Mr. Wonderful 1957 Original Broadway Cast

A chance to hear Jerry before Sheldon, of Bock/Harnick fame. I did see the show that happened to open a week after "Fair Lady" and had a song in it called "Without You" also. Davis was what he was touted to be, fabulous. The other person that absolutely stole the show with one number in Act 2, Chita Rivera, after the chorus of "Guys & Dolls" and "Call Me Madam" but just before a little ditty called "West Side Story". Now tell me, which show would be on your list to see, this or one of the so called hits now playing. Overseen by Jule Styne, a wonderful evening at The Broadway Theatre

"The 1956 MR. WONDERFUL was conceived by composer Jule Styne and designed to show off Davis' many talents . . ." according to the liner notes by Max O. Preeo. And that ain't necessarily bad. I purchased the CD mostly to fill a gap in my collection, and I wasn't expecting anything more than a Vegas-type showcase for the star. But I was pleasantly surprised. A typical show-biz story of a talented kid making it big, it starts off with a snappy opening ("1617 Broadway") that rivals "Christopher Street" from WONDERFUL TOWN and "Fugue for Tinhorns" from GUYS AND DOLLS, segues into "Without You I'm Nothing" with Jack Carter (surprisingly good) and Pat Marshall (winner of the 1946 Theatre World Award. She's REALLY good!), then to a set piece for Sammy & the Will Mastin Trio, "Jacques D'Iraque." My toes were tapping furiously for six minutes.Alright, the ballads, with the exception of "Mr. Wonderful" are pretty pedestrian and the duet between Ms. Marshall and Olga James - "Talk to Him" - advocates violence when talking and cooking and sex won't land your man, but the show also has "Too Close for Comfort" and a rousing version of "Sing You Sinners" by Mr. Davis, and other delights.An excellent document of Davis' first Broadway role, not to mention the only recorded broadway performances of Jack Carter and Pat Marshall. (The golden-voiced Olga James can be seen and heard as Cindy Lou in Otto Preminger's movie version of CARMEN JONES - soundtrack out of print). Plus it's Chita Rivera's first show to get recorded.The sound quality is rather "tinny," but perhaps DECCA will remaster and reissue this entertaining show album.

Purchased for someone who loves this musical score. Very pleased with it.

If "Charlie Welch" was the only song on the CD it would be worth it!

Very glad to have this recording again. I worked with some of the people in the cast, 1956

Pleased with purchase.

Product just as described, and was in great condition, thank you. Music bought for a dance solo. Loved listening to entire CD.

Songs Include :"Overture Mr. Wonderful""1617 Broadway""Without You I'm Nothing""Jacques D'Iraque""Ethel Baby""Mr. Wonderful""Charlie Welch""Talk To Him""Too Close For Comfort And Encore""Without You I'm Nothing - Reprise""I'm Available - Rita's Audition""There""I've Been Too Busy""Miami""Sing You Sinners - The Act""Mr. Wonderful - Finale"

I FIRST HEARD THE SONG TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT C/W JACQUES D`IRAQUE,WHEN IN MY OLD SCHOOL DAYS SOMEBODY GAVE ME THE SINGLE WHEN RELEASED IN MAY 1957 [SADLY I WAS NOT AROUND IN THAT TIME] AND IT WAS ON THE BRUNSWICK RECORD LABEL,PROBABLY ABOUT 7 YEARS OLD,,BUT SADLY DISAPPEARED,BUT I`M REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE THE COMPLETE MUSICAL [NOW ON CD],WHICH INCLUDES THE TWO SONGS WHERE THE MUSICAL CAME FROM,A PERFECT VEHICLE FOR SAMMY DAVIS JNR.,BUT A GREAT FRIEND FOR BRUCE FORSYTH,WHO APPEARED TOGETHER IN A ONE-OFF SHOW TELEVISED IN 1980 AND I DO REMEMBER THAT ON A SATURDAY NIGHT.

AS ADVERTISED, ARRIVED IN GOOD TIME AND WELL PACKED. COMPLETELY HAPPY WITH PURCHASE.