Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II - Rodgers & Hammerstein's State Fair (1996 Original Broadway Cast)

The Fourth Attempt At "State Fair" Gets It Right

I was lucky to live in Des Moines, Iowa the week that "State Fair" premiered at the Civic Center. It was great fun to see the celebrities come to town for the first performance of this musical of which Iowans are very proud. Patricia Neal was there as well as Mary Rodgers representing her father and others.
The Premier was planned to coincide with the actual Iowa State Fair, and the musical's leads waved to the crowds proudly from their convertibles as they rode in the State Fair parade(John Davidson, Kathryn Crosby, Andrea McArdle, Donna McKechnie, Scott Wise, and Ben Wright). It was truly a photographer's "hey-day", and cameras were snapping pictures all along the route.
Then came the actual production itself. Before seeing the show, I was most concerned about two numbers: "All I Owe Ioway" and "Boys And Girls Like You And Me".
The first (because if not handled right) can make Iowans appear in a bad light. But, it was done as the huge production number of which farmers and urbanites alike could proudly join together and celebrate their love of the fair.
R & H have tried to interpolate "Boys And Girls..." into several shows without success, but happily it has finally found a place where it could fit in and make sense.
The performers all gave top-notch efforts. Donna McKechnie proved she still had it even though several years had passed since "Chorus Line", and Scott Wise lived up to the praise he had been given in "Jerome Robbins' Broadway". What can you say about Andrea McArdle except that she's great! and Ben Wright wore his heart on his sleeve as McKechnies' love-lorn swain. The leads John Davidson and Kathryn Crosby sat back and let the kids have their fun and opined on growing older and fretting over blue ribbons to be won at the fair.
All together you had a simple story with lavish sets, good orchestrations, spot-on choreography, and great performers to interpret and make the whole thing come off in grand style.
One New York critic said the production cried out for a ferris wheel which isn't very practical for the Broadway stage, but I hope someday the show will be given a blue ribbon revival, and somehow that critic can get his ferris wheel in the production. Until then, enjoy this well recorded and delightful cast album. November 12, 2007

Delightful and Entertaining

State Fair is often deemed a simple and boring show. I say simple - yes, but boring - no way! The music in this show is catchy and entertaining. This has quickly become my favorite Broadway recording, and I listen to it every time I'm in the car. This is easily my favorite R&H score and is one of the few recordings that I listen through entirely. That's right - I never skip a single song. I can't speak highly enough of this delightful recording. All of the cast members deliver top notch musical performances, as does the orchestra behind them. This recording cannot dissapoint. August 15, 2007

Disappointing

STATE FAIR is one of the Rodgers & Hammerstein scores I'd only recently paid any attention to, having just bought the DVD of the 60th anniversary special edition, which includes both versions (1945 and 1964). So when I sent for this original cast album of the Broadway version of the show, I had high hopes for it. I'm a great fan of the traditional (read: pre-Andrew Lloyd Webber) Broadway musical, and I expected a thrilling overture and exciting performances. Not so. The overture is rather poorly orchestrated and the performances are lackluster. February 10, 2007

Refreshing Score - Great Show

What a delight to finally own the C.D. of what I remember to be such a fine show, Everything is first rate and the inclusion of color photographs and the incredible costume and set designs is a plus for collectors. I can just picture the show listening to the C.D. and seeing the beautiful costumes took me right back to 1946 and era my husband and I shall never forget. Our grandchild considers this her favorite show an she likes Usher! January 6, 2005

Isn't it kinda fun to listen to this CD?

I got this CD a while ago at a used CD store mainly because it had Ben Wright (of "Into the Woods" fame) and Andrea McArdle (of "Annie" fame.) Needless to say, I listened to it once, then set it on my shelf to collect dust. Then I purchased Bernadette Peters' "Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers & Hammerstein" where I fell in love with the songs "So Far" and "It's A Grand Night for Singing." I put my "State Fair" soundtrack in the CD player, and really listened to it, and realized how great it actually is. I am so glad that this musical happened. The success of the songs from the "failed" R & H shows is worth the soundtrack itself. On this CD, my faves are definitely "So Far," "That's For Me," and "Isn't It Kinda Fun?" All of the voices are marvelous. Andrea McArdle and Ben Wright have truly grown up since their earlier appearances on Broadway, and both display true musical theatre voices. If you love Rodgers & Hammerstein, Broadway musicals, or just good music, I would DEFINITELY reccommend this soundtrack. It's becoming one of my favorite Rodgers & Hammerstein shows. December 26, 2002

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