#1
Posted: 7/9/10 at 2:47am
Stephen Sondheim will be merrily rolled into the West End as part of a major celebration of his life.
The Donmar, which has staged several of the famed composer and lyricist’s works, will present concert versions of his musicals Merrily We Roll Along and Company at the Queen’s Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue to celebrate what Michael Grandage, the Donmar’s artistic director, called ‘the Donmar’s long association with Stephen Sondheim’.
He added: ‘It just seems the perfect way to celebrate a great man’s work.’
The concerts had been intended for the Donmar’s own space, but there’s more room at The Queen’s. Merrily, which Grandage directed at the Donmar ten years ago, will run at the Queen’s on Sunday, October 31, with a matinee and an evening performance.
Company, directed by Sam Mendes in 1995, will have its concert performance at the Queen’s on Sunday, November 7, again with an afternoon show and one at night.
Grandage told me the Donmar’s associate directors will direct the concerts, with many of the original cast members.
So Rob Ashford will direct Merrily and Julian Ovenden, Samantha Spiro and Daniel evans — the main leads — are returning for the concert shows. Anna Francolini will also be doing it, but other actors aren’t confirmed yet.
Jamie Lloyd will direct Company. Adrian Lester, who led the original cast as Bobby, will perform — as will Clive Rowe, Michael Simkins, Sophie Thompson and Ms Francolini. The late Sheila Gish was stunning as the lady who lunched in Company.
Grandage said: ‘It’s our job to honour Sheila by getting somebody brilliant in that role.’
Grandage told me artists at the concerts will have scripts and scores. ‘With one week’s rehearsal, they won’t be able to do all-singing and all-dancing staging.’ on September 16, Mendes and Grandage will discuss working with Sondheim; and the composer will talk a little about himself on October 11 — both events at the Donmar.
Tickets for the Queen’s shows go on sale on Monday. call the Delfont Mackintosh box office on 0844 482 5162.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1293267/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-Lifes-Chesil-Beach-Carey.html#ixzz0tAIUzePH
The Donmar, which has staged several of the famed composer and lyricist’s works, will present concert versions of his musicals Merrily We Roll Along and Company at the Queen’s Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue to celebrate what Michael Grandage, the Donmar’s artistic director, called ‘the Donmar’s long association with Stephen Sondheim’.
He added: ‘It just seems the perfect way to celebrate a great man’s work.’
The concerts had been intended for the Donmar’s own space, but there’s more room at The Queen’s. Merrily, which Grandage directed at the Donmar ten years ago, will run at the Queen’s on Sunday, October 31, with a matinee and an evening performance.
Company, directed by Sam Mendes in 1995, will have its concert performance at the Queen’s on Sunday, November 7, again with an afternoon show and one at night.
Grandage told me the Donmar’s associate directors will direct the concerts, with many of the original cast members.
So Rob Ashford will direct Merrily and Julian Ovenden, Samantha Spiro and Daniel evans — the main leads — are returning for the concert shows. Anna Francolini will also be doing it, but other actors aren’t confirmed yet.
Jamie Lloyd will direct Company. Adrian Lester, who led the original cast as Bobby, will perform — as will Clive Rowe, Michael Simkins, Sophie Thompson and Ms Francolini. The late Sheila Gish was stunning as the lady who lunched in Company.
Grandage said: ‘It’s our job to honour Sheila by getting somebody brilliant in that role.’
Grandage told me artists at the concerts will have scripts and scores. ‘With one week’s rehearsal, they won’t be able to do all-singing and all-dancing staging.’ on September 16, Mendes and Grandage will discuss working with Sondheim; and the composer will talk a little about himself on October 11 — both events at the Donmar.
Tickets for the Queen’s shows go on sale on Monday. call the Delfont Mackintosh box office on 0844 482 5162.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1293267/BAZ-BAMIGBOYE-Lifes-Chesil-Beach-Carey.html#ixzz0tAIUzePH
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