What Makes Sammy Run? – BROADWAY CAST***

Overture/A New Pair Of Shoes/You Help Me/A Tender Spot/Lights-Camera-Platitude/My Hometown/I See Something/Maybe Some Other Time/You Can Trust Me-A Room Without Windows/Kiss Me No Kisses/I Feel Humble/Something To Live For/You’re No Good/The Friendliest Thing/Wedding Of The Year/Some Days Everything Goes Wrong

The Broadway musical What Makes Sammy Run starred Steve Lawrence as Sammy Glick as he climbs the ladder of success. Based on the novel by Budd Schulberg, it opened at the 54th Street Theatre in February 1964 and ran for 540 performances. Music and lyrics by Ervin Drake. (US:28)

"The only surprise here is that WMSR? ran for some 540 shows. Not because it was bad, but because it was so good."

"Extremely unusual songs. One contrapuntal, others not sung, but almost libretto-like, I don't think any song is of the usual 32-bars, but of widely differing lengths, interesting melodies, an anti-love song, where the two paramours describe how bad the other is -You're No Good, a song about A New Pair Of Shoes, etc. The score by Ervin Drake is different and delicious. Steve Lawrence is absolutely wonderful in, let's face it, what is a one man show."

"Drake's lyrics are a bit esoteric at times and come too quick to comprehend a couple of times, but after a few listens you can make it out. Like his music, they are certainly not typical of other Broadway shows, which makes the fact that this show ran for more than a year all the more impressive."

"Though it’s a bit of an oddity, this 1964 show has its moments, thanks to Ervin Drake’s quirky score, Don Walker’s imaginative orchestrations, Lehman Engel’s tight conducting, and an interesting cast. Steve Lawrence made his Broadway debut in the show and earned a Tony nomination for it."

"Although the show is clearly not from the top drawer of 1960s Broadway shows, it is a high-quality curiosity and benefits from a lively, theatrical performance that distinguishes the very best cast albums."

"The cast album has fifteen songs from the show and the overture. Perhaps the distinguishing quality of the music is how well integrated it is with the character."