Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens's classic tale receives another musical treatment in this Broadway production, a rare collaboration between Alan Menken, composer of Little Shop of Horrors as well as several of the films behind Disney's late-1980s revival (including The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast), and Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty's lyricist for such hits as Ragtime and Once on this Island. If you've already heard a song from this score, it's probably "A Place Called Home," and rightly so--it's a warm, beautiful ballad. But there are other good, catchy songs here, including "The Lights of Long Ago" and the peppy "Mr. Fezziwig's Annual Christmas Ball" (which is so Menken it almost conjures visions of dancing kitchenware). As Scrooge, Walter Charles leads the ensemble cast, which includes Robert Westenberg and Emily Skinner. And of course only the hardest heart could fail to be touched by this story. Full lyrics are included. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Same Old Story With a Tune

I'll agree this is nothing new, but this CD has great music on it. Very exciting and fresh, to go with this old story. The vocalists are great, the lyrics fit right into the story, and the orchestrations are wonderful. After listening to this CD I never want to see "A Christmas Carol" any other way. I strongly suggest this CD for everyone. It is a family show, as well as being a wonderful one for new and old listeners. This CD tells the entire story, there no need to read a synopsis because its all here. Favorite Song: "Dancing On Your Grave" January 22, 2007

Bah Humbug!

What this show lacks in originality or variety, it makes up with charm and pure enjoyment points. We all know the story, Scrooge regects the Christmas spirit and is, in result, is visited my three ghosts to show in the past, present and future of Schrooge's Christmas'. What makes this show unique is that it is almost entirely sung through. However, this is also the downfall of the show. There is not quite enough material to merit a the opera-esque elements of the show. Unfortuantely, there are a lot of reprisals of the music, and it is the weaker songs that are repeated again and again, which makes it occasionally tedious. Also, it borrows elements from menkins other musicals, like Hunchback of Notre Dame and Beauty and the Beast. The same mediocre material moves from tedious to boring when streched across three shows.

However, the show is a lot of fun, and will make you begin counting down the days until Christmas!
The best songs are LINK BY LINK, the song Marley sings to forsee the arrival of the three ghosts, ABUNDANCE AND CHARITY, a sort of MGM big chorus number by the ghost of christmas present, and DANCING ON YOUR GRAVE, the song the gost of christmas yet to be sings. Its atmospheric and a little creepy.

Overall, its a great family musical for the christmas season. November 28, 2006

One of Menken's Finest

All of Menken's work has had a unique sound that still allows melodic lines to soar in a way unheard since Rodgers & Hammerstein. Whether it be the 60s Do-Wop style of Little Shop of Horrors or the intense soaring classical-romantic style of Der Glöckner von Notre Dame, he creates soaring music. One of these shows would certainly be A Christmas Carol.

The music starts out perhaps a slight bit weak, lacking in melodiousness, but Ahrens (of Once On this Island and Ragtime Fame) is able to redeem this with important story characteristics which allow the second half to be a ton of fun musically as well. March 16, 2005

i <33333 this CD!!

The very first time I ever saw this musical, I was in 3rd grade, which would be 2000. I went to see it with a family friend and his mom, and I absolutely adored it. That trip was very special, especially because that friend's older sister was in it, one of the 30 angels in the choir. From that point on, it was my dream to be in the angel choir too. And since she was in it through our school, I knew I would get my chance. 3 years later, in 6th grade, choir auditions came around at school and I made it! You could definitely say that that was the best day of my life. And so I performed with 29 of my friends about once a week, and I remember every moment of it - however, having this CD definitely helps to relive the memories. =) If you didn't get a chance to see this show before it closed last year, buy this CD - it obviously won't be the same but it's pretty darn close! And for those of you who have seen it, you'll love reliving it for yourself. Just get this CD!! It has perfect orchestrations, witty songs and it's an all around joyful experience. And I'm not just saying that because I was in it. =D November 20, 2004

i <33333 this CD!!

The very first time I ever saw this musical, I was in 3rd grade, which would be 2000. I went to see it with a family friend and his mom, and I absolutely adored it. That trip was very special, especially because that friend's older sister was in it, one of the 30 angels in the choir. From that point on, it was my dream to be in the angel choir too. And since she was in it through our school, I knew I would get my chance. 3 years later, in 6th grade, choir auditions came around at school and I made it! You could definitely say that that was the best day of my life. And so I performed with 29 of my friends about once a week, and I remember every moment of it - however, having this CD definitely helps to relive the memories. =) If you didn't get a chance to see this show before it closed last year, buy this CD - it obviously won't be the same but it's pretty darn close! And for those of you who have seen it, you'll love reliving it for yourself. Just get this CD!! It has perfect orchestrations, witty songs and it's an all around joyful experience. And I'm not just saying that because I was in it. =D November 19, 2004

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