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Side by Side by Sondheim
A musical revue
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
(With music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers and Julie Styne)
Directed by Fred Anzevino
Music Direction and Pianist Joshua Kartes
Choreographer David Heimann
Produced by Theo Ubique in association with Michael James
At No Exit Café
6970 N. Glenwood
Chicago, IL
Call 773-743-3355, tickets $20 - $22 -$40 dinner & show package
Fridays & Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 7 PM
Running time 2 hours, 25 minutes with intermission
Through December 10, 2006
Sondheim’s smart songs in good hands here
Sondheim groupies and theatre fans will enjoy this revue of early Sondheim tunes. This 1976 revue contains numbers for A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Forum, GYPSY, A Little Night Music, Follies, Company, Do I Hear A Waltz, West Side Story, The 7% Solution, The Mad Show, Anyone Can Whistle and Pacific Overtures. Company offers 8 songs and Follies adds 7 in this tribute to one of the most adapt composers of our time. The sassy, witty and often biting lyrics are delivered with style and verve in this intimate, cabaret style café. This is terrific date night fare.
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Narrated by Dolcye Johnson, the three girls and two boys each have their special moments in this exquisitely well sung revue. Dana Tretta, Jeremy Trager, Eric Lindahl, Elizabeth Leinski and Danielle Brothers knocked out Sondheim’s tunes in character, emotionally and intensely appropriate to their theme. From the rousing “Comedy Tonight,” we are immersed into Sondheim’s world of smart lyrics and bouncy music that carved a special place in Broadway history. The song selection has varied styles, tempos and meanings that aptly demonstrate Sondheim’s genius with rhythm and his spot-on story appropriate lyrics.
Landing his tough songs isn’t easy but this polished cast does so with amazing skill demonstrating their strong vocal range. These talents land the tunes in character with the mood, emotions and temperament each song requires.
Highlight among the 30 + songs are: Jeremy Trager’s “I Remember,” Eric Lindahl’s “Marry Me A Little,” Dana Tretta’s “Another Hundred People,” Elizabeth Lesinski’s “Broadway Baby,” Danielle Brothers’ “Send In The Clowns.” Terrific duets include Jeremy Trager and Dana Tretta’s “Now,” Eric Lindahl and Elizabeth Lesinski’s “The Little Things,” Eric Lindahl and Dana Tretta’s “Barcelona,” Elizabeth Lesinski and Jeremy Treger’s “We’re Gonna Be All Right” and Danielle Brothers and Dana Tretta’s “A Boy Like That.” Joshua Kartes’ piano work was stellar and tuneful.
Terrific comic numbers like “You Could Drive A Person Crazy,” “Beautiful Girls,” “Comedy Tonight,” and the fabulous (and seldom done) “I Never Do Anything Twice” was a hoot as Danielle Brothers richly landed this sexy tune. Company and Follies are featured in this slick, polished revue.
These five performers do outstanding work that engages us and does justice to Sondheim’s early work. This little gem of a show is pure Broadway, pure entertainment. It is a showcase for five of the finest non-Equity talents in Chicago. You’d be hard pressed to find a finer bargain than this $22 show. You’ll be humming the tunes all the way home.
Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: October 27, 2006
Jeff Recommended
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