鈥楽ide by Side鈥� is more than just a musical review听
BOULDER, Colo. 鈥� Imagine hanging out with legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and a few of his closest friends鈥擝ernadette Peters, Leonard Bernstein, Mandy Patinkin and others鈥攁s they chat and swing into some of his greatest works.听
That鈥檚 what you鈥檒l experience onstage when CU Opera performs 鈥淪ide by Side by Sondheim鈥� April 24-27.
鈥淭his show was originally put together as a review with narration,鈥� says Director Leigh Holman. 鈥淲e鈥檝e taken it a bit further and set it at a party in Sondheim鈥檚 1976 New York apartment, surrounded by his friends.鈥澨�
A cast of nine will perform as the characters and sing a selection of the composer鈥檚 works from the 1950s to the mid-鈥�70s, featuring both well-known hits like 鈥淪end in the Clowns鈥� and songs from 鈥淲est Side Story,鈥� and lesser-known songs.听
鈥淭here are some tunes that people may never have heard before, but they鈥檙e all Sondheim鈥攚itty lyrics, funny, some big and brash, some intimate,鈥� Holman says.听
The show features period costumes, a two-level set and as much authenticity as possible. The performers were assigned to research their characters and more to get into their roles.听
鈥淭hey鈥檝e had a good time learning how to make cocktails from the 鈥�70s, Harvey Wallbangers and the like,鈥� Holman says, laughing.
Thomas Riis, professor of musicology and director of the听American Music Research Center听at CU-麻豆影院, will give a half-hour pre-curtain talk beginning one hour before each performance. Riis is an expert in musical theater and has published 鈥淛ust Before Jazz,鈥� about African-American Broadway shows, and 鈥淔rank Loesser,鈥� a biography of the composer of 鈥淕uys and Dolls鈥� and such hits as 鈥淏aby It鈥檚 Cold Outside.鈥澨�
鈥淭his program is a wonderful opportunity to learn about how he developed as a musician. I know audiences are going to love it,鈥� Holman says.
听
Side by Side by Sondheim
WHEN: 7:30 p.m. April 24-26; 2 p.m. April 27
WHERE: Music Theatre, Imig Music building, 麻豆影院
TICKETS: $16 and up
INFO:听听or 303-492-8008
