When I set up this blog, I originally wanted to talk about film music and film music only. However I have decided to make an exception to that rule (sort of). Last Friday, I went to the Edinburgh International Festival to see a performance of a revue celebrating the musicals of Rogers and Hammerstein, entitled A Grand Night for Singing. It was written by Walter Bobbie and was first performed on Broadway in 1993. This semi-staged and slightly updated version of the show was conceived by American singer and actress Kim Criswell. Those who are familiar with the John Wilson Orchestra, may be reminded of Kim’s wonderful interpretations of Judy Garland classics such as, “The Trolley Song”, “Over The Rainbow” and “Get Happy”. The music was directed by British pianist, conductor and organist Wayne Marshall OBE, Kim’s long-term collaborator. The cast consisted of Kim Criswell, Danielle de Niese, Damian Humbley and fellow John Wilson veterans Anna-Jane Casey and Richard Morrison.
When the show began, Andrew Moore, the festival’s director of music made an announcement. He told us that Danielle de Niese had gone down with laryngitis and was unable to sing... I feared the whole event would need to be cancelled and that I may have travelled to Edinburgh in vain... But, that Jessica Leary would stand in for her singing parts! Phew! This worked so seamlessly, I forgot that Jessica was on the side of the stage, unless I looked at her directly. Because of this I have not had the pleasure of hearing Danielle sing, but it was a real pleasure to hear Jessica sing the part and watch Danielle act it.
(Jessica Leary)
The show got underway with a medley that consisted of the waltz from “Carousel“ and “So Far“ from Allegro before the cast finished their medley with the song that the show was named after, “It’s a Grand Night for Singing” from State Fair. The band, led by Wayne Marshall, provided a superb and whimsical accompaniment. Kim Criswell treated us to a lively rendition of “I Can’t Say No“ from Oklahoma!. To continue with the Oklahoma! theme, Richard Morrison opened the second act giving us a rather energised arrangement of “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’”. Anna-Jane Casey treated us to spectacular dancing as well as singing when she performed “It’s me” from Me and Juliet.
Other songs featured included “It Might As Well Be Spring” from State Fair, “Love, Look Away” (Flower Drum Song), “A Lovely Night” (Cinderella) and “This Nearly Was Mine” (South Pacific). They closed with “I Have Dreamed” from The King and I. Some of these songs I knew, but others I was hearing for the first time.
After the show had ended I waited outside the stage door, despite the unseasonably cold weather. Wayne Marshall, the musical director was the first to come out, probably because he had less make-up to remove, and no costume to change, but he was shortly followed by the singers. I was lucky enough to both meet and chat to them, and they were kind enough to spend some time with me.
(Me with Wayne Marshall.)
(Me with Richard Morrison.)
(Me with Damian Humbley.)
(Me with Anna-Jane Casey.)
(Me with Danielle de Niese.)
(Me with Kim Criswell.)
So all in all, this was a lively revue-style show featuring a variety of songs from some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s better and lesser known musicals, sung by some of the best performers around. There is something in it for every lover of musical theatre, whether you are familiar with all the works or not. As this was put together for the main Edinburgh Festival, you might not have an opportunity to see this in the near future, but if it should it later tour, or reappear at a later date, I would warmly recommend that you try to see it.
