The 1961 Broadway musical The Gay Life was a failure, running only 113 performances and losing its entire investment. The reasons for that failure have been ascribed to the show's book, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, concerning the last bachelor days of a womanizer, and to the casting of Walter Chiari in the leading role. But no one has blamed the score, which represented the reunion of composer Arthur Schwartz and lyricist Howard Dietz after 13 years. While no hits emerged from that score, it did boast several ...
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The 1961 Broadway musical The Gay Life was a failure, running only 113 performances and losing its entire investment. The reasons for that failure have been ascribed to the show's book, set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, concerning the last bachelor days of a womanizer, and to the casting of Walter Chiari in the leading role. But no one has blamed the score, which represented the reunion of composer Arthur Schwartz and lyricist Howard Dietz after 13 years. While no hits emerged from that score, it did boast several memorable songs, among them the ballads "Magic Moment" and "Something You Never Had Before," and the up-tempo gypsy number "Come A-Wandering With Me." Both of those ballads were sung by the cast's chief asset, Barbara Cook, in the role of the bride who finally ends the main character's philandering. But those are only the high points in a collection of songs that is consistently impressive. Schwartz and Dietz were better known for contemporary revues than for period book musicals, but the composer proved himself the equal of Richard Rodgers and Frederick Loewe in writing melodic waltzes, and the lyricist showed that his witty wordplay could work anywhere. The show's flaws are apparent on the cast recording, however, particularly when Chiari opens his mouth; his accent is so strong that it is sometimes difficult to make out the lyrics. But all is forgiven when Cook is the singer, and Elizabeth Allen, in her only number, turns "Come A-Wandering With Me" into a tour de force . The result is the kind of album likely to be appreciated more by theater music fans than the general public, though it makes the best of a musical that didn't work on-stage. ~ Matt Collar & William Ruhlmann, Rovi
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Add this copy of Gay Life to cart. $3.57, fair condition, Sold by Goodwill rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brooklyn Park, MN, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by EMI Angel.
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Fair. Disc(s) have been resurfaced using a professional-grade machine. Case shows moderate wear and tear. All items include the original case and artwork. All items ship Mon-Fri. Jewel Case has significant wear, including cracks.
Add this copy of The Gay Life (1961 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $6.99, very good condition, Sold by Half Price Books Inc rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Dallas, TX, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Drg.
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Very good. Providing great media since 1972. All used discs are inspected and guaranteed. Cases may show some wear. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
Add this copy of Gay Life to cart. $20.62, new condition, Sold by insomniacsonline rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 1993 by Angel Records.
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New. Size: 5x4x0; Buy from insomniacs! We dont sleep until your order is shipped! Professional packaging, same day shipping on most orders. View our feedback and buy with confidence.
Add this copy of The Gay Life (1961 Original Broadway Cast) to cart. $34.99, new condition, Sold by insomniacsonline rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from South Hackensack, NJ, UNITED STATES, published 2005 by Drg.
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New. Size: 5x4x0; Buy from insomniacs! We dont sleep until your order is shipped! Professional packaging, same day shipping on most orders. View our feedback and buy with confidence.
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