon (Ahmed/Georges as a Child), Robert Hoshour (Pilot/Cap Juby Pilot #1/Conceited Man), Robin Kensey (Lotus Club Girl), Diana Laurenson (Lotus Club Girl), Fred C. Mann III (Pilot), David Purdham (Georges/Fennec)
PREVIEW. Two tracks per act. Some mild analog hiss, but very nice sound otherwise. For the age, EXCELLENT quality. Interesting to hear a young Anthony Rapp.
A
Prince of Broadway
Japan, November 4, 2015
Shuler Hensley, Ramin Karimloo, Nancy Opel, David Pittu, Emily Skinner, Josh Grisetti, Bryonha Marie Parham, Mariand Torres, Kaley Ann Voorhees, Reon Yuzuki
Narrated in Japanese by Masachika Ichimura. Musical numbers are in English. Basically a musical review of Hal Prince's six-decades career. Quality wise, has a bit of an echo (theatre accoustics?). Other than that, a beautiful audio.
A
Rent
New York Theatre Workshop, 1994 (Date Unknown)
Anthony Rapp, Tony Hoylen, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Pat Briggs, Shelley Dickenson, Mark Setlock, Sarah Knowlton, Michael Potts, Ensemble: Erin Hill, Deirdre Boddie-Henderson, Gilles Chiasson, Sheila Kay Davis, John Lathan, Jesse Sinclair Renat
I suspect this is off the soundboard. Quite a few differences from the show that eventually made it to the stage, however, there is some evolution towards the final product in this that is not seen in the Concept Cast Recording. Some minor hiss.
A
Rent
Broadway, April 29, 1996
Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs
OPENING NIGHT. Supporting cast information listed in an info file in the download.
TONS of analog hiss over the entire show, but thankfully doesn't seem to suffer from HSD. There's a good recording underneath the hiss, so this might be a good candidate for hiss reduction (I wish I knew how to do that.) Would be willing to trade for an upgraded copy, but until then ... that hiss is just REALLY bad.
B-
Rent
Broadway, June 30, 1996
Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Mark Setlock (u/s Angel), Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs
From early in the show's run on Broadway. Excellent sound for the time period. Mildly tin-can soundy, but not *too* bad.
A
Rent
Broadway, January 25, 1997
Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs, Daphne Rubin-Vega
Heavy analog hiss, tons of bass overload. Might be a candidate for hiss reduction but that won't fix the bass issue. It's a damn shame too ... the OBC was giving it all and then some at this performance, perhaps because it was the one year anniversary of Jonathan Larson's death.
B-
Rent
Broadway, June 10, 1997
Norbert Leo Butz (u/s Mark), Adam Pascal, Marcy Harriell, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs, Kristen Lee Kelly, Aiko Nakasone, Gwen Stewart
Some analog hiss. Sounds like it was recorded at the bottom of a well, there's a muffled quality to it. There's also a sound I can't describe that's kinda with the hiss but it's not hiss.
B-
Rent
Broadway, August 24? / 28?, 1997
Norbert Leo Butz (u/s Roger), Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Michael McElroy (Collins), Calvin Grant (u/s Benny), Fredi Walker (Joanne), Wilson Jermaine Heredia(Angel), Marcy Harriell (Mimi), Sherie Renee Scott (Maureen)
More cast information available in an info file in the download.
Heavy on the analog hiss, and somewhat tin-can sounding (I think that might be as much theatre acoustics), but other than that, not too bad. Better at any rate than the other audio I have of Butz in Rent.
*About the date. The metadata claims it as August 24, and so do the folder names, but for a long time I had it listed as August 28, and I'm not sure if I copied that information from the previous trader, or if I mistyped it. At any rate, I have this thing about making sure I'm as complete as I can in my information, so I throwing that out there. I discovered the discrepancy during a recent trade when asked for the audio but realized I didn't have a file marked as August 28. HOW that escaped my notice when I initially reviewed this audio is beyond me, but it just goes to show you, even the most anal retentive and thorough traders DO make mistakes. That said. If anyone can confirm or deny one of those dates, please let me know so I can fix the information!*
B
Rent
US Tour, January 1, 1998 (Los Angeles, CA. "Benny" Tour)
Neil Patrick Harris (Mark), Christian Mena (Roger), Julia Santana (Mimi), Andy Señor (Angel), Leroy Jackson (Collins), Hallie Bulleit (u/s Maureen), Kenna Ramsey (Joanne), Mark D'Monroe (Benny), Anika Larsen (u/s Mark's Mom)
Some overpowering bass and a fair bit of hiss, but the underlying audio is better than many RENT audios of this time period.
