Sundown the Musical

I found the biggest surprise of the year, theatrical recording-wise at least, while listening to the recently released recording of Sundown while Stairmastering at Harlem's New York Sports Club. Although not the best place to listen to a musical about the 1881 gunfight at the O.K. Corral, the fact that its country music-inspired score cut through the hip-hop blaring overhead and completely captivated me should speak volumes to the strength of the score and its performers.

Written by composer Peter Link (King of Hearts, Salvation) and lyricist Larry Rosler (who, with Joe Bravaco, also wrote the book), the show is more tuneful and emotionally resonant than many shows to hit the Great White Way in recent memory.

The show has seen a few productions already (the Lyric Stage in Irving, Texas, and Virginia's Barter, as well as a staged reading at New York's York Theatre Company), and the recording is a studio cast recording featuring Broadway actors Steve Blanchard (currently the Beast in Beauty and the Beast) as Doc Holliday, Judy McLane (currently Tanya in Mamma Mia!) as his lady love Kate Fisher, and Patrick Ryan Sullivan as Wyatt Earp.

If your knowledge of the gunfight is limited (like mine is) to the Star Trek episode "Spectre of the Gun," Sundown recounts the classic tale of the old west, wherein Doc Holliday joined forces with Wyatt Earp and his brothers to battle the Clanton Gang in Tombstone, Arizona. Told from the point of view of Doc Holliday, the show manages what other Western shows tried and almost achieved (such as Johnny Guitar) or flat-out failed miserably at (such as Urban Cowboy) and that is, to tell a tuneful tale set in the mythic west that consists of three-dimensional characters that have a reason to sing - and do so with more than passable songs to boot! (Indeed, the sensual pick-up number "One More Drink" sung by Joe Lutton and Judy McLane perfectly captures the spirit and playfulness that was missing from Urban Cowboy.)

Musically, Sundown recalls a harder edged Big River, thanks to rollicking character numbers like "Fly In The Ointment" and "Politickin'," which stand side by side with beautiful ballads like "Bridges" (beautifully performed by Judy McLane) and the title song (a plaintive 'end of the trail' number sung by Doc Holliday). While the CD is hampered at times by arrangements featuring far-too-obviously synthesized instruments, the material in general and the performers in particular make for an incredibly strong and highly listenable album. For more information and to listen to samples, visit www.sundownmusical.com.

By Jonathan Frank, Sound Advice @Talkingbroadway.com