Welcome to this month’s Musical Theatre Monday! As summer sails away for so many of us out there, I thought the perfect way to perk up our spirits was with the jaunty collaboration of Noël Coward and Elaine Stritch: Sail Away (1961). Fans of this fun, melodious musical — one of my favorite cotton candy Coward scores — have two whole albums with Stritch to enjoy, the Original Broadway Cast, and the following year’s London Cast. (I slightly prefer the London version — both the orchestrations and the leading lady seem to be having more fun.)
Much has been written about the changes made during the show’s tryout and of its history in general. But I want to share something less known here: a live audio of the November 1999 concert production, which boasted Stritch recreating her role alongside a cast that included — among others — Jerry Lanning, James Patterson, Andrea Burns, and Marian Seldes.
For subscribers who comment below to alert me of their interest, I will send you access to this tracked audio, which includes the heretofore unrecorded Overture (excerpted above), and of course, the one-of-a-kind Stritch, whose big 11 o’clock spot you may remember from her one-woman show. Here it is — “Why Do The Wrong People Travel?” — from this audio.
Come back next month for a new Musical Theatre rarity! And stay tuned for more Queens!
YES, please! Thanks.
Hi, Steve! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your AOL address.
I had no idea that there had been a concert production! I’m long a fan of the original cast, as well as Coward’s album of songs from the show, and would love to hear this as well!
Hi, Harlan! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Cool! Always loved this show, would love to have a copy! One part I remember is the scene with the kids on the cruise which was sort of an “anti-Sound Of Music”!
Hi, Shawn! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I’d love to hear that live audio, thank you so much.
Hi, Fin! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your hotmail address.
She certainly was one of a kind! Very interested in hearing this recording, please send!
Hi, Michael! Thanks for reading and commenting.
I have emailed you at your AT&T address.
Always enjoyed Coward and Stritch. Would love to hear the show. Look forward to your blogs always. Thanks for sharing. Bob K.
Hi, Bob! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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I think Noël Coward was a genius and I would really appreciate a copy of this recording of Sail Away. Many thanks, John Giles
Hi, John! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Love Noel Coward but didn’t know about this, plus Stritch is one of the best. Please send me the link. Thanks.
Hi, Kim! Thanks for reading and commenting.
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This is quite stunning. I have the broadway and london Cast Recording. And it really seems like in London they had much more fun and energie to record.
If it’s still possible it would really appreciate a copy of this stunning recording.
Hi, Felix! Thanks for reading and commenting — and subscribing!
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I’ve only just discovered your site. I was lucky enough to be at one of the live performances of Sail Away in Concert and I’m very interested in a link to the whole recording. Thanks!
Hi, Eric! Thanks for reading and commenting — and subscribing!
I have emailed you at your roadrunner address.