Meredith Willson - Meredith Willson's The Music Man (2000 Broadway Revival Cast)

Choreographer-turned-director Susan Stroman struck gold twice in the 1999-2000 Broadway season, first with her dance play Contact and then with her grand revival of Meredith Willson's The Music Man. One of the most loving--and beloved--celebrations of Americana ever to grace the stage, The Music Man captures the soul of the heartland with its evocation of brass bands, barbershop quartets, and even piano lessons. The titular role of the fast-talking con man who hoodwinks an Iowa town has, perhaps more than any other role in musical theater, always belonged to one performer: Robert Preston, who starred in the original 1957 Broadway cast and subsequent 1962 film. Craig Bierko, a movie actor making his Broadway debut, acquits himself well, sometimes sounding astonishingly like Preston but without aping him. In his hands, "76 Trombones" remains a rousing signature tune. As Marian the librarian, a radiant Rebecca Luker (star of the Broadway revivals of Show Boat and The Sound of Music) beautifully delivers her ballads, including "My White Knight," which was written for the original stage production but replaced in the film by "Being in Love." Longtime fans will appreciate the inclusion of the barbershop tunes "Ice Cream" and "It's You," and the dance music in "76 Trombones," "Marian the Librarian," and "Shipoopi," as well as a booklet with full lyrics. Preston's magical performances are irreplaceable, but this energetic revival is worthy of a spot on your shelf. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com

Craig Bierko this isn't!

The other reviews are of a different recording - that of the recent Broadway revival with Craig Bierko and Rebecca Luker.
This is a studio recording starring baritone Timothy Noble. The performance tries hard and includes probably more music than most recordings (including "Being in Love" from the film). The main problem seems to be with the tempo. All the songs could be performed twice as fast as the are. While orchestral details might be missing at that speed, the score would get an injection of energy which is what makes this musical work.
August 9, 2006

Better than Preston

First of all, let me say that I love this show, but the old Robert Preston recording gets...well, for lack of a better word...old. Preston created the role, yes, but his less-than-stellar voice is often overpowered by the golden voiced divas he was duetting with (i.e. Barbara Cook and Shirley Jones). Craig Bierko, however, has a VERY good voice and he and Rebecca Luker blend nicely. I am a big fan of Luker's work, too, so her presence on this recording is an added bonus.

It is also a "complete" recording, if you will. I mean that it includes all the songs that are performed in the stage version of The Music Man including the "Pick-A-Little" reprise and "My White Knight", which was re-written for the film.

If you're looking for a Music Man recording, this is the one to buy. If you want Preston, buy the film, but stay far, far, FAR away from Matthew Broderick. December 13, 2004

WOW!!! The Best Music Man CD Ever!!

This is the best Music Man CD yet! It has enough new instrumentations that it is interesting, but not so many that it is very different than Broadway. The book that comes with it (the one with the cover on the front) is great, it has pictures, lyrics, cast, and a summary of the play. The quartet was not that good, though. In all this is a 5-star album that any real Music Man fan should own. March 30, 2004

Susan Stroman Never Fails!

If you like musicals, buy this CD. It is THE best Music Man cast recording of all time for one main reason; Susan Stroman (many Tony awards) directed it. Since Susan is a choreographer as well as a director she included dance music on this recording. It is great to finally hear complete songs. Although it is not the exact music you will hear if you go to see a "non-Susan Stroman" production of the music man; at least there is dance music. 76 Trombones is the most well known song from the show. On most other cast recordings it has been reduced to about 3 minutes, on this CD however, it is well over 7 minutes long. Also the Shipoopi is horrible on ALL the other recordings, on this one however the music is fabulous and the cast is great! All the songs on this CD are perfect. Craig Bierko is amazing (as good as Robert Preston, maybe better). Rebecca Luker is a great singer and does not at all bring down this cast recording, but she is not quite as good as Kristin Chenoweth from the new movie (but who is?). A lot of the songs have been slightly updated; the best are 'The Wells Fargo Wagon' and 'Finale Ultimo'. This new cast recoding is wonderful and greatly appreciated my music man fans and dancers all over. BUY IT!!! June 11, 2003

Second Best ONLY to the Original Broadway Cast

Forget all but the Original Cast Recording. Everything about this Digital Recording blows every other recording of this musical out of the water. I've heard them all (including the new Kristin Chenowith/Matthew Broderick version) and this beats them all. Reading all the reviews of every version of this available here on Amazon.com, I am honestly shocked more people don't know about this incredible version. The cast is by far the best, the chorus is full and on target, and the orchestra is right off the bandstand--and wonderfully recorded. GET THIS NOW! February 14, 2003

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