STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Previews

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 12:00am

Something for everyone: a Sondheim revue to(morrow) night!

Following a hit London run and a North American premiere last month in Los Angeles, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends makes its way to Broadway tomorrow (March 25). The concert revue celebrates the work of the legendary late composer; leading the ensemble piece are acting legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. They are joined by Jacob Dickey, Kevin Earley, Jasmine Forsberg, Kate Jennings Grant, Bonnie Langford, Beth Leavel, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Kyle Selig, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, Kevin Earley, Paige Faure, Alexa Lopez, and Peter Neureuther. Choreography is by Stephen Mear under the direction and musical staging of Matthew Bourne; Old Friends opens on April 8 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and runs until June 1.

“Celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim, with an irresistible company led by none other than Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends comes to Broadway from London’s West End, where it earned a bevy of 5-star raves and was hailed by The Times as ‘unmissable musical theatre.’”

Who’s excited?!

[TheatreMonkey]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 12:47am

EDSOSLO858 said: "Something for everyone: a Sondheim revue to(morrow) night!

Following a hit London run and a North American premiere last month in Los Angeles, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends makes its way to Broadway tomorrow (March 25). The concert revue celebrates the work of the legendary late composer; leading the ensemble piece are acting legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. They are joined by Jacob Dickey, Kevin Earley, Jasmine Forsberg, Kate Jennings Grant, Bonnie Langford, Beth Leavel, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Kyle Selig, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, Kevin Earley, Paige Faure, Alexa Lopez, and Peter Neureuther. Choreography is by Stephen Mear under the direction and musical staging of Matthew Bourne; Old Friends opens on April 8 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and runs until June 1.

“Celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim, with an irresistible company led by none other than Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends comes to Broadway from London’s West End, where it earned a bevy of 5-star raves and was hailed by The Times as ‘unmissable musical theatre.’”

Who’s excited?!"

Aw, I hoped you'd end with "What's to discuss, Old Friends?!" ;-)

[binau]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 4:34am

I assume it’s due partially to the small theatre, but this is one of the buzziest and hottest commercial starts of a Sondheim production in a very, very long time. They are easily going to sell every ticket for every show at full price. This can only bode well in terms of the potential for extensions and cast recording. 

Updated On: 3/24/25 at 04:34 AM

[carolinaguy]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 8:35am

I'm seeing 10 shows on my spring trip next month, and this is the one I'm most excited about. Glad I went ahead and bought tickets early so I had more choice to balance price and location.

[CityLights3]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 10:29am

Having seen the final dress last evening, I am thrilled to report back that while there may have been some celebrities next door at the Othello opening night, the true star wattage on 47 Street, heck all of Broadway, is onstage at the Samuel J. Friedman theatre.  I do not have time for a lengthy review, suffice it to say this is everything you wanted it to be and so much more.  Bernadette Peters is giving a career encapsulating performance  that is heaven sent .  Coupled with Leah Salongas incredibly rich vocals and even richer character interpretations and Beth Level’s trademark sardonic wit is truly electrifying. This is musical theatre at its finest. The entire cast is not only in fine form but they sound incredible.  

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 10:43am

I hope everyone else walks out of this show demanding to see Lea Salonga in a full production of “Gypsy”, like I did. 

[HeyMrMusic]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 11:58am

My husband went to the invited dress last night. He’s a man of few words regarding his opinion of theatre, but he texted at intermission, “Get tickets,” and afterwards: “That was great.” Basically an all-out rave from him, which makes me excited to see this. Enjoy, everyone!

[binau]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 12:15pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I hope everyone else walks out of this show demanding to see Lea Salonga in a full production of “Gypsy”, like I did."

Which is a little awkward with Audra! particularly because Lea sings the song more like people think it should sound and in character. It probably isn’t well timed for Audra to have any comparisons drawn. 

Updated On: 3/24/25 at 12:15 PM

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 3:36pm

I bit the bullet and got those front row tickets that were released last week (“only” $198 with the discount). Didn’t want to miss this!

[PipingHotPiccolo]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 3:44pm

binau said: " They are easily going to sell every ticket for every show at full price."

This would shock me if it turns out to be true, but certainly seems like the theater crowds are loving it. 

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 4:10pm

PipingHotPiccolo said: "binau said: "They are easily going to sell every ticket for every show at full price."

This would shock me if it turns out to be true, but certainly seems like the theater crowds are loving it."

Tickets are already limited for the run. Full price? Maybe not. It’s a subscription house and there has been a discount. But it should mostly sell out for sure.

[Dolly80]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 5:03pm

Lea completely blasts Bernadette off the stage in this. Her voice is better than ever, and yes- she needs to play Mama Rose.. she is extraordinary. This show is a wonderful celebration of Sondheim.

[TellZ]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 5:20pm

binau said: "Jordan Catalano said: "I hope everyone else walks out of this show demanding to see Lea Salonga in a full production of “Gypsy”, like I did."

Which is a little awkward with Audra! particularly because Lea sings the song more like people think it should sound and in character. It probably isn’t well timed for Audra to have any comparisons drawn."

