click the title above to read the full review...
Sondheim! The Birthday Concert Blu-Ray Review
Synopsis: Join us for a rousing celebration of the life and work of one of Broadway's greatest legends - the one and only Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist's 80th birthday, many of musical theater's brightest stars gathered to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim's illustrious career. Many of these enduring songs are rarely heard and several are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Stephen Sondheim's longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic.
Filmed live, March 15,16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, New York City
Review: Stephen Sondheim is one of the most prolific and well known producers of music for the theater. This concert was held as an homage to the great and venerable lyricist and musician. The highlight of this blu-ray for me was seeing a few of the songs from Sweeney Todd performed, which is my favorite Sondheim piece. He was also very involved in the musical adaptation of the Tim Burton film, which was great exposure and is where I first heard his name. This is a fantastic watch for anyone into musical theater.
Performances Include:
"America" (Dancers, West Side Story)
"Something's Coming" (Alexander Gemingnani, West Side Story)
"We're Gonna Be Alright" (Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Do I Hear a Waltz?)
"Don't Laugh" (Victoria Clark, Hot Spot)
"Johanna"(Nathan Gunn, Sweeney Todd)
"You're Gonna Love Tomorrow" and "Love Will See Us Through" (Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Laura Osnes, Bobby Steggert, Follies)
"Too Many Mornings" (Nathan Gunn, Audra McDonald, Follies)
"The Road You Didn't Take" (John McMartin, Follies)
"It Takes Two" (Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Into the Woods)
"Growing Up" (Jim Walton, Merrily We Roll Along)
"Finishing the Hat" (Mandy Patinkin, Sunday in the Park with George)
"Move On" (Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Sunday in the Park with George)
"Pretty Women" (Michael Cerveris, George Hearn, Sweeney Todd)
"A Little Priest" (Michael Cerveris, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd)
Theme from Reds with Pas De Deux (NY Philharmonic, Two ABT Dancers Maria and Blaine)
"So Many People" (Laura Benanti, Saturday Night)
"Beautiful Girls" (David Hyde Pierce)
"Ladies Who Lunch" (Patti LuPone, Company)
"Losing My Mind" (Marin Mazzie Follies)
"The Glamorous Life" (Audra McDonald, A Little Night Music)
"Could I Leave You?" (Donna Murphy, Follies)
"Not a Day Goes By" (Bernadette Peters, Merrily We Roll Along)
"I'm Still Here" (Elaine Stritch, Follies)
"Sunday" (Broadway Chorus, Sunday in the Park with George)
"Happy Birthday" (All Cast)
Interest Range: Musicals, Stephen Sondheim
