New Broadway steeped in tradition

 

by Michael Kotze

 

Stephen Sondheim has had an amazing career. Though justifiably regarded as one of New Broadway’s great innovators, his work is deeply rooted in the traditions of Old Broadway. When Light Opera Works presents the revue Side By Side By Sondheim, you’ll get a rare opportunity to hear songs from such groundbreaking shows as Company, Follies and Pacific Overtures side by side with Sondheim’s earlier collaborations with American musical theater giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers.

 

In the last 40 years or so of Sondheim’s career, in which he set his own words to his own music in a series of highly praised and hugely influential shows, it is almost easy to forget he spent part of his early career providing lyrics to some of Broadway’s most eminent and established composers. Easy to forget, that is, were it not for the fact that two of the shows in question stand among the very greatest ever produced on Broadway: Bernstein’s West Side Story and Styne’s Gypsy.

 

Receiving the torch

 

But Sondheim’s Broadway roots go even deeper. As a teenager, he lived in the same neighborhood as Broadway legend Oscar Hammerstein II. Having written a musical comedy performed to great acclaim at his high school, young Sondheim took the script to Hammerstein for his opinion. The old pro didn’t mince words; the show was terrible. But if the young man wanted to know why it was terrible, Hammerstein would take the time to tell him. Sondheim later recalled, “In that afternoon I learned more about songwriting and the musical theater than most people learn in a lifetime.”

 

So began a remarkable mentorship, in which the author of Show Boat, Oklahoma! and The King and I generously shared the benefit of his experience with a kid who went on to write A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd. It’s astounding to think the man who wrote Rose Marie passed the torch to the creator of Assassins.

 

One can hear Sondheim’s reverence for Broadway’s Golden Age in his songs for Follies, his glorious eulogy to lost love, lost youth and the forgotten byways of American show business. A few of the best are featured in Side By Side, including “I’m Still Here,“ a four-minute epic in which a veteran actress recounts her harrowing ups and downs, and “Losing My Mind,” a torch song to rival the best of George Gershwin or Irving Berlin.

 

You‘ll hear these songs and more in this tribute to the wunderkind who went on to become Broadway’s grand old man.

 

 Jennifer Davis-Johnson, JoAnn Minds, George Andrew Wolff and Anne Gunn

star in Side by Side by Sondheim.

 

  

For Immediate Release:                                                         Contact: Rachel Greenhoe

August 29, 2008                                                                             (847) 869-7930 ext. 15 (press only)

                                                                                                  

Light Opera Works presents Stephen Sondheim Musical Revue

September 28 – November 9, 2008

Who: Light Opera Works

What: SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM

A Musical Entertainment

Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM

And music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne

Continuity by Ned Sherrin

Produced on Broadway by Harold Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell

Opens: Friday, October 3, 2008

Previews: Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 3:00pm

                 Wednesday, October 1 and Thursday, October 2 at 8:00pm

Runs: Fridays thru Sundays until Sunday, November 9, 2008

          Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm

          Sundays at 3:00pm

Where: Light Opera Works Second Stage

1420 Maple Avenue, Evanston, IL

How: For tickets call the Light Opera Works box office at (847) 869-6300 or order online

          at www.LightOperaWorks.com.  Ticket office located at 927 Noyes St. #225, Evanston.

 

Evanston, IL:  Light Opera Works presents the musical revue, SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM featuring the works of Stephen Sondheim with music from GYPSY, WEST SIDE STORY, COMPANY, FOLLIES and more. 

 

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM will be directed and choreographed by Light Opera Works Artistic Director, Rudy Hogenmiller.  Hogenmiller has directed and choreographed many productions for the company including KISS ME, KATE, SOUTH PACIFIC, THE MIKADO, THE MERRY WIDOW and THE SOUND OF MUSIC. He has been recognized with six Joseph Jefferson Awards and 17 nominations for best direction and choreography in Chicago. Hogenmiller has been a member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers for more than 25 years.

