Randy Newman's Faust is a 1995 musical by American musician and songwriter
Randy Newman, who based the work on the classic story of Faust, borrowing
elements from the version by Goethe, as well as Milton's Paradise Lost, but
updating the story to the modern day, and infusing it with humorous cynicism.
In this retelling, God and the Devil fight for the soul of Henry Faust, a
student at the University of Notre Dame. The musical was performed at the La
Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in September 1995, and the Goodman Theatre
in Chicago in Sept 1996, as well as released as a CD as a concept album. In
July of 2014, a stripped-down, modernized "concert" version was staged
for Encores! at New York City Center. "Life Has Been Good to Me" was performed
by French Stewart as Harry Solomon on "A Nightmare on Dick Street," an episode of
NBC's 3rd Rock from the Sun. History
Randy Newman's Faust first had a limited run at La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego
in September 1995, which coincided with the release of a concept album version,
featuring a different cast and arrangements than the stage version. The
stage production, directed by Michael Greif was praised for its score, but
criticized for its script and characters.
The script was rewritten by David Mamet for the second production, in Chicago's
Goodman Theatre. This production, featuring the same principal cast,
suffered similar criticisms that its script was still not the equal of its
score. It ran from September 30 to November 2, 1996.
On July 1, 2014, New York City Center's Encores! staged a one-night-only
performance of the show. This version was stripped down for a more minimal
"concert" presentation and heavily rewritten. As on the album, Newman
himself assumed the role of Lucifer, alongside a new cast that included Isiah
Johnson, Tony Vincent, Laura Osnes, and Vonda Shepard.
Critical reception In a contemporary review for Playboy,
music critic Robert Christgau found the album's vivid songs and musical comedy
settings ideal for Newman's "high-spirited cynicism": "Musical
comedy is the perfect medium for his unique synthesis of soundtrack grandeur,
blues-savvy studio rock, and general Americana." He named it the fifth best
album of the year. However, Faust only finished 87th in the voting for the Pazz
& Jop, an annual critics poll run by The Village Voice. Al Weisel of Rolling
Stone was critical of songs like "Little Island" and "Northern Boy", which he
felt deviate from the storyline, although he called the album "the best
work in years for all involved". CD cast
Mephistopheles: Randy Newman Lord: James Taylor
Henry Faust: Don Henley Angel Rick: Elton John
Margaret: Linda Ronstadt Martha: Bonnie Raitt
Track listing All songs written and composed by Randy
Newman. Disc Two
"Pass On Over" [Demo] "How Great Our Lord" [Demo]
"Each Perfect Day" [Demo] "Best Little Girl" [Demo]
"It Was Beautiful" [Demo] "Northern Boy" [Demo]
"Bless The Children of the World" [Demo] "Damn Fine Day" [Demo]
"March Of The Protestants" [Demo] "Little Island" [Demo]
"The Man" [Demo] "Love Time" [Demo]
"Relax, Enjoy Yourself" [Demo] "When Love Is in the Air" [Demo]
"Gainesville Florida" [Demo] "Life Has Been Good to Me" [Demo]
"My Hero" [Demo] "Hard Currency" [Demo]
"Sandman's Coming" [Demo] "Basin Street Blues" [Demo]
Personnel Randy Newman: vocals, piano
James Taylor: vocals Elton John: vocals
Linda Ronstadt: vocals Don Henley: vocals
Bonnie Raitt: vocals Bob Mann: guitar
Michael Landau: guitar Michael Thompson: guitar
Ry Cooder: guitar Mark Goldenberg: guitar
John Gaux: guitar Doug Livingston: pedal steel
Steve Tavaglione: saxophone Bill Payne: Hammond B-3 organ
Benmont Tench: Hammond B-3 organ Randy Waldman: synthesizer
Robbie Buchanan: synthesizer Randy Kerber: synthesizer
Jimmy Johnson: bass James Hutchinson: bass
Larry Klein: bass Leland Sklar: bass
Carlos Vega: drums Danny Carmassi: drums
Kenny Aronoff: drums Jim Keltner: drums
Michael Fisher: percussion Waddy Wachtel: guitar
References