For the longest time I figured I'd stick to mostly OBC but this audio is making me rethink that ... NPH *SLAYED* the role of Mark.
Neil Patrick Harris's final show.
B+
Rent
Broadway, August 1, 2007 (Matinee)
Anthony Rapp (Mark), Adam Pascal (Roger), Tamyra Gray (Mimi), Troy Horne (Collins), Justin Johnston (Angel), Merle Dandridge (Joanne), Nicolette Hart (Maureen), D'Monroe (Benny)
Slight echo-y sound to the recording, nearly sounds like it was recorded inside a tin can. Not sure if that's due to theatre acoustics or not, since I don't have a whole lot of Rent audios at present to compare to (one more than two years older than this one. Similar sound, but given the technological advances in recording equipment ... I expected better sound? I may come back to this and change the grade down the road if I ever figure out whether it's theatre acoustics or not.)
Anette's master
B+
The Rhythm Club:
One of two demos released in limited qualities. This is the one recorded before the show was cast, features Alice Ripley, Roger Bart, Brian D'Arcy James. Seven tracks.
The Rhythm Club
Second of the two demos released in limited qualities. Three tracks. Originally recieved on cassette. Features Jeremy Kushnier and Lauren Kennedy.
The Rhythm Club
Signature Theatre, Arlington VA, September 5, 2000 (First preview)
Jeremy Kushnier (Jake), Tim Martin Gleason (Adam), Lauren Kennedy (Petra), Marsh Hanson (Kingston), Buzz Mauro (Herbert), Megan Lawrence (Greta), Florence Lacey (Anna), Barbara Walsh (Miriam)
CASSETTE TRANSFER. Complete show. Taken from the first preview at the Signature. Good deal of analog hiss, it was originally on audio cassette, but it’s solid. This show had so much potential if only it could have made it to Broadway, the story line is amazing and the cast is fantastic. There is a small break in the instrumental bridge of the song “Pretending I’m Someone Else” in Act one, and a short break, but nothing missing, just after the song "They Always Come Back To Me" in Act two at the flip points. I edited it as best I could, but you can hear the skip.
RARE.
B-
The Rhythm Club:
Signature Theater, Arlington VA, September 19, 2000
Jeremy Kushnier (Jake), Tim Martin Gleason (Adam), Lauren Kennedy (Petra), Marsh Hanson (Kingston), Buzz Mauro (Herbert), Megan Lawrence (Greta), Florence Lacey (Anna), Barbara Walsh (Miriam)
Complete show. Much better quality than the September 5 recording. My original assessment of the show itself still stands, and the cast seems to have improved in the two weeks between these two recordings. The sound is still a little low, however, I found I had to jack it all the way up to hear it, but there's barely any analog hiss.
RARE. As in, I only know one other trader who has it ATM. This needs to change because only luck brought this one back to me!
A-
(Terrence Mann's) Romeo and Juliet
Ordway, August 14, 1999
Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Gambatese (Understudy)
Terrence Mann set the classic Shakespearian tale to music.
Major's master. Sound is a little low, but still a solid recording all around.
A-
Scarlet Pimpernel
US Regional, August 21, 2004 (Matinee)
Sacremento Music Circus, Sacramento, CA
Brad Little, Leah Hocking, William Michals
Looking at dates, Brad had to have left BATB in MA and jumped right in to Pimpernel! Nice clear audio.
FINALLY a replacement copy! And it works! I checked this time I promise lol!
