The Master of the Modern Musical

The Sondheim Tribute Review

Stephen Sondheim. His name evokes the many smart, lyrical and emotionally-packed musicals he wrote during the mid-20th and 21st centuries. As a composer, Sondheim’s brilliance in matching words with music broke new ground for the musical theatre. A precocious child with an aptitude for music, Sondheim mastered the piano and organ before he was 15 years old. Then, under the tutelage of family friend, Oscar Hammerstein II, Stephen began an educational journey that led him to becoming the Master of the Modern Musical.

 Although Sondheim dabbled with writing musical plays in college, his theatre legacy really began in 1957, with his first significant contribution to Broadway as lyricist for Leonard Bernstein’s wonderful WEST SIDE STORY. Two years later, Sondheim wrote the lyrics for Jule Stein’s magnificent music in Oscar Laurents’ musical fable, GYPSY. Then, in 1962, Stephen Sondheim’s first show for which he wrote both the music and the lyrics opened on Broadway. It was a musical comedy entitled A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM. The production was based on the ancient comedies of Roman playwright Plautus and the show took Broadway by storm. Playing over 950 performances, the musical won the coveted Tony Award for Best Musical. However, just two years later, Sondheim’s ANYONE CAN WHISTLE closed after only 9 performances.

Not to be daunted, Sondheim agreed to write the lyrics for Richard Rodgers’ 1965 musical, DO I HEAR A WALTZ?. Then Stephen vowed to only write his own musicals. And thus, in 1970, Sondheim’s gorgeous musical COMPANY opened on Broadway. This provocative show about marriage and bachelorhood launched the beginning of a series of exquisite new musicals in which Sondheim would contribute both the score and lyrics. And the rest is history.

This takes us to 4 Chairs Theatre’s SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE, now playing in a limited run at the Skokie Theatre. Talented Producing Director Lauren Berman (RIDE THE CYCLONE, ISLAND SONG) has cooked up a delicious smorgasbord of songs by Stephen Sondheim that will tempt and tantalize every musical theatre lover. The variety of melodies, some which are now standards (as well as a few that are seldom heard nowadays), will appeal to the appetite of every music lover. Ms. Berman has skillfully staged her production with style and a brevity of movement, paying homage to Sondheim’s own musical dictates: “Content dictates form, Less is more and God is in the details—all in the service of clarity.” With skillful Musical Direction by Alice Nuteson, and melodic onstage piano accompaniment by the wonderful Tyeese Braslavsky, this revue features 22 of Sondheim’s musical masterpieces.

Six talented and musically accomplished actor/singers perform the works of Stephen Sondheim with obvious love and reverence. The evening opens with a humorous welcome to the theatre, entitled “Invocation and Instructions,” taken from one of Sondheim’s lesser-known musicals, THE FROGS. Next, polished performer Brian Pember kicks off the evening with “Finishing the Hat,” a classic from Sondheim’s ode to the creation of art, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Later on, Pember will partner with the exquisite Kaitlin Freely in another song from this musical, entitled “We Do Not Belong Together.” And, in a gorgeously sung choral number that features the entire cast, one of the revue’s finest offerings is yet another from this musical, entitled “Sunday.”

A trio of songs selected from ANYONE CAN WHISTLE include “There Won’t Be Trumpets,” boldly sung by Michelle Tibble; “Everybody Says Don’t,” performed as a duet by accomplished vocalists, Lyndsey Minerva and David Geinosky; and the entire company closes the production singing “With So Little to Be Sure Of.” 

Several lighter, comedic songs highlight a program filled with many meaningful and poignant tunes. One of the highlights is “Getting Married Today,” from COMPANY, that features Denise Tamburrino’s smooth soprano, Brian Pember’s soaring tenor and Lyndsey Minerva bringing the humor to the role of Amy, the bride. Also from COMPANY, Denise returns with lovely Michelle Tibble, drinks in hand, to close Act I with a delightful duet version of “The Ladies Who Lunch.” From A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, Kaitlin, Lyndsey, Denise and David join forces to offer a hilariously offering of “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid.” And, also from …FORUM, Ms. Tamburrino laments about “That Dirty Old Man,” provoking laughs with her saucy operatic soprano style.

Lauren Berman’s SONDHEIM TRIBUTE REVUE features a carefully-chosen program of songs by one of this country’s most revered theatrical composers. Staged and guided with Ms. Berman’s signature personal touch, Musically Directed with skill and featuring onstage accompaniment by Tyeese Braslavsky, this is an homage to one of our greatest composers. The show is a bona fide buffet of beautiful music, offering just a sample of the many superb songs that Mr. Sondheim created. 

Sung by an incredibly gifted company of six multitalented musical performers, the show also includes tunes from Sondheim’s SATURDAY NIGHT, FOLLIES, INTO THE WOODS, SWEENEY TODD and the recent Tony Award-winner for Best Revival of a Musical, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG. Sondheim fans in the audience will relish the variety of songs and the memories they provoke. But if any theatergoers weren’t already familiar with this theatrical genius, they’ll leave the Skokie Theatre with an appreciation for the true Master of the Modern Musical.  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 8-18 by 4 Chairs Theatre at the Skokie Theatre, 7924 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL.

Tickets are available at the door or by going to www.4chairstheatre.org.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.