Search - John Kander, Fred Ebb, Eddie Korbich :: Flora the Red Menace (1987 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Lovely, enchanting show

Simon Cross | RUSTINGTON, West Sussex. United Kingdom | 04/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I know this show really well, having had the pleasure of directing a production of it, here in Brighton in 1998. This cast CD was available in England at the time, and was invaluable in helping us prepare.The show tells the story of Flora, newly graduated, and always keen to do the right thing. The setting is Depression New York. Flora shares her loft space with a collection of other artists.At a job interview, she meets shy, intense Harry, a committed Communist. They spend time together, and truly believing she is doing the right thing, Flora joins the Communist party too. I'll tell you no more of the story, because this CD is peppered with nice amounts of dialogue that propel the story along, but don't hamper listening enjoyment. This is a small cast show, and so has a typical simple sound. There are some beautiful, sad love songs in the show, as well as some rousing dance numbers, and inspirational Communist numbers. I don't know how this recording compares with the original Liza version, but it can stand proud on its own."