Sondheim Supplement #6
Happy Friday, everyone. Welcome to our latest Sondheim Supplement. This week, we have a Merrily We Roll Along-themed crossword, more from our conversation with Natalie Jasso, founder of Sondheim Letters, a lyric of the week from “One More Kiss,” our survey of This Week in Sondheim, and a look back at our conversation with Bonnie Langford. Enjoy!
This Week in Sondheim
March 15, 1990 marked a significant milestone as Sunday in the Park with George opened in London, expanding the show’s influence for the first time beyond American shores.
The landmark Sondheim! The Birthday Concert on March 15-16, 2010 brought together an extraordinary assemblage of Broadway talent to celebrate Sondheim’s 80th birthday at Avery Fisher Hall. The event was later broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances, preserving this remarkable tribute.
March 9, 1959 saw the birth of Lonny Price, who would become deeply connected to Sondheim’s work both as performer and director. From originating the role of Charley in Merrily We Roll Along to directing multiple Sondheim tributes and concerts, Price is an essential interpreter of his work.
The groundbreaking Sondheim: A Musical Tribute concert at the Schubert Theatre on March 11, 1973 set the template for future celebrations of Sondheim’s work. As the first major concert dedicated to his music, it helped establish his singular importance in American musical theatre.
The PBS broadcast of Into the Woods on March 15, 1991 brought this seminal work to television audiences, capturing most of the original Broadway cast.
March 12, 1981 marked the opening of Marry Me a Little at the Actor’s Playhouse. This innovative revue, crafted from songs cut from other Sondheim shows, demonstrated how even his unused material could form the basis of a compelling theatrical experience.
The Sondheim Hub Crossword
This week’s subscriber-only crossword is Merrily We Roll Along-themed! Here it is: