I've conquered the library system and checked this cast album out from the Evanston Public Library. I had never heard of The Apple Tree, and chose it because it featured Alan Alda and Barbara Harris. Neither are wonderful singers, but are clearly charming performers. The singing of Alda the younger reminds me of the singing of his father, Robert Alda, who was in the original cast of Guys and Dolls--each has a likable voice with enough legato to let the music survive. Ms. Harris has a light soubrettish voice.
This is really three musicals, each one act telling different stories that are really only connected by having the same cast, and loosely the theme of temptation. Much of the music is very witty, particularly "It's A Fish", from the Adam and Eve act of the show.
The second act is set in Roman times and the world of fighting in the lion's den. Harris really sells it in the funny, vampy "I've Got What You Want" although I don't quite understand how it fits into the story.
The third story is a Cinderella variation with Passionella (Harris) dreaming of being a movie star. Harris is the real treat of all three acts. She had her roots in comedy in Chicago 's Second City, and this show made her a star. But perhaps from the short-form of the storytelling, I don't feel any real connection to the characters. This is musical comedy at it's fluffiest.
The Apple Tree
Music by Jerry Bock
Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick
Book by Harnick and Bock
Based on stories by Mark Twain, Frank R. Stockton, and Jules Feiffer
Directed by Mike Nichols
Cast: Alan Alda, Barbara Harris, Larry Blyden, Robert Klein, Marc Jordan
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