The compilations — created in partnership with Playbill — draw from the vast catalogs of Sony Classical/Columbia Masterworks and RCA Victor. The albums only feature selections from original cast recordings, as opposed to film soundtracks.
The bonus track for "The Women" CD is Priscilla Lopez's version of "Nothing" from the original cast recording of A Chorus Line. Although it would take her five more years to win a Tony Award — 1980 in A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine — Lopez won the hearts of theatregoers in 1975 when she introduced Marvin Hamlisch and Edward Kleban's "Nothing" in the original production of the classic musical A Chorus Line, which is now back on Broadway at the Schoenfeld Theatre.
The bonus track for "The Men" CD is Larry Marshall's "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York." Marshall played Sportin' Life in the 1976 revival of Porgy and Bess at Broadway's Uris Theatre, earning Drama Desk and Tony nominations for his work. That production spawned a cast recording that many consider to be the definitive version of George and Ira Gershwin's score; in fact, after listening to Marshall's rendition of "There's a Boat Dat's Leavin' Soon For New York," one can clearly understand why.
The "Scene Stealers" recordings each contain 12 tracks (not including the bonus tracks). Digital versions of each song are available on iTunes. Those interested can purchase each track individually or the entire CD. Bonus tracks — and a digital booklet featuring liner notes by Playbill.com senior editor Andrew Gans — are only available when purchasing the entire CD for $9.99.
To purchase tracks from or the entire album of "Broadway Scene Stealers: The Women," click here. To purchase tracks from or the entire album of "Broadway Scene Stealers: The Men," click here.
For more information visit www.sonybmgmasterworks.com.
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"Broadway Scene Stealers: The Women" includes Barbra Streisand ("Miss Marmelstein" from I Can Get It for You Wholesale); Betty Buckley ("He Plays the Violin" from 1776); Jane Connell ("Gooch's Song" from Mame); Debbie Shapiro Gravitte ("Mr. Monotony" from Jerome Robbins' Broadway); Dorothy Loudon ("Little Girls" from Annie); Nell Carter ("Get Some Trash for Your Cash" from Ain't Misbehavin'); Debra Monk ("Everybody's Girl" from Steel Pier); Linda Hopkins ("Deep in the Night" from Inner City); Randy Graff ("You Can Always Count on Me" from City of Angels); D'Jamin Bartlett ("The Miller's Son" from A Little Night Music); Susan Johnson ("Ooh, My Feet" from The Most Happy Fella) and Mary McCarty ("When You're Good to Mama" from Chicago).
"Broadway Scene Stealers: The Men" includes Cyril Ritchard ("Captain Hook's Waltz" from Peter Pan); Art Lund ("Joey, Joey, Joey" from The Most Happy Fella); John Travolta ("Dream Drummin'" from Over Here); Paul Wallace ("All I Need Is the Girl" from Gypsy); Lonny Price ("Franklin Shepard, Inc." from Merrily We Roll Along); Swen Swenson ("I've Got Your Number" from Little Me); André de Shields ("The Viper's Drag" from Ain't Misbehavin); Leonard John Crofoot ("Bigger Isn't Better" from Barnum); Ronald Holgate ("The Lees of Old Virginia" from 1776); Austin Pendleton ("Miracle of Miracles" from Fiddler on the Roof); Ben Wright ("Giants in the Sky" from Into the Woods) and Barney Martin ("Mister Cellophane" from Chicago).