Next Sondheim?

[The8re phan]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 9:02pm

Since both Sweeney and Merrily will be closing up in the next few months, NY stages will be without a major Sondheim work for the first time in years.  What do we think/hope the next revival will be?  Any chance of the Axelrod 'Sunday' transferring?  

[Age_of_Mendacity]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:08pm

I'm hoping for Follies, Night Music or Passion. Has been a while (or a long while) for all. Especially hoping for Passion, but even the National Theatre Follies would sufice!

[theatretenor2]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:12pm

Age_of_Mendacity said: "I'm hoping for Follies, Night Music or Passion. Has been a while (or a long while) for all. Especially hoping for Passion, but even the National Theatre Follies would sufice!"

Follies would be great. Mandy Patinkin as Ben Stone please.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:26pm

I want a lavish Night Music, Pacific Overtures, or Follies at Lincoln Center.

 

Would be nice to have Funny Thing back as well.

[Dylan Smith4]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:26pm

Would love nothing more than for Lincoln Center to do A Little Night Music with a Star-Studded Cast! Could we bring Hannah Waddingham back to Broadway in this? 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:38pm

I feel like we’ll see a NIGHT MUSIC soon. There are two parts that any number of (talented) stars could and most likely want to do. But I want lavish - not sitting on the floor like the last one.

[Kad]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 10:38pm

Since Funny Thing came very close to fruition a decade or so ago, I wouldn't be surprised if it gets re-examined. Cast a big name funny man and then pad the cast with a roster of reliable comedic performers, it could work like gangbusters.

I wish the Encores Anyone Can Whistle had transferred. Perhaps that will be the redemption project now that Merrily has soared.

A proper Night Music revival would absolutely be welcome, if only to erase the memory of that misguided and miscast Nunn production.

Updated On: 3/21/24 at 10:38 PM

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:06pm

Dylan Smith4 said: "Would love nothing more than for Lincoln Center to do A Little Night Music with a Star-Studded Cast! Could we bring Hannah Waddingham back to Broadway in this?"

Now that Waddingham is worldwide star, I can’t imagine repeating a role she played to great acclaim 15 years ago would be a wise career choice for her. 
 

I DO feel a lavish Night Music will be coming in the near future. It just feels like the right timing. I also really want an LCT Follies as well. 

[Broadway Flash]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:16pm

HERE WE ARE

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:17pm

Let's wait 15 years to get an Audra and Kelli Follies (or Benanti or Mueller or Headley or.....)

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:23pm

None of those ladies need to wait 15 years :-)

Sally and Phyllis are 49. 

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:31pm

ljay889 said: "Noneof those ladiesneed to wait 15 years :-)

Sally and Phyllis are 49."

Oh interesting! I always think of those roles as much older but you're definitely right - my lineup of ladies are of the correct age (regardless that they look much younger)

[joevitus]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:42pm

Maybe Bernadette utilizing the same voice for Sally as she used for Marie has confused people about the general age of the four leads. 

[ljay889]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:50pm

HenryTDobson said: "ljay889 said: "Noneof those ladiesneed to wait 15 years :-)

Sally and Phyllis are 49."

Oh interesting! I always think of those roles as much older but you're definitely right - my lineup of ladies are of the correct age (regardless that they look much younger)"

Yep! Headley would be an amazing Phyllis. I had thought of that before as well. 

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 3/21/24 at 11:51pm

Well as much as I had of loved the Julie Andrews/ Cate Blanchett Rudin revival.  I feel like that ship has sailed now.  Unless it’s announced this year.  I do think a little night music will have a big lush revival very soon.  
I think it’s a toss up between LNM and Forum.  (But I would also love a starry follies.  ) 

[WindyNewYorker]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 1:55am

A little night music, putting it together, pacific overture (original orchestration) or here we are! 

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 2:43am

Toni Collette as Desire please 

[binau]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 3:50am

joevitus said: "Maybe Bernadette utilizing the same voice for Sally as she used for Marie has confused people about the general age of the four leads."

HAHAHAHAH. To be fair, I do think 49 in 1970 means something different than 49 in 2024 (or 2011;)). I also continue to be annoyed that Bernadette, who at least can sing, always gets trashed for her vocals in Follies while Staunton gets a free pass despite having very little lyrical beauty in Buddy’s Eyes, and lowering the key for Too Many Mornings. Though I thought her Losing my Mind was powerful even if overwrought in her typical style. 
 

I’ve heard that people are trying to put on Forum - so far the attempts have been unsuccessful. 

[Dreamboy3]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 6:36am

ALNM is one of the most commercial of Sondheim’s shows. As others have noted, I would love to see  a full scale revival with lush sets and without stunt casting.  And with the movie version of the Glamorous Life. On the other hand, Follies is my favorite Sondheim score but the cost of doing it justice makes a revival prohibitively expensive and it’s never been commercially successful.  

[binau]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 6:51am

Jamie Lloyd FOLLIES :p?

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 7:43am

binau said: "Jamie Lloyd FOLLIES :p?"

Please God, no. 

[jkcohen626]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 8:49am

I would KILL for this Assassins from the Chichester Festival Theatre in th UK to transfer (I assume first to the West End and then Broadway). It looks so cool! 

[HenryTDobson]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 8:58am

This may be an obvious observation but it's truly amazing how much *quality* work Sondheim put out there in a short amount of time. Yes, there's "high" level Sondheim shows (Sweeney, Into The Woods, ALNM) but even his "lower" level work is better than most people's best work. It's so impressive that every show mentioned here warrants a revival at any and all times. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 9:33am

It's not an option for Broadway, but I'd love to see a major regional theater do a Sondheim Celebration ala the Kennedy Center's offering 20 years ago.  To see so many of his works with so many great stars in a compact timeframe was truly special.  Still unlikely nowadays I imagine given finances and programming goals for most theaters.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 3/22/24 at 10:19am

Winslet as Desiree
Karimloo as Frederick
Plimpton as Charlotte
Ann-Margret as Mme. Armfeldt