Search - Jacques Offenbach, E.Y. Harburg, Cyril Ritchard :: The Happiest Girl in the World (1961 Original Broadway Cast)

More Fun Than Before!

Scot P. Morehouse | Schenectady, NY United States | 09/14/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In a spate of recently rescued out of print cast albums,THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD probably benefits the most from transfer to cd. The sparkling lyrics of E. Y. Harburg are revealed in all their witty glory for the first time, and demonstrate how ably they were wedded to the music of Offenbach.
Then there's the comedic bonus of Cyril Ritchard in his prime and singers who can actually sing, so the listener can enjoy a show from the 60's that is not specifically of the 60's, but a timeless musical comedy romp."

Offenbach does "Lysistrata"

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 04/13/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"THE HAPPIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD is a must-own cast album for it features the late great Janice Rule in one of her rare musical roles, as well as Cyril Ritchard (PETER PAN's original flamboyant Captain Hook) in another superb musical tour-de-force. The show is based on LYSISTRATA, and for those familiar with the material, the cast album will be a particular delight as you hear how well the story translates itself to the musical theatre mold. The score by Jacques Offenbach and E.Y. Harburg walks the knife-edge of musical and operetta, delivering superb numbers like "Eureka", "Shall We Say Farewell?", the ensemble rouser "The Glory That is Greece" and Janice Rule's beguiling "Whatever That May Be". True, this doesn't have the wit of CANDIDE or the hilarity of A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, nevertheless this charmer of a show is a must for all serious musical fans."

One of those fabulous flops - lots of fun

Mark Andrew Lawrence | Toronto | 02/04/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"LYSISTRATA is turned into a musical using melodies by Jacques Offenbach with (very) witty lyrics by E.Y.Harburg. The Show got decent reviews but did poor business and closed after a 3-month run back in 1961. Columbia records did this cast album and it has been a true collectors item since going out-of-print 30 years ago. Now, DRG has reissued it on CD. If you enjoy Broadway shows (or operettas) and are looking for something beyond the standard hits give this a try. The cast are all quite good (Cyril Ritchard is a devilish delight as Pluto!) and the tunes will no doubt be familiar. Harburg's best lyric is "Never Trust a Virgin" and there are several other gems."