Standing in for the Beechman Theatre, when its building was closed for the holiday, Don’t Tell Mama came to the rescue for Phil Geoffrey Bond’s opening night of Sondheim Unplugged in a continuing celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s 80th Birthday. It’s been quite a year celebrating the man who revolutionized American musical theater.

Clever, witty Bond provided the history and facts surrounding the shows and songs. Tracy Stark tickled the ivories for almost everyone in an array of top-notch singers paying homage to Sondheim’s genius.

Sondheim’s fame includes an adaptation of John Collier’s short story Evening Primrose for an ABC television series. “I Remember Sky,” from that production, was sung with breathy longing by Karen Oberlin (Jon Weber, piano). Karen Mack sang “On the Steps of the Palace” (Into the Woods) and irreplaceable multi-award winner Mark Nadler, looking debonair in white suit, performed “Buddy’s Blues” (Follies).

The soaring power of Broadway’s Hunter Ryan Herdlicka, currently Henrik in A Little Night Music, was highlighted with “The Glamorous Life” from that show. Sarah Rice, the original Johanna in Sweeney Todd, reprised her “Green Finch & Linnet Bird” in her sweet soprano. A favorite of many, Eric Michael Gillett gave a dramatic performance of “Finishing the Hat” (Sunday in the Park with George).

The remaing Mondays in July will feature a different cast as the celebration continues at the Beechman Theatre. If you love Sondheim, as many do, this is the place to be!

Sandi Durell
Cabaret Scenes
July 5, 2010
www.cabaretscenes.org