All American – BROADWAY CAST***

Overture/Melt Us/What A Country/Our Children/We Speak The Same Language/Its Fun To Think/Once Upon A Time/Night Life/I’ve Just Seen Her/Physical Fitness/The Fight Song/I Couldn’t Have Done It Alone/If I Were You/Have A Dream/I’m Fascinating/The Real Me/Its Up To Me/The Fight Song (Reprise)/Its Fun To Think (Reprise)/What A Country (Reprise)

The Broadway musical All American starred Ray Bolger and Eileen Herlie. It opened in March 1962 at the Winter Garden Theatre and ran for 80 performances. Plot involves the conflict between sports and science students on an American college campus, based on the book by Mel Brooks. Music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Lee Adams. (US:21)

“It has a bright score, excellent dancing and a theme which is still timely: an immigrant professor on an American college campus learning what it means to be an American and falling in love with the dean of women. You'll hum and whistle its tunes once you get to know them.” “It is a great collection of songs, as well as a great script. It is a shame it never did well on Broadway. The songs are worth listening to if you like musicals, especially the type that came out in the early 1960s.”

“From the great overture, to the wonderful comedy numbers, to the lovely ballads, the score always has your attention. Performance wise, it does have its share of flaws. Ray Bolger does a good job, though it is nothing to get excited about. Eileen Herlie, who plays the dean, has an annoying vibrato.”

“This is a good show with excellent music by Charles Strouse. Sad to say, on this recording the songs are poorly performed by the leads, Once Upon A Time, a beautiful song, especially so.”

“The song Once Upon A Time is fabulously beautiful. The main problem with this production is that Ray Bolger does not even attempt to sing except for a few notes. He was a dancer, not a singer.”

“The music in it is great. The songs are humorous and melodic. They go with the musical quite well. I wouldn't call it the best because Eileen Herlie can't sing without an annoying vibrato. Other than that the cast does an excellent job of it.”