Broadway revival

Kiss Me Kate (Broadway Revival - PBS Great Performances) [VHS]
$19.98
The show is spectacular - the performers excellent - only one problem - there is a flaw in the dvd that must be in the master from which the copies are made. During the "brush up your shakespear" act performed by the "gangsters", in their last "reprise" the act is interrupted and must be bypassed to finish the show. I returned the first copy as "damaged", but the new one sent me had the same problem. I kept it, since otherwise the show is wonderful. DHB

Show Boat (1946 Broadway Revival Recording) (excerpts): Act I: Ol' Man River
$0.89

Kiss Me Kate (Broadway Revival - PBS Great Performances)
$24.99
The show is spectacular - the performers excellent - only one problem - there is a flaw in the dvd that must be in the master from which the copies are made. During the "brush up your shakespear" act performed by the "gangsters", in their last "reprise" the act is interrupted and must be bypassed to finish the show. I returned the first copy as "damaged", but the new one sent me had the same problem. I kept it, since otherwise the show is wonderful. DHB

The King and I (1996 Broadway Revival Cast)
$16.98
Being a Rodgers and Hammerstein fan, I had to have this CD. It is a good CD to buy if you are a die-hard fan of the King and I. However, it probably isn't the best one to buy if you want just one recording of it. Donna Murphy is the best thing about this CD. For some reason, I just can't get Yul Brynner's King out of my head, and for that reason, it is harder to accept Lou Diamond Phillips. He is good, don't get me wrong, but The King and I without Yul Brynner is somewhat strange. The orchestrations are fine, and retain that classic Rodgers sound. The whole recording though, and I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this, has a weird kind of sound quality to it. It is heavily compressed and has an artificial sound to it. The equalization seems to emphasize the middle high frequencies too much. Overall, the 1977 Revival cast recording I feel is better, though I would prefer Donna Murphy over Constance Towers. But this is worth buying if you are curious to see what the King and I is up to these days.