A
Sound Of Music
Broadway, October 7, 1961
Mary Martin, Theodore Bikel, Patricia Neway, Kurt Kasznar , Marion Marlowe, Brian Davies, Lauri Peters
Overload on some loud bits, and some parts are a bit muffled. However, for an audio that's more than 50 years old, it's in excellent condition. This may have been one of Mary Martin's final performances (Martha Wright replaced Martin as Maria in October 1961, but I don't know the date.)
A-
Beauty and the Beast
Vienna, December 20, 1995
Ethan Freeman (Beast), Caroline Vasicek (Belle), Kevin Tarte (Gaston), Rosita Mewis (Mrs. Potts), Viktor Gernot (Lumière), Heinz Zuber (Cogsworth), Rudolf Wasserlof (Maurice), Eric Minsk (Lefou), Anne Mandrella (Babette), Marika Licther (Mme de la Grande Bouche)
VERY heavy bass overload, almost as though the taper was right on a speaker. Also mechanical noise, likely the recording equipment. Minor amount of hiss. Still, worth it to hear Ethan as the Beast.
B
Beauty and the Beast
Vienna, June 29, 1997
Steve Barton (Biest), Caroline Vasicek (Belle), Kevin Tarte (Gaston), Soeren Fenner (Lumière), Heinz Zuber (Herr von Unruh), Jutta Ellinger (Babette), Roswitha Mewis (Madame Pottine), Eric Minsk (Lefou), Josef Helmut Ettl (Maurice)
Final performance of the Vienna production. A fair bit of analog hiss, some overload on the loud bits. Some mechanical noise. But the vocals are nice and clear. Steve's "If I Could Love Her" sends shivers down my spine.
B+
Beauty and the Beast
Broadway, November 5, 1998
James Barbour (Beast), Toni Braxton (Belle), Steve Blanchard (Gaston), Jamie Tortellini (Lefou), Meschach Taylor (Lumière), Beth Fowler (Mrs. Potts), Skip Harrad (Cogsworth), Tim Jerome (Maurice)
Some analog hiss, but there's a solid sound underneath. This role could have been written with Barbour's voice in mind.
A-
Beauty and the Beast
Broadway, March 4, 1999
James Barbour, Andrea McArdle, Steve Blanchard, Patrick Page, Bill Nabel, Beth Fowler, Jonathan Andrew Bleicher, Tim Jerome, Pam Klinger, Jeffrey Howard Schecter, Judith Moore
Very good quality for the age. Mildly echo-y, mild overload on loud bits, mild hiss (most likely this was originally analog, so mild is a good sign.)
A-
Beauty and the Beast
US Regional, August 1, 2004
Beverly, MA (North Shore Music Theater)
Brad Little (Beast), Nikki Renée Daniels (Belle), Brian Noonan (Gaston), Jeff Skowron (Lefou), George Merritt (Maurice), Ron Wisniski (Lumiere), Dick Decareau (Cogsworth), Jeanne Lehman (Mrs. Potts), Jessica Leigh Brown (Babette), Gina Ferrall (Madame de la Grande Bouche)
Slight overload at the loud bits. Not bad enough to downgrade though.
OMG. Brad is a formidable Beast!
A
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
London, April 16, 2002
Michael Ball (Caractacus Potts), Emma Williams (Truly Scrumptious), Brian Blessed (Baron Bomburst), Nichola MacAuliffe (Baroness Bomburst), Richard O’Brien (The Child Catcher), Anton Rodgers (Grandpa Potts)
Opening Night - includes Michael's speech at the curtain call, and an encore of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang". A fair bit of analog hiss over top of the audio. Sounds like it was recorded in a tin can (I know the Palladium was massive so it might just be theatre acoustics.) Track cuts are ... slightly odd. Just that some of them are long (the final track is nearly 17 minutes, and could have been separated into at least three or four and have it still make sense.)
B
Damn Yankees
US Regional, March 9, 2012 (Paper Mill Playhouse, New Jersey)
Howard McGillin (Applegate), Chryssie Whitehead (Lola), Christopher Charles Wood (Joe Hardy), Joseph Kolinski (Joe Boyd), Patti Cohenour (Meg Boyd), Nancy Anderson (Gloria Thorpe)
Some overload on loud bits, but otherwise a good audio.
