Masterworks Broadway to reissue classic cast recordings

Masterworks Broadway continues to make good on its promise to open the vault of its unparalleled musical theater catalog with a full slate of releases this spring including three classic cast recordings previously unavailable in the CD era. On Your Toes (1953 Studio Cast), Carousel (1955 Studio Cast) and The Merry Widow (1964 Revival Cast) will be available as downloads through all major digital service providers and as disc-on-demand, with the original cover art and liner notes, via Arkivmusic.com and Amazon.com. Also coming this spring are twelve recordings available digitally for the first time utilizing the approved master tapes, including Christine, Juno and Runaways. All releases will be accompanied by new album pages and photos on MasterworksBroadway.com. The April 26 reissue of the 1953 Studio Cast of On Your Toes features Tony-winner Jack Cassidy and singer/actress Portia Nelson delivering beautifully sung performances as the young lovers in Rodgers and Hart’s zesty musical comedy. Newly transferred and restored from the original mono masters, the recording includes the golden-age standards “There’s a Small Hotel,” “Glad To Be Unhappy,” “Quiet Night,” “It’s Got to Be Love” and the title song. Conducted by Tony-winning Broadway maestro Lehman Engel, On Your Toes features the first complete recording of the climactic ballet sequence “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.” The reissue of the 1964 Music Theater of Lincoln Center Recording of The Merry Widow features American soprano and Metropolitan Opera star Patrice Munsel singing the title role, with a supporting cast that includes singers Bob Wright, Joan Weldon and Frank Poretta, plus the legendary character actors, Oscar nominee Mischa Auer andTony nominee Sig Arno. The most of popular of all Viennese operettas, TheMerry Widow features a richly melodic score including the beloved “Vilja” and a bouquet of unforgettable waltzes. Produced by Richard Rodgers, The Merry Widow was conducted by the Tony-winning maestro and operetta specialist, Franz Allers (My Fair Lady, Camelot) and will be available May 17. The June 14 reissue of 1955 Studio Cast of Carousel was the first comprehensive recording of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s great score. Metropolitan Opera stars Patrice Munsel and Robert Merrill bring their sumptuous voices to the roles of Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow plus a cast that includes the future “Mrs. Brady,” Florence Henderson, Tony-winner George S. Irving, Gloria Lane and Herbert Banke. Legendary Broadway maestro Lehman Engel conducts this recording, of which Richard Rodgers wrote, “It is my hope that you will enjoy the splendid artists who have made this album as much as I enjoy them.” Beginning April 5, Masterworks Broadway will also release authorized master recordings as digital downloads for the first time: April 5 – Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Christine, First Impressions, Juno and Oh, Captain! May 17 – Original Broadway Cast Recordings of Mr. President and The Happiest Girl in the World, the 1964 New York World’s Fair Cast Recording of To Broadway, With Love and the 1957 Studio Recording of Brigadoon June 28 – Original Broadway Cast Recordings of The Girl in Pink Tights, Kean, Maggie Flynn and Runaways Masterworks Broadway is a label of Sony Masterworks. For email updates and information on Masterworks Broadway please visit www.masterworksbroadway.com.