Amazon.com: Transposing short stories by Japan's modernist writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa to New York, Michael John LaChiusa has come up with an ambitious triptych (two main segments, "R Shomon" and "Gloryday," and a slight, rather unnecessary one, "Kesa & Morito"), at least half of which ranks among his best work. That half is the first segment, "R Shomon," which makes the best of its 1950s noir setting: A swinging song such as "The Thief's Statement/She Looked at Me" segues into the free-flowing title track with great ease, and LaChiusa summons wonderfully moody atmosphere. Unfortunately, the second act, "Gloryday," is less successful--it's less pastichey and more "difficult," but that doesn't automatically means it's better. Even stentorian Idina Menzel (Rent,Wicked) can't do much with "Coffee," though the ever-dependable Mary Testa lifts "There Will Be a Miracle." LaChiusa is also lucky to have chameleonic Marc Kudisch (Chitty Chitty Bang, the revival of Assassins) on hand in both pieces. It's exciting to see someone try to challenge musical theater, but in this case the glass is only half full. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Unique
What a unique musical. Awesome cast and a great listen for anyone who is involved in music theatre.
Rating: - Smart, different show that never gets old
Okay, I'll admit it. I didn't think I'd like this album.
I have listened to it more than thirty times in a 2 month period. Sad? Maybe. But this show is intriguing and smart...certainly worth more than one listening to.
It is different because it doesn't baby-step the audience through the stories, and the stories (I believe there are 3) are rather unrelated. Nonetheless, it comes across as beautiful and new rather than pretentious and artsy.
And I have to mention that the cast is OUTSTANDING. Each one of them molds their talent into their characters in such ... Read More
Rating: - One of the most MEANINGFUL shows of all time
Although my parents would probably never let me see this show live, i have listened to the cd about a million times. You can learn so much from the lyrics such as that there are usally multiple truths and that you and I probably look at the world in totally different ways and that's okay.
Like many other people though, I bought this album because of Idina Menzel, but I ended up admiring everyone in the cast. They all have unique voices and each express themselfs and their characters extremly well in this album.
So whether you are a huge Idina fanatic (like me), or just enjoy great music, ... Read More
Rating: - A very strange (and wonderful) musical
I bought this mostly because Idina Menzel was in it, but also because i'd heard good things about Michal Jogn LaChiusa. I was expecting something with a little bit more melody, so i think that's what made me apprehensive to liking it at first. that and its extremely blunt lyrics.
this is definitely a musical that was written to make the audience think, and i enjoyed doing that. listening to what lachiusa (or some japanese author, i don't know) is trying to say made listening to the CD really nice. i liked the lyrics.
All the actors were great, but as i said, i was expecting a little more...singing. ... Read More
Rating: - Mary Testa Is A Hidden Gem.
I was fortunate enough to be present for a preview of the off-Broadway musical "See What I Wanna See." I went to see it because of Idina Menzel. While Idina was phenominal, Marc Kudisch was electric, Aaron Lohr was superb, Henry Stram was fantastic but, in my opinion, Mary Testa stole the show. I had never heard of her prior to seeing this show and wow! she was brilliant. She has an amazing voice and stage presence. This CD truely reflects the experience of being at The Public and seeing the show live. Many soundtracks don't achieve this. The CD of "See What I Wanna See" makes me feel like I'm attending the show ... Read More
- 
- 
- 