First Impressions - The Original Broadway Cast Recordings Of First Impressions

Since first reading Ken Mendelbaum's NOT SINCE CARRIE, an entertaining book analyzing Broadway musicals that "flopped" in their original runs, I've been curious about FIRST IMPRESSIONS, the ambitious yet unsuccessful 1959 musical based on a play based on Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. Even Mendelbaum couldn't find much wrong with FIRST IMPRESSIONS; perhaps Broadway audiences in 1959 simply weren't interested in musicals inspired by English classics. With the renewed popularity of Jane Austen since the 1990's, I just can't see the musical failing were it presented today. The score is exquisite and witty and, while remaining within the Broadway idiom, evokesRegency England. With the possible exception of leading lady Polly Bergen (I feel Ellen Hanley, who played Charlotte Lucas and understudied Bergen, should have been cast as Elizabeth Bennett; Barbara Cook could then have played Charlotte Lucas), the actors all sound well-cast. Farley Granger, one of my favorite "old" movie stars, makes atouching Mr. Darcy; and who else could have played Mrs. Bennett but Hermione Gingold? Along with TENDERLOIN and FLORA THE RED MENACE, FIRST IMPRESSIONS is my favorite original cast recording of a musical that didn't quite succeed on Broadway.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS isn't the greatest musical ever written. It was actually a flop when it played Broadway in 1959. Based on Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, the musical ran for 84 performances before closing. The score, while not terribly memorable, is far from bad, and the performances are pleasant.This CD release is a reissue of the soundtrack album, which has been issued before on CD. I don't have the original CD release, so I can't compare the two, but the sound quality here is less than ideal. Given the age of the source materials, this is understandable, and the sound quality is not awful, just mediocre. It is in stereo.Added to this reissue, and not on the original album, are three bonus tracks of songs sung by Polly Bergen. Two of these three songs ("Someone to Watch Over Me" and "Darling, I Belong to You") have previously appeared on a Polly Bergen CD titled THE EARLY YEARS, but the third song ("Dream Love") has, to my knowledge, never been issued before on CD. While these songs have nothing whatsoever to do with the musical, they make nice bonus tracks.Fans of Polly Bergen (like me!) and collectors of historic Broadway cast recordings will definitely want to add this to their collection.

I saw the original show years ago, and loved the cast--Bergen, Gingold, and Grainger have always been favorites.

Saw the show in tryout in Philly. Enchanted by it then, bought the record (now, well worn), and then bought the CD years later. Brings back many good memories and this score is so much fun! I find myself humming various tunes every so often. I recall that the show had so much scenery there was barely enough room for the very good actors, singers, and dancers!

CD interesting. Only bought due to link to Jane Austen. Service excellent and prompt

Someone with a sure hand should have taken this show over weeks before it opened and given it a thorough overhauling. Recast the lead. Polly Bergen is as British as Cass Daley. Farley Granger comes off fairly well but is given almost nothing to do. Too many songs went to Hermione Gingold, the wicked old charmer that she was. But she is caviar - best in small amounts - as in "Gigi". What about at least a duet for Bingley and Jane? And wouldn't a duet between the two senior ladies have been a hoot? But everything here is bland, bland, bland. And the book is anything but bland. The songs are a mixed bag, giving no unified feeling for the story's time or ours. And despite a reasonable beginning, they seem to have been scattered in pell-mell.Most should have been replaced and a lyricist found who had a way with words.Considering the source of the plot, the musical is dismal. Spare yourself and give it a pass.