A Company Full of Passion, Singing a Little SondheimBy Lauren Yarger
The music is great. It’s Sondheim, conceived and directed by James Lapine after all, and some of the greatest tunes penned by the Broadway icon are given another moment on a Broadway stage as part of Sondheim on Sondheim, a review of the composer’s work, by the likes of Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer, Norm Lewis, Erin Mackey, Euan Morton and Matthew Scott.
The really terrific part, however, is Beowolf Boritt's set which incorporates a video screen, talented all by itself (it breaks apart, moves around, etc.) which brings Sondheim himself into the show to talk about how he was influenced by Oscar Hammerstein, how some of the songs came to be written (I would have loved a lot more of these) and to share anecdotes about the various productions.
Some of the songs (David Loud provides musical direction and arrangements) are performed by the group, others are solos or duets. Some are better than others. Wopat’s “Epiphany” from Sweeney Todd left a lot to be desired and Cook unfortunately wasn’t in the best voice the day I attended, though I particularly enjoyed her moving “Send in the Clowns” and a duet from Follies with Williams, who looks and sounds terrific. That the company loves the music they are singing is apparent and if you’re a Sondheim fan, you’ll enjoy this celebration of the man’s work.
Sondheim on Sondheim runs through June 27 at Studio 54, 254 West 54th St., NYC. For tickets, call (212) 719-1300.
Christians might also like to know:
• Some of the romantic songs include same sex pairings
• One of the costumes is a little scanty
The really terrific part, however, is Beowolf Boritt's set which incorporates a video screen, talented all by itself (it breaks apart, moves around, etc.) which brings Sondheim himself into the show to talk about how he was influenced by Oscar Hammerstein, how some of the songs came to be written (I would have loved a lot more of these) and to share anecdotes about the various productions.
Some of the songs (David Loud provides musical direction and arrangements) are performed by the group, others are solos or duets. Some are better than others. Wopat’s “Epiphany” from Sweeney Todd left a lot to be desired and Cook unfortunately wasn’t in the best voice the day I attended, though I particularly enjoyed her moving “Send in the Clowns” and a duet from Follies with Williams, who looks and sounds terrific. That the company loves the music they are singing is apparent and if you’re a Sondheim fan, you’ll enjoy this celebration of the man’s work.
Sondheim on Sondheim runs through June 27 at Studio 54, 254 West 54th St., NYC. For tickets, call (212) 719-1300.
Christians might also like to know:
• Some of the romantic songs include same sex pairings
• One of the costumes is a little scanty
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