A despised mayoress, a miraculous water-spouting rock, a sanitarium full of people released into a crowd of pilgrims, and corrupt government officials. That’s all I can tell you about the plot of Anyone Can Whistle, a musical written by Arthur Laurents with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Not because I’m worried about spoilers, rather that’s all I can convey coherently.
Every year New York City Center puts on three Encores! productions, using only six performances to showcase a rarely performed piece of theatre. After sitting through this performance, I understand why theatres rarely produce Anyone Can Whistle, but I think it’s a terrible shame.
The book makes little sense, and if you prefer your theatre to remain austere or sensible, you’re doomed to disappointment. Yet each and every one of Sondheim’s songs is brilliant. “There Won’t Be Trumpets,” “Everybody Says Don’t,” “There’s a Parade In Town” - I left the City Center humming each in turn, and badgered Lindsey until she downloaded the soundtrack to her iPhone so we could listen while driving home. I feel as in love with the performers as I did their tunes – Raul Esparza, Sutton Foster, and Donna Murphy were magnificent in turn, and I despair there’s no recording allowing me to relive their beautiful vocal performances.
Though the original Broadway production of Anyone Can Whistle only lasted 9 performances, there was a cast album recorded, thankfully capturing the original mayoress, Angela Lansbury. My love for Angela Lansbury being epic, I was destined to replay this CD constantly, but I’m encouraging you, even if you have no eternal love of Angela or Sondheim, this album is a must have. Though while we’re on the subject, why don’t you love Angela? Really, there’s no good reason not to.
“I insist on miracles,”
Megan
Anyone Can Whistle
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I think I will be forever bummed that there’s no recording of the cast we saw…I’ll just have to live with the memory of Raul’s singing and adorable dancing.
I wish I could share a story of an adored theater production as well, but, well, my last experience was Dora Live, so yeah, thanks for adding some culture to my world!
I adore Angela, it’s a shame most people only know her from Murder She Wrote.
That plot sounds amazing!