Jeanine Tesori, Tony Kushner, Tonya Pinkins, Anika Noni Rose - Caroline, Or Change (2004 Original Broadway Cast)

Remember 1958, when milquetoast The Music Man won the Tony for Best Musical over brashly innovative West Side Story? It's likely that one day we'll remember 2004 as the year wholesome Avenue Q won over brilliantly daring Caroline, or Change. The Tony Kushner-Jeanine Tesori collaboration proves that a show can be smart, inspirational, provocative, touching, and simply beautiful all at the same time. And lest you think Caroline is the kind of musical that's good for you in a spinach kind of way, this two-CD set demonstrates that the show's also terrifically fun. Because the plot is set in 1963 Louisiana, Tesori's ultra-melodic score, delivered by a superb cast, expertly weaves together R&B, gospel, doo-wop, soul and girl-group pop (check out the lovely "Salty Teardrops"). And of course there's a bona fide showstopper for Caroline (Tonya Pinkins) in the heartwrenching "Lot's Wife," which had New York audiences in tears during the show's run. Truly extraordinary. --Elisabeth Vincentelli Amazon.com

OVER-RATED!

I saw this production in LA with the original Broadway cast, and while I thought it was emotional and VERY well acted, it was also musically forgettable. I mean, 'songs that sound pretty powerful while you hear them that you couldn't sing a note from ten seconds later' forgettable. Yes, there are some interesting songs like the afore mentioned "Salty Teardrops", "Roosevelt Petrucius Coleslaw", and "Lot's Wife", but it still doesn't stay with you. The EMOTION does, but alas, the melodies do not. And I've sang in an award-winning gospel group for years, but ANY of those melodies stay with you and these don't. Not too mention that when you hoped that it might finally be over, you realized it was only the intermission! I have not experienced anything like THAT in a musical since Anthony Newley's "Chaplin", and that's NOT a good sign! A first act should not feel that long....

Also, the reviewer above was only half right: No, "Avenue Q" did not deserve Best Musical, but "Wicked" most certainly DID! Over-hyped or not, it still was head and shoulders above anything else that year. I would've enjoyed THIS show better as a straight drama, but as a Musical I'm afraid it misses the mark.
June 25, 2007

This show should have come out a few years later!

I never had a chance to see the original production on Broadway and after listening to this CD that upsets me. Caroline, or Change has a great score and a good story. The actors are excellent and pure. Tonya Pinkins is amazing in the role of Caroline. If this show came out after shows such as "Wicked" and "Avenue Q" I think it would have had a better chance to be noticed. With shows like "Grey Gardens" and "Spring Awakening" now out on Broadway I believe that there is now an audience for smaller, original, quality shows like "Caroline, Or Change" (I am not saying that "Avenue Q" is not quality or original but "Avenue Q" and "Wicked" flooded the news especially when it came to the Tony's). I would highly recommend this CD to anyone who likes a high quality show. January 23, 2007

Caroline Don't Change!!!

I traveled from DC to NY twice to see this production in 2004. Trust me...What you hear on this CD is what I saw and heard in the Theatre!! I agree with the previous reviewers in that this musical is years ahead of it's time. Years from now it will be mentioned along with Sondheim works and Dreamgirls as musicals that were on the cutting edge of musical theatre!!! January 5, 2007

Magnificent

I haven't seen the production but as much of the story, including dialogue, is sung, and the full score is presented on the CD, this is the next best thing to being there. I DO NOT agree that the show is ahead of its time. It continues the wonderful tradition I was afraid would die with Sondheim. A tradition of the intellectual musical. It has tremendous depth - emotional, intellectual, musical. If you haven't seen the show I'd advise that you read the lyrics as you listen, otherwise its somewhat difficult to follow, but BUY IT. Like Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Company and Sunday in the Park with George you'll hear something new every time you listen. December 22, 2006

AMAZING cast album, AMAZING show!

i LOVE this show. Tonya Pinkins is phenomenal as Caroline, and Anika Noni Rose is likewise as wonderful as Emmie. Its a shame that Caroline, or Change came out when it did - it was up with some hard competition that year, what with Wicked coming out as well. I think had Tonya not been up against the amazing, not to mention my IDOL Idina Menzel, she would have taken home the Tony, hands down. I think the show was also ahead of its time, meaning Broadway probably wasn't ready then, or, in my opinion, now for a show of this magnitude, but man! what an amazing show indeed. definitely in my top favorite shows. I would recommend this show to just about anyone. December 15, 2006

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