The Boy from Oz [A Decca Broadway Original Cast Musical]

( 7 )

Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - William Pearl
Australia’s favorite son, the flamboyant performer Peter Allen, may have had his highest profile in the late '70s, but his legacy lives on in the many quality songs his name is attached to as composer, including “ I Honestly Love You,” “I Go to Rio,” “Everything Old Is New Again,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and “I’d Rather Leave when I’m in Love.” Each of those songs, plus plenty of other Allen gems, is heard on the highly entertaining cast album of The Boy from Oz, featuring Hugh Jackman as Allen. The show’s featured songs echo Allen’s career and personal life, including a short-lived marriage to Liza Minnelli, presenting a modern showbiz tale of the mercurial nature of ...
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Editorial Reviews

Barnes & Noble - William Pearl
Australia’s favorite son, the flamboyant performer Peter Allen, may have had his highest profile in the late '70s, but his legacy lives on in the many quality songs his name is attached to as composer, including “ I Honestly Love You,” “I Go to Rio,” “Everything Old Is New Again,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and “I’d Rather Leave when I’m in Love.” Each of those songs, plus plenty of other Allen gems, is heard on the highly entertaining cast album of The Boy from Oz, featuring Hugh Jackman as Allen. The show’s featured songs echo Allen’s career and personal life, including a short-lived marriage to Liza Minnelli, presenting a modern showbiz tale of the mercurial nature of fame and romance. With the legendary producer Phil Ramone behind the boards, this cast album has a snap, as well as a poignancy, that should resonate with listeners who remember Allen, as well as those who are coming to his music for the first time.
All Music Guide - William Ruhlmann
It was entirely appropriate that, on October 16, 2003, The Boy from Oz became the first Australian musical to reach Broadway. The show, which played for two years in Sydney after opening there in 1998, tells the life story of Peter Allen, the Australian-born singer/songwriter who achieved his greatest fame in New York, even starring in his own Broadway musical, Legs Diamond, in 1988. That show opened to disastrous reviews, but the notices for The Boy from Oz were more favorable, particularly with regard to the star, Hugh Jackman, the Australian film actor who had also previously performed musicals in Australia and London. Critics had less use for the rest of the show, however. Allen's biography has certain advantages and disadvantages as a stage vehicle. It is certainly full of dramatic event, as the singer rises from humble beginnings to television success in Australia, then is taken under the wing of Judy Garland and marries her daughter, Liza Minnelli, later developing a cabaret career in the U.S. that culminates in performances at Radio City Music Hall, before dying of AIDS. But for a general audience likely to know Allen, if at all, only through the songs he wrote, among them the Olivia Newton-John hit "I Honestly Love You," he is in danger of being overshadowed by his better-known mother-in-law and wife. And that's where the charismatic Jackman comes in, balancing out that equation with his performing verve. On record, of course, one gets only the songs, not the story. So, the original Broadway cast album of The Boy from Oz is essentially a Peter Allen greatest-hits collection, as sung by Jackman, with appearances by Isabel Keating as Garland, and Stephanie J. Block as Minnelli. Thankfully, Allen's music, which has been shoe-horned into the plot in the same way that ABBA's was in Mamma Mia!, works much better than ABBA's does; some of it was actually written as Broadway show music, and most of the rest might as well have been. It's better just to forget that Judy Garland died before the songs Keating is given to sing were even written, and that Minnelli never sang her songs here, either. Both Keating and Block do credible jobs without resorting to parody. But it's Jackman who is the real focus, and he performs well. Ironically, some of Allen's best-known songs have been given to others: Jarrod Emick, as Allen's boyfriend, sings "I Honestly Love You" from beyond the grave, as it happens, but let's just forget that, too, and Beth Fowler, as his mother, sings "Don't Cry Out Loud." But Jackman is equally convincing on the up-tempo songs such as "I Go to Rio," and the ballads he does get to perform. The album deletes one song heard on-stage, "Sure Thing Baby," and adds a "bonus track" not actually performed in the show: the autobiographical "Tenterfield Saddler." Since the latter is one of Allen's best songs, and certainly his most personal, it's hard to complain about that. It's only too bad no place was found for the song in the production.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 11/18/2003
  • Label: Decca Broadway
  • UPC: 602498611845
  • Catalog Number: 000157802
  • Sales rank: 31,819

