Karen Ziemba, Ron Raines - 110 in the Shade (1999 Studio Cast)

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Music reviews of 110 in the Shade (1999 Studio Cast)

Music Review: A wonderful surprise!
Rating: 5 Stars

THE STORY:
Lizzie Curry, a likeable, well-educated, but somewhat awkward woman, worries that she will become an old maid. However, in the course of a 24-hour period in the Western town in which she lives with her brothers and father, her self confidence is restored through her conversations with two men: File, the local sheriff who's considered the most eligible bachelor in town, and Starbuck, a fast-talking traveler who claims he can break the town's drought.
In my opinion, although the story is well-written (based on N. Richard Nash's THE RAINMAKER) and the score is great (except for "Lizzie's Comin' Home"), this is a difficult musical to do well. The actress playing the part of Lizzie must walk a fine line between being sympathetic or merely pathetic.

THE RECORDING:
Fortunately for us, one of the first musicals that album producer John Yap saw in London was 110 IN THE SHADE, and it moved him. Inspired by the 1992 New York City Opera revival of the show, Yap has given it a complete symphonic recording, including the underscoring and the alternate arrangements of several pieces by the City Opera production. The liner notes, so often a problem in JAY Productions recordings, are detailed and informative, much of them written by Jones. It's obvious that the production of this recording has been a labor of love by all involved.

The leads are fantastic. Stealing the show is Karen Ziemba, star of the City Opera production. She makes Lizzie noble while still exposing her insecurities. Her voice soars on three of the best numbers in the score: "Love, Don't Turn Away," "Simple Little Things," and "Is It Really Me?" Some people may argue that her voice becomes a bit whiny in the original take of "Raunchy", but I argue that she uses this vocal tone to show Lizzie's discomfort. Her dialogue over some of the underscoring is so well done, it's almost poetic.

Ron Raines makes an excellent Starbuck, with all the brashness and surprising "introspectiveness" needed to pull off the part. Jones comments on Raines' performance of the "Rain Song": "...it never worked the way it should until I heard Ron's rendition." Raines' take on "Melisande" is wonderful, too. His acting talents are also apparent in the spoken dialogue.

Richard Muenz (also from the City Opera cast) rounds out the leads as File. While I am not usually a fan of Muenz's work, his vocal qualities are a perfect match for the lonely sheriff, especially on "Gonna Be Another Hot Day," "A Man and a Woman," and "Why Can't They Leave Me Alone?" His rendition of the "Poker Polka" is also excellent, although it seems a bit out of character.

The supporting cast (including Schmidt and Jones in small speaking parts) is great. The standout is Kristin Chenoweth as Snookie in "Little Red Hat."

SUMMARY:
It's an expensive recording, but it's very good. This is a must-have for Broadway fanatics. Wait for it to go on sale, or buy it used.

Description of 110 in the Shade (1999 Studio Cast)

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