Side by Side by Sondheim
is a musical revue featuring the songs of prolific Broadway and film composer Stephen Sondheim. Its title is derived from a tune in Company
.
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SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM TICKETS
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History
The musical had its origins when
David Kernan was asked by
Cleo Laine and her husband
John Dankworth to put together a revue as a benefit for a theatre they owned in
Wavendon. Kernan contacted director
Ned Sherrin and suggested that they do a revue of Sondheim material. The producer
Cameron Mackintosh saw the benefit revue, which featured
Millicent Martin,
Julia McKenzie, Kernan, and Ned Sherrin as the narrator, and agreed to produce it.
[1]
Synopsis
The musical is in the form of a revue, with various sections tied together by being from a particular Sondheim musical, or having a common theme, and all of it tied together by the Narrator. He explains what show the songs are from, and in some cases provides background on why a song was written. He also notes for the audience Sondheim themes. As the cast enters they sing "Comedy Tonight", and then "Love Is in the Air". The Narrator explains that the later song was the original opener for
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
but was dropped in favor of the more explicit lyrics of "Comedy Tonight". The Narrator notes that a theme that Sondheim has explored in many of his works is marriage, which introduces the next set of songs. Next are the unknown songs, one cut and one from a television program ("I Remember"). The medley from
Company
follows, and Act 1 closes with
Follies
, with the Narrator pointing out the different musical styles Sondheim has used in these songs, such as Vaudeville ("Buddy's Blues"). The female trio sing "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" as the Act ends.
Songs
Songs included have varied from production to production; following is the song list from the original Broadway production
;Act I
- Comedy Tonight - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
- Love Is in the Air - Dropped from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum
- If Momma Was Married (Music By Jule Styne) - Gypsy: A Musical Fable
- You Must Meet My Wife - A Little Night Music
- The Little Things You Do Together - Company
- Getting Married Today - Company
- I Remember - Evening Primrose
- Can That Boy Foxtrot - Dropped from Follies
- Company - Company
- Another Hundred People - Company
- Barcelona - Company
- Marry Me a Little - Dropped from Company
- I Never Do Anything Twice - The Seven Percent Solution
- Bring on the Girls - Follies
- Ah, Paree! - Follies
- Buddy's Blues - Follies
- Broadway Baby - Follies
- You Could Drive a Person Crazy - Company
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;Act II
- Everybody Says Don't - Anyone Can Whistle
- Anyone Can Whistle - Anyone Can Whistle
- Send in the Clowns - A Little Night Music
- We're Gonna Be All Right (Music By Richard Rodgers) - Do I Hear a Waltz?
- A Boy Like That/ I Have a Love (Music By Leonard Bernstein) - West Side Story
- The Boy From... (Music By Mary Rodgers) - The Mad Show
- Pretty Lady - Pacific Overtures
- You Gotta Have a Gimmick (Music By Jule Styne) - Gypsy: A Musical Fable
- Losing My Mind - Follies
- Could I Leave You? - Follies
- I'm Still Here - Follies
- Conversation Piece
- Side By Side By Side - Company
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Productions
The revue had its premiere on May 4, 1976 at
London's
Mermaid Theatre, where it ran for 59 performances. It subsequently transferred to
Wyndham's Theatre and then the
Garrick for a grand total of 806 performances. Ned Sherrin directed, but Sondheim also worked with the cast and made many suggestions.
[2]
Hal Prince produced the Broadway version, and persuaded
Actors' Equity Association to allow the original British cast to transfer with the show. The production, again directed by Sherrin, opened on
April 18 1977 at the
Music Box Theatre, and later transferred to the now-demolished
Morosco Theatre. Between the two venues, it ran for a total 384 performances and 6 previews. It is one of the few shows to have the distinction of its entire cast being nominated for
Tony Awards (Best Featured Actor in a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Musical). A subsequent 1978 U. S. national tour starred Martin,
Larry Kert,
Barbara Heuman, and
Hermione Gingold as the Narrator. Numerous international productions have been mounted ever since.
A London
West End revival opened at the
Venue Theatre on May 1, 2007, and closed June 23, 2007, after 62 performances and 4 previews. The cast included Abbie Osman, Alasdair Harvey and Josie Walker, with rotating narrators. The musical was directed by Hannah Chissick with musical staging by Adam Cooper.
[3]
Because of its small cast and simple production requirements, the show is a popular choice for
summer stock and
community theatre productions.
References
- Information from the Sondheim.com website
- Millicent Martin, Julia McKenzie, David Kernan, and Sherrin comprised the original cast.
- Playbill News: London's Side by Side by Sondheim Revival Closes June 23