Side by Side by Sondheim is a musical revue featuring the songs of prolific Broadway and film composer Stephen Sondheim. Its title is derived from a tune in Company.
The musical had its origins when David Kernan was asked by Cleo Laine and her husband John Dankworth to put together a revue as a benefit for a theatre they owned in Wavendon. Kernan contacted director Ned Sherrin and suggested that they do a revue of Sondheim material. The producer ...
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Side by Side by Sondheim is a musical revue featuring the songs of prolific Broadway and film composer Stephen Sondheim. Its title is derived from a tune in Company.
The musical had its origins when David Kernan was asked by Cleo Laine and her husband John Dankworth to put together a revue as a benefit for a theatre they owned in Wavendon. Kernan contacted director Ned Sherrin and suggested that they do a revue of Sondheim material. The producer Cameron Mackintosh saw the benefit revue, which featured Millicent Martin, Julia McKenzie, Kernan, and Ned Sherrin as the narrator, and agreed to produce it.
The musical is in the form of a revue, with various sections tied together by being from a particular Sondheim musical, or having a common theme, and all of it tied together by the Narrator. He explains what show the songs are from, and in some cases provides background on why a song was written. He also notes for the audience Sondheim themes. As the cast enters they sing "Comedy Tonight"...
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