This week’s album review is of the cast recording of the
2015 revival production of Gigi, the musical, adapted by Heidi Thomas and
directed by Eric D.
Schaeffer – starring Vanessa Hudgens as Gigi, Corey Cott as Gaston,
Howard McGillin as Honoré and Victoria Clark as Mamita. The production closed
on June 21st 2015 but the soundtrack is still available to purchase.
Based on the 1944 novella by Colette, Gigi was first adapted
for the Broadway stage by Anita Loos in 1951, with an unknown Audrey Hepburn in
the title role. My understanding of Gigi is that it is a tale of “high-end
grooming and prostitution” which is supposed to be very French; by this I mean
very sexual yet classy, Parisian in its feel and driven by a real je ne said quoi. This soundtrack is
missing all of the above. It sounds asexual, über American and carries no real
spark or joie de vivre. If anything, it’s demonstrably un-sexy, which
was a real disappointment to me.
If you’re anything like me, when you think of Vanessa
Hudgens, you think of the squeaky clean teenager from High School Musical with
a squeaky clean voice to match. Back in the day, her tone may have been note
perfect, but she was no soaring soprano – her voice was, unsurprisingly quite
childish and immature. Well, this soundtrack was a real surprise to me.
Hudgens’s voice has matured dramatically since her Disney days, and while it’s
still recognizably her, the tone is much easier to listen to than it once was,
and with the role of Gigi, she has proved herself as a legitimate Broadway
star. Her accent is questionable at times, even more so as she seems to be the
only member of the cast with this accent (whatever it is), but forgetting that,
it’s a solid and convincing performance. Gigi is a challenging role that
requires the transition from tempestuous brat to mature young woman, and
overall, Hudgens
Corey Cott’s Gaston makes for a great male lead, and his
solo performance of the title song “Gigi” is vocally on point; but like the
rest of the soundtrack, his character comes off as a little bland. Cott makes
the most with the songs and vocal direction he is given but it’s just not
exciting. That’s not to say he isn’t
note-perfect, because he is, it’s just all a little bit boring.
Victoria Clark was Tony nominated for her role as Mamita,
and it’s very clear to see why. Her
voice is the strongest in the cast and she showcases it beautifully through the
stellar solo ‘Say a Prayer’ and ‘Thank Heaven for Little Girls’. The winner for
me though is ‘I Remember it Well’ featuring Clark with Howard
Gigi’s Parisian electricity is missing with this soundtrack,
and it’s not one I’ll be rushing back to listen to again. I always like to
think with a soundtrack that it would be improved by looking at the action on
the stage infront of you, but judging by the reviews of the production from
when it was open, I’m not so sure with this one! Sacré bleu…
Review by Harriet Langdown
Rating: ★★
Click the icon below to buy the album
