Kitty's Kisses, a Broadway Obscurity from 1926, Gets Starry Recording | Playbill

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News Kitty's Kisses, a Broadway Obscurity from 1926, Gets Starry Recording PS Classics, the label dedicated to the heritage of Broadway and American popular song, will unveil a forgotten musical this fall with the world-premiere recording of the 1926 musical comedy, Kitty's Kisses, featuring Broadway stars.

The studio cast singing the music of Con Conrad and lyrics by Gus Kahn includes Kate Baldwin, Andréa Burns, Danny Burstein, Philip Chaffin, Victoria Clark, Christopher Fitzgerald, Rebecca Luker and more. The band is conducted by Sam Davis, who also orchestrated from original manuscripts. The album is produced by PS Classics co-founder Tommy Krasker.

Kitty's Kisses — a title few today know — opened on May 6, 1926, at Broadway's Playhouse Theatre on West 48th Street. Composer Conrad won the first Academy Award for Best Song ("The Continental" in 1934). Lyricist Kahn's standards include "It Had to Be You," "I'll See You in My Dreams" and "Makin' Whoopee!" The book was co-authored by Otto Harbach (Roberta, Desert Song and No, No, Nanette!). PS Classics co-founder and album producer Tommy Krasker told Playbill.com, "I first stumbled upon the material for Kitty's Kisses back in 1986, when I was cataloguing a treasure trove of vintage musical theatre manuscripts unearthed at the Warner Brothers Music warehouse in Secaucus, NJ. There were two folders of material from Kitty's Kisses. I'd never heard of the show, and didn't know anything by Con Conrad except for the two great songs he wrote for 'Gay Divorcee.' But the title hooked me instantly: it was so 'Twenties.' And the score was delightful — full of sweet ballads and rollicking rhythm tunes. I couldn't get the songs out of my head. Music historian Bob Kimball, whom I was assisting at the time, always joked that my favorite show to emerge from all the Secaucus findings was Kitty's Kisses. Well, it took about 25 years, but I finally got around to recording it. Philip [Chaffin, PS Classics co-founder] and I knew at some point we wanted to record something that was quintessentially Twenties, and something obscure — because the truth of it is, of course, is that there are so many wonderful shows from that era that are totally forgotten. Kitty's Kisses fit the bill perfectly."

The CD booklet will include an essay, synopsis and original production photos. A release date will be announced.

* Founded in 2000 by Tommy Krasker & Philip Chaffin, and a four-time Grammy nominee (for its cast albums of Assassins, Nine: The Musical, Grey Gardens and Company), PS Classics celebrates the heritage of Broadway and American popular song through its critically acclaimed cast recordings; solo albums by such luminaries as Maureen McGovern, Victoria Clark, Jessica Molaskey, Rebecca Luker and Christine Andreas; and recordings drawn from rare sound archives, including Sondheim Sings. Its previous vintage restorations, Vincent Youmans' Through the Years and Kay Swift's Fine and Dandy, were released in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Upcoming albums include solo discs from Rebecca Luker, Liz Callaway and Kate Baldwin. For more information, visit psclassics.com.

 
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