A-
Elisabeth
Vienna, November 8, 2004
Wietske van Tongeren (3rd US), Máté Kamarás, Serkan Kaya, André Bauer, Lukas Permanschalger, Lenneke Willemsen (alt.)
Wietske's first performance as Elisabeth.
A
Elisabeth
Frankfurt, December 7, 2011
Annemieke Van Dam, Oliver Arno, Kurosch Abbasi, Lars Rindelaub, Gernot Romic, Betty Vermeulen, Elissa Huber, Dennis Kozeluh, Noel Wilde
One track per act. Some mild overload at loud bits.
A
Evita
Broadway, January 1?, 1981
Patti LuPone (Eva Peron), James Stein (Che), David Cryer (Peron), James Whitson (Magaldi), Cynthia Hunt (Peron's Mistress)
Patti LuPone's final performance. This was listed as a soundboard but I'm not completely convinced - in the first minute or so of "Eva Beware Of The City" there's a cough, although I suppose it could have come from a mic somewhere. It has the other markings of a soundboard however, so I'll leave that out there. For the age though, the quality is EXCELLENT. Very minimal analog hiss. No overload or any of the other age associated problems I usually see in audios from this time period.
Some confusion on the exact date. It was listed as "January 8", but the metadata states it as 1/1/81. Anyone who knows for sure when LuPone left the Broadway production, I'd appreciate anything that can clear this up.
Please bear in mind that I do take age into account when grading - this doesn't meet the standards of today's A recordings since it did spend time as an analog.
A
Evita
Vienna, October 30, 2001
Luzia Nistler, Jesse Webb, Thorsten Tinney, Predrag Stojanovic, Gaby Kosik
Evita
London, May 19, 2007
Elena Roger, Matt Rawle, Philip Quast, Greg Castiglioni, Lorna Want
Some overload on the bass. I can't put my finger on just what it is about this audio, but it doesn't sound clear enough for me to think late 2000's.
B
Evita
Edinburgh, June 9, 2008
Louise Dearman, Seamus Cullen, Mark Heenehan, James Waud, Nikki Mae
Evita
Stratford Shakespeare Festival, August 14, 2010
Chilina Kennedy (Eva), Josh Young (Che), Juan Chioran (Peron), Vince Staltari (Magaldi), Josie Marasco (Mistress)
Evita
Broadway, July 18, 2012
Jessica Lea Patty (Eva u/s), Max Von Essen (u/s Che), Michael Cerveris (Peron), Constantine Germanacos (Magaldi), Rachel Potter (Mistress)
Flowers For Algernon
London, June 1979
Michael Crawford, Cheryl Kennedy, Aubrey Woods, Ralph Nossek), Betty Benfield, George Harris, Jeanny L'Esty
SOUNDBOARD of the Original London cast. A fair amount of analog hiss from a likely cassette transfer, but given the age of this recording it's in EXCELLENT condition. Some mild overload here and there, as though the mics aren't mixed properly. I'm giving this an A, but please remember that this audio IS from 1979, so it is more comparable to a B/B- from today.
Not sure if this is the full show or not - Act 1 runs 1 hour 9 minutes, but Act 2 only runs just over 27 minutes including bows. Act 2 does seem to end where the book does, but given that this isn't currently running and there aren't many recordings, I've nothing else to compare it to.
Based off of the novel "Flowers For Algernon". Very interesting to listen to, though. Michael Crawford did a fantabulous job playing a mentally handicapped young man who became 'smart' through a breakthrough surgery, only to return to his original state.
A
Harry Potter And The Cursed Child
London, June 2016 (Preview)
Jamie Parker (Harry Potter), Paul Thornley (Ron Weasley), Norma Dumezweni (Hermione Granger), Poppy Miller (Ginny Potter), Alex Price (Draco Malfoy), Sam Clemmett (Albus Severus Potter), Anthony Boyle (Scorpius Malfoy)
Not sure on the exact date, (And given the nature of this show, it could be recorded on two different dates), but if it's still previews it might be later on in the previews. There are some minor dialogue differences between this audio and the released "Special Rehearsal Edition Script". Would love to get an exact date on this though. This is Part I and Part II.
