Search - Jim Luigs :: Das Barbecu: A New Musical Comedy (1994 Original Off-Broadway Cast)

Country Western Version of Wagner's Ring (?!?!?!?)

Dan Sherman | Alexandria, VA USA | 02/02/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Poor Wagner -- First Anna Russell makes a career of telling an accurate version of the Ring and getting her biggest laugh when she accurately says "I'm not making this up!" and now this. Don't mistake it for a highlisghts disk of the Ring! This is the country-western version of the Ring Cycle set in cowboy Texas and is, in its way, a pretty good telling of the Ring Cycle. I doubt it is going to convert a lot of country fans to Wagner, but if you like Wagner at all, it is a very, very funny retelling of the Alberich/Wotan/Brunnhilde/Siegfried story set to country music. It was a fun stage show (presented in Seattle when the Ring was being produced) and the album captured the goofy spirit of the show. This is a good album for folks who don't always take their Wagner too, too seriously. It is certainly good for a couple of listens, so enjoy. The Amazon sound clips are pretty representative of the show."

A truely interesting experience!

Dan Sherman | 09/21/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"this is wagner's ring cycle, told in two hours and set in texas! the score is country-western, howlingly funny and at times heart-achingly beautiful. though the plot can get convoluted, with it's small cast taking on so many roles, the voices are beautiful and strong. a good high school musical, if you think you can pull it off!"

Wagner exposed for the rich old Texan he is...

W. Warren | Texas | 07/16/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have had the pleasure of working backstage at a production of this particular show, and know it intimately... and to be perfectly honest, while I do not doubt the talent and ability of the CD's performers, I have heard these songs done MUCH more justice. However, the music is still quite fun, and if you have any knowledge of Der Ring Das Nibelungen at all, then you will find this show quite hilarious. Don't expect Wagner, but then again, don't expect a heartfelt tribute to Texas, either... this musical does it's best to poke fun at every... abrogating aspect of "Texan Culture"... of course, what better way to express the excessive and consanguineous hodge-podge that is Norse Mythology?"