So when I ordered this CD i didnt expect much from it. Its older, and about ballroom dancing. But the music is quite soothing, and not at all "old." The show is sweet and intamite with lots of duets. But the star voice is definitly Lynn Roberts. Wow has she got a sweet smooth voice. So in short, this is one for amature collectors, and up. Probably not the best for someone who likes Wicked, but thats the only show they know. Favorite Song: "I've Been Waiting All My Life"
July 26, 2006"Ballroom" was based on a T.V. movie, titled "The Queen of the Stardust Ballroom". The show was a flop, but an interesting idea none the less. Columbia, thankfully, perserved this fascinating score that needs to be rediscovered. If you have never heard of the authors, do not worry, neither had I. They were mainly Hollywood writers, but their material is 100% broadway gold. Loudon gives the great material her all, which makes songs such as "Fifty Percent" seem all the more charged with emotion. The opening number is excellent, and so is much of the dance material. All in all, a great score that needs a revival. It would put today's "Europop" musicals to shame.
September 12, 2004 |  | Old tunes, old cast, touching stories. |  |
A touching love story told by the incredible old-timers of theater in their golden years. Dorothy Loudon soars. Buy it for "Fifty Percent" if for anything. The song makes me wrench and it will make you sob too. Buy it for that. Buy it for her. Buy it for the music that makes you want to dance.
March 23, 2003| | | Old tunes, old cast, touching stories. | |
A touching love story told by the incredible old-timers of theater in their golden years. Dorothy Loudon soars. Buy it for "Fifty Percent" if for anything. The song makes me wrench and it will make you sob too. Buy it for that. Buy it for her. Buy it for the music that makes you want to dance.
March 23, 2003 | | under-rated musical masterpiece | |
BALLROOM is a fantastic musical. It has a huge cult following by Michael Bennett fans and Broadway musical-lovers alike. The score is an exciting blend of old-fashioned waltzes combined with the pulsating rhythms of the 70's disco scene.
The story concerns Bea Asher (Dorothy Loudon - who also created the role of Miss Hannigan in the original cast of ANNIE), who, after losing her husband, discovers a new life at a dingy ballroom in the Bronx. There, she meets Alfred Rossi (Vincent Gardenia), a married man, whom she begins to have a love affair with. Bea knows that she will never truly 'have' Alfred for herself, but is more than willing to play second-fiddle even if her pride is what takes the fall.
The music is gorgeous; as with other "concept musicals", most of the songs have nothing to do with the plot, and most are sung by the singers at the ballroom (played by Lynn Roberts and Bernie Knee). Stand-outs in the score are "Dreams", "I Love to Dance", "A Terrific Band and a Real Nice Crowd", "Somebody Did All Right for Herself", and - the real show-stopper - "Fifty Percent", sung for all its worth by Dorothy Loudon.
A beautiful score and musical; ripe for rediscovery. October 1, 2002
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