Dark Monday • Wonderful Town

I must start by saying I love this musical, and have since I first discovered it when doing a production at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. But then again, it would be tough to not love the 1953 musical, with a book written by Joseph A. Fields and Jerome Chodorov, lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green and music by Leonard Bernstein. The story was based on the short stories of Ruth McKenney, originally adapted as 'My Sister Eileen', the 1940 Broadway play by Fields and Chodorov. There are some great songs, many that I still remember fondly even though I worked on it over 30 years ago.

The original production starred the magnificent Rosalind Russell as Ruth, the older sister who moved to New York with her sister, Eileen, played by Edie Adams. Together, their adventures are brought to life in the musical. I am particularly fond of the song "Ohio", which I often sing to myself when the situation calls. On their first night in the city, Ruth and Eileen lament the decision to move, sining "why-oh-why-o-why-o, why did we ever leave Ohio". In 1958, the production was put together for a television special, with Eileen played by Jacqueline McKeever. This is Russel and McKeever sing "Ohio" from 'Wonderful Town'.

In December of 2002, the Berliner Philarmoniker produced a full concert version of 'Wonderful Town', as part of the New Years Eve celebration. In the lead roles, they cast impressive Broadway star Kim Criswell in the role of Ruth, and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald in the role of Eileen. The show was sold out, and got outstanding reviews. It can be found on DVD. I just adore Audra's voice, and can't help but listen and sigh whenever I hear it. This is Audra McDonald singing "A Little Bit In Love" with the Berliner Philharmoniker.

In 2003, there was a fantastic revival of 'Wonderful Town'. It was directed by Kathleen Marshall, and starred 2-time Tony Award winner Donna Murphy as Ruth and Jennifer Westfeldt, star of the film 'Kissing Jessica Stein'. The revival ran for over a year at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. This production started out as part of the 'City Encores!' concert series, with Murphy headlining. Later in the run, Brooke Shields replaced Murphy as the star. I loved the way Murphy brought the song "Swing" to life. There is a joy and vibrance to her voice and performance. This is "Swing", as sung by Donna Murphy in the 2003 Broadway revival.

If you are interested, you can purchase the 'Wonderful Town Original Broadway Cast Recording' from iTunes and Amazon. You can also find the 'Wonderful Town 2003 Revival' recording from iTunes and Amazon. Be careful on Amazon, for when I clicked for the Revival, it kept bringing me to a cut-rate Rosalind Russell recording. If you'd like the more classical approach, you can find the Berliner Philharmoniker with conductor Simon Rattle's concert version of 'Wonderful Town' on DVD from Amazon.

GLEE Redux - Furt

Top to Bottom: Bernstein's Wonderful Town, Rosemary Clooney, and Bruno Mars.

Once again I am recapping the latest episode of Glee, only using the videos of the original songs rather than the covers. Hope you enjoy.

This episode opens with a disheveled Kurt being escorted to Finn's locker by their respective parent, who announce they are marrying. Kurt is excited, Finn less so. They are not the only wedding on the scene, Sue is getting married. To Sue. After all, no one else could be a match for her, right?

After a discussion with Finn at the locker about the wedding plans, Kurt is intimidated once again by Karovsky, his bully/stalker. Mr. Shue sees it, and takes Kurt to the principal - Sue - who explains she can't do anything until Kurt is hurt. After explaining how this has made him feel, Kurt points out to Sue he feels her calling him 'Lady' is a form of bullying. Good for him!

Sue's mother shows up to help with the wedding. She has spent the last several years chasing Nazis around the globe. She is Sue Senior! Sue is getting a taste of her own medicine!They go over the wedding plans, and she says she will sing at the wedding.

The girls get together and Rachel explains how their boyfriends need to take on Karovsky, to protect Kurt from his bullying. In the locker room, the boys, save Finn, take him on until the Bieste interrupts. Sam grows to be a hero in the blink of an eye.

Sue's mother practices the song she plans to sing, Ohio from the musical Wonderful Town. They discuss why she abandoned her kids, to chase the Nazis around the world, leaving Sue to take care of her handi-capable sister, Jean.



While Kurt tries to teach his dad, Burt Hummel, and Finn to dance,Karvosky ventures by, and makes a limp-wrist to Kurt, which makes Burt crazy. He goes after him. They meet with Principal Sue, who tosses Karovsky out of the school.

Santana helps Finn get ready for the wedding. She wants to come clean about their having sex, and Finn says no, he won't hurt Rachel, he loves her. To start off the wedding, the kids sing I Think I Wanna Marry You by Bruno Mars.



During the wedding, both Burt and Carol talk about their wonderful boys, and what they mean to them even at their wedding. During the reception, Mr. Shue sings the song Sway. The song, written by Mexican composer and bandleader Pablo Beltrán Ruiz, was originally made famous by Dean Martin, but I love Rosemary Clooney's version.



Best man speech, and Finn makes me cry when he tells Kurt he has taught him more about being a man than anything else. They are Furt - Finn & Kurt - and he just wants to step up and help from now on. And everyone dances to the Bruno Mars song Just The Way You Are, including a spotlight couple, Furt.



Jean and her mother talk for Sue's wedding rehearsal. Sue tells her mother she is a bully, since whenever they talk, she always feels worse about herself. Next,we find ourselves in Principal Sue's office to discover the school board has backed Karovsky, and he is coming back to school. The newly married couple are not happy, and neither is Principal Sue, who resigns her position in protest of this decision, and the fact that the office smells bad. So, a decision is made, and Kurt goes to the Glee room to tell everyone. He is leaving the school to escape the bullying. Although the boys offer to protect him, he knows he must go, even if it means he will be competing against his friends at regional championships. He will be teaming with his new buddy, Blaine.