Kritzerland is proud to present a new CD release of two great TV specials:

COLE PORTER IN PARIS
A TV Spectacular
Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter

and

FEATHERTOP
An Original Musical Written for Television
Music by Mary Rodgers Lyrics by Martin Charnin

Cole Porter in Paris was an NBC TV/Bell System Family Theatre musical special that aired on January 17, 1973.  The producers assembled an all-star cast including Diahann Carroll, Perry Como, Louis Jourdan, Connie Stevens, with special performances by Charles Aznavour and Twiggy, and the dance trio comprised of choreographer Alan Johnson, Graciela Daniele, and Barbara Alston.  The show was shot on soundstages and various locations, including, of course Paris.

The impressive creative team included directors Walter C. Miller and Martin Charnin, with settings by Don Shirley, Jr., costumes by Theoni V. Aldredge, musical direction by Elliot Lawrence, and arrangements by Nick Perito.  Of course the draw is a huge number of classic Cole Porter songs, sung by a great cast of folks.  Originally released as a promotional LP only, we’re happy to give bring this to Great American Songbook and Porter lovers everywhere.

Feathertop, based on the story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, aired on October 19, 1961 as a one-hour special on the ABC Network.  The adaptation and teleplay was by John Marsh, and the music by Mary Rodgers, who’d had a big success with Once Upon a Mattress, which had proved her to be a chip off the old Richard Rodgers, her father.   The lyrics were by an up-and-comer named Martin Charnin, the same Martin Charnin that would produce Cole Porter in Paris, but more importantly the same Martin Charnin who would do the lyrics for and direct a little show called Annie. 

The show had a stellar cast, including the wonderful Jane Powell, TV’s Wyatt Earp, Hugh O’Brian, Cathleen Nesbitt, Hans Conried, and in support, Jackie Joseph, Shirley Mills, Pat Lloyd, and Anthony (Scooter) Teague.  The New York Times said, “A lovely touch of theatre was brought to television Thursday night… a musical fantasy of beguiling and tuneful gentleness that illumed Channel 7 with a glow of charming make believe for very nearly a full hour.”  The New York World Telegram raved, “A bright, original musical comedy bursting forth from that tired, blinking little screen.” 

As with Cole Porter in Paris, Feathertop was released only as a promotional LP.

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