Three Favourite Shows: FOLLIES: This show marries a brilliant score to an unconventional but compelling book. Every rewrite has compromised the brilliance of the show in its original form: from the new songs written for the London production through the softened up book to the interval that should never ever be in the show.
COMPANY: COMPANY is a piece that I enjoy thoroughly because it deals with such fundamental aspects of the human experience. The score of this show is fantastic and, like all Sondheim score, there are many treasures to unpack as you explore the score in more and more depth.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC: This show is so tautly constucted. I found the score difficult to love at first listen (although I liked it a great deal and admired it), but the moment I saw how it worked in tandem with the book there was no turning back. It's brilliant.
If we're considering his "lyrics only" shows, I'd have to throw GYPSY into my three favourites, but I'm not sure which of COMPANY or A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC I'd bump for it. It is my favourite musical of all.
Least Favourite Show: THE FROGS: I've never warmed to THE FROGS, despite having engaged with it several times. Although it's techically marvellous, I find it incredibly indulgent, and I feel that what it's trying to say gets lost in the bluster of it all.
Three Favourite Songs: "All Things Bright and Beautiful": There may be no room in FOLLIES for this song, but I love it. Such an incredible journey for the characters invoved. I adored performing this song when I was in MARRY ME A LITTLE. There is an infinite depth of emotion to play here. Wonderful.
"The Road You Didn't Take": I love this song because I find it so perceptive and moving. A great character piece, for sure, but it is a song that really challenges you to question your own choices, whether they've been made or whether you are still making them.
"It Takes Two": I think that having a moment like this in a relationship matches up to the moment when you know you're in love. When I directed INTO THE WOODS recently, I realised that this song is my favourite in the score. I couldn't get enough of it. It's just such a perfect realisation of something universal, made specific to the context and the characters of INTO THE WOODS.
Musical Cyberspace: a tribute to the musicals of Broadway and beyond.