Studio Cast Recording & Original Mexican Cast Recording
Release Date: 25 May 2018
Label: Stage Door
Packaging Type: Slip Sleeve (CD or Vinyl)
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 5055122154600
Genres: Soundtracks Theatre Score
Description
Albert Hague and Dorothy Fields' musical 'Redhead' was the surprise hit Broadway show of 1959, winning 'Best Musical' at that year's Tony Awards. Stage Door Records debuts on CD both the RCA Camden 'Selections from Redhead' album and the complete Mexican cast recording of 'La Pelirroja'.
The release is complemented by a handful of 'pop' covers of the 'Redhead' song score, performed by Art Lund, Toni Arden and Tommy Leonetti.
As well as earning 'Best Musical' in 1959, the show also won awards for its choreography, costume design and for its leading performers Gwen Verdon, Richard Kiley and Leonard Stone. Set in the early 1900s, 'Redhead' is, moreover, something of a theatrical rarity - a musical whodunnit.
In May 1959, the RCA Camden label issued a studio cast recording of the 'Redhead' score. Recorded in London, the album featured Rita Williams, Bryan Johnson and Fred Lucas with the Mike Sammes Singers and Hill Bowen Orchestra. The recording (presented as highlights) effectively captured the magic and immediacy of Hague and Fields' score. In their 4* review, Billboard praised the release for the "top flight musical comedy warbling stints of Rita Williams and Bryan Johnson".
One year after 'Redhead' opened on Broadway, a Spanish language adaptation by Luis De Llano and Martha Fisher opened in Mexico City. 'La Pelirroja', starring Virma Gonzalez, Armando Calvo and featuring Placido Domingo opened on February 11th 1960 at Teatro de los Insurgentes. The production was subsequently preserved on record by RCA Victor Mexico.
The release forms part of Stage Door's Collector's Series, a line of limited edition CD products presented in the retro style of a miniature long-playing record. All Collector's Series titles are limited to 500 units.
Tracklisting
Tommy Steele
Original Broadway Cast
Max Bygraves
Original London Cast
The Nolans
Moira Danis
1967 London Studio Cast Recording
Original London Cast & George Formby
Dan Studney
Kjersti Long
JC Chasez
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Frank Loesser
Andrew Rannells
Joe Stilgoe
Original Broadway Cast
