STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS: A CELEBRATION to be released on CD and digital formats

Cameron Mackintosh and First Night Records will celebrate the life of the great Stephen Sondheim with the release of the spectacular cast recording, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends: A Celebration (Live at the Sondheim Theatre), which will be available as a 2-disc CD set and digital and streaming formats on 8 December.

The CD, which will be available in both the US and the UK, features a 16-page booklet with colour photography and essays by Cameron Mackintosh and David Benedict. One of the most talked about theatrical events of last year, it took place at the Sondheim Theatre in London on May 3, 2022.

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is currently running in London’s West End at the Gielgud Theatre until 6 January 2024. The current cast is led by Broadway legends Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. They are joined by Christine Allado, Clare Burt, Janie Dee, Damian Humbley, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Jac Yarrow, Marley Fenton, and Beatrice Penny-Touré. The company also includes Harry Apps, Bella Brown, Richard Dempsey, and Monique Young, completing a cast that is truly the best of the West End and Broadway.

Devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the 2022 gala was staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman. The one-night event sold out in hours, leaving thousands of disappointed fans unable to attend the evening so a live broadcast was arranged at the Prince Edward Theatre, down the road. The album features an array of sensational stars including Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Michael Ball, Rob Brydon, Ashley Campbell, Helena Bonham Carter, Anna-Jane Casey, Petula Clark, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Josefina Gabrielle, Louis Gaunt, Amy Griffiths, Haydn Gwynne, Rob Houchen, Holly-Anne Hull, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Ian McLarnon, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Sian Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Jeremy Secomb, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Matthew White, Gary Wilmot, and Michael D. Xavier, students from Mountview, and The Royal Academy Musical Theatre Company.

Pre-save or order Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends here.