Henry Mancini, Leslie Bricusse - Victor/Victoria (1995 Original Broadway Cast)

One Brief Shining Moment

I can't understand for the life of me why people will continually pan this musical as total crap. Admittedly, the 1995 musical adaptation of the 1982 film "Victor/Victoria" is weak; but there are wonderful moments. Julie's beautiful voice entering the sunset of its life, only to be cut short by the ever famous botched surgery in 1997. Strangely, her voice is surprising strong and intact. From what one sees from the DVD print of the Original Broadway Production printed for Japanese Television, her voice was tired and making her marks sounded difficult for her (noting the iconic glissando and Andrews' break near the top.) Victor/Victoria was a labor of love and joy for Julie, had she not believed in the production it would not have been mounted in the first place. Not the greatest of musicals by any means, but one that includes a premiere vocalist of the 20th Century. It should be enjoyed for the time capsule that it is, regardless of award-winning material.

We can only imagine what Julie would have recorded for Philips after her run on Broadway..
May 6, 2008

Dismal musical

This tired musical featured Julie Andrews playing a down and out English female singer who hits upon the idea of pretending to be a female impersonator and becomes successful at it, until, of course, a guy falls for her.
The music is tedious and formulaic and utterly uninspired. It might have been fun to see her do it in person but on the recording, it is just boring.
I am extremely sorry I wasted my money on it. March 26, 2008

Buy the Movei score instead!

My titile says it all. But, to elaborate, Julie Andrews, James Garner, Alex Karras were all at their peak. Robert Preston brought such incredible sophisitication and truth as a man living a double life in the spotlight. Finally, few things express the pre-AIDS world freedom as clearly as Leslie Ann Warren's pubic hair showing in high-def. The world has become such a more subdued and censored place since the 70s - early 80s. Why watch or listen to the Broadway re-make of a beautiful moveie when you can get the real thing. Buy the original. Buy the movie and see what we have lost in the past 20 years. November 4, 2007

Great but best song missing

This soundtrack is amazing Julie andrews blows me a way... The only thing that is wrong is that Le jazz hot is not on this album... January 27, 2007

Stick To The Movie, THAT was a treat!

Get's one star in appreciation of the technicians who had to record the cd. What a mess! Never should have been made. Even Julie is way past the point of playing this onstage. She half talks her way through her songs, her voice clearly not what it was when she made the film. Sorry Julie, should have left it alone.

The rest of the cast is not on a par with the film. Tony Roberts in place of Robert Preston...not on his best day. Leslie Ann Warren was riotuosly original in the film, Rachel York trying to copy her, is not. And Michael Nouri? Dismal.
The songs added to the score for the stage.......forget it.
Not even worth mentioning any more. Goes into the WHAT WERE THEY THINKING? file.
As for Julie refusing her Tony nomination because the rest of the show was overlooked? C'mon Julie, there was a reason for that, the show SUCKED!
July 25, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...