Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
West End Promotional Poster
MusicStephen Sondheim
LyricsStephen Sondheim
Premiere3 May 2022: Sondheim Theatre, London
Productions

Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends is a tribute revue honoring musical theatre composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh.

Originally designed as a one-night performance, the revue premiered at the Sondheim Theatre in London on 3 May 2022. Over a year later, Mackintosh began producing a limited West End run. This run began previews on 21 September 2023 and opened on 3 October at the Gielgud Theatre.

Background

The idea for the concert came about during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown where Sondheim suggested to Mackintosh a follow-up of their revue productions Side by Side by Sondheim and Putting It Together. During the development of the concert, Sondheim died in November 2021.[1]

Productions

Gala Performance (2022)

The concert was announced to be performed for one night only on 3 May 2022 at the Sondheim Theatre in London's West End. It was staged by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman with a 26-piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo. The line-up included Michael Ball, Petula Clark, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Clive Rowe and Imelda Staunton.[2] The concert sold out immediately and was simultaneously live screened at the Prince Edward Theatre and later broadcast on BBC Two on 31 December 2022. On 12 February 2023, the concert won the WhatsOnStage Award for Best Theatre Event.

West End (2023)

At the 2023 WhatsOnStage Awards, Mackintosh announced that the revue would return for a 16-week run at the Gielgud Theatre from 16 September 2023 until 6 January 2024, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. In addition to Peters, Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford, and Jeremy Secomb returned and were joined by Salonga, Joanna Riding, Jac Yarrow, Gavin Lee, and Christine Allado.[3] On September 7, 2023, it was announced that the show's first preview had been postponed due to the withdrawal of Haydn Gwynne. On 12 September 2023, it was announced that Clare Burt had joined the production as Gwynne's replacement.[4] The production, staged and directed by Matthew Bourne and Julia McKenzie, choreographed by Stephen Mear, conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo, musical supervision by Stephen Brooker, musical arrangements by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, projection design by George Reeve, lighting design by Warren Letton, and sound design by Mick Potter, began previews on 21 September and officially opened on 3 October.[5][6]

Cast

London Gala Performance[7] West End[8]
2022 2023
Daniel Evans Bernadette Peters
Maria Friedman Lea Salonga
Michael Ball Christine Allado
Helena Bonham Carter Clare Burt
Anna-Jane Casey Janie Dee
Rob Brydon Damian Humbley
Petula Clark Bradley Jaden
Rosalie Craig Bonnie Langford
Janie Dee Gavin Lee
Judi Dench Jason Pennycooke
Hadyn Gwynne Joanna Riding
Bonnie Langford Jeremy Secomb
Damian Lewis Jac Yarrow
Julia McKenzie Marley Fenton
Julian Ovenden Beatrice Penny-Touré
Bernadette Peters Harry Apps
Siân Phillips Bella Brown
Jon Robyns Richard Dempsy
Clive Rowe Monique Young
Jenna Russell —
Imelda Staunton —
Charlie Stemp —
Gary Wilmot —
Michael D. Xavier —

References

  1. ↑ "Cameron Mackintosh on "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends": 'We knew we had his blessing, and he helped shape it'". whatsonstage.com. 29 December 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "Sondheim gala to take place in the West End in May". whatsonstage.com. 4 March 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Stephen Sondheim tribute Old Friends to get West End run at the Gielgud Theatre starring Bernadette Peters". WestendTheatre.com. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2023.
  4. ↑ "Clare Burt Replaces Haydn Gwynne in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends in London". 12 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  5. ↑ "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends delayed as Haydn Gwynne withdraws from the production". 7 September 2023. Retrieved 7 September 2023.
  6. ↑ "Photos: Get a 1st Look at Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, Starring Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, More". 22 September 2023. Retrieved 23 September 2023.
  7. ↑ "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends live cast recording announced | West End Theatre". www.westendtheatre.com. 23 March 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  8. ↑ "Sondheim's Old Friends | Book Now". sondheimoldfriends.com. 20 December 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
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