It’s not the happiest of musicals - and that’s an understatement. However, I was certainly happy to receive Broadway Records latest cast recording - Kander & Ebb’s The Visit. It’s a significant recording in a couple of ways - it was the last musical written by the pairing, before Mr Ebb passed away, and it features Chita Rivera.

Chita Rivera is Claire Zachanassian, the world’s wealthiest woman, who returns home to Anton Schell (Roger Rees) who captured her heart then shattered her dreams. What she does next shocks the town and makes for the most thrilling and intriguing musical in years. From the team that brought you Cabaret, Chicago, Kiss of the Spider Woman, this tale of romance, seduction and betrayal proves that revenge is the best revenge.

Based on the satirical play by Friedrich Dürrenmatt as adapted by Maurice Valency, the cast is led by Tony Award winners Chita Rivera as Claire Zachanassian and the late Roger Rees as Anton Schell. The Broadway cast also features Jason Danieley as Frederich Kuhn, David Garrison as Peter Dummermut, Mary Beth Peil as Matilde Schell, George Abud as Karl Schell, Matthew Deming as Louis Perch, Diana Dimarzio as Annie Dummermut, Tony Award-nominee Rick Holmes as Father Josef, Tom Nelis as Rudi, Chris Newcomer as Jacob Chicken, Aaron Ramey as Otto Hahnke, John Riddle as Young Anton, Elena Shaddow as Ottilie Schell, Timothy Shew as Hans Nusselin and Michelle Veintimilla as Young Claire.

I’m happy to report that my pleasure lived long into listening to the recording - several times. This is a superb release, and a pretty good score to boot. Sure, it’s not Chicago, Rink or Cabaret - it’s certainly no Zorba either - but it is a pleasant listen, despite the dowdy subject matter. It’s stylish to a fault, helped along by Larry Hochman’s eclectic yet thematic orchestrations. The cast could not be finer - it’s a real ensemble piece. Whilst its stars, Rivera and the now-late Rees (we now know this was his final cast recording) are not the ‘nicest’ singers in town, they can really put over a number as it’s meant to be - listen to ‘Love and Love Alone’ and ‘Winter’ for proof of that.

The supporting cast are also excellent - especially Jason Danieley - and my favourite number in the whole piece has to be 'Yellow Shoes' - perhaps the best chance of a ‘standard’ from this musical. Broadway Records should be congratulated for preserving this historically significant work - it’s top notch.

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Ian Gude