Sondheim updates

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 1:01pm

Some great info from the Times. 
 

- Sales related to all aspects of his work are soaring 

- His cause of death is listed as “cardiovascular disease” 

- Merrily revival WILL be at the NY Theater Workshop

- the Follies film is still in the works, the script is in active development 

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/theater/stephen-sondheim-music-shows.html

 



 

 

 

 

Updated On: 12/8/21 at 01:01 PM

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 1:18pm

A poster over at ATC named vladimir just shared this link to a video uploaded to YouTube today about why Sondheim's music is so addictive.  It is very well done and has great production values.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 1:26pm

I’m so curious to see what films of his musicals will look like now. All films of his show last, basically post FORUM, have been total disappointments, at his new WSS looks to be the first one in decades that’s actually great. 
 

Hopefully with him gone now, filmmakers who want to drastically change the structure of the musicals (I’m looking at you, SWEENEY) will be told no. 

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 1:36pm

Does anyone know what time they will dim lights for Sondheim?

do all the theaters do this or just a few? 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 1:45pm

Wick3 said: "Does anyone know what time they will dim lights for Sondheim?

do all the theaters do this or just a few?"

All Broadway theaters will dim their lights at 6:30, as will Classic Stage Company (which is currently playing a revival of Sondheim's Assassins).

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 2:05pm

Also, if this film can get done relatively soon, I’m guessing Nicole Kidman’s name will be up there for Phyllis. 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 2:06pm

I’d rather see Zeta-Jones for Phyllis.

[JSquared2]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 2:09pm

OK I'll say it -- James Corden IS Buddy!

And it goes without Saying, Meryl IS Carlotta...

 

 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 2:27pm

Meryl is Young Phyllis!

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 2:43pm

Heyday films are predominantly British, which makes sense if Dominic Cooke from the National Theatre production is still attached to direct. But we may see legends from both sides of the pond along the Follies film cast. I will be in the camp who would love to see Meryl in this, in any capacity. Would love to see someone like June Squibb bust a move and belt out a song. 

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 4:42pm

I know it's almost sacrilegious, but as anyone else who grew up an SNL superfan and THEN came to theatre, we all thought the same thing, right?

"Sondheim updates: still dead."

But seriously, may his memory be a blessing, and may he rest in peace (that's not a blessing, it's an order; the man was non-stop to the point that even death seems to have merely slowed him down, not stopped him). As a writer and composer who ALSO works in escape room and immersive-experience design, Sondheim couldn't be a bigger inspiration to me.

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 6:27pm

ljay889 said: "- His cause of death is listed as “cardiovascular disease”"

Knowing that he had a torn ligament last year, this was probably completely natural causes (limited mobility can cause muscle loss, which weakens the heart).

If it brings you comfort, you should know that he probably passed away in his sleep. We should all be lucky to have a legacy as rich as his, and to leave this world as peacefully as he did.

[binau]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 9:36pm

Jordan Catalano said: "I’m so curious to see what films of his musicals will look like now. All films of his show last, basically post FORUM, have been total disappointments, at his new WSS looks to be the first one in decades that’s actually great.


Hopefully with him gone now, filmmakers who want to drastically change the structure of the musicals (I’m looking at you, SWEENEY) will be told no."

Interesting as of December 2020 Sondheim letter via Instagram said Sweeney was the best ‘of a not very good bunch’. Ouch. 

[UrNotAMachine]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 10:37pm

I'd love to see Toni Colette as Sally, she played Petra in the Sydney production of A Little Night Music, and I think she'd nail Sally's breakdown over the course of the film. Updated On: 12/8/21 at 10:37 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/8/21 at 11:19pm

I like that he wasn’t precious about his shows for the most part. The Sweeney film may have made drastic cuts, and the casting of several leads was divisive, but it fulfilled his inspiration for the piece by returning it to its pulpy cinematic Hammer Horror roots. 

[Martijn-j]

Posted: 12/9/21 at 3:08am

I wonder what will happen to his personal archive. Considering his age I'm sure he made arrangements about publishing works and at what time. 

[JasonC3]

Posted: 12/15/21 at 8:28pm

A chorus of grateful singers gathers at Signature Theatre for an emotional Sondheim celebration. Washington Post recap.

EVERYBODY RISE: SIGNATURE REMEMBERS STEPHEN SONDHEIM will stream FREE FOR 72 HOURS ONLY beginning January 14th at 5PM on Signature’s YouTube channel @sigtheatre.

"How do you sing the praises of Stephen Sondheim? Simple: You just sing.

So that’s what Signature Theatre — one of the long-standing American temples of Sondheim musicals — did on Monday evening. In an hour-long tribute concert, 16 performers took turns on the company’s main stage in Arlington, singing their favorite Sondheim songs."

Updated On: 12/15/21 at 08:28 PM

[rattleNwoolypenguin]

Posted: 12/15/21 at 8:49pm

I just want a better Little Night Music film.

I'm sure it's doable. 

[SidebySidebyLogan]

Posted: 12/16/21 at 2:04pm

Follies is one of my all time favorite theatre pieces so I'm super excited for a movie but I also REALLY want a sumptuous Bartlett Sher/Lincoln Center revival with Kelli O'Hara as Sally and Laura Benanti as Phyllis

[JasonC3]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 1:47pm

Everybody Rise: Signature Remembers Stephen Sondheim will have captions in English and stream on YouTube @sigtheatre for free from Friday, January 14 at 5 PM (EST) through Monday, January 17 at 5 PM (EST).

https://dcmetrotheaterarts.com/2022/01/10/signatures-stephen-sondheim-tribute-concert-to-stream-free-this-weekend/

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 4:52pm

darquegk said: "I know it's almost sacrilegious, but as anyone else who grew up an SNL superfan and THEN came to theatre, we all thought the same thing, right?

"Sondheim updates: still dead." 

"

Yep, was thinking the exact same thing! In full Garrett Morris voice!

[Boq101]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 10:09pm

Rian Johnson would kill a movie of A Little Night Music

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 10:12pm

Jane Campion or Todd Haynes for ALNM film.

[JayElle]

Posted: 1/11/22 at 10:40pm

darquegk said: "I know it's almost sacrilegious, but as anyone else who grew up an SNL superfan and THEN came to theatre, we all thought the same thing, right?
"Sondheim updates: still dead."   But seriously, may his memory be a blessing, and may he rest in peace (that's not a blessing, it's an order; the man was non-stop to the point that even death seems to have merely slowed him down, not stopped him). As a writer and composer who ALSO works in escape room and immersive-experience design, Sondheim couldn't be a bigger inspiration to me."

Agree on the SNL. Best of luck with his inspiration.  I find his music in the background a stress reliever while working. Makes the day go better.

 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 1/12/22 at 2:52pm

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "Jane Campion or Todd Haynes for ALNM film."

Adding Celine Sciamma or Pedro Almodovar to this list.

And let Cate Blanchett or Kate Winslet star.

Updated On: 1/12/22 at 02:52 PM