The idea that Audra McDonald, the most decorated theater actor of all time currently starring in a revival of the greatest American musical built around and financed entirely for her, could be concerned about this is ludicrous.

[binau]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 5:50pm

it’s not that Audra has to or will be concerned it’s just that it’s literally bad timing for Gypsy word of mouth and Tony buzz for the inevitable comparisons that will be made between them. 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 5:55pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I hope everyone else walks out of this show demanding to see Lea Salonga in a full production of “Gypsy”, like I did."

I caught the show in Los Angeles and did just that...but what surprised me was that I was also calling for Lea Salonga in a full production of Sweeney Todd. I  had no idea her comic timing was so good. Why haven't we been letting her do real character work for the past 30 years?! I feel retroactively robbed.

The show, at least seen a few months ago, is just a delightful time. Beth Leavel's Ladies Who Lunch is the best since Stritch's (Including Patti's) and Joanna Riding, Bonnie Langford and Gavin Lee contribute wonderfully to proceedings among many others. Out of the younger performers I was very impressed by Jacob Dickey, who I last saw as Andy on the COMPANY national tour, getting to show off a really beautiful baritone (and...ya know, some really beautiful abs.) 

Updated On: 3/24/25 at 05:55 PM

[DAME]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 6:41pm

So excited for Broadway to see the show.. Saw it in London and it was good . Saw it in Los Angeles and thought it was sensational. Both times I got heavily discounted tickets. Both times they were great seats. It is after all, just a musical review. But the star wattage. Wow! Definitely worth seeing if you’re in town. A stop at TKTS and a skip to the theater . 

[Anthony Sunday]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 7:25pm

I saw this in Los Angeles and was delighted by the world-class performances but wished there was a better framing device for the show as a whole. The music of Sondheim is too clever for the transitions not to be.

[Jumpin_J]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 7:46pm

I saw the show in the West End. IMO, it's probably one of the best Sondheim concerts you'll ever see. I'm disappointed that Janie Dee decided not to make the transfer. According to her, she has become a super-environmentalist and doesn't want to add to the carbon footprint by flying over here. We can discuss if that makes a difference another time. However, Beth Leavel is a wonderful choice to replace her, and her rendition of "The Boy From..." will leave the place in stitches. Some people might quibble that the show includes West Side Story which Stephen of course did just the lyrics, but it's justified by these are shows that were produced by Cameron Macintosh's umbrella. It's minor, and there's a moment with Bernadette in Act I which brought me to the verge of tears and I don't cry at shows. No spoiler, but you'll know it when you see it. Don't expect a book musical. It's a concert, but a damn good one. 

[BorisTomashevsky]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 8:32pm

Loving all these testimonials. I haven’t seen it live but I did really love the filmed version.

I have a lot of pre-emptive excitement for the people who may only know Sweeney (seems like the common denominator) and the joy they’ll feel hearing the other wonderful things he wrote. 

Updated On: 3/24/25 at 08:32 PM

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/24/25 at 9:03pm

14-piece orchestra + conductor (the well-versed Annbritt duChateau) for OLD FRIENDS. Musical arrangements are by Stephen Metcalfe.

• 2 Keyboards
• 3 Reeds
• 2 Trumpets
• Trombone
• French Horn
• Drums / Percussion
• Violin (Concertmaster)
• Viola
• Cello
• Bass

[binau]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 3:37am

DAME said: "So excited for Broadway to see the show.. Saw it in London and it was good . Saw it in Los Angeles and thought it was sensational. Both times I got heavily discounted tickets. Both times they were great seats. It is after all, just a musical review. But the star wattage. Wow! Definitely worth seeing if you’re in town. A stop at TKTS and a skip to the theater ."

This is my exact claim though, if you look at the seating charts for Old Friends on Broadway the sales are much, much higher than in LA (a theatre 3x the size) or London (longer run).  I doubt we will see it on TKTS personally or if it is it’ll be there for a tiny amount of seats. 

 

Updated On: 3/25/25 at 03:37 AM

[DeNada]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 3:40am

Jumpin_J said: "Some people might quibble that the show includes West Side Story which Stephen of course did just the lyrics, but it's justified by these are shows that were produced by Cameron Macintosh's umbrella."

Mackintosh has never produced West Side Story directly; he has produced surprisingly little Sondheim himself, actually.  Other than Side by Side by Sondheim and Putting It Together, the only productions I can think of that he's lead producer on was the West End Follies although he's probably put up funding for some other stuff more covertly.  If his "umbrella" is MTI, which he now owns, then sure, that accounts for pretty much the entire Sondheim catalogue I believe. 

 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 8:41am

$53 digital rush launches this morning on the TodayTix app.

It also lists a 2:30 runtime, including an intermission. 

[MezzA101]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 9:05am

EDSOSLO858 said: "$53 digital rush launches this morning on the TodayTix app.

It also lists a 2:30 runtime, including an intermission."

FWIW, email yesterday to ticketholders states 2:45, with 15-minute intermission.

[jast45]

Posted: 3/25/25 at 10:41am

Anyone have any insight into what the front row seats are like?  is the stage elevated etc.   The price for those front row seats are less than the other seats and was just wondering if the view is difficult or have to look up etc. thanks for any information.