Suzy Conn, who edits the tremendous Broadway/off-Broadway musical blog Blogway Baby, has a great review of the soundtrack of the MAD Magazine musical, which ran for 871 performances starting in 1966. I got this about a week ago and I've been listening to it off and on — it's some lovely, funny, vintage MAD stuff.
Listening to the show you get an overwhelming sense of the good-natured, innocent, and joyous parody. Despite the hilarious parody it never feels cynical, or bitter, or self-congratulatory. I loved it. It's definitely comedy first, and music second but it totally works. It also really feels like a musical version of MAD magazine, which stands in comparison to the current late night show MAD TV, which although funny at times doesn't feel like MAD magazine at all. My favorite numbers are "Misery Is" (a charming send up of "Happiness Is" from You're A Good Man Charlie Brown), "The Boy From…" ( the classic parody of "The Girl From Ipanema") and Kiddie TV (Pompus Room is a hilarious send up of Romper Room).
(Thanks, Suzy!)
