Summer of '42 Recording Now Available; Two-Disc Set Stars Rachel York

By Kenneth Jones
March 6, 2007

The two-disc cast recording of Summer of '42, the musical, has finally been released by Jay Records, two years after it was recorded.

The musical version of the beloved Herman Raucher novel and 1971 film about a teen's coming of age with a lonely war bride had developmental readings or performances at York Theatre Company, Goodspeed Musicals and elsewhere before having a brief commercial Off-Broadway run that began in December 2001.

The libretto is by Hunter Foster (widely known as a Broadway leading man), the music and lyrics are by David Kirshenbaum (Vanities). Its post-Off-Broadway life included a special May 2005 concert presentation (of the entire show) at the York, where the musical had an early reading. The cast stepped into a recording studio the next day.

The show is licensed by Dramatists Play Services and has enjoyed a regional life (Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, will stage the show this spring).

The recording features the talents of Rachel York as war bride Dorothy, Megan Valerie Walker (Miriam), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Aggie), Joe Gallagher (Benjie), Brett Tabisel (Oscy), Ryan Driscoll (as lovestruck Hermie), Ayal Miodovnik (Pete), Danielle Ferland (Gloria) and Bill Buell (Mr. Sanders, Walter Winchell).

There are 41 tracks on two discs, representing the score and script.

According to Jay, "Relive the summer you'll always remember! This show, which has played off-Broadway and around the country, comes home to the theatre where it had its first reading…"

Musical director is Lynne Shankel. Gabriel Barre directed.

CD 1: Act One

"Prelude"
"The Summer You'll Always Remember"
"The Terrible Trio"
"Here and Now"
"Will That Ever Happen To Me?"
Winchell Report #1
"You're Gonna Miss Me"
"Little Did I Dream"
Mr. Sanders #1
"The Walk"
Dorothy's House
"Like They Used To"
"I Think I Like Her"
"The Heat" / Winchell Report #2 / "Here and Now" (reprise)
"Before the Movies"
"The Movies"
After the Movies
Winchell Report #3
Benjie and Gloria
The Boxes
"Man Around the House"
"Someone To Dance With Me"

CD 2: Act Two

"Entr'acte"
"Unfinished Business"
"Make You Mine"
Mr. Sanders #2 / "Here and Now" (reprise)
"The Drugstore"
"The Jitterbug"
The Marshmallow Roast
"The Campfire"
Hermie and Dorothy
"Promise of the Morning"
"Oh Gee, I Love My G.I." / Winchell Report #4
Oscy and Hermie
Dorothy's House
"The Dance"
"Finale"
"Bows"
"Exit Music"
Bonus Tracks (songs cut from the show):
"Our Story So Far"
"Losing Track Of Time"

Visit www.jayrecords.com.