Finishing the Act [Cast Recording]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
One might expect that an album entitled Finishing the Act: Act One Finales from Broadway would get a little heavy with a constant bombardment of curtain-closing bombast. While it's true that Craig Rubano includes plenty of rousing numbers, including "You're Nothing Without Me" (with a guest appearance by sound-alike Jeff Harner) and "My Own Best Friend," he also offers plenty of variety. Unfortunately, some of it is in the form of smooth-jazz-type arrangements or a "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" set to a drum-machine-like waltz beat and backed by an artificial-sounding multitracked female trio. Rubano also offers a Spanish translation of "The Impossible Dream" and a multitracked "Where Do I Go?" Other guest appearances are by Catherine Hickland, Andrea McArdle, and Alice Ripley (all of whom appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables opposite Rubano's Marius), and Marsh Hanson. Rubano searched through 250 different Broadway shows to find these 20 songs and he's a talented singer, so give him an A for effort, even if some of the arrangements make the end result a bit uneven. --David Horiuchi

Stephen Holden, New York Times
"Craig Rubano has an intelligence and wit to match his robust baritone..." --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Album Description
Broadway's Craig Rubano ("Marius" in Les Miserables) sings dazzling new takes on Broadway Act One Finales. He is joined by a full orchestra and vocal guests Marsh Hanson, Jeff Harnar, Catherine Hickland, Andrea McArdle and Alice Ripley. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.

Finishing the Act [Cast Recording]

Tracks:

Give My Regards to Broadway/Welcome to the Theater
Anything Goes
The Impossible Dream
Before the Parade Passes By/Take the Moment
You're Nothing Without Me
There's Always One You Can't Forget
Who Can I Turn To?/My Own Best Friend
All at Once You Love Her/Song of Love/Dear Friend/Nobody Told Me
Sunday
Where Do I Go?
Now You Know
Momma, Look Sharp/Father to Son
Climb Ev'ry Mountain

Amazon.com

One might expect that an album entitled Finishing the Act: Act One Finales from Broadway would get a little heavy with a constant bombardment of curtain-closing bombast. While it's true that Craig Rubano includes plenty of rousing numbers, including "You're Nothing Without Me" (with a guest appearance by sound-alike Jeff Harner) and "My Own Best Friend," he also offers plenty of variety. Unfortunately, some of it is in the form of smooth-jazz-type arrangements or a "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" set to a drum-machine-like waltz beat and backed by an artificial-sounding multitracked female trio. Rubano also offers a Spanish translation of "The Impossible Dream" and a multitracked "Where Do I Go?" Other guest appearances are by Catherine Hickland, Andrea McArdle, and Alice Ripley (all of whom appeared on Broadway in Les Misérables opposite Rubano's Marius), and Marsh Hanson. Rubano searched through 250 different Broadway shows to find these 20 songs and he's a talented singer, so give him an A for effort, even if some of the arrangements make the end result a bit uneven. --David Horiuchi

Album Description

Broadway's Craig Rubano ("Marius" in Les Miserables) sings dazzling new takes on Broadway Act One Finales. He is joined by a full orchestra and vocal guests Marsh Hanson, Jeff Harnar, Catherine Hickland, Andrea McArdle and Alice Ripley.

Customer Reviews:

Craig Finishes On Top.......2003-10-17

You don't even have to buy into the concept of this CD to buy into the artistry of it. The concept: Musical finales of acts from musicals; some famous, some less so. The execution: a fascinating collection of musical numbers by a singer with a remarkably expressive voice; powerful, yes, but sensitive enough to have kept Craig working the Broadway stage for years. I find it difficult to pick favorites from this recording, but you will be missing some masterly skill if you pass up the chance to hear Craig's versions of "Sunday," "My Own Best Friend," "There's Always One You Can't Forget," or his own sweetly chilling "Father to Son." And I'm not even mentioning the frenetic duets he does on "You're Nothing Without Me" (w/Jeff Harnar)or "Now You Know" (w/Marsh Hanson). If we don't support our deserving stars-in-the-making, we will be the losers in the long run. And Craig is one of a kind -- You will miss a striking young talent in the making if you miss this CD.

Well Done Craig.......2002-03-07

I've had this CD for almost 2 years and I never tire of it. The songs are a great mix and Craig sings with emotion and artistry. If you ever get a chance to see him in concert, don't miss it; you'll be hooked on this charismatic performer. Bravo. I'm looking forward to the next CD.

Blech!.......2001-05-28

Decent voice, lousy choice of material, pretentious (and generally misguided) presentation.

Wonderful concept but horrible execution.......2001-02-28

Doing an album of first-act finales is a terrific idea, but Craig Rubano doesn't trust his material. His readings are done very arch and self-conscious. ''Anything Goes'' is performed with a Latiny flavor; part of ''The Impossible Dream'' is sung in Spanish. There are too many gimmicks. Rubano sounds like he's always ''on''; each song comes across like an ''acting exercise.'' He can't seem to sing anything simply or directly. The arrangements are too busy, and he pushes to sell a song. He blasts away the endings, especially on ''My Own Best Friend'' and ''There's Always One You Can't Forget.'' So much for any subtlety or vulnerability. Too bad. Rubano's got a nice voice (if not distinguished), but he performs as if he knows that all too well.

it won't finish his career.......2000-11-10

good concept, poor execution. Only Anything Goes sounds right, his voice is not bad, but it does not have the power to bring the chills these songs deserve. It will gather dust on my shelf, while I listen to Linda Eder, Stacy Sullivan, Lisa Richard etc.

Average customer rating:

Craig Finishes On Top
Well Done Craig
Blech!
Wonderful concept but horrible execution
it won't finish his career

Finishing the Act
Craig Rubano
Manufacturer: The Orchard
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000046Q2Z
Release Date: 2000-03-18