Broadway Baby

The Sondheim Tribute Revue

Absolutely delicious, delectable and delightful. Those are some of the adjectives that flowed through my mind as I basked in the mellifluous glory that is a new tribute to the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim. This undisputed genius of the American musical theatre recently passed away but his legacy, the melodic majesty he created for our age and time immemorial, will last as long as there are instruments to play and voices to sing. Like one of his most popular songs claims, Sondheim is a true “Broadway Baby.”

Credited with reinventing Musical Theatre, Stephen Sondheim began his career at an early age. His parents divorced when he was a child and his mother continued to emotionally abuse her young son for the rest of her life. Striking up a close friendship with James Hammerstein, the son of famed playwright and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, Stephen found a father figure in the talented theatrical writer. He was raised and mentored by Oscar and finally discovered his talent and regained a modicum of self esteem. But loneliness, respect, love, good stories and his love/hate relationship with New York City all would play a part in Sondheim’s musicals. 

Through Sondheim’s relationship with Oscar Hammerstein, he met and eventually worked with such theatrical luminaries as Hal Prince, Arthur Laurents, Richard Rodgers, Burt Shevelove, Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins, Larry Gelbart, James Lapine, James Goldman, Hugh Wheeler and many others. Over 5 decades, Stephen Sondheim would write 18 musicals, most of which have become undisputed classics. In them the composer tackled unexpected themes and nontraditional subjects. His musicals often address the darker elements of human existence and are all remarkably complex, sophisticated and thoroughly enjoyable. In addition to being awarded the Kennedy Center Honor, Sondheim has a theater named after him on Broadway and in London’s West End. He would go on to win 8 Tony Awards, 8 Grammy Awards, an Oscar, an Olivier and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

There have been a great many wonderful musical tributes and retrospectives of Sondheim’s work. But Fred Anzevino, Theo Ubique’s brilliant, wise and talented Artistic Director, has created a new, unique evening of entertainment based upon 30 of Sondheim’s songs. Many of his choices are quite likely new to even the most savvy musical theatre aficionado. They’re selected from a list of Anzevino’s and his cast’s favorites. This new musical revue is both a tribute to the gifted composer/lyricist and a vehicle for Anzevino’s 5 gifted musical theatre actor/singers to share how Stephen Sondheim’s music has affected their own lives.

The show features musical bon mots from 15 of his shows. They span 1954 to 2008, and include SATURDAY NIGHT (Sondheim’s first musical), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, COMPANY, FOLLIES, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, THE FROGS, PACIFIC OVERTURES, SWEENEY TODD, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS, ASSASSINS, PASSION and ROAD SHOW. Some of the songs were gems that had been cut from the original productions, while others are compositions so familiar as to be part of our daily lives. 

But, besides enjoying some the composer’s finest music, performed by some pretty astounding actor/singer/dancers, the best element of this new revue are the personal testimonials written and delivered by the cast. Each remembrance is short, but so earnest and heartfelt that the audience will leave this show feeling they’ve known these young professionals all of their lives. The admissions, the secrets, the vulnerability of all 5 performers comes through and we love them for their stories. For every actor, both on the Theo stage and sitting in the audience, Sondheim’s music has spoken to and provided validation and meaning.

The talented cast includes Elya Faye Bottiger (provoking laughter with “Me and My Town”), Maliha Sayed (beautifully singing about life as an actor versus the joys of being a mother with “The Glamorous Life”), Ismael Garcia (singing a gorgeous and moving version of “Finishing the Hat”), Maxwell J. DeTogne (bringing the audience to tears with his rendition of “No One Has Ever Loved Me”) and Joe Giovannetti (brandishing sparkle and his tapping talent to “Class”). Most of these songs will probably be unfamiliar, but other songs, such as “Not a Day Goes By,” “Agony,” “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Pretty Women,” “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” “The Story of Lucy and Jessie,” “No One is Alone,” “Being Alive,” and the prophetic, dreamlike “Broadway Baby.”

Every element of this production is flawless. Mr. Anzevino is assisted by Musical director Carolyn Brady and Choreographers J Alan and Jenna Schoppe. The cast is gloriously costumed by Bob S. Kuhn. It’s performed upon a pretty proscenium stage, designed by Manual Ortiz, and co-lit by Maggie Fullilove-Nugent and Josiah Croegaert, with sound delivered by Matthew R. Chase.

This original new musical revue is as exquisite, entertaining and exciting an evening as anyone could ever desire. Incorporating 30 songs from the Stephen Sondheim songbook, masterful and clever Artistic Director Fred Anzevino has not only crafted a gorgeous tribute to the gifted American composer, but he’s also fashioned it as a tribute to his talented cast. The company’s obvious love of Sondheim’s music and their confessions about how it molded or changed their lives is the strength of this show. This element makes every song feel personal. Don’t miss the chance to glory in the greatness that is Stephen Sondheim, America’s brilliant Broadway Baby. 

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented March 8-April 28 by Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, 721 Howard Street, Evanston, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling 773-939-4101 or by going to www.Theo-u.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.