Clownaround

One of the musical theater's "lost" recordings, Clownaround was conceived by Alvin Cooperman, a successful television executive and producer (The Untouchables) and all-around entrepreneur who also wrote the book and lyrics. According to a souvenir program, he was fascinated by fools, jesters and clowns, and Clownaround was the result that fascination. Billed as "A Funny Kind of Musical for the Entire Family," the music is by Mark "Moose" Charlap, known to Broadway audiences for his contribution to the score of Peter Pan and to jazz fans as the father of Bill Charlap, the acclaimed jazz pianist.

Film legend Gene Kelly directed the original production, with a cast that included Ruth Buzzi, but Clownaround never made it to Broadway, and the original LP release was sold only at venues where the show was performed. When Clownaround closed, the existing inventory of the LPs were scrapped; this CD reissue is the first time the recording has been available in any format since