Search - John Kander, Fred Ebb :: Flora The Red Menace: The Original Broadway Cast Recording (1965)

Endlessly enjoyable Kander-Ebb score

Byron Kolln | the corner where Broadway meets Hollywood | 08/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"FLORA THE RED MENACE features an endlessly-delightful score by John Kander and Fred Ebb. It marked the Broadway debut of Liza Minnelli in the title role (following her acclaimed performance in an off-Broadway revival of BEST FOOT FORWARD the previous year), and netted the young belter her first Tony Award. FLORA was a middling failure, running only 87 performances at the Alvin Theatre (by the time Minnelli received her Tony, the show had well and truly vanished into the void). As mentioned above, the score is endlessly delightful, there is not a single clinker here. The beautiful ballad "A Quiet Thing", the manic "Sign Here" and the waltz-like "Dear Love" are only a few of the big stand-outs. There are also hilarious numbers like "The Flame", "Express Yourself" and "Palomino Pal". The supporting cast includes Bob Dishy with Mary Louise Wilson (CABARET) and Cathryn Damon (THE BOYS FROM SYRACUSE) as the two main female comrades, Ada and Charlotte respectively. The cast album for FLORA THE RED MENACE is a must-own for all serious Broadway fans."

In Love Again !!!

Peter Mins | Palm Springs, CA USA | 04/17/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Heard this recording originally about 20 years ago and fell in love with it, and ... it happened again !!! What a voice that Liza had at that tender age !! (A few of us may recall her ample warble in The Rink.) I know some of her delivery here is brash and brassy, but I find her enthusiasm, energy, and sense of humor absolutely captivating. As a fan of K&E scores, I find this one as beautiful and fun as any of their others.
Buy this CD and get carried away with its fun. I highly recommend it."

Kander, Ebb, and Minnelli: Three Great Talents

Peter Mins | 02/17/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"FLORA, THE RED MENACE was not a hit on Broadway, but one would never guess that from listening to the original cast recording. The young composer and lyricist team of John Kander and Fred Ebb created a score that is catchy, melodious, clever, and witty, with wonderful songs like "All I Need Is One Good Break," "Not Every Day of the Week," "Dear Love," "Sing Happy," and (my favorite) "A Quiet Thing." Even the opening sequence ("Waiting all day, waiting in line") is distinguished. The title role gives Liza Minnelli (who was only nineteen years old when FLORA opened) ample opportunity to display her exceptional talent. Although her vibrant voice, which can be both brassy and tender, is often hauntingly reminiscent of Garland's, Liza has a personality all her own: loveably and adorably vulnerable. The supporting cast members are, if not up to Liza's level vocally, all fine; Bob Dishy as Flora's Communist suitor, Harry, is hilarious in "Sign Here," in which he tries to convince Flora to join the Party.

I understand that FLORA was recently revised and revived with success. It would be nice if the show could achieve some popularity, as it would be a shame to let such a terrific score go to waste. In the meantime, the original Broadway cast recording may be the best way to enjoy FLORA, THE RED MENACE."