Theater News

DisinHAIRited, Threepenny Opera and More Receive Digital Releases from Masterworks Broadway

James Rado and Galt MacDermot
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)
James Rado and Galt MacDermot
(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

Masterworks Broadway has announced the release of eight new digital-only editions of classic cast recordings, using the original masters as sources.

Fans of the Broadway revival of Hair may be surprised to know that there were more songs written for the show than currently appear. DisinHAIRited features tunes that did not appear officially in Hair but were originally written either for the Off-Broadway staging, the Broadway production or (in a few instances) for this 1969 recording itself by James Rado and Gerome Ragni (book and lyrics) and Galt MacDermot (music).

Another highlight is Lincoln Center’s 1976 revival of The Threepenny Opera which was completely reconceived with a new translation and adaptation, and fresh treatment of Weill’s score by Stanley Silverman. Raul Julia starred as Macheath (here known as “Mac the Knife”), with the cast also including Ellen Greene, Elizabeth Wilson, Tony Azito and Caroline Kava. The digital release also includes the bonus track “For That’s My Way” that has never before been available.

New digital releases also include the Hazel Flagg, 1953 musical version of the screwball comedy film Nothing Sacred with a score by Jule Styne (music) and Bob Hilliard (lyrics); Bill and Patti Jacob’s 1970 score to Jimmy, starring Frank Gorshin, Anita Gillette, and Julie Wilson; Gretchen Cryer and Nancy Ford’s Off-Broadway 1970 hit The Last Sweet Days of Isaac; Let It Ride!, a 1961 tuner with a score by Oscar-winning songwriters Jay Livingston and Ray Evans; New Faces of 1952, the revue that introduced Eartha Kitt to Broadway audiences; and New Faces of ’56 which gave Maggie Smith her Broadway debut.

The CDs, with each album’s original cover art and liner notes, are available now at ArkivMusic.com.