Cameron Mackintosh’s tribute to Stephen Sondheim, ‘Conversations in Harmony,’ brings the maestro’s unforgettable repertoire to life with a dynamic cast headed by Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.
A mixed bag of reverence and revue, Cameron Mackintosh‘s tribute to Stephen Sondheim stumbles through a sluggish start before roaring to life in a second act that finally earns its ovation.
The show features a dynamic cast headed by ‘Bernadette Peters’ and ‘Lea Salonga‘, who bring the maestro’s unforgettable repertoire to life. With 40 overwhelming songs of varying lengths, tempos, styles, range, and volume, performing this monumental task is a daunting task. However, the talented ensemble delivers an experience that will leave you sated.
Bernadette Peters is a renowned American actress and singer, best known for her iconic roles in musical theater.
Born on February 28, 1948, in Ozone Park, Queens, New York, Peters began her career as a child, performing in local productions.
She made her Broadway debut in 1962's 'The Girl in the Golden Atom' and went on to star in numerous hit shows, including 'Annie Get Your Gun,' 'Gypsy,' and 'Sunday in the Park with George.' Peters has won three Tony Awards and has been nominated for four others.
The production is divided into two acts, with Act One struggling to ignite. The entire exercise, devised by British producer Cameron Mackintosh, is restricted to excerpts from shows he personally supervised. This absence of songs from beloved Sondheim favorites like ‘Saturday Night‘ and ‘Pacific Overtures’ may be seen as a missed opportunity. Instead, the show focuses on lesser-known scores, such as ‘Lee Remick’s tender solo ballad ‘Anyone Can Whistle” and ‘Angela Lansbury’s showstoppers from Anyone Can Whistle’.
The group numbers suffer from uninspired direction by Matthew Bourne, which encourages the cast to time every lyric and emphasize every key word with precise movements. This results in awkward performances, such as the three girls singing ”You Could Drive a Person Crazy” emphasizing the word ‘crazy’ with rolling fingers around their temples. The constant exaggeration and eye-rolling become corny and obvious.
However, Act One manages to fill some voids with highlights like the Bernadette Peters–Lea Salonga duet ”Children Will Listen”. Lea Salonga’s hilarious spin on Angela Lansbury’s iconic characterization of Mrs. Lovett in ‘Sweeney Todd‘ is a notable exception. The second act, however, brings down the house with one show-stopper after another.
Bernadette Peters, an American actress and singer, collaborated with Lea Salonga, a Filipino singer, on several projects.
Peters is known for her iconic roles in musicals like 'Annie Get Your Gun' and 'Gypsy.' Salonga, a Tony Award winner, has starred in productions such as 'Miss Saigon' and 'Les Misérables.'
The two artists have shared the stage together in various performances, showcasing their remarkable vocal talents and versatility.
Their combined legacy continues to inspire new generations of musical theatre enthusiasts.
The highlight of the evening comes when the cast picks up the pace, bringing energy and excitement to the stage. Bernadette Peters delivers a stunning performance of ”Broadway Baby”, followed by a standing ovation as she takes on the role of one of the strippers in ‘Gypsy‘. The Follies section resurrects the seldom-heard ”Waiting Around for the Girls Upstairs”, and Gavin Lee brings complex emotion to his performance of Angela Smith’s ”Could I Leave You”.
In conclusion, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is a musical evening that will leave you cherishing its songs and performances. It’s essential to sit back and let the music wash over you, rather than over-analyzing every detail. Instead, marvel at the myriad ways Sondheim intended for his music to be interpreted on vinyl.
Stephen Sondheim is a renowned American composer and lyricist, best known for his contributions to the world of musical theater.
Born on March 22, 1930, in New York City, Sondheim began writing music at a young age.
He is credited with creating some of the most iconic and enduring songs in Broadway history, including 'Company', 'Follies', and 'Sweeney Todd'. With six Tony Awards to his name, Sondheim's work has been widely acclaimed for its complexity, nuance, and emotional depth.
Song Highlights
-
”Children Will Listen” (Bernadette Peters–Lea Salonga duet)
-
”The Worst Pies in London” (Lea Salonga’s hilarious spin on Angela Lansbury’s iconic characterization of Mrs. Lovett)
-
”I’m Not Getting Married Today” (Joanna Riding’s tremendous performance)
-
”Broadway Baby” (Bernadette Peters’ show-stopping performance)
Show Details
-
Duration: 2hr 45mins
-
One intermission
-
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
-
Last Show: Sun, June 15, 2025
-
261 West 47th Street
-
212-399-3000
