Sondheim on Broadway: When?

I'm ready for Forum or Pacific Overtures.

"
"I'm a bit frustrated that there is currently no opportunity to go see a Sondheim show on the Great White Way."
How tragic.
"I figured it might be worthwhile to open up a discussion about this (although understanding all the while that this conversation will be meaningless, too!)."
Doubtless.
"Are there any particular Sondheim shows that you think deserve a revival in coming seasons?"
No."

Forum is the only show I know of on the horizon. It was sidelined when James Corden got late night. I assume they're still working on bringing it to Broadway, but I don't know of any timelines.

See: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-James-Corden-Led-A-FUNNY-THING-HAPPENED-ON-THE-WAY-TO-THE-FORUM-Revival-Postponed-20140908

Has anyone been to an ANYONE CAN WHISTLE that works?

That's one I've always wanted to see on its feet.

I'd also love see a live EVENING PRIMROSE.

Of course, clearly any of these would tank on Broadway in the present climate, but still.

(And kudos to the OP for drawing A8 back out of the woodwork.)

Someone, I saw ANYONE CAN WHISTLE years ago at the York Theatre in NYC. Not at all a bad production and, no, it just doesn't work. The first act is so busy being clever (as Sondheim himself has admitted, only he said "smart ass" rather than "clever") that we don't really know any character except the Mayoress until Act II. And she really isn't a character but a "device".

That's very late in the evening to commit emotionally to the central relationship (Hapgood/Nurse Apple) of the show. Not to mention that the theme that the sane are insane and the insane are sane is a dated romantic notion in this age of psychotropic drugs.

As with MERRILY, however and of course, those of us who love the score will always sign up to sit through a production of WHISTLE. But the general public or even the casual Sondheim fan who only knows NIGHT MUSIC and INTO THE WOODS? He ain't comin'.

(ETA Since EVENING PRIMROSE only has four songs and ran an hour on TV with commercials, maybe somebody would like to pair it with the 90-minute PASSION. No doubt A8 will be along to tell us two wrongs don't make a right, but it strikes me as an interesting evening.)

Updated On: 8/5/15 at 11:28 PM

Pacific Overtures, please!

I adore Evening Primrose, but it does not belong onstage.

I saw the same production as Kad and agree entirely: it worked very well.

I'd seen two previous productions of Whistle, one of which was terrible (directed by a pre-zeitgeist John Doyle) and a passable interpretation at London's Bridewell Theatre. I've certainly seen worse musicals than Anyone can Whistle.

it will need to be one of the non profit groups like roundabout

most investors would not touch a sondheim revival except for Sweeney.

great revival of Company at SF playhouse currently. if you are local or coming to sf, go see it, you'll like it....

you can get tickets to Do I Hear a Waltz at City Center May 11-15

Now that I'm more familiar with James Corden from his late night show, he would have been excellent in Forum. That's probably the best option as it's been nearly 20 years since the last Bway revival.

Gotta say that the production of SATURDAY NIGHT at Second Stage a few years back was a very meh evening. Even Stephen would agree that most of the score is beneath his standards, as itemized in FINISHING THE HAT.

as a true SONDHEIMMANIAC...i would love to see any of his shows back on Broadway...but i would love to see ROADSHOW make it to the street...i think it has a great narrative that could be made visually stunning wit h the right budget... and some wonderful songs as well...

and maybe ANYONE CAN WHISTLE...one of my favorite SONDHEIM scores...there must be a director out there who would want to reinvent this show to make it work with that gorgeous score...