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List Price: $18.98 | | Label: Jay Records
Salesrank: 211944
Released: January 4, 2005 |
| Our Price: $12.42 |
| Used Price: $14.23 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Children's Letters to God (2004 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Track Listing:
1. Prologue
2. Questions, Questions
3. Thirteen
4. Arnold
5. Like Everybody Else
6. Questions for the Rain
7. Ants
8. A Simple Holiday Song
9. Six Hours as a Princess
10. An Only Child
11. When I Am in Charge
12. Daydreams
13. Kicker Brown
14. Silly Old Hat
15. How Come?
16. Star Letters
17. I Know
18. I Know (reprise)
19. Joanna's Lament (bonus track)
Children's Letters to God (2004 Original Off-Broadway Cast) Reviews:
A great show, a great soundtrack... 
2009-04-09 - My wife and I were privileged to see the original Off-Broadway production in the Lamb's Theatre a few years ago when none of the shows that we initially wanted to see were available at the half-price ticket booth. So, we went with this one because we had heard of the book upon which it is based. Well, we were quickly won over by the clever script, beautiful music, and amazingly talented cast. We were so enthralled that we bought this soundtrack on our way out of the theatre and have listened to it regularly ever since.
The storyline for this show is nothing elaborate. Appropriately, it simply follows the everyday situations that occur for five different children, from a pet dying and daydreaming in school to being picked on for being small and dealing with divorcing parents. Though the subjects are not very complex, they address very real issues that kids face and questions that they ask. The honesty of those questions mirrors the original appeal of the book upon which the musical is based. Those questions, addressed to God, cover the spectrum from cute to heart-rending.
Musically speaking, most of the songs on this album are quite fabulous. Though some of the accompaniment seems a bit artificial and strangely dated (lots of synthesizer work, I suspect), and the children can be accused of occasionally over-singing (there is no need for a ten-year-old to try to sound like a thirty-year-old), the general experience of listening to these songs is magnificent. All five kids are amazing singers, singing the songs with commitment and passion, and blending beautifully together. It was a genuine pleasure to see this production on the stage, and this recording follows suit, capturing the cleverness and artistic brilliance of the show. For anyone who enjoys musical theatre, this is a great new show, and I hope that it continues to receive a bigger audience.
God if you're up there... 
2006-01-31 - When I first heard the soundtrack to CLTG I had mixed feelings.
One of the problems I had with it was that every single child on the cd over sings every song. It reminded me of Rent only with kids (Not that I didn't like Rent cause I did, but thats another review) and it was just too much. Also the song lyrics are no more complex that a saturday morning cartoon. After the first listen I put it away for about two monthes.
Then last month I got it back out and relistened, While the problems still existed I listend to the recording with a diffrent state of mind and found that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
The songs and stories took me back to when I was younger Granted i'm only 19 but...) and i had a nice trip down memory lane.
Standouts include:
Arnold
Like Everybody Else
A Simple Holiday Song
Kicker Brown
How Come?
The best advice I can give you is that if you decide to buy it then give it more than one chance because it will probably grow on you and if not, sorry you wasted you money.
One you won't forget
2005-11-16 - I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to be part of a Concert version of Children's Letters to God. Everyday, this play helps me view the world through a child's eye, and reminds me not to overlook or take for granted the beautiful world we live in.
Throughout the play, each character is faced with a challenge, such as a good friend moving away, or the death of a beloved pet. Although each character in the play experiences his or her own personal tragedy, in the end, everyone's optimism and enthusiasm about life remains intact. Being part of Children's Letters to God reminded me that, even as we grow up, we can still see the beauty in the world. Sometimes, we need a child's perspective to cope with an often terrifying world. It's important for us to remember that, despite the terrible happenings, there is a wondrous world around us.
From Rabbi Emeritus Henry Cohen, Wynnewood, PA.
2005-11-04 - I was privileged to be at the opening of the delightful and thoughtful musical, "Children's Letters to God," book by Stuart Hample, Music by David Evans, Lyrics by Douglas J. Cohen. The highlights are now available on a CD that captures the natural curiosity of children who wonder about God:
"Are you real? . . . Why do people have to die? . . . Maybe you are hard of hearing . . . Maybe you don't really care . . . Maybe we're talking to the air."
The music and lyrics begin in a light-hearted vein but then become more serious when children have to deal with the death of a pet, the divorce of parents, the loss of a boyfriend, the loss of self-esteem of a boy ashamed that he is almost the worst athlete in school. The second act confronts the skepticism of Job, as the children ask God, "How come" so many terrible things happen in the world ("Maybe you better start all over again"). The response Job receives from God is given by the chilldren themselves as they marvel at the wonder, order and beauty of God's world.
This charming blend of words and music should have an appeal not only to children but to their parents who may be asking some of the same questions and coming up with their own answers. I would recommend the CD for playing at home or in religious schools of any denomination. The show is currently on tour. Catch it if you can.
A Wonderful Treat!
2005-10-12 - A terrific CD! My family and I caught the show last year in New York and were so glad to discover it's been preserved on disc. The singers are superb and the songs are memorable, funny, and moving. Many of the letters included are not from the book, and they're priceless!
