While I’m wrecked that Harmony is closing on Broadway February 5, 2024 after only 96 performances, the music, fortunately, still lives on with the Original Cast recording from Ghostlight Records, available on CD today, Friday, January 26 (also available on digital platforms). A special bonus track exclusive to the CD, “Where Does the Time Go?,” performed by Barry Manilow, was written for the first act but didn’t make it into the Broadway production. The CD also includes a full-color booklet with production photos, extensive liner notes and complete lyrics.
Composer Manilow and librettist & lyricist Bruce Sussman’s entertaining, surprisingly melancholic new musical depicts the real-life story of the all-male singing ensemble, the Comedian Harmonists. With buttery, close harmonies, and an excellent cast, this unusually dichotomous musical lovingly follows the Interwar Period boy band through their formation in the late 1920s to the peak of their international stardom circa 1934, and then their sharp demise resulting from the fascist censorship of the Nazi regime. Each member will be pulled in his own direction for the sake of survival and self-preservation.
Since little is left of their recordings and films, this musical triumphantly displays what we all missed from the Comedian Harmonists: the first act is rife with numbers that recreate the Harmonists’ style. Manilow’s music is both reminiscent of this vocal group while being breathtakingly original for a musical. His arrangements, both vocal (with Music Director John O’Neill) and orchestral, also manage to be immediately alluring and reminiscent of the Weimar era.
Manilow’s lovingly crafted score is a well-balanced mix of modern and period elements marked by his signature style. Some numbers are fun and catchy, some are beautiful plays on traditional Hebrew music, and others are compelling torch songs. O’Neill and his amazing orchestra sound terrific executing Doug Walters‘ smart orchestrations (although I miss those large orchestras being replaced by synths).
The tight-knit chemistry of the actors portraying the Harmonists are captured brilliantly on this recording. Baritone Danny Kornfield, tenor Zal Owen, tenor Eric Peters (who can damn well sing all night in a solo show and I would be first in line — what a gorgeously strong voice); Blake Roman, who gets one of the best ballads of the night, “In This World,” and my god what distinction; and deep-bellied bass Sean Bell, who adds rich consonance. They blanket us in tonal warmth and complex coloring while delivering blazingly energized performances on the album.
You also get to hear Sierra Boggess as Mary and Julie Benko as Ruth, the wives of two of the Harmonists. They are incredible actresses and passionate and powerful vocalists, blending hauntingly well on “Where You Go,” a ballad that underscores being in a mixed marriage (Jew and gentile). Boggess is simply amazing: she never overplays the drama and her vocals put a songbird to shame. Benko retains the humor and drama that made her outstanding in Funny Girl. The only track that doesn’t bear repeating is the 11 o’clock number “Threnody,” sung by Chip Zien (who can still knock songs out of the park); this wailing lament that should have been a tearjerker ends up overwrought and lands with a thud (but, hey, one unappealing track out of seventeen ain’t bad). For the most part, Sussman’s lyrics are entertaining and emotionally moving. While the lyrics are far better than the average Broadway show, with perfect rhymes no less, some lack the intelligence and wit we associate with the Comedian Harmonists.
I’m rather convinced that Harmony didn’t really stand a chance on Broadway, given that every person I spoke with to recommend the show said they weren’t really interested in a Barry Manilow biomusical. What a world we live in when the houses were on average at the Barrymore Theater 77 percent occupied, and that’s not enough to sustain a show. Sure, the musical had a few problems, but considering the serious material, you will be amazed at how many numbers are old-fashioned Broadway showstoppers.
Tracklist:
ACT I
1. Overture
2. Harmony – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey, Chip Zien
3. And What Do You See? – Sierra Boggess
4. This Is Our Time – Sean Bell, Julie Benko, Sierra Boggess, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters , Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
5. Your Son Is Becoming A Singer – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
6. Every Single Day – Danny Kornfeld
7. How Can I Serve You Madam? – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
8. The Wedding – Julie Benko, Sierra Boggess, Shayne Kennon, Danny Kornfeld, Blake Roman, Chip Zien
9. Home – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
ACT II
10. We’re Goin’ Loco! – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Allison Semmes, Steven Telsey
11. Hungarian Rhapsody #20 – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
12. Come To The Fatherland! – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
13. Where You Go – Julie Benko, Sierra Boggess
14. In This World – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
15. Threnody – Chip Zien
16. Stars In The Night – Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey
BONUS TRACK:
17. Where Does The Time Go? – Barry Manilow Original Demo
