Old Friends - Broadway?

With the rumors that Cameron MacIntosh looking to bring the show over with Bernadette and Lea. I’m curious who else would proposed for filling out the cast. Of course I’d love to see Patti in it as well

- Matt Doyle? Judy Kaye? Norm Lewis?

It has really been struggling to find an audience in the West End, despite that killer talent. I would imagine Cameron is losing a ton of money on this. Seems like something that would be better to do at the Roundabout. And if it does come over, yes a cast of real Sondheim vets would be amazing. I don't quite understand Lea Salonga's connection.

Add to your list of consideration:

Liz Callaway

Ann Morrison

Mandy Patinkin

Katrina Lenk

Judy Kuhn

Raul Esparza

Updated On: 11/14/23 at 02:11 PM

Donna would obviously have to be involved.

I want to see Megan Mullally do Sondheim. She's so much more than just light silly stuff.

We had Sondheim on Sondheim in 2010 serve a very similar purpose…why do we need this? Let’s revive his actual shows and leave the concerts to one-offs at Town Hall or something.

How well known is Sondheim in the UK? I know he is highly regarded in theatre circles, but I somehow doubt he is a household name. He's not "one of their own", he is a foreigner. Not a beloved national treasure. Perhaps this production was banking on a name recognition that just isn't there. I wonder if it might get a better welcome in his homeland.

How about Baranski?

If Cameron actually wants to sell tickets he needs more actual names in addition to Bernadette. Not just theatre folk. Ten Norm Lewis/Karen Ziemba-type people does not make a hit.

I would really love some people who are less expected than the "usual suspects" of Sondheim. Unless they're doing all new-to-them material.

I didn't think I needed this, but like Stephanie J Block said about the show in her own London concert recently, it's like going to church. It's not really like 'Sondheim on Sondheim', which was educational and a much smaller scale/cast. This is basically a kind of Sondheim greatest hits - and the idea that I can hear Bernadette sing Send in the Clowns, Broadway Baby, Losing My Mind, Not a Day Goes By, Gotta Get a Gimmick, read lines as Dot from Sunday etc. plus Lea doing an amazing "Coming up Roses" among so many other highlights in one evening is an absolute privilege.

Equity would need to sign off on that and I cannot really imagine a great argument for them to do so.

okay, but where?

The only (soon to be) available house i can see this in would be the Broadway, but would it be refurbished in time?

QueenAlice said: "I don't quite understand Lea Salonga's connection."

I think the cast is a mix of Brits who have done Sondheim shows and a few people Cameron Mackintosh has worked with. Gavin Lee has never done a Sondheim show, but has worked for Cameron as has Lea Salonga (who has done a couple of Sondheim shows in Singapore and Manila).

I love Sondheim and I'm really looking forward to seeing this. My upcoming three-day trip to London is mainly to catch this show.

I think anyone who is only feeling a "little" sad in the horrible world of today is actually doing pretty well... so don't feel too bad, people.

Islander fan, I think that theatre was re-named because of the "close" connection between Sondheim and Cameron Mackintosh. It was a personal thing, not necessarily a reflection of wider public sentiment.

P.S. Is that cringe-inducing bit with Andrew Lloyd Webber and Sondheim literally singing the praises of Cameron still in the show? Does Cameron really think he is responsible for Sondheim's success?

Yes the video is still there and Cameron gives himself credit for in his words 'starting the West End's love affair of Sondheim' or something of the sort. I do think his presence feels less imposing than it did on the one-night original concert, though (and in general the show is much better than what was filmed for that concert).