The stunning New Broadway Cast Recording of Sondheim’s Follies is currently on sale on Amazon for an astonishing $4.99: that’s to download the entire two discs’ worth of music and dialogue from the current Broadway revival of this landmark musical. Though La Cieca was on the fence about this production, she can recommend without reservation this recording, produced brilliantly by Tommy Krasker.  

Where the stage version is a bit light on the requisite eerie atmosphere, Krasker has created it in this recording, a sort of “radio drama” version that somehow evokes the creepy grandeur of the original Hal Prince/Michael Bennett staging of this magnificent show. (He has also persuaded Bernadette Peters to sing Sally’s signature number “Losing My Mind” in a much more straightforward, and therefore more moving, style than she affects for the staged performances.) La Cieca has no idea how long this bargain price will hold, so she urges you to act quickly!

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

Comments