One of the best shows on in town at the moment is wonderful Squabbalogic’s SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM currently running at the Reginald at the Seymour Centre. A dazzling celebration of some of Sondheim’s work. If you are a Sondheim or musical theatre fan this is for you. The cast has scintillating talent.
Theatre legend Stephen Sondheim is now 84 and this is the Australian premiere of this show which was originally devised by James Lapine in 2010.
Segments of Sondheim talking about his life are interspersed with songs from some of his shows.
What makes this show extra special is the screen interviews with him, where we learn about his quite troubled family life, the influence Oscar Hammerstein had on him and how he approaches his work and his various work processes, (for example, his favourite soft pencils and particular paper) and what is involved in putting on a show.
Sondheim also reveals his love of collaboration, and how he regards ASSASSINS as his most polished show whilst SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE is his favourite.
The production is roughly arranged chronologically , Sondheim reminiscing about his life, but what is also fascinating is we see how we learn how some of his shows were reworked/songs cut/added ( eg for ‘ A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’ we follow the changes
from what was originally ‘Invocation ‘ to the final boisterous ‘Comedy Tonight‘). A fun , brassy showstopper (that was cut from ‘Gypsy ‘) was ‘Smile Girls’, Madam Rose trying to inspire her exhausted troupe.
We see fragments or segments from ( among others) ‘Gypsy’, ‘West Side Story’ ‘Company’ ‘Merrily We Roll Along ‘ ‘Into the Woods’,’Follies’ ‘Assassins’’ A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ‘ and Sweeney Todd, but nothing from ‘Pacific Overtures’ for example.
The exceptional cast of eight under the sensational direction of James Jay Moody are superb and give extraordinary performances. Each of them has solos but there is also quite a bit of ensemble work. Almost all the numbers chosen are about Love and Life.
The tremendous band under the baton of Hayden Barltrop is hidden by the exciting set,–hanging mobiles of crumpled tossed paper (almost a light, movable sculpture), and a large projection screen. Otherwise there are a few small sliding stools/tables that are constantly changing shape and configuration ( for example in ‘You Could Drive A Person Crazy’ from ‘ Company’ here done as a duet ).
Sondheim’s emotional range and variety is astonishing,– from large ensemble numbers to intense emotional engagement ( for example, the shattering ‘Epiphany’ from ‘Sweeney Todd’).
There are so many highlights it is impossible to choose but special mentions must be made of Dean Vince as Bobby in ‘ Being Alive’ (from ‘Company ‘), Philip Lowe’s already mentioned ‘Epiphany ‘ as Sweeney Todd, and Debra Krizak’s heartbreaking , exquisite performance of ‘Send in the Clowns’ ( from A Little Night Music ).
I also loved the haunting elegant, impassioned duet combining ‘ Not A Day Goes By ‘ ( from Merrily We Roll Along) with ‘Losing My Mind’ ( ‘Follies ) as performed by Krizak and Christy Sullivan. Sullivan also shines in the charming, whimsical ‘Do I Hear a Waltz ?‘
Rob Johnson gives an outstanding performance of ‘Franklin Shepherd Inc’, Charley’s breakdown on TV from ‘Merrily We Roll Along ‘ that stops the show.
Very moving scenes are shown from ‘Passion’ ( Louise Kelly as the obsessed Fosca is magnificent) and a chilling sequence ( ‘Something Just Broke/The Gun Song ‘) from ‘Assassins’.
So, Sondheim fans, if you haven’t already, run and book for this glorious show. It helps answer the question first posed in 1994 by New York Magazine ‘Is Stephen Sondheim God? ‘
More than recommended .
Running time 2 hours 45 mins (approx) including interval.
SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM is playing at the downstairs Reginald Theatre at the Seymour Centre until October 18.