Cabaret Soundtrack CD

One of the all-time classic Broadway shows, CABARET came to be best known through the 1970s film version starring Liza Minelli and Joel Grey, but this Original Cast album captures CABARET as it was first seen and heard, with Lotte Lenya, Bert Convy, Jack Gilford, and Jill Haworth. That crucial mixture of decadence and beauty cut through with an undercurrent of impending danger in this story of the rise of Nazi Germany is what makes the show tick, and that holds true for the best-known tunes, like "Tomorrow Belongs to Me," as well as the rest. Lenya's personality pours out of every tune she tackles, as she delivers a performance that must have made a young Liza a tad nervous when it was time to step into the former's shoes.

With a malevolent grin and the words "willkommen, bienvenue, welcome," actor Joel Grey established his future as well as the dark tone of this 1966 Tony Award-winning musical. This recording includes a number of songs not in the film version, several performed by the remarkable Lotte Lenya (widow of composer Kurt Weill, whose work clearly influenced the John Kander and Fred Ebb score). [Columbia/Legacy's 1998 CD reissue of the original Broadway cast recording of Cabaret contained eight previously unreleased demo records -- several of which are "intros" to a full-fledged song -- plus extensive liner notes featuring the original playbill, rare photos, and an essay by Ken Mandelbaum.] ~ Marjorie Ellen Ruhlmann

Music composed by John Kander. Lyrics written by Fred Ebb.

Recorded at CBS 30th Street Studios, New York, New York on November 27, 1966.

Principal cast includes: Jill Haworth (Sally Bowles); Joel Grey (Master Of Ceremonies); Lotte Lenya (Fraulein Schneider); Bert Convy (Clifford Bradshaw); Jack Gilford (Herr Schultz).

Composer: John Kander.

Lyricist: Fred Ebb.

Personnel: Edward Winter, Howard Kahl, Bert Michaels, Nancy Powers, Mary Ehara, Roger Briant, Maryann Burns, Eugene Morgan, Frank Bouley, Peg Murray, Steven Boockvor, Jayme Mylroie, Barbara Alston, Janice Mink, Edward Nolfi, Ray Baron, Jack Gilford, Bruce Becker, Jill Haworth, Joel Grey, John Herbert, Lotte Lenya, Rita O'Connor, Bert Convy, Fred Ebb (vocals); John Kander (piano).

Audio Mixers: Robert Wolff; Robert Wolf.

Liner Note Authors: Charles Burr; Ken Mandelbaum.

Recording information: CBS 30th Street Studios, NY, NY.

Director: Harold Prince.

Photographer: Don Hunstein.

Lotte LenyaEntertainment Weekly (7/10/98, p.77) - "...includes numbers recently cut to tighten up and darken the creepy classic." - Rating: A