Customer Rating: 
Summary: A worthy successor to the original
Comment: Why do they make studio cast recordings of shows that already have good original cast recordings? In the cases of very early shows, before the age of lp and cd, it may have been simply to provide a more complete score than the limitations of 78 rpm would allow. Perhaps it is to offer richer and expanded orchestral and choral sections, or additions to the songs. In some cases, dialogue is added to help propel the story line. Often it is an effort to replace characters originally cast for their acting ability, not their singing.
Several of these reasons may be behind this studio cast recording of "110 in the Shade," and the end result merits an A+.
This recording clearly offers fuller orchestral and choral settings, and the entire score is expanded to 94 minutes, requiring two cd's to contain it all. A good bit of dialogue is also included.
How does this compare to the original? With the exception of Starbuck, the singers are not as good as the original cast. But, again with the exception of Starbuck, they better portray the simplicity of the setting. After all, who but simple folks would pay $100 to a stranger, because he told them he could make it rain just by yelling, "Rain! Damn, it, rain!"?
I gave the original cast recording a five star rating. I give the same to this studio cast recording. So, which one should a person buy? It is all a matter of choice. Because the original is no longer offered by the makers, it will be necessary to find a used copy, and pay almost as much as the 2 cd studio cast costs. But, either one makes for a good lasting reminder of a very nice musical.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Quite good and a welcome addition
Comment: Of the three major recordings of this score (original Broadway cast, recent Broadway revival, and this one) this one is the most complete and is in some ways the most consistent. Overall I prefer the revival with Audra McDonald; this is one show that really benefitted from the slenderized orchestrations. One of my objections to both the original cast album and this revival is that the orchestrations rather overwhelm the musical material; they're very big and showy, while this is a reserved, rather intimate show. Thus the chamber-like nature of the revival album serves the material extremely well.
That said, there is a great deal to like about this recording and it's a treat to hear the entire score, carefully performed and well-recorded. If you are a fan of this show, or of Schmidt/Jones shows in general, it definitely belongs on your shopping list.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Brilliant!!
Comment: What a rare treat to find a recording of a long lost show, that was actually far better than anyone gave it credit for at the time of the original production. 110 has a gorgeous score, totally evocative of the period, and wondefully advancing plot and character. The performers on this recording are all at the top of their game. Karen Ziemba cements her place as one of broadway's most leading of ladies. Richard Muenz, once again shows off his fantastic baritone voice, and Ron Raines is brilliant as Starbuck. The recording makes it difficult to realize that it was only a studio recording, it is completely effective as a total production (though a Lincoln Center production was performed a couple seasons earlier with Ziemba and Muenz leading several of the recordings cast members, this is NOT a cast recording.) Happily, it was revived last season with the fantastic Audra MacDonald heading the cast. However, this recording is much fuller sounding, and far more complete than the original cast album (tho that recording is still pretty terrific.)
Customer Rating:
Summary: 110% great music
Comment: I performed this musical back in high school. It was great to relive the songs and dance. Will make a wonderful addition to any musical lovers collection!
Customer Rating:
Summary: One heck of a wonderful musical
Comment: I can't tell you how much I love "110 in the Shade."I was fortunate enough to be in a regional revival of this work several years ago. At that time, I was astounded that "110" wasn't more widely performed. I am even more astounded that it still remains relatively unknown and unheard.
Without a doubt, "110" is one of the most beautiful Broadway scores I've ever experienced.
Lush orchestration. Gorgeous, memorable (and oh, SO sing-able tunes). And songs which directly express and support the characterization/plot/action/setting found within the play upon which it is based.
The Original Cast album has been out of print on LP for decades. And the CD reissue of that is also out of print.
The recent, more complete CD recording, was a revelation to me. I found it only a few days ago.
I was thrilled to hear many of the excerpts (I remembered from the staged production in which I took part) restored on the two CD set. I had forgotten many of those. I didn't realize how much I had missed them in the Original Cast recording.
I do have to say that I prefer (somewhat) Inga Swenson in the role of Lizzie. Especially in "Old Maid." Swenson packs an emotional wallop (in the final notes of that) which may be very slightly lacking in the recent CD recording. But I do love what the recent Lizzie does with the role. I admit that my ears are attuned to Swenson, and I probably will come revise my opinion on this.
But as far as Starbuck.
WOW! What a difference!
Ron Raines (with whom I once worked) is a wonderful singer/actor.
There is so much more depth in his protagonist...and so much more voice.
Robert Horton (the original Starbuck) was no lightweight. And he sings better than many would expect. But he was no Ron Raines.
The rest of the cast (in the present CD issue) are all exceptional.
I have to beg to differ with someone who posted a review saying that the show (of which he saw a production) was forgettable, except for one good dance sequence.
I had never heard the dance music before this CD edition. What I'm talking about is the dance in the second act picnic scene. The production I was in omitted it.
I can't tell you how jarring it was for me to hear a dance (tap?) break inserted into that scene. It seems totally incongruous and out of character with the rest of the show. I can see why the director with whom I worked chose to omit it. Still, it is interesting to finally hear it. It probably works better on stage than on CD.
Anyway.
I can't recommend this CD (or the show itself) highly enough.
Anyone who is interested in hearing a musical which hasn't been performed very often (or anyone who is looking for a forgotten classic of American Musical Theatre) really MUST listen to this recording.
You will not be sorry for having bought this CD set.
