"Those little foxes at Masterworks Broadway debut 3 must-have CDs, long lost from the era of vinyl... Masterworks Broadway continues to explore the rich history of Broadway hits (and misses) with the CD debuts of three classic cast recordings:
Regina,
Song of Norway and Make A Wish." -- Alan Petrucelli, Pittsburgh Stage and Screen Examiner [7/28/10]
1951 original cast recording. Book by Preston Sturges and Abe Burrows. Songs by Hugh Martin.
If any playgoer could “make a wish” he could hardly wish for more than this flawless blend of music and comedy whipped up by Preston Sturges and Hugh Martin from an original play by Ferenc Molnár. Hugh Martin supplies the music and lyrics that transform the comedy into a musical, and Preston Sturges contributes the uninhibited pen that has made him a Hollywood legend. Nanette Fabray stars in the show.
Make a Wish was originally called The Good Fairy during its Broadway run, which starred Helen Hayes. Under the same title, it took a trip to the West Coast, where Margaret Sullavan had the title role. It served later, in revised form, as a motion picture vehicle for Deanna Durbin. All these versions offer convincing evidence that the original Molnár story is as enduring as it is humorous. The story is the tale of a young, pretty orphan girl, “Janette” (Nanette Fabray), who “graduates” from the orphanage and goes out into the glittering world of Paris. She encounters a middle-aged gentleman (Melville Cooper), whose bank account is usually more impressive than his morals. However, the gentleman is so touched by the young girl’s naïve charm that he decides to do what he can to help her. There are complications with an idealistic young lawyer and a whole gallery of humorously colorful characters, but virtue and the young heroine win in the end. Before the end comes, the audience invariably has a roaring good time.
