OLD FRIENDS Reviews — Page 4

Don’t go. The covers sound interesting. But don’t miss Lea.

n2nbaby said: "everythingtaboo said: "Iowa said: "Saw the show tonight, and they took an “all hands on deck approach” to covering Lea’s track. It was quite complicated! For “Side by Side,” Beth Leavel joined Bernadette. Jasmine Forsberg did “Loving You,” Kate Jennings Grant did her solos on the “Into the Woods” section, Bonnie Langford did the Mrs. Lovett numbers, Maria Wirries sang “Somewhere,” Joanna Riding performed “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” Paige Faure filled in for her on “Not a Day Goes By,” and Beth Leavel once again joined Bernadette for “Old Friends” and the “Side by Side” finale. They all did a commendable job and no one sounded tentative in the least, but I really missed the extra excitement that Lea presumably brings to the show."

Just got the alert, Lea is out tonight for the 4/15 eve performance. I was really thinking about cancelling, but seeing how this was covered, I may just go still. It's Lea dammit!But just to hear Bonnie do Mrs. Lovett and Beth do Side by Side with Bernie, I'm felling a lot better about going."



if you are still going to go, go to the box office and ask about rush tickets for tonight. Saturday afternoon I had front row tickets (spent $199 a piece) and went to the box office just to see if they were offering rush - $49 each in the third row of the orchestra. So I bought them and then refunded my original tickets through the Ticketmaster app.

Well played.

Went and saw this today since I also have tickets for another date later in the run (where hopefully Lea will be on). Thought it was overall well done though certain songs were more vibrant than the others and overall I enjoyed act 2 better.

I thought Lea's track was suitably covered where if I hadn't known she was supposed to be in the show I probably wouldn't have noticed anything amiss. But I admit that during the numbers she'd usually do I couldn't help but wonder how she would have performed them, so I hope to see her next time! The two performers I was most surprised by (in a good way) were Kate Jennnings Grant and Maria Wirries and I'd love to see them perform more in the future, though there were quite a few highlights all around--Little Things You Do Together, Children Will Listen, Broadway Baby, I'm Still Here, Not a Day Goes by, etc. Also the Merrily overture including the Rich and Happy section.

I was disappointed to find that Steps of the Palace was barely a song and mostly just an intro to Agony and I'm kind of wondering what the point of even including it was. Also, Love is in the Air is listed in the program as the last number but I don't think it happened tonight so was that cut?

Overall, I thought this was a great time and it was lovely to see all the performances, though I'lll definitely want to see Lea in her track!

I caught the show this evening. It’s a two act evening that is exactly what you would expect; a musical revue. The Orchestra is sublime and the set is simple but charming for this type of piece.


Beth Leavels “Ladies Who Lunch” was the standout. I enjoyed the choices she made. Several people stood.


Gavin Lee’s “Could I Leave You?” was most charming and welcomed.


Bonnie Langford’s “I’m Still Here” though not groundbreaking was a high point. I wish we had her on stage in the states more often. Her Mrs. Lovett numbers were very good, in my opinion.


Bernadette’s numbers were exactly as we have seen or would expect … her Send in the Clowns was particularly focused and poignant. Not overdone with the water works this time and well thought out. A lovely tribute to both Sondheim and her career, as well.

I wasn’t disappointed by missing Salonga, though I hope she recovers soon.

Particular mention should be made for the other players as everyone brought their own to the numbers. On a whole, the entire company blended well together and sounded terrific.


a lovely 2 plus hours for Sondheim.

everythingtaboo said: "I was there tonight also. Random notes:

No Lea, but the cast was uniformly wonderful, and didn't miss a beat covering her parts.

Bernadette did her usual numbers beautifully, but the treat was her hilarious turnsin the You Gotta Have a Gimmick number, as well as singing "like Bernadette Peters" when auditioning with Broadway Baby.

Beth Leavel blew the roof off the place with Ladies Who Lunch. I was thrilled to get more of Bonnie, and amazing she can move she does.

Maybe it was the geriatric crowd, but so many people had to get up to use the bathroom. The person that insistent on having to get up during Sunday should never be allowed to enter a theatre again.

(I didn't think Everything's Coming Up Roses was needed, or it just wanted well placed.)"



It's the highlight of the evening when Lea sings it!

I found it sweet but often kinda flat.

There wasn’t enough lyric connecting. It felt like showcase more than “He is our greatest lyricist and you can really sink your teeth into acting these songs”

Was Lea back? Seeing it tonight.

bwayphreak234 said: "I'm going tomorrow. Would also love to know if Lea is back in. Do they offer refunds if she is out?"

Yes. When she was out last week I received an email with a link to process an immediate refund or to exchange my ticket.

I agree that Lea was glorious, and I wish we could see a Lea Gypsy or a Lea Lovett in full. We’ve never seen her do anything like either in a full musical on Broadway. Give her the star vehicles.

I saw that Beth Leavel was out last night. Does anyone know who covered her songs? I am wondering if the coverage is split the same way it was done in London. If the coverage is assigned the same way, Kate Jennings Grant would be doing "The Little Things You Do Together" and Joanna Riding would be doing "The Ladies Who Lunch." (And one of the swings would have taken Kate's part in the trio for "You Could Drive a Person Crazy."

Thanks in advance!

Leavel and Selig out for the matinee.

Final extension announced; now plays until 6/29/25.

Scarlett Strallen has joined the cast, but does not appear to be replacing anyone. Does anyone know if she'll be a principal or one of the u/s? I saw the show this weekend, and while I wasn't head-over-heels for it, She just may get me to see it again!

Update: She’s filling in for Kate Jennings Grant who will be out due to an injury.

Updated On: 5/23/25 at 11:12 PM