By LEE B. ROBERTS
Journal Times | Posted: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:00 am
Even if you don't know who Stephen Sondheim is, chances are you know one of his songs. "Send in the Clowns," for example, has been recorded by many artists since it debuted on Broadway in 1973, including Judy Collins, Frank Sinatra and Barbra Streisand. It was originally written by composer and lyricist Sondheim for the Broadway show "A Little Night Music."
Maybe these lyrics will ring a more recognizable bell: "Something familiar, Something peculiar, Something for everyone: A comedy tonight!" They, too, were penned by Sondheim in the song "Comedy Tonight!" for the show "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," which opened on Broadway in 1962. Since then, the show was made into a film, revived successfully on Broadway in the 1970s and the 1990s, and has been performed by companies throughout the U.S. and abroad.
If Johnny Depp is more your style, he too has sung Sondheim's music in his role in the 2007 movie version of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street." Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for the stage show of the same name, which opened on Broadway in 1979.
These are but a few examples of the many, many notable songs that Stephen Sondheim has written the music or lyrics - or both - for in his prolific career. Considered by many to be Broadway's most innovative and influential composer/lyricist, Sondheim is said to have changed the course of American musical theater with the depth and wit of his lyrics.
Audiences here will have a chance to experience some of the wonder of Sondheim this weekend and next when the Racine Theatre Guild presents the musical revue "Side by Side by Sondheim" as its summer show. Originally commissioned in 1975 by singer Cleo Lane to raise funds for the theater she and her husband ran in England, this revue features some of Sondheim's best known work, as well as some lesser-known pieces from his television and film career. After playing in London, the show had a successful run on Broadway, where it's entire cast was nominated for Tony Awards.
"This is not Sondheim's greatest hits, but more of a celebration of Sondheim," said Greg Berg, music director for the Theatre Guild show. "It features a lot of his best songs, mixed with some wonderful, fascinating rarities. It is a great way to show off all the different facets of his work."
Funny and poignant
All of those facets together, are what drew Berg - who will play one of two grand pianos on stage during the performances - to this show.
"Sondheim is so clever in the way the puts words together," Berg said. "And its not only that he can do fancy things with words. He has an amazing capacity to write about what it's like to be human."
Those qualities are also why some vocalists enjoy performing Sondheim's work.
"His music is rhythmically, melodically and lyrically very sophisticated," said Keith Hampton, one of seven singers featured in the RTG's production of "Side by Side by Sondheim."
"As a songwriter, I appreciate his creative use of internal rhythms, alliteration, double entendre and other forms," said Hampton, who along with being a singer/songwriter is the executive director of the Racine Symphony Orchestra.
Such sophistication can be challenging for vocalists, Hampton said, but the way Sondheim writes also gives singers a map, or a path, to follow when learning his music.
"His music may be a little harder to memorize, but it is definitely memorable," he said.
With 33 songs - plus a finale medley Sondheim wrote for the show that incorporates 24 more - Hampton and the rest of the performers have had to learn a lot of music for "Side by Side by Sondheim."
And, while they are not really acting out parts, each does assume the role of various characters while singing Sondheim's songs.
They also do some narration throughout the show, giving background about each piece, as well as information about the composer.
"The narration is important because it helps the audience to better understand why Sondheim wrote songs such as 'Send in the Clowns'," said Doug Instenes, director of the RTG production of "Side by Side by Sondheim."
"We are telling stories of Sondheim's life," said Berg.
Challenges, rewards
In some ways, doing a musical revue is easier than a regular musical, said Kathy Berg, one of four female vocalists in the show.
"You don't have to worry about memorizing lines or doing crazy costume changes," said Berg, whose voice has been heard in a variety of musical shows at the RTG.
In other respects, however, revues can be more difficult, she said.
"In a show like this you have to be many different characters and you are stretched vocally because you are singing songs written for different ranges."
In a regular musical, actors usually sing a part within one range and each character sings less songs than they do in a revue, Kathy Berg explained.
A musical revue can also be more challenging than a traditional musical from a director's point of view, said Instenes.
"If you have a written story, it is all laid out for you," he said. "With a musical revue, there is so much freedom. Nothing is given to you."
Along with Hampton and the Bergs (who are husband and wife), the ensemble cast of "Side by Side by Sondheim" features the voices of Ryan Clark, Alexa Hujik, Dan Martino, Anne Mollerskov and Rita Torcaso.
The other piano on stage will be played by Jane Livingston and Kate Potter-Barrow, on an alternating schedule. Amy Falaschi is the show's choreographer and Katie Kowbel is the stage manager.
Together they will present a musical revue featuring songs from shows including "Gypsy," "West Side Story," "Company" and "Follies," as well as those mentioned above.
"If you are looking for something with a plot or a real story line to it, this may not be for you," said Instenes. "But, if you like music, this is an opportunity to hear two pianos playing on stagewith some really great singers. It is actually more of a concert than it is a play."
"If you love a really great song, I think you're going to love 'Side by Side by Sondheim'," said Greg Berg.
If You Go
WHAT: "Side by Side by Sondheim"
WHEN: Opens Friday and runs through July 27. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1:30 and 7 p.m. Sundays.
WHERE: Racine Theatre Guild, 2519 Northwestern Ave.
COST: Tickets are $18 for Friday and Saturday shows and $16 for Sunday shows. Discounts are available for seniors, and groups.
INFO: Call (262) 633-4218 or visit http://www.racinetheatre.org