JBFC Mixtapes, Vol. 12: Belt it Out on Broadway by Christine Pedi

JBFC Mixtapes is a new initiative from the Burns to highlight the music—from soundtracks to scores—that makes the cinematic experience so special. Vol. 12 comes from Christine Pedi, a Sirius XM radio personality and host of the ON BROADWAY channel, as well as a musical theater actress and cabaret performer best known for her comic impressions. In celebration of our upcoming screening of The King and I on Jan. 22 as part of JBFC original series World Stage on Screen, Christine put together a playlist chock-full of Broadway classics as well as film-inspired revivals for all to enjoy.

• “I Believe in You” by Robert Morse, from How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying
  This was the first “grown-up” movie I saw (at Radio City Music Hall). I never forgot the provocative music & lyrics by Frank Loesser (I have such a talent crush on him). The coincidence of Robert Morse returning to 60’s corporate America in Mad Men was not lost on those of us who loved him in this film.
• “Get Happy” by Judy Garland, from Summer Stock
  Even with those dancing boys leaping and pulsing all around her you can’t take you eyes off Judy. Her economy of movement and understanding that less is more keeps us transfixed.
• “The Ugly Duckling” by Danny Kaye, from Hans Christian Anderson
  The warmth and gentleness of Danny Kaye and Frank Loessers’ perfect musical adaptations of Hans Christian Anderson’s fairy tales comfort me to this day.
• “Feed the Birds” by Julie Andrews, from Mary Poppins
  This was the first movie I ever saw (also at Radio City Music Hall) and I credit the Sherman Brothers for setting my musical bar very high at a very young age.  Choosing one song to represent what I consider to be the PERFECT “children’s” movie is pretty impossible since they are all so beautifully crafted…let’s go with the gentle morality tale of “Feed the Birds.” The warm and open face of character actress Jane Darwell and Julie Andrews’ sweet soprano are so touching it hurts.
• “My Man” by Barbra Streisand, from Funny Girl
  She’s a musical goddess and a MOVIE STAR. She glows in this number.
• “New York, New York” by Liza Minelli, from New York, New York
  From this Martin Scorsese musical (I LOVE saying that), a star was born in this timeless Kander & Ebb anthem to NYC. The choreography is snappy and simple, the song is beyond catchy, the joy is palpable and Liza keeps up family tradition with unparalleled flair.

STAGE TO FILM AND BACK: Not in the original Broadway productions but in the subsequent film adaptations. They were so memorable that subsequent revivals of these shows included them to great success.

• “Money” by Alan Cumming, from the Cabaret revival
  Unforgettable when introduced in the film with Liza Minelli & Joel Grey, in the revival it’s used to maximum theatrical effect.
• “Beautiful City” by Hunter Parrish, from the Godspell revival
  In the film this was originally a very 70’s bubblegum pop group number, but here you see how impactful a simple change of tempo can be.

These are all Broadway adaptations of films by David Yazbek, who brilliantly runs the gamut from the silliest of songs to the deepest understanding of our delicate emotional life. His Broadway adaptation of another film classic, Tootsie, is on headed to Broadway in 2019.

• “Breeze off the River” by Patrick Wilson, from The Fully Monty
• “Great Big Stuff” by Norbert Leo Butz, from Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
• “Invisible” by Patti Lupone, from Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
• “Answer Me,” from The Band’s Visit

Need something else to scratch that Broadway musical itch? Join us Jan. 22 at 2:00 at the JBFC for The King and I!