Carnival [Original Cast Recording] [Import, Cast Recording]

The musical CARNIVAL is essentially a showcase for the amazing talents of Anna Maria Alberghetti, as Lili herself. Alberghetti has the most interesting voice I have ever heard, and was a child prodigy with her huge vocal range. Just listen to her soaring voice in "Beautiful Candy" (where she hits a high-C), "A Very Nice Man", "I Hate Him" and "Mira".

The story of CARNIVAL is Lili's tale; the charming orphan happens upon a troupe of performers from a travelling circus, and joins the act. The lame puppeteer Paul (Jerry Orbach) unwittingly hires her, and she ends up performing with his puppets in a charming show that ends up as the circus' star attraction.

Adding to the cast are Kaye Ballard, Henry Lascoe, Pierre Olaf and James Mitchell.

A fantastic under-rated musical which was recently revived in the City Center's Encores! series, starring "The Princess Diaries" Anne Hathaway as Lili.

A charming recording which features bonus tracks from composer Bob Merrill as well as lovely cover-versions from Richard Chamberlain, J. J. Johnson and Mel Torme.

The story unfolds in the songs. The listener is introduced to the carnival(Opening), to the magician and his assistant(Direct From Vienna), then to Lili(A Very Nice Man), and Paul and Jacquot(I've Got To Find A Reason). Jacquot, realizing that Lili has a crush on the undeserving magician and that the broken Paul has an attraction to her, begs Lili to leave the carnival and go home. Lili tells him she is too far from home(Mira) and wants to stay near her beloved Marco the Magnificent. Marco keeps up his efforts to seduce Lili but is thwarted(A Sword And A Rose And A Cape). His upset assistant keeps threatening to leave but admits to the carnival manager her addiction to the scoundrel(Humming). Marco convinces the manager to hire Lili on and she's delighted(Yes, My Heart); Paul, however, remains cynical and hateful, while secretly lamenting his inability to show kindness except through his puppets(Everybody Likes You). When Lili accidently ruins the carnival's grand finale, she is fired and decides to end her life. Paul, secretly frightened for the poor waif, calls out to Lili through his puppets. They interact with her as though they are alive and she sings for them(Love Makes The World Goes Round). She becomes part of their show and is a delight to audiences with her childlike interaction with Paul's dolls(Yum Ticky, The Rich, Beautiful Candy). Paul, meanwhile, grows more enchanted with the girl but realizes that she fears him(Her Face). He subdues his own pain to expand her role in his show, pleasing Jacquot(The Grand Imperial Cirque de Paris). Eventually, however, Paul cannot contain his jealousy and is vicious to Lili, who cannot bear his harsh treatment(I Hate Him). Marco, who strings poor Lili along shamelessly, seduces Rosalie to steal a contract from her for a prestigious show(Always, Always You). He then promises to take Lili with him as his new assistant. Paul catches on to the scheme; he destroys his puppet stage and admits his true feelings for the sweet unspoiled young woman(She's My Love). Lili awakens to the truth about Marco and turns her back on him, preparing to leave the carnival. However, the puppets call out to her, pleading with her to stay, bargaining with her and offering gifts. All of a sudden, Lili realizes that the tenderness the puppets have shown her really flows from the hurt man behind the curtain. Still afraid to show his feelings openly, Paul flings his puppet to the ground, but Lili cradles the doll to her heart, showing him that she loves him, too. They embrace and go together after the carnival, to a future full of hope and healing(Finale).

This CD is well recorded, considering the poor quality of the master tapes, and includes bonus tracks recorded by Bob Merrill, J.J. Johnson, Paul Smith, Richard Chamberlain and Mel Torme. However nice the bonus tracks are, the best performances are by the original cast. Alberghetti's sweet voice is clear, used like an instrument to convey her character's innocence. Orbach's strong baritone is rich and masculine, even a bit rough around the edges at times, like Paul himself, and he does a wonderful job of coming up with different silly voices for the puppets. This is a very sweet and charming production. We highly recommend this as an excellent example of musical theater.