PBS to Air NY Phil's Sondheim: The Birthday Concert

"PBS' 'Great Performances' will capture the New York Philharmonic's star-studded Sondheim: The Birthday Concert, which will be presented March 15-16 at Avery Fisher Hall.

Representatives for 'Great Performances' told Playbill.com that Sondheim: The Birthday Concert will likely air in the fall, though exact dates have not been determined. The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer-lyricist celebrates his 80th birthday March 22. Both concerts are sold out.

Tony Award winner David Hyde Pierce (Curtains, Spamalot) serves as host. Longtime Sondheim collaborator Paul Gemignani will conduct, with Lonny Price as director. Choreography is by Josh Rhodes.

The cast features Laura Benanti, Matt Cavenaugh, Michael Cerveris, Victoria Clark, Jenn Colella, Jason Danieley, Joanna Gleason, Nathan Gunn, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, John McMartin, Donna Murphy, Gillian Murphy, Laura Osnes, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Bobby Steggert, Ethan Stiefel, Elaine Stritch, Jim Walton and Chip Zien..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137273

---

Updated On: 2/25/10 at 11:57 AM

Sweet! Looking forward to the HD broadcast!

---

somethingwicked--can you fix the spelling in Sondheim's name in the subject line? Switching the "e" and the "i" makes me crazy (like spelling Liza's last name with one "n" or one "l").

I fixed it in this one.

---

So excited!!!!!!!

---

um, well, I'm assuming Elaine Stritch will sing Ladies Who Lunch. I don't really care about anything else.

---

YES!!!!

---

I'd rather hear Victoria Clark's version again. I'd love to hear her sing that and In Buddy's Eyes.

---

I, too, hope that Victoria Clark sings "Losing My Mind" and would love to hear her "In Buddy's Eyes" again as well.

I'd also like to see Marin Mazzie & Jason Danieley sing "Happiness" and Donna Murphy do "Could I Leave You?"

If Stritch sings "The Ladies Who Lunch", I might cry. Seriously. I'm thinking I'm going to break out in tears several times, so my sobs and bravos may be televised for the first time. Cool! Can't wait for March 16th.

Nathan Gunn. I wonder what he's doing in town?...


I'm very excited about this concert!
(I get what you're saying Mister Matt, but... I love him!)

---

Updated On: 2/26/10 at 03:47 PM

I've heard all these songs sung by everyone a million times. I'll send him a card. I'm over the Sondheim celebrations. Love the guy and his music, but I'm begging you, please give these folks new stuff to sing. I think we've had more Sondheim concerts during his life than we've had Rodgers and Hammerstein concerts...ever.

The man is about to turn 80. How many new scores do you still want him to be cranking out? Most people in their 80's are happily retired (unless your name is Angela Lansbury). He's mentioned in interviews before he wants to write one last score, so he's not totally retired yet, but it's a little unrealistic to expect him to still be working full tilt at this point in his life.

As for having heard these songs a million times before, that's probably true, but I for one am excited about finally getting a chance to see so many "Sondheim Legends" sing his signature songs live.

For those sick of Sondheim....well, there's always that stunning theatrical achievement....Memphis.

Updated On: 2/26/10 at 03:56 PM

For those sick of Sondheim....well, there's always that stunning theatrical achievement....Memphis.

Uh...or lots of other shows. Not sure where you were going with that, but I'm assuming you don't like Memphis. So what are you trying to say?

He's mentioned in interviews before he wants to write one last score, so he's not totally retired yet, but it's a little unrealistic to expect him to still be working full tilt at this point in his life.

Ok, so my tongue was in its cheek a bit. But still, I saw Bounce. Talent was the one number I felt was worthy of Sondheim. Even some one-offs and trunk songs would be nice. I never said it had to be a full-on Broadway score.

---

I'm really excited to hear some of the orchestral work I'm not as familiar with.

---