Broadway Records release the off-Broadway cast recording of The Hello Girls. From New York to Paris, from ragtime to jazz — an ensemble of actor-musicians chronicles the story of America's first women soldiers, The Hello Girls. These intrepid heroines served as bilingual telephone operators on the front lines, helping turn the tide of World War I. They then returned home to fight a decades-long battle for equality and recognition, paving the way for future generations...

The idea behind The Hello Girls is an interesting one - and is likely to be a story that few are aware of. Based on true events, The Hello Girls, the women of the Army Signal Corps, America’s first female soldiers, helped to turn the tide of the First World War.

Nominated for three Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music) and four Outer Critics Circle Awards (including Outstanding New Score (Broadway or Off-Broadway), Outstanding Book Of A Musical (Broadway or Off-Broadway), and Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical), The Hello Girls has music and lyrics by Peter Mills, book by Peter Mills and Cara Reichel, directed by Cara Reichel with choreography by Christine O'Grady and music direction by Ben Moss.

Orchestrations are by Peter Mills and Ben Moss, with additional drum arrangements by Elena Bonomo. The cast features Ellie Fishman (Finding Neverland), Arlo Hill (The Most Happy Fella at Encores!), Chanel Karimkhani (The Goree All Girl String Band at NYMF), Andrew Mayer (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), Matthew McGloin (CasablancaBox at HERE Arts), Ben Moss (Spring Awakening), Lili Thomas (Disney Millennium Symphonies with the New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall), Skyler Volpe (West Side Story at Barrington Stage), Cathryn Wake (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812), and Scott Wakefield (Hands on a Hardbody). Elena Bonomo (Waitress) is percussionist. The cast recording is produced by Michael Croiter.

The story comes across well on this recording, but for a little more information there's an interesting digital booklet that lays out the synopsis, reprints the lyrics to the songs and photos from the production, as well as a little background information on the original The Hello Girls.

It's an engaging production with some catchy and memorable songs.

8

Daisy May