Audio quality is excellent and the audience is very receptive.
A
Jekyll and Hyde
Atlanta Tryout 1996
Robert Cuccioli (Henry Jekyll/Edward Hyde) Linda Eder (Lucy Harris) Christian Noll (Lisa Carew) Philip Hoffman (Gabriel John Utterson)
SOUNDBOARD. Analog hiss from the cassette transfer. Tracked VERY heavily (over 30 tracks per act). Quite a few changes would take place between this performance and what would eventually perform on Broadway.
B+
Jekyll and Hyde
Bremen, 1999
Ethan Freeman, Lyn Liechty, Carina Sandhaus (u/s)
For the time period, an AWESOMELY clear audio! Other than some overload on the loud bits and heavy bass (pretty much expected still) I'd swear this audio was a much later recording.
Freeman is BRILLIANT. Just saying.
A+
Jekyll and Hyde
Bremen, October 30, 2000
Ethan Freeman (final), Eva-Marie Marold (first), Nicole Seeger
Another beautiful recording from the original Bremen production. Supposedly this was originally analog - if so, it must have been transferred in the first few generations, because I'd have guessed digital. Some mild overloading, mostly the loudest bits. The real detractor is the group of screaming girls who made this audio and their orgasmic cries and applause every time Ethan blinks; the applause for The Confrontation (clocking in at around two and a half minutes) literally stops the show and Ethan speaks briefly to his fans. (Although to be honest at least that was tons better than the audio I have of Tanz where the taper talks through songs!) Almost every track starts with the fangasming, which makes it a bit difficult/taxing to find a particular song.
But seriously, Ethan's final Jekyll. Brilliant. 'Nuff said.
A
Jekyll and Hyde
Patchogue, NY, July 25, 2001
Brad Little, Alicia Irving, Miriam Couch
Overload at the loud bits. And there's something I can't put my finger on, but it's definitely a theatre accoustic issue.
I fully admit to getting this for Brad Little's performance, and he doesn't disappoint. I swear the man's voice was made for dark roles.
A-
Jekyll and Hyde
Pittsburgh, August 2002 (Civic Light Opera)
Kevin Gray, Michelle Dawson, Kate Suber
A Performance by the Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Missing a few lines in I Need to Know. Slightly muffled, with minor analog hiss. Original CD copy had 3 second pauses (I'm *still* not sure how that will translate - if at all - if I were to put this to CD, but I'm throwing it out there since I was warned. But then, I don't even know if most traders these days bother with burning their own copies of a full show to CD any more ...)
Another one I got with a specific performer in mind, this time Kevin Gray (who SHOULD have been my first Phantom) ... he doesn't disappoint here. While not as brilliant as Ethan Freeman, he brings his own turn of darkness.
B+
The Little Prince and the Aviator
Broadway, January 1982
Anthony Rapp (Little Prince), Michael York (Toni), Ellen Greene (Suzanne/The Little Rose), Brooks Almy (Lotus Club Girl/Nurse), Kenneth D. Ard (Pilot/The Vulture), Larry G. Bailey (Pilot/Drunkard), Edward Conery (Businessman), Joe DeGunther (Cactus), Mark Dovey (Pilot/Morse Code Operator/Lamplighter), Janet Eilber (Rose), Jennifer Fetten (Suzanne as a Child), Chip Garnett (Snake/Cap Juby Pilot #3), Lynn Gendron (Lotus Club Girl), Alan Gibert (Pilot/Cap Juby Pilot #2/King), Lee Gordon (Ahmed/Georges as a Child), Robert Hoshour (Pilot/Cap Juby Pilot #1/Conceited Man), Robin Kensey (Lotus Club Girl), Diana Laurenson (Lotus Club Girl), Fred C. Mann III (Pilot), David Purdham (Georges/Fennec)
PREVIEW. Two tracks per act. Some mild analog hiss, but very nice sound otherwise. For the age, EXCELLENT quality. Interesting to hear a young Anthony Rapp.
