Oscar E Moore

Packed or should I say over-stuffed into two hours and thirty-five minutes with intermission at the Manhattan Theatre Club at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on West 47^th Street is this 89 percent glorious – 11 percent iffy and somewhat long musical tribute to Steven Sondheim’s creativity as lyricist and composer.  Sharing the composing with Leonard Berstein, Jule Styne and Mary Rodgers.

Twenty-three numbers in Act I and 18 in Act II.   On on-stage orchestra of fourteen.   A British import devised by Cameron Mackintosh.  Direction and Musical Staging by Matthew Bourne with Choreography by Stephen Mear – still with me? starring BERNADETTE PETERS and LEA SALONGA along with an excellent supporting cast of seventeen extremely talented folk who give their all to entertain us in this well designed, sparkling and emotionally charged Sondheim Sampler tribute.

Unfortunately, my all-time favorite ANYONE CAN WHISTLE with its simple melody and meaningful lyrics has not been included.

Anyone can whistle
That’s what they say—
Easy
Anyone can whistle
Any old day—
Easy

It’s all so simple
Relax, let go, let fly
So someone tell me why
Can’t I?

I can dance a tango
I can read Greek—
Easy
I can slay a dragon
Any old week—
Easy

What’s hard is simple

What’s natural comes hard
Maybe you could show me
How to let go
Lower my guard
Learn to be free
Maybe if you whistle
Whistle for me

Mr. Sondheim had and we can still appreciate his love affair with words.  Special.  Unique.  Risque.  Witty.  Tongue twisting…and the list goes on and on and on that told us about the relationships between human beings.  Deeply.  Plus, he knew a good melody when he heard one in his mind.  Melody that explored our lives for better or worse.  Heartfelt always.  Sharing his musical treats with us openly and graciously.

For those of you who worship The Master AKA – The Boss – you might find this production a mixed bag of goodies and not-so-goodies.  Some editing would be welcome, however expertly performed by a wondrous cast.

For those of you who have been living under a rock and know little of the Master’s works this is a fine introduction and education in what musical theatre can and hopefully should be.

Bernadette Peters is agelessly amazing.  Seemingly frozen in time.  Fit in body and voice.  Although a bit tentative she still delivers an emotional LOSING MY MIND.

Her co-star Lea Salonga all but pulls the red carpet from under her.  She is phenomenal.  Strong and versatile and totally in character for whatever each character calls for.

Go.  Immerse yourself in Sondheim’s magical musical worlds.  And enjoy.

Through June 15, 2025

PHOTOS – Matthew Murphy

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