 

The show’s musical director, JON STEINHAGEN, will conduct the show. Jon conducted the Light Opera Works’ Second Stage Productions of BERLIN TO BROADWAY WITH KURT WEILL and BEN BAGLEY’S THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ENTIRE WORLD AS SEEN THROUGH THE EYES OF COLE PORTER.  Other Light Opera Works credits include assistant musical direction of 110 IN THE SHADE and BITTER SWEET and as Oxford in DARLING OF THE DAY.  Jon has received four non-Equity Jeff Awards and six After Dark Awards for music direction, acting, or original music.  He wrote the book, music and lyrics for THE TEAPOT SCANDALS (Equity Jeff nominee for Best New Work, 2007) as well as many other musicals.  Among his plays are SOMETHING MORE COMFORTABLE and THE ANALYTICAL ENGINE.  Onstage, Jon recently appeared in 1776 (Signal Ensemble Theatre) and PLAZA SUITE (Eclipse Theatre Company); and this fall will appear in SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION (Signal Ensemble Theatre).  He has twice acted as Master of Ceremonies of the non-Equity Jeff Awards and is an artistic associate of Porchlight Music Theatre.

 

The cast for SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM is Jennifer Davis-Johnson, Anne Gunn, Jo Ann Minds and George Andrew Wolff. 

 

Jennifer Davis-Johnson’s (Woman 2) professional credits across the country include leading roles in THE KING AND I (Anna), MY FAIR LADY (Eliza), CAMELOT (Guenevere), THE SOUND OF MUSIC (Maria), JEKYLL & HYDE (Emma), WEST SIDE STORY (Maria), THE MUSIC MAN (Marian), SOUTH PACIFIC (Nellie Forbush), SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROS. (Millie), and THE WILL ROGERS FOLLIES (Betty Blake Rogers). Regionally she has performed at Marriott Theatre Lincolnshire, Wagon Wheel Theatre and Little Theatre on the Square.  Jennifer was also a featured performer for the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. and American Hawaii Cruise

 

JoAnn Minds (Narrator) has performed with Light Opera Works, most recently as Aunt Alicia in GIGI and as Lady Devon in BITTER SWEET, along with Madam Armfeldt (A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC), Duchess of Plaza- Toro (GONDOLIERS), Maggie Grant (LADY IN THE DARK) and Maria (MOST HAPPY FELLA) among others. Well known in the Chicago area for roles in opera, operetta and musical theater, she has also been the guest soloist with the Evanston, Niles, DuPage and Harper Symphony Orchestras and has appeared on stage in leads with Apple Tree Theater, Opera Factory, Chamber Opera Chicago, Cameo Opera, Palmero Opera and North Shore Theater. She has a Gilbert & Sullivan repertoire that includes all thirteen principal alto roles which she has performed in 31 productions with the Savoy-Aires and Gilbert and Sullivan Society and has extensively toured Chicago and Indiana area theaters and schools with Papai Players Children‘s Theater. She recently appeared in the world premier of THE PATRIOTS, by Ronald Combs, at Northeastern University creating the major mezzo role of Hannah.

 

ANNE GUNN  (Woman 1) was last seen at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre in CINDERELLA.  Other Marriott shows include FOOTLOOSE, BYE, BYE BIRDIE, DAMN YANKEES, CAROUSEL, Eva in EVITA and Kaye (in the purple dress) in THE TAFFETAS.  Drury Lane Oakbrook productions include PIRATES OF PENZANCE, SOPHISTICATED LADIES and Adelaide in GUYS AND DOLLS.  She joined the cast of CLOSER THAN EVER (Apple Tree Theater) and was also seen in MERRILY WEROLL ALONG and ASSASSINS (Jeff Nominated).  She played Eva Peron, again, in EVITA (Candlelight Theater), Pitti-Sing in HOT MIKADO (The Drury Lane, Evergreen Park).  She was also in BEEHIVE at the Briar Street Theatre, and Lizzie in BABY (The Marriott Theatre).  She’s appeared on TV and in radiocommercials for Pillsbury, Kellogg’s, Glade, and Old El Paso.