A
Prince of Broadway
Japan, November 4, 2015
Shuler Hensley, Ramin Karimloo, Nancy Opel, David Pittu, Emily Skinner, Josh Grisetti, Bryonha Marie Parham, Mariand Torres, Kaley Ann Voorhees, Reon Yuzuki
Narrated in Japanese by Masachika Ichimura. Musical numbers are in English. Basically a musical review of Hal Prince's six-decades career. Quality wise, has a bit of an echo (theatre accoustics?). Other than that, a beautiful audio.
A
Rent
New York Theatre Workshop, 1994 (Date Unknown)
Anthony Rapp, Tony Hoylen, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Pat Briggs, Shelley Dickenson, Mark Setlock, Sarah Knowlton, Michael Potts, Ensemble: Erin Hill, Deirdre Boddie-Henderson, Gilles Chiasson, Sheila Kay Davis, John Lathan, Jesse Sinclair Renat
I suspect this is off the soundboard. Quite a few differences from the show that eventually made it to the stage, however, there is some evolution towards the final product in this that is not seen in the Concept Cast Recording. Some minor hiss.
A
Rent
Broadway, April 29, 1996
Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs
OPENING NIGHT. Supporting cast information listed in an info file in the download.
TONS of analog hiss over the entire show, but thankfully doesn't seem to suffer from HSD. There's a good recording underneath the hiss, so this might be a good candidate for hiss reduction (I wish I knew how to do that.) Would be willing to trade for an upgraded copy, but until then ... that hiss is just REALLY bad.
B-
Rent
Broadway, June 30, 1996
Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Idina Menzel, Jesse L. Martin, Mark Setlock (u/s Angel), Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs
From early in the show's run on Broadway. Excellent sound for the time period. Mildly tin-can soundy, but not *too* bad.
A
Rent
Broadway, January 25, 1997
Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs, Daphne Rubin-Vega
Heavy analog hiss, tons of bass overload. Might be a candidate for hiss reduction but that won't fix the bass issue. It's a damn shame too ... the OBC was giving it all and then some at this performance, perhaps because it was the one year anniversary of Jonathan Larson's death.
B-
Rent
Broadway, June 10, 1997
Norbert Leo Butz (u/s Mark), Adam Pascal, Marcy Harriell, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs, Kristen Lee Kelly, Aiko Nakasone, Gwen Stewart
Some analog hiss. Sounds like it was recorded at the bottom of a well, there's a muffled quality to it. There's also a sound I can't describe that's kinda with the hiss but it's not hiss.
B-
Rent
Broadway, August 24? / 28?, 1997
Norbert Leo Butz (u/s Roger), Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Michael McElroy (Collins), Calvin Grant (u/s Benny), Fredi Walker (Joanne), Wilson Jermaine Heredia(Angel), Marcy Harriell (Mimi), Sherie Renee Scott (Maureen)
More cast information available in an info file in the download.
Heavy on the analog hiss, and somewhat tin-can sounding (I think that might be as much theatre acoustics), but other than that, not too bad. Better at any rate than the other audio I have of Butz in Rent.
*About the date. The metadata claims it as August 24, and so do the folder names, but for a long time I had it listed as August 28, and I'm not sure if I copied that information from the previous trader, or if I mistyped it. At any rate, I have this thing about making sure I'm as complete as I can in my information, so I throwing that out there. I discovered the discrepancy during a recent trade when asked for the audio but realized I didn't have a file marked as August 28. HOW that escaped my notice when I initially reviewed this audio is beyond me, but it just goes to show you, even the most anal retentive and thorough traders DO make mistakes. That said. If anyone can confirm or deny one of those dates, please let me know so I can fix the information!*
B
Rent
US Tour, January 1, 1998 (Los Angeles, CA. "Benny" Tour)
Neil Patrick Harris (Mark), Christian Mena (Roger), Julia Santana (Mimi), Andy Señor (Angel), Leroy Jackson (Collins), Hallie Bulleit (u/s Maureen), Kenna Ramsey (Joanne), Mark D'Monroe (Benny), Anika Larsen (u/s Mark's Mom)
Some overpowering bass and a fair bit of hiss, but the underlying audio is better than many RENT audios of this time period.