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1 The Lives of Me (4:05)
  2. 2 When I Get My Name in Lights (2:24)
  3. 3 When I Get My Name in Lights (Reprise) (0:47)
  4. 4 Love Crazy (2:19)
  5. 5 All I Wanted Was the Dream - Isabel Keating (3:06)
  6. 6 Only an Older Woman - Isabel Keating (2:33)
  7. 7 Best That You Can Do - Stephanie J. Block (1:54)
  8. 8 Don't Wish Too Hard - Isabel Keating (1:41)
  9. 9 Come Save Me - Stephanie J. Block (2:01)
  10. 10 Continental American (2:25)
  11. 11 She Loves to Hear the Music - Stephanie J. Block (3:55)
  12. 12 Quiet Please, There's a Lady on Stage - Isabel Keating (4:12)
  13. 13 I'd Rather Leave While I'm in Love - Stephanie J. Block (2:38)
  14. 14 Not the Boy Next Door - Tari Kelly (2:23)
  15. 15 Bi-Coastal - Tari Kelly (2:51)
  16. 16 If You Were Wondering - Jarrod Emick (1:49)
  17. 17 Everything Old is New Again (3:00)
  18. 18 Everything Old is New Again (Reprise) - Jarrod Emick (1:07)
  19. 19 Love Don't Need a Reason - Jarrod Emick (2:28)
  20. 20 I Honestly Love You - Jarrod Emick (2:47)
  21. 21 You and Me - Stephanie J. Block (2:36)
  22. 22 I Still Call Australia Home - Tari Kelly (2:38)
  23. 23 Don't Cry Out Loud (2:17)
  24. 24 Once Before I Go (3:42)
  25. 25 Finale: I Go to Rio (3:52)
  26. 26 Tenterfield Saddler (bonus track) (3:24)
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Todd Anderson Vocals, cast
Randy Andos Trombone
Brian Brake Drums
Beth Fowler Vocals, cast
Earl Gardner Trumpet
Daniel Miller Cello
Clinton Sharman Trombone
Roger Squitero Percussion
Vivian Israel Cello
Jeff Kievit Trumpet, Lead
Sylvia Davanzo Concert Master
Fritz Krakowski Violin
Don McGeen Reeds
Brad Anderson Vocals, cast, Announcer
Cecelia Hobbs Gardner Violin
Hugh Jackman Vocals, cast
Michael Mulheren Vocals, cast
Dan McMillan Percussion
Pamela Jordan cast
Tino Gagliardi Trumpet
Kenny Dybisz Reeds
Mark Berman Keyboards
Ben Kono Reeds
Natalie Cenovia Cummins Violin
Patrick Vaccariello Conductor, Background Music
Victor Heifets Violin
Stephanie J. Block cast
Naleah Dey Vocals, cast
Nicolas Dromard Vocals, cast
Tyler Hanes Vocals, cast
Jessica Hartman Vocals, cast
Colleen Hawks Vocals, cast
Jim Laev Keyboards
Isabel Keating Vocals, cast
Tari Kelly Vocals, cast
Brian J. Marcum Vocals, cast
Leslie Alexander Vocals, cast
Matthew Stocke Vocals, cast
J.J. McGeehan Guitar
Jarrod Emick Vocals, cast
Nina Evtuhov Violin
Peter Prosser Cello
Stephanie Kurtzuba Vocals
Mitchel David Federan Vocals
Stephanie Block Vocals
The Boy from Oz Orchestra Performing Ensemble
Heather Laws Vocals
Pamela Jordan Vocals
Sylvia D'Avanzo Concert Master
Timothy A. Fitz-Gerald Vocals
Christopher Freeman Vocals
Kelly Crandall Vocals
Jennifer Savelli Vocals
John Hill Vocals
Technical Credits
Michael Callen Composer
Christopher Cross Composer
Peter Allen Composer, Lyricist
Burt Bacharach Composer
Carole Bayer Sager Composer
Mark Hummel Dance Arrangement
Adrienne Anderson Composer
Jeff Barry Composer
Frank Filipetti Engineer, Engineering
Dean Pitchford Composer
Phil Ramone Producer
D. Foster Composer
Joan Marcus Production Photography
Carla Leighton Art Direction
Paul Huntley Wig Designer
Joey McKneely Choreographer
Robin Wagner Scenic Design
Marsha Malamet Composer
William Ivey Long Costume Design
Tom Keane Composer
Joe McConnell Casting
Patrick Vaccariello Vocal Arrangements, Music Direction
Lane Marsh Company Manager
Stephen Maclean Liner Notes
Chris Roberts Executive Producer
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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4.5
( 7 )
Rating Distribution

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(5)

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 1, 2010

    A Great Broadway Cast Recording!

