Original Broadway Cast, 2007 (Ghostlight) (2 / 5) This show is based on the 1995 novel of the same title, written by Nick Hornby, and the film version of the property that was produced in 2000 to a largely positive critical reception. The musical was created by Amanda Green (lyrics), Tom Kitt (music), and David Lindsay-Abaire (book), all of whom have bona fide Broadway credentials — and all of whom have worked on better shows than this misfire. The most obvious demerit of High Fidelity the musical is Amanda Green’s crude, sometimes tasteless lyric writing. (To be fair to Green, the show mostly revolves around a group of immature men who work at a record shop.) Though Tom Kitt’s original score ably parodies popular rock songs of the vinyl era, his music pales in comparison to the actual hits that were heard on the movie’s soundtrack; especially lamentable is a Bruce Springsteen rip-off, “Goodbye and Good Luck,” that includes a dreamy vision of Springsteen himself. And when Kitt does provide an uncommonly beautiful melody, it’s for a song saddled with the title “I Slept With Someone (Who Handled Kurt Cobain’s Intervention).” Will Chase as Rob, the narcissistic record shop owner, is forced to sing many of Green’s most questionable lyrics, but it’s wonderful to hear Jenn Colella, as Rob’s love interest Laura, in a leading role so early in her Broadway career. She’s incredibly touching in the finale track, even as Laura struggles to break free of the stereotypes this male-centric show forces upon its female characters. Through the muddle, there are some great moments on this recording: “The Last Real Record Store” is a strong opening number, and performers Jay Klaitz as Barry and Rachel Stern as Liz make strong positive impressions in their featured moments. — Forrest Hutchinson
Original Broadway Cast, 2007 (Ghostlight) 
(2 / 5) This show is based on the 1995 novel of the same title, written by Nick Hornby, and the film version of the property that was produced in 2000 to a largely positive critical reception. The musical was created by Amanda Green (lyrics), Tom Kitt (music), and David Lindsay-Abaire (book), all of whom have bona fide Broadway credentials — and all of whom have worked on better shows than this misfire. The most obvious demerit of High Fidelity the musical is Amanda Green’s crude, sometimes tasteless lyric writing. (To be fair to Green, the show mostly revolves around a group of immature men who work at a record shop.) Though Tom Kitt’s original score ably parodies popular rock songs of the vinyl era, his music pales in comparison to the actual hits that were heard on the movie’s soundtrack; especially lamentable is a Bruce Springsteen rip-off, “Goodbye and Good Luck,” that includes a dreamy vision of Springsteen himself. And when Kitt does provide an uncommonly beautiful melody, it’s for a song saddled with the title “I Slept With Someone (Who Handled Kurt Cobain’s Intervention).” Will Chase as Rob, the narcissistic record shop owner, is forced to sing many of Green’s most questionable lyrics, but it’s wonderful to hear Jenn Colella, as Rob’s love interest Laura, in a leading role so early in her Broadway career. She’s incredibly touching in the finale track, even as Laura struggles to break free of the stereotypes this male-centric show forces upon its female characters. Through the muddle, there are some great moments on this recording: “The Last Real Record Store” is a strong opening number, and performers Jay Klaitz as Barry and Rachel Stern as Liz make strong positive impressions in their featured moments. — Forrest Hutchinson