You do realize that “Kismet” is an all-American Broadway show that starred the great Alfred Lunt? It showcases two of the most beautiful songs in the great American songbook: “Baubles, Bangles and Beads” and “Stranger in Paradise”. These songs were sung and recorded by American artists throughout the 50s and 60s. These songs provide an amazing and unusual opportunity for young singers to stretch their talent.
I can assure everyone of this board that the show has NOTHING to do with Jihadis. Only in your fevered imaginations.
You know, I live near an inner city - I want “West Side Story” banned. I also live in a country that has a lot of serial killers. So now I want “Sweeney Todd” banned.
You people are off your rocker!
But we could have yet another production of Oklahoma! My God man why wouldn’t you want to see Oklahoma! for the umpteenth time?
And as for people suggesting “West Side Story” I’d rather high schoolers weren’t forced to emulate knife-fighting Puerto Ricans thank you very much
they are neculturny.
It's really a fun show. I mainly know it from the movie versions. The non-musical with Ronald Colman and the musical with Howard Keel. It's one of those stories written when Arabs were Romantic figures (of fun, mostly).
I knew the music was by Borodin, as I have heard his Polovtsian dances many times. However, I assumed Baubles, Bangles and Beads was probably original. One day, I was listening to Sirius/XM Symphony Hall in my office at work, as I usually do. A string quartet was playing, and I was sort of half listening. I kept getting Baubles, Bangles and Beads stuck in my head. I looked at the radio dial and saw that the string quartet was by Borodin; and thus was able to hear the source for the song. Borodin was a great part-time composer and full-time chemist.
Fourth film version---the production values were marvelous.
I do think Vic Damone was miscast---and looked silly in the Arab garb.
But when he sang "Stranger in Paradise"---magic.
Same when Ann Blyth (her real voice) sang Baubles, Bangles and Beads.
Alfred Drake.
The Lunts weren't big in musicals.
Maybe it didn't have anything to do with Muslims or Islam.
Another case of blatant anti-goateeism.
The same pernicious prejudice that ruined Mitch Miller's and Burl Ives's careers.
Ha! I thought of you when I saw this headline!