Album Notes

MAX PREEO for SHOW MUSIC MAGAZINE

With book by Jeffrey Geddes and score by Janet Gari (daughter of show business legend EDDIE CANTOR) SUCH A PRETTY FACE (Original Cast Records 9610;50:28) has been produced in Philadelphia and was at the New York American Theater for Actors in April 1996. The story of an overweight woman's struggle to find success as a theatre lyricist as she comes to terms with her self-image could be heavy going, but Gari's "Tell Me What I'm Doing Wrong," "Born to Be a Bitch" and "Will I Ever Learn?" keep things light.

"'Til the Fat Lady Sings" and "I Wonder" address the character's feelings without wallowing in self-pity. "Letters," "Queens of the Jingle" and "Making Changes" poke sly digs at the world of show business. These and others are satisfyingly performed by Melissa Blake, Caroline Durham, Adam Parker, Sybil Scoby and Daniel Neiden. Jazz-cabaret singer Barbara Lea's "Every Child Is Special" is warmly sung, and Evelyn Ward (mother of David Cassidy) sings the amusing "Food Abuse."