Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends: A Musical Celebration Previewed in Los Angeles
The long-awaited musical revue "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends" is set to make its Broadway debut in March, but Los Angeles audiences will have an exclusive preview starting tonight at the Ahmanson Theatre.
Conceived as a tribute to the legendary composer, "Old Friends" features a star-studded cast led by Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. The ensemble production brings together songs from Sondheim's extensive catalog, spanning from his early works to his most renowned masterpieces.
Director Matthew Bourne and producer Cameron Mackintosh have collaborated to create an intimate performance that showcases the enduring power of Sondheim's music. The production features elaborate staging and a talented cast who embody each number with depth and authenticity.
Peters, a six-time Sondheim collaborator, returns to the stage with a deep understanding of the composer's work. She describes "Old Friends" as a moving tribute that captures Sondheim's extraordinary artistry. "You look out in the audience and it's people from all walks of life who all appreciate how Steve wrote about different aspects of the human condition," Peters said.
The show's inception can be traced back to the pandemic, when Sondheim proposed the idea of a third revue to complete a trilogy started by "Side by Side by Sondheim" and "Putting It Together." Inspired by the composer's vision, Mackintosh worked tirelessly to bring "Old Friends" to life after Sondheim's untimely passing.
"We worked on it and did our lists and things," Mackintosh recalls. "And then, sadly, Steve left us, leaving me with all his notes. But luckily, from up above, he sent all the inspiration down, so all the songs fell rather miraculously onto the page."
The production's unique format sets it apart from previous Sondheim revues. "This third one really has been drawn from all the shows that I've done with Steve," Mackintosh explains. "Everyone says that Steve was the greatest lyricist, but he's also written some of the greatest, catchiest songs that have ever been written for the musical theater."
Los Angeles has a special connection to the show, as it hosted the early stages of "Putting It Together" in the 1990s. Bourne, who has a long history of collaborating with Mackintosh, expressed his excitement about the L.A. preview.
"We've got this interesting mixture of some of the original British cast who have come over to do it and a whole new bunch of really great Broadway performers," Bourne said. "We need a bit of time to create that group of friends – the people who are happy to work on stage supporting each other."
With its stellar cast, captivating music, and intimate setting, "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends" promises to be a memorable celebration of the iconic composer's legacy.