 

George Andrew Wolff (Man) returns to Light Opera Works having previously starred in productions of DIE FLEDERMAUS, COUNTESS MARITZA, GYPSY LOVE, NAUGHTY MARIETTA and THE STUDENT PRINCE.  His Chicago credits include Quasimodo in the world-premiere of Dennis DeYoung’s Jeff-nominated THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME (Bailiwick Repertory), WILLY WONKA, (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), THE PRODUCERS, SUNSET BOULEVARD (Marriott Theatre), CATS (Theatre at the Center), THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE (Drury Lane Water Tower- original Chicago company), ON THE TOWN (New Classic Singers). Regionally he has performed in TREASURE ISLAND (Fulton Theatre), SUSANNAH (Opera Columbus, DuPage Opera), DER VOGELHANDLER, BITTER SWEET (Ohio Light Opera), ALBERT HERRING (Monteux Opera Festival), RITAL THE IMPRESARIO (Opera Maine) BON APPETIT (Anchorage Opera, Madison Opera), LA TRAVIATA (Opera!Lenawee). His solo recording WORDS AND MUSIC (with pianist Ovid Young) was released in 2007.

 

The design team for SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM includes Dustin Efird (Scenic), Joelle Beranek (Costumes), Faith Mickley (Hair and Make-Up), David Lee Bradke (Lighting), Jaime LePore (Properties), Eva L. Hare (Stage Manager) and Paige Keedy (Production Manager). 

 

Ticket prices for SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM range from $24 to $39.  Preview performances are $20.  Ages 21 and younger are half price.  To order tickets, or for more information, call the Light Opera Works box office at (847) 869-6300, or order 24 hours a day online at www.LightOperaWorks.com

 

The 2008 season will conclude in December with Meredith Willson’s THE MUSIC MAN (December 26, 2008 –January 4, 2009).  Discounted ticket packages are still available.

 

Light Opera Works is a resident professional not-for-profit theater in Evanston, founded in 1980.  The company's mission is to produce and present musical theater from a variety of world traditions.  All productions are presented in English, with foreign works done in carefully edited modern translations.  Maximum scholarship is employed to preserve the original vocal and orchestral material as well as the spirit of the original text whenever possible.  Audiences have come to know that at Light Opera Works they will experience repertoire often unavailable on the stages of commercial theaters and opera houses, in modern productions with professional artists and full orchestra.

 

Light Opera Works’ mission is to produce musical theater

from a variety of world traditions, to engage the community through

educational and outreach programs and to train artists in musical theater.

Pioneer Press

October 3, 2008

By Catey Sullivan

 

Barring minor flaws, ‘Sondheim’ is spectacular

 

Anyone familiar with Stephen Sondheim's work, a revue of which is currently playing in Evanston, will attest to the divine sublimity in his often deceptively simple verse: "The sun comes up. I think about you. The coffee cup. I think about you." In 10 words, a world of aching joy and devastating heartache. Truly, the man is peerless.

 

With "Side by Side By Sondheim," Light Opera Works offers a crash course in Sondheim. Iconic -- and yes, the word is way overused, but in this case, it fits -- songs from "West Side Story," "Gypsy," "A Little Night Music," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," as well as lesser-known gems from "The Seven Percent Solution," "The Mad Show" and "Evening Primrose" are all here. Notably, lamentably absent: anything from "Sweeney Todd" and "Assassins." But one can't have everything.

 

It's clear that director Rudy Hogenmiller has a deep understanding of Sondheim's brilliance. Working with a trio of singers and a narrator, he sculpts a show that ably captures the depth and breadth of some of the world's most complex lyrics and treacherous melodies. With conductor and pianist Jon Steinhagen's perceptive, often humorous accompaniment (listen for the hilariously out-of-control, over-the-top, self-aggrandizing arpeggios on "I Never Do Anything Twice"), "Side By Side" is a charmer.

