The Clockmaker's Daughter, an original musical faerytale from Michael Webborn and Daniel Finn ticks all the boxes that a musical should, and then some. Featuring a starry cast that includes Ramin Karimloo, Fra Fee, and Christine Allado, with songs that range from emotional and heartfelt ballads to rousing choral numbers that will having you dancing around the room, it will also leave you and emotional wreck by the time you finish listening, though I say that with incredible amounts of love and admiration for the music, the cast, and the creative team behind it.
Set in the fictional Irish town of Spindlewood, The Clockmaker's Daughter has a score that walks the line between a modern musical and a folk score. You'll find everything from a vibrant opening number, in the form of "The Turning of the Key," to your classic musical theater wanting number, "A Story of My Own," sung beautifully by Allado. Also present on the recording are both a rousing first act finale "Finale Act 1/Raise A Glass," and a wonderful second act opener "Market Day," as well as the beautiful "If You Could See My Heart."
I fell in love with this show/recording incredibly quickly. One of the things I love most about it is that even though it's only the songs, you can find a distinct personality in each of the characters, and it will keep your attention until you are done listening to it. While most musical scores fall into the pop category now, A Clockmaker's Daughter has its feet firmly planted in the land of folk music, paying homage to its setting. If you listen to this show, you will fall in love with it. And I hope its life will continue, and eventually lead it to Broadway.