Cast Album of 'The Seven Little Foys' to be Released on August 1

The newly recorded cast album of Chip Deffaa's THE SEVEN LITTLE FOYS is being released on August 1, 2012 (Original Cast Records). The show is described as "a valentine to a golden age of show business, this musical mixes original songs by ASCAP-award-winning writer Chip Deffaa with vintage favorites popularized by Eddie Foy and family, such as "Chinatown My Chinatown," "Row Row Row," and "Moonlight Bay." Eddie Foy–reviewers declared in his heyday–was the funniest, gentlest, and most endearing comedian in America; they called him “Broadway’s pet.” In the early 20th century, he starred in musical comedies and revues, and toured extensively in vaudeville.

Mr. Deffaa wrote and directed this show that has been in development for five years. This CD features local kids like Devon Eddy (from Woodbury, CT), Jillian Wipfler (from Southbury, CT) and Peter Charney (from Bethany, CT,) all of whom were in the world-premiere production, a six-week-run at Seven Angels Theater in Waterbury in 2007. Also appearing on the album are others who've helped in subsequent development of the show, like Emily Bordonaro (from Avon, CT), Bailey Cummings (Wolcott, CT), Emme and Casie Pepe-Winshell (East Hartford, CT), Tyler duBoys (Orange, CT), and Ben Orlando (Waterbury, CT). "These kids have gone through the evolution of a musical and have seen it get better and better since their first production," writes Mr. Deffaa.

The show turned into a New York International Fringe Festival hit, and they recently presented the newest version at the York Theater in NYC. The cast album mixes adult actors from the New York casts (seasoned pro's with experience on film, TV, and Broadway) with these amazing CT kids. "The kids never dreamed back in 2007 that they were beginning a journey that would culminate in their recording a cast album at a top studio in New York City (Dubway Studios--used by Patti Smith, They Might be Giants, HBO, Nickelodeon, etc) with a Grammy-winning musician joining them."

These young actors have often been seen in shows in CT, at Thomaston Opera House, Seven Angels, the Warner Theater, and the Palace.  Mr. Deffaa writes, "One of these kids told me that knowing he's now going to be on iTunes, and is on an album getting international distribution---well, that makes him feel very accomplished. I'm a ASCAP award-winning New York based playwright/director but I've never found better young actors than the dedicated, talented group I found in CT--they're a testimony to the vitality of the CT theater scene." I would certainly concur with this praise.

The CD is being released in time to mark the centennial of the original Seven Little Foys. They made their debut in vaudeville 100 years ago this August, and became the most popular family act of the era. Their life story was told in a popular film starring Bob Hope, and also in a TV special; Mr. Deffaa created this first stage adaptation. He writes, "The Seven Little Foys often appeared in CT,  and on the cast album you can hear at one point that they're playing the Thomaston Opera House and at another point they are being interviewed by the Waterbury Republican! This is probably the first album ever released with such local tie-ins."

To order a copy of the CD and hear some sound bites, click here

I listened to the Original Cast recording of Chip Deffaa's The Seven Little Foys as soon as it arrived in the mail. I read the autograph that Mr. Deffaa had written on the cover of the CD booklet, but nothing else. I found the music to be nostalgic and charming. I recognized many of classic tunes by George M. Cohan and Irving Berlin and enjoyed listening to the original compositions by Mr. Deffaa. It seemed that the songs written especially for the show moved the story along, but since I had never seen the show, I couldn't be sure.

Then I read the extensive liner notes that include a synopsis of the musical and the story all fell into place. This is not a hearts and flowers story of the crew that became the most popular family act in vaudeville. It is the well-researched true story of Eddie Foy and his children, and is therefore no doubt quite compelling to see onstage.

The CD booklet includes a lengthy note from the playwright/composer as to how the show came to be and it contains some interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits. It also features a photo of two of the boys in the cast rehearsing in the lobby of Seven Angels Theatre. The bios of the Company members have some local references, especially in the one for local teen and actor Bailey Cummings. The Credits and Acknowledgments also lists all three partners in the Phoenix Stage Company and other familiar names.

Also available from Chip Deffaa is the Original Cast Recording on starring Kimberly Faye Greenberg.