Wall to Wall Sondheim

[twinbelters]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:06pm

To honor Stephen Sondheim's 80th year on this planet Symphony Space is broadcasting the Wall to Wall Sondheim event they held in New York for his 75th. It is twelve hours of singing (Judy Kuhn does Passion, etc.) and much discussion (James Lapine, Frank Rich, Joss Whedon[!]). It is a riveting listen. I love the conductor politely, but pointedly, suggesting people leave to make room for those who are standing outside waiting for a chance to get a taste of the free performance.

Anyone else taking part? I'm dropping it for now, but I want to listen to some of the Merrily We Roll Along talk later.

I was most thrilled by the Andrew Lippa, Frank Rich, and Joss Whedon panel discussion. (There was a lady from Entertainment Weekly as well)

Did anyone catch the name of the "obscure" movie Sondheim liked that Whedon immediately jumped on? (Following that the EW chick called Joss, 'Josh'. Ewww, really?) If anyone caught that title I would appreciate knowing it. Time to rent some William Wyler and George Stevens films.
Symphony Space WTW Sondheim

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:15pm

I have been listening since 11 and have loved it! I also missed the name of the movie (for some reason the talking is a lot quieter on my computer than the singing, and I don't have great speakers at work to begin with.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:17pm

Kate Baldwin's "I Know Things Now" was perfection.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:19pm

I can't get it to play on my computer. I've been trying all day.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:29pm

That's too bad, Twirl. I hope they make it available in the future. It would be nice if they had the whole thing as a download since our modern technology can accommodate long recordings. They could break it up into chapters.

I admit I enjoy when people mess up Sondheim's songs in front of him. I cringed when the Georges Seurat bungled some of the patter sections. The actor played it off well with good humor.

Heading home to listen s'more!

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:50pm

Freda Foh Shen's "By The Sea" is a messsssssssssssssss!

[binau]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 6:54pm

Well, she really does sound like a seagull, I'll give her that.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 8:06pm

Dern, I missed the Merrily We Roll Along panel. What did I miss? Pat Birch is talking Night Music!

[Jim3]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 8:23pm

I just finished listening to A Weekend in the Country with Kate Baldwin, Michael Cerveris and others....the best version I've ever heard!

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 8:24pm

Laura Benanti sings Anne beautifully.

[twinbelters]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 8:53pm

Charmian Carr (Ella of Evening Primrose and Liesl in Sound of Mucas) just popped in to introduce some awful singer butchering "Take Me To The World." He sounds like Robert Morse singing in his sleep.

Well, it's Alvin Ing, a Broadway vet, from Pacific Overtures and Flower Drum Song. Still, butchered...

[sit&dither]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 10:31pm

Well, I came to this too late except to hear "In Buddy's Eyes" and "Sunday."

I do enjoy my CD, but was anyone able to record the whole program? Please PM if so!


ETA: Well, apparently Sunday wasn't the last of it, but still, I'm sad I missed the bulk of the rebroadcast! Updated On: 3/22/10 at 10:31 PM

[BobbyRobbyBobbyBaby]

Posted: 3/22/10 at 11:02pm

It's starting all over again from the beginning!

[mormonophobic]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 5:41am

twinbelters, I tried listening to that specific part when it replayed. Though I couldn't get exactlty what Sondheim said, it sounded like "Contact" or "Contract". I hope that helps somewhat.

I absolutely loved listening to this today, with some highlights being "Now/Later/Soon", NPH's "Finishing the Hat", "There Won't Be Trumpets", Kate Baldwin's "The Miller Son", and the panel with Sondheim and (amongst others) Joss Whedon. When I first turned the streaming show on, I heard someone talking about a character complaining their song would never be a breakaway pop hit. My Buffy-Geeekness came gushing out, as I immediately remembered this: "Clearly our number is a retro-pastiche that's never going to be a break-away pop hit!" After hearing the name Tara, I was sold. Just a little confused why Whedon was on a panel with Stephen Sondheim (especially since this was two years before he made Dr. Horrible). Confused, yet joyous.

If, by chance, anyone happens to have the entire show I would be very happy. I happened to get some songs, but would still love the whole thing. Why exactly has it not become available?

[binau]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 6:21am

I have a question for those who listened to a lot of it - did you notice loud pops occasionally and things? I hope it isn't my recording.

[NYCtheater]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 8:52am

Re: the loud popping noises - it was on the original broadcast and I was hoping it would somehow not be on the rebroadcast, but I guess they are!

[twinbelters]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 12:33pm

My Whedon-geekiness was full on. I knew in 2005 that Whedon was appearing at this event and was dying to get anything from it that I could. I remember reading a little of it at the time, like talking about musical film vs. stage.

BUT, mormonophobic, what I also read about around that time was that Sondheim saw "Once More With Feeling" and was so impressed he sought out Joss to comment on it. Apparently, they struck a rapport and have had some kind of association since.

I remember Whedon saying in one interview that Sondheim taught Joss all he knows about relationships through Company, Follies, and A Little Night Music. Also, the score to Pacific Overtures was highly influential on the film score for his film Serenity.

If you can't tell Whedon and Sondheim are idols. Bob Fosse, Alfred Hitchock, and Alan Moore are big faves as well. (Terry Gilliam used to be, but recently....)

[Chrysanthemum62001]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 5:33pm

Sorry I missed that. Wall to Wall Sondheim was the best day of my life. I will never forget Michael Cerveris messing up on Color and Light, then starting over and completely rocking it out. He was wonderful.

[BwayLover]

Posted: 3/23/10 at 6:26pm

Best day of my life, as well - sad I missed the chance to hear it again, but must confess it is still so vivid in my mind. I was one of those people who wouldn't leave...but can ya blame me?? Stayed for entire 12 hours and loved every second of it! (Well, maybe except for some butchered songs...)

A highlight for me that no one has mentioned was Kate Burton's extremely funny take on "I Never Do Anything Twice" - she was absolutely wonderful. Did anyone hear it?

[binau]

Posted: 5/16/10 at 7:37pm

I just listened to Alvin Ing's "Take me to the world" and I loved it :).