Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast)

Curtains is the best

I am a big fan of Kander and Ebb. I especially like Ebb's way with lyrics. Unfortunately, since Ebb has died, this really is "curtains" for their collaboration. This is the best K&E production I have ever seen, especially with the original cast. It is hilarious, romantic, typical theater attitudes, and a happy ending. Debra Monk is the best performer, but the character of "Bambi" has to be seen on stage to truly appreciate her dancing ability. David Hyde Pierce sings and dances better than I would have expected. This album doesn't give you the true ending, so you have to go see it on the stage to see how the murders are all solved and everyone is happy. It's worth just listening to, even if you don't really know how it ends. August 10, 2008

Gotta Love Broadway!

Lovers of Broadway will appreciate thaat the Musical genre' is alive. Here is a refreshing "new" work, with a clever story and a great cast. Buy the cd & then see the show! You'll leave the theare with your toes a tappin'. November 19, 2007

Fun show

We only went to see it because of David Hyde Pierce. The show was lots of fun and the cast amazing. There was great talent on the stage and the music fit well. I had to get the CD. Not the best of Kander & Ebb, but "Show People" still knocks your socks off... and it transfered to the CD beautifully. Hearing the music won't ruin the ending and it gets you ready to follow along or relive the energy. November 15, 2007

Good cast, bland score...

The cast recording of "Curtains" features a score by John Kander and the late Fred Ebb (with additional material by Rupert Holmes) that is just too bland-- especially given the songwriting team's track record. Tony-winner David Hyde Pierce and a gathering of Broadway pros perform admirably on disc and the orchestra is lively, but most of the tracks had me bored within about thirty seconds. The story involves a murder mystery behind the scenes of a terrible musical and the investigation by a show business-loving detective (Pierce), whose love of theater gets in the way of solving the crime. It's a promising premise with a good enough cast that might make this one of those musicals that's still enjoyable without having a distinguished score. "Curtains" is obviously a throwback to old fashioned musical comedies (in keeping with the 1950's setting), but even as nostalgia, the recording doesn't offer a whole lot. The songs for the musical-within-the musical are intentionally dopey, and therefore pretty tedious on disc. There are bits here and there that work okay-- particularly when some cynical humor breaks through. I liked "The Woman's Dead," in which the cast of the show-within-a show use the occasion of the star's unexpected death to engage in an impromptu "acting exercise." But the darker bits really only made me want to listen to edgier Kander and Ebb fare, like "Chicago" or "Kiss of the Spider Woman." October 29, 2007

Curtains

Good to get a contemporary musical comedy album that sounds like an old fashioned musical with good music and lyrics. I do not appreciate that rock and roll seems to be taking over Broadway. October 17, 2007

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