For the longest time I figured I'd stick to mostly OBC but this audio is making me rethink that ... NPH *SLAYED* the role of Mark.
Neil Patrick Harris's final show.
B+
Rent
Broadway, August 1, 2007 (Matinee)
Anthony Rapp (Mark), Adam Pascal (Roger), Tamyra Gray (Mimi), Troy Horne (Collins), Justin Johnston (Angel), Merle Dandridge (Joanne), Nicolette Hart (Maureen), D'Monroe (Benny)
Slight echo-y sound to the recording, nearly sounds like it was recorded inside a tin can. Not sure if that's due to theatre acoustics or not, since I don't have a whole lot of Rent audios at present to compare to (one more than two years older than this one. Similar sound, but given the technological advances in recording equipment ... I expected better sound? I may come back to this and change the grade down the road if I ever figure out whether it's theatre acoustics or not.)
Anette's master
B+
The Rhythm Club:
One of two demos released in limited qualities. This is the one recorded before the show was cast, features Alice Ripley, Roger Bart, Brian D'Arcy James. Seven tracks.
The Rhythm Club
Second of the two demos released in limited qualities. Three tracks. Originally recieved on cassette. Features Jeremy Kushnier and Lauren Kennedy.
The Rhythm Club
Signature Theatre, Arlington VA, September 5, 2000 (First preview)
Jeremy Kushnier (Jake), Tim Martin Gleason (Adam), Lauren Kennedy (Petra), Marsh Hanson (Kingston), Buzz Mauro (Herbert), Megan Lawrence (Greta), Florence Lacey (Anna), Barbara Walsh (Miriam)
CASSETTE TRANSFER. Complete show. Taken from the first preview at the Signature. Good deal of analog hiss, it was originally on audio cassette, but it’s solid. This show had so much potential if only it could have made it to Broadway, the story line is amazing and the cast is fantastic. There is a small break in the instrumental bridge of the song “Pretending I’m Someone Else” in Act one, and a short break, but nothing missing, just after the song "They Always Come Back To Me" in Act two at the flip points. I edited it as best I could, but you can hear the skip.
RARE.
B-
The Rhythm Club:
Signature Theater, Arlington VA, September 19, 2000
Jeremy Kushnier (Jake), Tim Martin Gleason (Adam), Lauren Kennedy (Petra), Marsh Hanson (Kingston), Buzz Mauro (Herbert), Megan Lawrence (Greta), Florence Lacey (Anna), Barbara Walsh (Miriam)
Complete show. Much better quality than the September 5 recording. My original assessment of the show itself still stands, and the cast seems to have improved in the two weeks between these two recordings. The sound is still a little low, however, I found I had to jack it all the way up to hear it, but there's barely any analog hiss.
RARE. As in, I only know one other trader who has it ATM. This needs to change because only luck brought this one back to me!
A-
(Terrence Mann's) Romeo and Juliet
Ordway, August 14, 1999
Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Gambatese (Understudy)
Terrence Mann set the classic Shakespearian tale to music.
Major's master. Sound is a little low, but still a solid recording all around.
A-
Scarlet Pimpernel
US Regional, August 21, 2004 (Matinee)
Sacremento Music Circus, Sacramento, CA
Brad Little, Leah Hocking, William Michals
Looking at dates, Brad had to have left BATB in MA and jumped right in to Pimpernel! Nice clear audio.
FINALLY a replacement copy! And it works! I checked this time I promise lol!
A
Sound Of Music
Broadway, October 7, 1961
Mary Martin, Theodore Bikel, Patricia Neway, Kurt Kasznar , Marion Marlowe, Brian Davies, Lauri Peters
Overload on some loud bits, and some parts are a bit muffled. However, for an audio that's more than 50 years old, it's in excellent condition. This may have been one of Mary Martin's final performances (Martha Wright replaced Martin as Maria in October 1961, but I don't know the date.)
A-