Strike Up the Band / 2 sound discs (compact disc(s)) (112 min.) : digital, stereo ; 4 3/4 in./ Elektra Nonesuch : Roxbury Recordings,New York, New York,1991
"This initial release features the complete 1927 show, as well as several selections from the 1930 version"
Insert booklet ((111 p. : ill., ports.) contains the following essays along with synopsis, lyrics, and glossary:
“What Price Cheese?” by
Tommy Krasker; “The Gershwins Go to War” by Edward Jablonski; “George S.
Kaufman: The Gloomy Dean of American Comedy” by Laurence Maslon; “Preaching
to the Masses: Strike Up the Band and War” by John Mueller; “Two Strikes, Two Hits
and One ‘Man’ Out” by Tommy Krasker; “Let the Drums Roll Out” by Jon Alan Conrad
George and Ira Gershwin’s / George S. Kaufman’s STRIKE UP THE BAND
Music by George Gershwin Lyrics by Ira Gershwin Book by George S. Kaufman
with
Brent Barrett Don Chastain Rebecca Luker Jason Graae Beth Fowler Charles Goff Juliet Lambert Jeff Lyons Dale Sandish James Rocco
Vocal Director: Paul Trueblood Orchestrations by: Russell Warner, William D. Brohn, Steven D. Bowen, William Daly, Dick Hyman, Donald Johnston, Sid Ramin and Larry Wilcox Musical Supervisor: Steve D. Bowen Production Supervisor: Mark Trent Goldberg Tap Choreography and Solo Dancing by: Randy Skinner
Restored by Tommy Krasker Conducted by John Mauceri
_________________________________________________
Cast of Characters:
Jim Townsend – Brent Barrett Horace J. Fletcher – Don Chastain Joan Fletcher – Rebecca Luker Timothy Harper – Jason Graae Mrs. Draper – Beth Fowler Colonel Holmes – Charles Goff Anne Draper – Juliet Lambert Spelvin/Gideon – Jeff Lyons Soldier – Dale Sandish Sloane – James Rocco Singing Chorus:
Sopranos: Colleen Clausing, Joanna Glushak, Roxann Parker, Deborah Unger Altos: Mary Lou Barber, Joyce Nolen, Wendy-Jo Vaughn, Shelley Wald Tenors: Mark Agnes, Jack Doyle, Stephen Lehew, Kevin Ligon Basses: Kevin Bailey, David Barron, Don Bradford, Joe Gustern
Dancing Chorus: Kelli Barclay, Danielle DeCrette, Trisha Gorman, Joe Istre, Jimmy Kichler, Scott Willis Orchestra: Violins: Suzanne Ornstein (Concertmaster), Mineko Yajima, Mitchell Stern, Marilyn Reynolds, Martin Agee, Ann Leathers Violas: Paul Cortese, Crystal Garner, Lois Martin, Sally Shumway Cellos: Clay Ruede, Frederick Zlotkin Bass: John Beal Woodwinds: Laura Conwesser, Les Scott, Al Regni, Ralph Olsen, John Campo, Robert Ingliss French Horns: Sharon Moe, Ronald Sell Trumpets: John Frosk, David Gale, Peter Ecklund Trombone: Jack Gale Drums: John Redsecker Percussion: Beth Ravin Harp: Susan Jolles Additional Musicians: John Moses (Clarinet), Seymour Red Press (alto sax), Douglas Edelman (trombone), John Taylor (euphonium), Stephen Johns (tuba), David Braynard (tuba), Benjamin Herman (percussion), Scott Kuney (banjo), Atsuko Sato (bassoon) _________________________________________________
The Selections:
Disc One Strike Up The Band (1927) Act One
1. Overture (5:58) Orchestra
2. Fletcher’s American Cheese Choral Society (5:25) Timothy, Sloane, Fletcher & Chorus
3. 17 and 21 (4:11) Timothy & Anne
4. Typical Self-Made American (3:22) Fletcher, Jim & Yes-Men
7. Homeward Bound/The Girl I Love (reprise) (5:41) Soldier & Male Chorus
8. The War That Ended War (with dialogue) (5:56) Chorus
9. Finale Ultimo (1:38) Entire Company
Appendix: Strike Up The Band (1930)
10. Interlude: Strike Up The Band (1:51) Orchestra
11. I Mean To Say (3:50) Anne & Timothy
12. Soon (2:41) Jim & Joan
13. If I Became The President (3:14) Mrs. Draper & Holmes
14. Hangin’ Around With You (4:32) Anne & Timothy (danced by Randy Skinner & Kelli Barclay)
15. Mademoiselle In New Rochelle (5:16) Holmes, Gideon & Two Swiss Girls
16. I’ve Got A Crush On You (3:49) Timothy & Anne _________________________________________________ Produced by John McClure and Tommy Krasker Recorded December 13-20, 1990 at BMG Studio A, New York City.
For Roxbury Recordings, Inc: Mrs. Ira Gershwin, Chairman Michael Strunsky, President Tommy Krasker, Vice-President in Charge of Production Steven D. Bowen & Evan Ross, Assistants to Mr. Krasker Robert Kimball, Artistic Advisor Mark Trent Goldberg, Secretary/Treasurer
For the Library of Congress: James W. Pruett, Chief, Music Division Elizabeth H. Auman, Advisor