Posted 2007-08-05 20:52:46: Amazon.com Editoral Review: Because Anyone Can Whistle was one of Stephen Sondheim's most notorious failures, lasting a mere nine performances in 1964, this 1995 gala benefit concert for Gay Men's Health Crisis was conceived as a one-night revival. It's an exciting performance, anchored by Bernadette Peters in Lee Remick's role as Nurse Apple (meaning she gets to sing "There Won't Be Trumpets," the title tune, and "With So Little to Be Sure Of"), plus Madeline Kahn as the Mayoress, Scott Bakula as Hapgood, and Angela Lansbury, the original Mayoress, as narrator and host. Other advantages include 20 additional minutes of music and dialogue, a detailed synopsis, a full libretto, and notes on the concert. No, it's not a replacement for the original Broadway cast, but it's a valuable complement and a significant addition to the Sondheim discography. --David Horiuchi
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