The musical landscape was brightly colored when “Head Over Heels” burst onto the Broadway scene, bringing with it the infectious energy of The Go-Go’s discography. The Original Broadway Cast Recording album captures this vibrant spirit, offering a fresh take on musical theatre with a soundtrack powered by iconic hits, including the unforgettable energy of a “Head Over Heels Song” experience. This album isn’t just a recording; it’s an invitation to relive the exhilarating journey of a kingdom finding its beat, all set to the rhythm of beloved pop anthems.
Head Over Heels Broadway Cast Recording Album Cover
Synopsis of Head Over Heels: A Broadway Musical Journey
“Head Over Heels” isn’t your typical fairy tale. It’s a jubilant and bold musical that borrows its pulse from the catalog of The Go-Go’s, weaving a story of royal mishaps and self-discovery. Imagine a kingdom on the brink of change, where a royal family is thrown into comical chaos to save their realm from an outlandish prophecy. The narrative unfolds with a king facing potential dethronement, a queen embracing newfound liberation, and two princesses embarking on journeys to find true love. This musical cleverly reimagines the concept of “happily ever after” for a contemporary audience, proving that sometimes, the most enchanting tales are the ones that resonate with the here and now. As noted by BuzzFeed’s Louis Peitzman, “Head Over Heels” serves as “a stirring reminder of why theater matters,” highlighting its capacity to entertain and provoke thought simultaneously.
The Go-Go’s Iconic Songs Take Center Stage
At the heart of “Head Over Heels” lies the timeless music of The Go-Go’s. The album is a treasure trove of 18 of their greatest hits, each song seamlessly integrated into the musical’s narrative. Fans will instantly recognize and sing along to classics like “We Got the Beat,” the energetic call to action, “Get Up and Go,” and the cool vibes of “Cool Jerk.” The album also features singalong favorites like “Vacation,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “Lust to Love,” painting a sonic landscape of love and adventure. Notably, the album doesn’t shy away from Belinda Carlisle’s solo successes, incorporating “Mad About You” and “Heaven is a Place on Earth,” further enriching the musical tapestry. And of course, the title itself hints at the inclusion of the iconic track “Head Over Heels,” a song that perfectly encapsulates the dizzying, joyous feeling of falling in love, and a central theme within the musical. Adding a special touch for Broadway enthusiasts, The Go-Go’s themselves, Charlotte Caffey, Belinda Carlisle, Gina Schock, Kathy Valentine, and Jane Wiedlin, reunited to record “This Town” exclusively for this Broadway collection, showcasing their enduring musical prowess.
Behind the Scenes: Album Production and Credits
The “Head Over Heels – A New Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording” album is a testament to the collaborative effort of seasoned professionals. Produced by Scott M. Riesett and Tom Kitt, with Louise Gund and Christine Russell as co-producers, the album benefits from a wealth of experience and passion. The sonic clarity of the recording is credited to engineers Isaiah Abolin and Lawrence Manchester, who captured the energy at the DiMenna Center in New York City during the recording sessions from August 26-28, 2018.
Scott M. Riesett brought his extensive background in music production for records, television, and film to the project. His portfolio boasts impressive credits, including music production for NBC’s “Rise,” “Hairspray Live!,” Fox’s “Grease: Live,” and NBC’s “Smash.” His collaborations with Marc Shaiman extend to films like Mary Poppins Returns and co-producing Mariah Carey’s “The Star.” Riesett’s Broadway cast album expertise includes Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and SpongeBob SquarePants, demonstrating his versatility across musical styles.
Tom Kitt, a Pulitzer Prize, Tony, and Emmy Award winner, served as Cast Album Producer, Music Supervisor/Orchestrator/Arranger for “Head Over Heels.” His acclaimed works include Next to Normal and If/Then. His music supervision, arrangement, and orchestration talents have graced productions like “Rise,” American Idiot, “Grease Live!,” and Jagged Little Pill, showcasing his significant influence in contemporary musical theatre.
Louise Gund and Christine Russell, both producers of the “Head Over Heels” musical, also served as Cast Album Co-Producers. Gund is a Tony Award winner for All The Way, with other Broadway credits including Sweat and Fiddler on the Roof. Russell’s Broadway success includes the Tony and Grammy Award-winning Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Their combined producing acumen ensured a high-quality recording that captures the essence of the stage production.
Meet the Star-Studded Cast of Head Over Heels
The album features the dynamic performances of the “Head Over Heels” principal cast. Andrew Durand, known for Spring Awakening, Taylor Iman Jones from Groundhog Day, and Jeremy Kushnier of Cirque du Soleil Paramour bring their talents to the forefront. Bonnie Milligan, in her Broadway debut, alongside Peppermint, a groundbreaking figure as the first trans-woman actress to originate a principal Broadway role (from “RuPaul’s Drag Race”), add unique energy to the production. Tom Alan Robbins from the original cast of The Lion King, Alexandra Socha also of Spring Awakening, and Rachel York of Disaster! round out the principal roles, creating a cast brimming with talent and diversity.
The ensemble cast further enriches the album with voices from Amber Ardolino (Hamilton), Sharon Catherine Brown (Dreamgirls), and Yurel Echezarreta (Aladdin), among other accomplished performers. This collective of talent ensures that every track on the album is filled with vocal prowess and captivating stage presence.
The Creative Minds Behind Head Over Heels
“Head Over Heels” is the brainchild of a creative team known for pushing boundaries in musical theatre. Directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer, acclaimed for Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Spring Awakening, the musical benefits from his visionary direction. Tom Kitt’s musical supervision and arrangements, coupled with Emmy and Drama Desk nominee Spencer Liff’s choreography, create a seamless blend of music and movement. The musical’s foundation lies in a concept and original book by Tony winner Jeff Whitty, adapted by James Magruder, drawing inspiration from The Arcadia by Sir Philip Sidney.
The visual aspects of “Head Over Heels” are brought to life by Tony Award nominee Julian Crouch’s scenic design, Academy Award and Tony Award nominee Arianne Phillips’ costume design, and four-time Tony Award winner Kevin Adams’ lighting design. Tony Award winner Kai Harada’s sound design, Campbell Young Associates’ Hair and Makeup Design, and Andrew Lazarow’s projection design further enhance the immersive experience. Casting was expertly handled by Jim Carnahan Casting, with Kimberly Grigsby serving as Musical Director and Lisa Iacucci as Production Stage Manager.
The producing team, led by Christine Russell, Louise Gund, Donovan Leitch, and others, including notable names like Gwyneth Paltrow, brought together the resources and vision to make “Head Over Heels” a reality on Broadway. This extensive network of producers and co-producers reflects the broad support and belief in the musical’s unique appeal.
In conclusion, the “Head Over Heels – A New Musical Original Broadway Cast Recording” album is more than just a collection of songs; it’s a vibrant encapsulation of a groundbreaking Broadway experience. From the infectious energy of “head over heels song” moments to the compelling narrative and stellar performances, this album invites listeners to immerse themselves in the joyous and unconventional world of “Head Over Heels,” celebrating the timeless music of The Go-Go’s in a fresh and theatrical context.
