SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM First Preview?? — Page 5

Now you know what it was like for me to be 15 in 1971 and in love with Follies.

All I heard all around me was "It's boring," "It's depressing" and "I really disliked those people."

Meanwhile I was saying, "I know there are things wrong with it, but don't you UNDERSTAND that Sondheim-with-problems is better than anything else around?"

They didn't then. They may not now. I'm going back to see Barbara do "Loving You" again and Norm do "Being Alive" again and to see what they do with Vanessa's striptease.

And I'm going back to see Leslie Kritzer's new solo. ;-}

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I saw it last night. It was fine, but nothing to make me tell other people "you've got to see this show." The Sondheim videos were the best part of the evening. The rest just felt like a bunch of friends getting together to sing Sondheim songs. Always wonderful to see Barbara Cook, and her "Send in the Clowns" was by far the best number of the evening. Didn't care for Wopat or Williams (whose tinny voice really grated on my nerves every time she opened her mouth), and especially didn't like Erin. Something just didn't gel for me ... it was a pleasant enough night that went on for about 30 minutes too long. But no excitement, no energy. Just a group of competent (although dull) singers (with the exception of Ms. Cook) doing Sondheim, interspersed with much more entertaining stories and anecdotes from the master himself. This is a show strictly for Sondheim afficiandos; anyone else will be bored silly.

It's a cast of 6. Sondheim doesn't really write big, rousing production numbers. What kind of "energy" were you expecting?

"I'm not surprised. People have been walking out of Sondheim shows for over 40 years. It's nothing new. Oh well, their loss."

From their point of view, certainly a loss of their money and time.


"Now you know what it was like for me to be 15 in 1971 and in love with Follies.

All I heard all around me was "It's boring," "It's depressing" and "I really disliked those people." "


Maybe they were right. I found it all those things. There were things I admired about it as well.

"Meanwhile I was saying, "I know there are things wrong with it, but don't you UNDERSTAND that Sondheim-with-problems is better than anything else around?" "

Maybe not to them. Not to me, either, though I like some of his work.

""The play, I remember, pleased not the million; 'twas caviar to the general: but it was--as I received it, and others, whose judgments in such matters cried in the top of mine--an excellent play."

--Hamlet "


What I don't get is for those who love/worship/idolize Sondheim, whose lives begin and end with him, why can't they just be enraptured by every note and word he writes, and let those who don't like the man's work be allowed to hold a differing point of view without the elitist disparagement? Very strange.

And incidentally, just because the general rejects something doesn't make it "caviar." The general equally rejects sour milk, rancid nuts, and stale bread, and none of those is "caviar."

And as far as the arts are concerned, who's to be the judge of what is "caviar?"

I liked some of the things in "Sondheim on Sondheim." But overall, I would agree with those who find it boring, and I knew it was a revue before I went in. Revues can be boring too.

"This is a show strictly for Sondheim afficiandos.

Well, duh. I can't imagine why anyone would look at a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM and say, "You know, I really can't stand Sondheim, but I bet that show is great! I'm going to buy tickets right now!"

That's a pretty black and white statement. Either you hate Sondheim, so you won't see it, or you're a Sondheim nut who will see it. Did it ever occur to you that there are plenty of people in between? Those who like some Sondheim shows, don't like others? Those who like to see new musicals in general? Those who go see practically everything? Of course, if someone absolutely can't stand Sondheim, they're not going to go. But you don't have to be a Sondheim nut to have a desire to see this show. But its appeal is really toward the complete afficiando, not the casual Sondheim fan.

Did it ever occur to you that there are plenty of people in between?

Of course. I still don't think anyone who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever done would go to a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM. If they are one of those people who goes to everything, then they can't really complain about not liking it, because they should have known what to expect.

Also, in my experience, yes, people either love Sondheim or hate him. His shows and style are very polarizing.

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You're wrong, I was dying to see Vanessa on Broadway. I did enjoy the current Night Music production, and some Sondheim's songs here and there. "Losing My Mind" is one of my favorite songs. I love "Ever After" and "Children" from Into The Woods, several songs from "Dick Tracy", "West Side Story", etc.
Yet, there are many scores from him I don't enjoy.

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Updated On: 3/25/10 at 03:48 PM

" I still don't think anyone who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever done would go to a show called SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM"

I believe that is a very inaccurate statement. People "who doesn't absolutely love everything Sondheim has ever [done]" will still go for any number of reasons. As Muscle23ftl pointed out, a chance to see Vanessa Williams (or, for that matter, Barbara Cook) is reason enough...whether or not they are a Sondheim fanatic.

Updated On: 3/25/10 at 04:06 PM

"people either love Sondheim or hate him. His shows and style are very polarizing."

So not true. I love Company, Forum, Gypsy, WSS, Follies, Merrily, Do I Hear a Waltz, Into the Woods, Sweeney, Sunday. Can't stand Passion, Assassins, Pacific Overtures, Roadshow, Night Music. I've like more of his shows than I've disliked, but I am certainly not a Sondheim fanatic, and still wanted to see Sondheim on Sondheim. Glad I did because of the videos ... but I kept thinking this would have made a much better documentary using the Sondheim clips than it did as a dull review. SPOILER: at the top of the second act when they were showing a video and Barbara Cook says something like "shut him off and let's sing the damn songs", I thought ... "please don't, the videos are so much more interesting."

I thought the same thing WestVillage when she said shut the video off. Thankfully it didn't last for long.

I actually love a lot of Sondheim. This revue just didn't work for me. When I say energy, I don't necessarily mean huge production numbers as that's really not feasible with an 8 person cast. It was just dull. In my opinion, there wasn't a lot of stage presence. Just because you love Sondheim, doesn't mean you'll love this show as it really has nothing to do with the songs. The production, while having some great moments, just doesn't work on the whole IMO.

I guess it's possible. But half the audience left. Several before the first act ended, and many didn't come back after intermission. But this is new show. These performers should feel fresh, and excited about what they're doing. I didn't get it. Just my thoughts. I think it's great that people are enjoying it. i hope it improves, I just won't be one to see if it does.

Having worked for a couple of regional non-profit theatre companies, it never ceases to baffle me how many patrons have no idea what they're seeing. Many just renew every year, not looking at what shows they're choosing, and then moan about it later. I subscribe to a few theatre seasons a year, and always look at what they're doing before decided to renew, no matter how long I've been with them. If I don't like the show (or writer) I don't put it in my season. They always try to get me to renew without knowing their season. I refuse. I noticed Roundabout is taking season sub renewals right now without announcing their season. Ugh.

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