Mr. Brown certainly knows how to tug at the heart with strings, piano, and voices that soar and bring emotions to life. This is exhibited in his previous musicals such as Parade, Songs for a New World, and The Last 5 Years. The Last 5 Years is how I first discovered this incredible composer. I stumbled on the cast recording one day and never looked back. I could write a book about this incredible show, the nuances in the music as well as the gorgeous lyrics. The film (which stars Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan) will hopefully be out soon and I will surely write more about that later.
Back to Bridges, the latest work from this incredible contemporary composer. The complexity of this score is apparent right from the first track, "To Build a Home". The deep cello introduction at the beginning set the tone for what I imagined would be a dark ballad. The exceptional Kelli O'Hara begins singing as Francesca and the tone gradually becomes lighter. The song continues to transform as she sings of her life as a lonely housewife. Eventually it turns into an upbeat waltz that shows exactly the myriad of emotions that will soon be experienced in listening to this lush musical. O'Hara's voice is flawless and I literally could NOT stop listening from the first minute.
The score continues with impeccable interpretations by Hunter Foster and other cast members as we become acquainted with the remaining characters of the show. We then meet Robert, played by the handsome and talented Steven Pasquale who is also blessed with incredible vocal talent. In "Temporarily Lost" we really begin to understand what we are in for by listening to this recording and it creates and instant hunger for the duets that will inevitably follow. His deep, sweet voice exhibits a loneliness and a sense of longing.
Throughout the score the beauty continues with songs such as "Look at Me" in which the lovers are beginning to have feelings for each other. The solos are backed by an elegant choir which adds to the romance and passionate intensity. Another excellent highlight is "Falling Into You" which literally swept me away with the music. Even without seeing the performance I could just feel the palpable romance-now THAT is a love song. Some of the songs feel a little heavy and then the tone alternates to a more lighthearted love with songs such as "Who We Are and Who We Want to Be" and then back to the inevitable heartbreak with "Almost Real" which can only be described in one word-powerful. Kelli O'Hara's voice is a dream.
And do not even get me started on the incredible song "One Second and a Million Miles". Steven Pasquale somehow manages to begin the song a cappella with a sound that is reverent and heartbreaking at the same time that it is gorgeous and sweet. Then as he sings the line "I am asking you, Francesca, come with me!" the orchestra joins in and O'Hara joins in singing the most lush duet in the entire score. This song commands that you FEEL and allows you to be a part of the lovers' journey. I wanted to post the clip of them singing this on "The View" here, but you have to hear the a cappella intro to really feel the impact.
Overall it does seem the story is a bit shallow and some may find it to be overly sentimental, but as I have not seen the show I cannot fully judge. However the music is so rich that I find myself not caring one bit. The entire score leaves me drifting off to another world and thoughts of the meaning of love and lust. It is such a shame that the show has closed on Broadway but I do hope that I can see when the tour launches in 2015. Jason Robert Brown remains one of the ultimate, ingenious Broadway composers and this fantastic score proves it.
I have included a few clips, but I highly recommend that you (pay for!) and download the entire score on iTunes and listen all the way through. It is well worth it.
The Must List:
Best Ballad - "Falling Into You"
Best Showstopper - "One Second and a Million Miles"
Best Audition Piece (Male) - "The World Inside a Frame or One Second" or "A Million Miles"
Best Audition Piece (Female) - "Almost Real" or "To Build a Home"
