OLD FRIENDS celebrate SONDHEIM at the Sondheim
Photo credit: Michael Le Poer Trench
A one-off performance, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration, has been announced for 3 May at the Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.
In aid of The Sondheim Foundation, the concert will featured a 26-piece orchestra, conducted by Alfonso Casadot, with staging by Sir Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman, choreography by Stephen Mear, musical supervision by Stephen Brooker, music arrangements by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, lighting by Warren Letton, and sound by Mick Potter.
Over 30 performers have been announced to appear at the event including Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Adrian Lester, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Elaine Paige, Bernadette Peters, Clive Rowe, Imelda Staunton and Hannah Waddingham, with more names to be announced.
Cameron Mackintosh said: “It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to Musical Theatre, both personally and professionally. He was as great a teacher as he was an incomparable writer and the Little Things that he did for so many people forged legions of friendships throughout his long life. I was lucky enough to be Steve’s friend and occasional collaborator for over 45 years since I first produced Side By Side By Sondheim and the Wyndham’s Theatre in 1976. It was a friendship full of laughter, gossip and glorious insightful camaraderie.
“Steve was so prolific and profound as a writer that it’s impossible to put together a definitive list of his greatest songs, as everyone has their own favourites, so our choice of songs will purely reflect the joy and love I have for one of the greatest Broadway Babies of all time.”
All profits from the evening will go to the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, which the legendary composer and lyricist established under his Will to receive future income from his copyrights and intellectual property, with the proceeds to be used principally for the support of playwrights, composers, and lyricists in the early stages of their careers to assist in the development and advancement of their work, as well as for sustaining other aspects of the musical theatre craft and arts education.
Patrons can sign up for priority booking here. Tickets will go on sale on 15 March to DMT Plus members at 11am, the priority list at 12pm and public booking opens at 1pm.