 

One of the high points comes with musical theater veteran Anne Gunn's exquisite interpretation of "Send in the Clowns." It won't matter if you've heard it a thousand times. Gunn makes it fresh, an invocation of love, loss and quiet devastation. A talent of huge range, Gunn is just as good -- and seemingly a wholly different person -- in the kinky, hilarious "I Never Do Anything Twice."

 

George Andrew Wolff displays similarly eclectic skills. He's an understated powerhouse of elegiac yearning on the soaring, mournful "I Remember"; dripping with acid and vengeful bitterness in the seething, sarcastic "Could I Leave You" and a ridiculously silly hoot as a stripper ballerina in "You Gotta Get a Gimmick." With Jennifer Davis-Johnson, who is consistently, unfortunately, a tad flat in the upper register, the trio delivers winning, ultra-high-energy musical conversations in the likes of "Comedy Tonight" and "Everybody Says Don't."

 

The revue slogs a bit with the extensive narration that falls between songs, an exposition that feels like a labored version of Sondheim 101. While Jo Ann Minds imparts a great deal of background, all the talk weighs the production down and disrupts its flow. That said, Minds also delivers a joke about the difference between disappointment and despair that had us laughing all the way home.

 

Clearly, it's the music that's paramount here, and Hogenmiller has done a marvelous job shining a spotlight on the world's greatest living composer and lyricist.

 

 

Chicagocritic.com

October 3, 2008

By Tom Williams

 

 

Highly Recommended

 

Sondheim’s lyrics deftly delivered by three terrific performers

 

Anne Gunn, George Andrew Wolff and Jennifer Davis-Johnson effectively and artistically deliver the early Stephen Sondheim songbook. This well-sung show emphasizes the sophisticated brilliance of Sondheim’s lyrics. Sondheim groupies and theatre fans will enjoy this revue of early Sondheim tunes. This 1976 revue contains numbers from “A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum,” “Gypsy,” “A Little Night Music,” “Follies,” “Company,” “ Do I Hear A Waltz?,” “West Side Story,” “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution,” “Evening Primrose,” “The Mad Show,” “Anyone Can Whistle” and “Pacific Overtures.” “Company” offers eight songs and “Follies” adds seven in this tribute to one of the most adept composers of our time. The sassy, witty and often biting lyrics are delivered with style and verve in this intimate non-amplified atmosphere. Sondheim’s tunes never sounded better. Jon Steinhagen and Nick Sula’s dual pianos aptly accompanied the terrific voices.

 

Narrated by Jo Ann Minds, who delivered some funny quotes and quips, the two girls and a boy each have their special moments in this exquisitely well-sung revue. The three veteran performers presented in character filled with emotion and intensely appropriate to their theme each song that was aptly introduced by Minds. From the rousing “Comedy Tonight,” we are immersed into Sondheim’s world of smart lyrics and bouncy music that carved a special place in Broadway history. Listening to Sondheim’s tunes come alive was breathtaking. The song selection has varied styles, tempos and meanings that aptly demonstrate Sondheim’s genius with rhythm and his spot-on story appropriate lyrics.

 

Landing his tough songs isn’t easy but this polished cast does so with amazing skill, demonstrating their strong vocal range. These talents land the tunes in character with the mood, emotions and temperament each song requires. The outstanding articulation of Sondheim’s sharp lyrics made for clear understanding of each tune.

Highlights among the 30+ songs are: “I Remember” and “Marry Me A Little.” “Another Hundred People,” “Broadway Baby,” “Send In The Clowns.” Terrific duets include “The Little Things,” “Barcelona,” “We’re Gonna Be All Right,” “A Boy Like That.” The piano work was stellar and tuneful.

 

Terrific comic numbers like “You Could Drive A Person Crazy,” “Beautiful Girls,” “Comedy Tonight,” and the fabulous (and seldom done) “I Never Do Anything Twice” were a hoot. “Company” and “Follies” are featured in this slick, polished revue.

 

This gem of a show is pure Broadway, pure entertainment. Sondheim fans will rejoice, and those who love revues will be totally satisfied.