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(More customer reviews)As a bit of a theater nerd, I believe I have seen every tribute to Stephen Sondheim ever created--and let's be honest, that's too many to count these days! But seriously, what's not to love? And why not? With such a terrific oeuvre, I'm not complaining. Even so, I found "Sondheim: The Birthday Concert" to be especially effective. Most of these retrospectives feature the top echelon of talent--and this is certainly no exception. What was refreshing, however, were the more unusual selections to make it into the concert. There weren't the typical warhorses you might expect (nary a "Clown" in sight). Heck, you know things have gone wonky when one of the featured numbers is a dance to the "Theme to 'Reds'." All in all, then, the surprises are what make this particularly noteworthy.
The absolutely transcendent highlight of the show comes near the end as six actresses square off center stage. But before I get to that, I'll just say that David Hyde Pearce is a nimble host. The earlier moments that stood out for me are the pairings--Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley are a delight, Joanna Gleason and Chip Zien have a charming reunion from "Into the Woods" and Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin slay with a powerful selection from "Sunday in the Park With George." But truly, no one hits a wrong note here--the entire production is spot-on.
But the Diva sing off is beyond words. With Peters, Mazzie, Donna Murphy, Patty LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Elaine Stritch--you think I'm going to say I didn't like it? Not a chance. LuPone is strong, McDonald (one of my all time favorites) is precise, and Stritch belts out her signature number to crowd pleasing perfection (however, it is the third concert this year where I've seen her do it). Peters, always perfection, is quite understated and touching. Donna Murphy almost steals the show with the impassioned "Leave You," a remarkable performance that took me by complete surprise. But without a doubt, it is Marin Mazzie that blew the rafters off at our home. She takes the reliable standard "Losing My Mind" (and who doesn't love that to start with?) and absolutely tore it up with such heartfelt gusto. I truly felt I was hearing the song for the first time--and that's saying a lot. There is charm to spare here, and if you're a fan--you'll absolutely want this beauty for your collection. KGHarris, 11/10.
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Join us for a rousing celebration of the life and work of one of Broadway�s greatest legends � the one and only Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist�s 80th birthday, many of musical theater�s brightest stars gathered to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim�s illustrious career. Many of these enduring songs are rarely heard and several are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Stephen Sondheim�s longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic.
Filmed live, March 15�16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, New York City
Performances Include:
"America" (Dancers, West Side Story)
"Something�s Coming" (Alexander Gemingnani, West Side Story)
"We�re Gonna Be Alright" (Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Do I Hear a Waltz?)
"Don�t Laugh" (Victoria Clark, Hot Spot)
"Johanna"(Nathan Gunn, Sweeney Todd)
"You�re Gonna Love Tomorrow" and "Love Will See Us Through" (Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Laura Osnes, Bobby Steggert, Follies)
"Too Many Mornings" (Nathan Gunn, Audra McDonald,Follies)
"The Road You Didn�t Take" (John McMartin, Follies)
"It Takes Two" (Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Into the Woods)
"Growing Up" (Jim Walton, Merrily We Roll Along)
"Finishing the Hat" (Mandy Patinkin, Sunday in the Park with George)
"Move On" (Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Sunday in the Park with George)
"Pretty Women" (Michael Cerveris, George Hearn, Sweeney Todd)
"A Little Priest" (Michael Cerveris, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd)
�Theme from �Reds�� with Pas De Deux(NY Philharmonic, Two ABT Dancers Maria and Blaine)
"So Many People" (Laura Benanti, Saturday Night)
"Beautiful Girls" (David Hyde Pierce)
"Ladies Who Lunch" (Patti LuPone, Company)
"Losing My Mind" (Marin Mazzie� Follies)
"The Glamorous Life" (Audra McDonald, A Little Night Music)
"Could I Leave You?" (Donna Murphy, Follies)
"Not a Day Goes By" (Bernadette Peters,Merrily We Roll Along)
"I�m Still Here" (Elaine Stritch, Follies)
"Sunday" (Broadway Chorus, Sunday in the Park with George)
"Happy Birthday" (All Cast)
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