Charles Strouse, Betty Comden & Adolph Green: Applause - Original Broadway Cast

A show that deserves "the sound that says love!", "Applause" is a smart, witty show that captures the essence of the immortal "All About Eve" in a way that few could expect it to. Thrilling and magical and sometimes downright bitchy, "Applause" is a kaliediscopic look at the backstage happenings in the crazy world of show business, told with a timeless story and a marvelous score.

In her Broadway debut, the legendary Lauren Bacall shines as Margo Channing, an aging Broadway star still at the top of the heap when a stagestruck young fan, Eve Harrington (Penny Fuller), enters her life. At first charmed by the charming young woman, Margo soon feels uneasy and finally paranoic about her protegee... and with good reason. Eve soon cozies up to MArgo's director boyfriend, Bill Sampson (Len Cariou), and best friends Buzz and Karen Richards (Brandon Maggart and Ann Williams). The manipulative Eve manages to wheedle her way to become Margo's understudy, and becomes a sensation when Margo is intentionally sidetracked from performing her show one night, and it is finally realized that Eve was up to no good from the start. Has Eve seized Margo's happiness away for good... or will Margo have the last laugh?

The Charles Strouse-Lee Adams score is just perfect, based on the book by the legendary team of Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Though no Ethel Merman, Lauren Bacall nevertheless pounds out song after song in an owlish, whiskey-and-cigarettes voice that is just perfect for her character, and makes her singing a veritable thrill on its own: in her best number, "But Alive", the tired but stimulated Bacall declares, "I feel groggy and weary and tragic... punchy and bleary and fresh out of magic, but alive.. but alive!... but ali-i-i-ive!" to perfection. in another number Bacall as Margo makes fun of her nineteen-year-old self in the amusingly satiric "Who's That Girl?". She sings a poignant, bittersweet ballad, "Hurry Back", and shines with the ironic "Welcome to the Theater"...Other sparkling songs include a familiar-sounding "Fasten Your Seatbelts", (in which Bacall does a brief but hilarious drunken spiel) "One Hallowe'en" (sung by a malicious Eve), Bill and Margo's duets "One of A Kind" and "Something Greater" and the brilliant title song, "Applause" are pure gems in this wonderful show.

A four-time 1970 Tony winner, including Best Musical, Best Director, Best Choreography, and Best Actress for Lauren Bacall, "Applause" is as immortal as its 1950 predecessor, and is great fun for fans of "All About Eve".