    A great recording of an amazing Broadway show. Hugh Jackman's delivery of Peter Allen's songs is wonderful. He too is the showman that Peter Allen was. Isabel Keating's vocals as Judy Garland seem to channel the legend.
    A grand way to find that "Everything Old is New Again!"

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    Hugh Jackman delights and surprises

    Who would have thought that Woverine could sing liie this. Hugh Jackman's voice is wonderful. He does credit to the fantastic Peter Allen music. If you want to make the experience even better, go to YouTube and watch some of the performances heard on this CD.
    Mr Jackman fully understands that you can act with the voice as much as the physical. Wonderful Album.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Posted October 1, 2010

    I Also Recommend:

    9 to 5: The Musical
    The Pirate Queen [Original Broadway Cast]
    This Place I Know

    Cool Soundtrack

    I'll be honest and say that I mostly got this cd because I'm a huge fan of Stephanie J Block's. I've never seen the show, but there's a good description of the storyline in the liner notes which helps you figure out what's going on. I like knowing that most (if not all) of the music was written by Peter Allen himself. Hugh Jackman does a very good job. SJB as Liza is fantastic. If you already like the show, you'll love the soundtrack. If you aren't familiar with the show, the soundtrack is still very good, it just feels a little distant since I'm not always sure what's going on in the plot with each song.

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    The Boy from Oz. What a show!

    I went and saw The Boy From Oz in Brisbane, Australia. I was captivated from the moment Hugh Jackman started descending from the celing atop a white grand piano. I must admit I have not been to many stage productions but if this is the only one I ever see in my life I will be more than happy. The show was a fantastic portrayl of Peter Allen's life including all of his fabulous show stopping songs. Hugh Jackman was magnificent as Peter Allen, owning the stage every time he stepped foot on it. We must not however leave out the other cast members who all did an amazing job as well. As one girl put it so elequently as Hugh came out to sing his last song 'Once before I go' Hugh Jackman you can not only sing, dance, and act "You're Hot!"

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Hugh Jackman is Larger than life

    I just saw "The Boy from Oz" for the second time. I loved it and Hugh Jackman so much , I had to see it again. Hugh Jackman can sing and dance, and has such stage presence. I thought the entire cast was talented and it ended much too soon. We were on on feet before the show was over!!!! It is closing in a month. If you haven't seen it , you will miss one of the entertainment opportunities of a life time

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Hugh Jackman is OUTSTANDING!

    Just got back from Broadway and saw the show--Hugh Jackman is INCREDIBLE. If your only experience with Jackman is from X-Men, you are in for a startling surprise. The man can SING!...and ACT...and DANCE! I hope the CD has more than just the 10songs listed--ther are a LOT more in the musical. At the performance I attended we gave Jackman a 5 minute standing ovation BEFORE the show was even over! Unlike 'Wicked', I dont know what kind of life this show will have when Jackman leaves--it is a one-man powerhouse, though the other performers are tremendous, especially those playing Judy Garland (incredible), the young Peter (he's only 11!), George, his lover, and Peter's mother. You'll remember so many of these songs written by the talented Peter Allen, and all are sung well. In my book, the Tony for Best Actor has alredy been won. Go see 'The Boy From Oz' with Jackman in it if you are anywhere near Broadway (if you can get a ticket). Wonderful!

    1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted October 1, 2010

    Good

    Hugh Jackman is amazing and I love Young Peter but most of the cast isn't very talented. The songs were great but it didn't have much fire. Isabel Keating was terrible and Stephanie Block was just mediocre.

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Sort by: Showing all of 7 Customer Reviews