THE BEST OF THE DECADE
A look at the first 10 years of the 21st Century
by Jorge / posted January 17th, 2010

It’s strange to think that last December 31st was the end of the first decade of the 21st Century. Many things happened during those 10 years and the entire world felt in the skin the Twin Towers tragedy that changed drastically the face of economy. It also seems that Mother Nature is trying to warn us about an eminent large-scale ecologic disaster if we don’t learn to behave ourselves. Everywhere in the world, natural disasters are ripping lives and destroying cities. The weather is completely unstable and it’s time for us all to try to save the planet. It wont’ be easy, but maybe it’s not too late.

I don’t know what the 21st Century second decade will bring us, but let’s keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best. I believe that as long as we can dream, there’s hope for the human race, so let’s keep our dreams alive.

For an addict in “best of” lists, the end of a decade is a challenge for me. During these last 10 years a lot of cast recordings were released, not as many as I wish, but enough to keep me pleasantly entertained. Surprisingly for me is the fact that I didn’t have much trouble choosing my 10 favorite CDs of the decade (reissues not included).

THE BEST CDs - Here they are in alphabetical order:

Other new scores that caught my fancy were CURTAINS, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, SHINE, AVENUE Q and LITTLE WOMEN. Among the revivals cast recordings there are more titles that deserve to be mentioned: A CHORUS LINE, PETER PAN (Cathy Rigby), 110 IN THE SHADE (Audra MacDonald), FLOWER DRUM SONG (Lea Salonga), WONDERFUL TOWN (Donna Murphy), SOUTH PACIFIC (Lincoln Center), DO I HEAR A WALTZ? (Pasadena Playhouse production starring Alyson Reed), ANNIE (30th Anniversary production), BELLS ARE RINGING (Faith Prince), MY FAIR LADY (London revival starring Jonathan Pryce), FINIAN’S RAINBOW (Irish Repertory Theatre).

Other CDs that enriched my music library were TENDERLOIN (City Center Encores), THROUGH THE YEARS (studio cast), ALLEGRO (studio cast), ANNIE 2 (studio cast), FINE AND DANDY (studio cast), NEW MOON (City Center Encores), SHERRY! (studio cast), KITTY’S KISSES (studio cast), SWEENEY TODD (live at the New York Philharmonic), THE MARVELLOUS WONDERETTES (Off-Broadway cast), YOU NEVER KNOW (studio cast), the movie soundtracks of HAIRSPRAY (much better than the Broadway cast) and CHICAGO. One final world to mention my favorite solo albums: Philip Chaffin’s WARM SPRING NIGHT, John Barrowman’s SWINGS COLE PORTER and Caroline O’Connor’s A TRIBUTE TO JUDY GARLAND.
If, Musical speaking, the next ten years will be as good as the last ones, I’m sure we’ll be more than pleased. I just hope that new composers will keep the Musical tradition alive and that forgotten shows will have a chance to be rediscovered in brand new recordings.

 

THE BEST STAGE SHOWS - As for stage shows, I was lucky enough to see 54 live productions, some on Broadway, others in London and even a few in Lisbon. I had great fun with the original Broadway productions of AVENUE Q, THE PRODUCERS and SPAMALOT, and really enjoyed the revivals of A CHORUS LINE and PAL JOEY, but my top five were, in alphabetical order:

42ND STREET – the exciting Broadway revival
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES – the London production starring the fabulous Douglas Hodge
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE – the unforgettable original Broadway production
GUYS AND DOLLS – the terrific London revival starring Jane Krakowski e Ewan McGregor
THE MUSIC MAN – the contagious Broadway revival directed and choreographed by the one and only Susan Stroman

 

THE BEST MOVIES - As for movies, with no further talk, here are, in preference order, my 10 favorite movies of the decade (that opened in Lisbon during those 10 years):