STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S OLD FRIENDS
People have asked me to describe this show, and nothing I say or write can do justice to Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends which is running right now at the Ahmanson for just a few more weeks, ahead of its Broadway debut. So do not miss this marvelous opportunity!
Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
But the basics are that the musical is a talent-fest of incredible singers in a high-class revue featuring a few dozen Stephen Sondheim songs, and it’s headed by two of the most popular Broadway performers in history—Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. That’s all you need to know.
I’ve always thought that I was not a Sondheim fan, but this presentation taught me that I am, indeed, just that. I’m far from an expert on his work, (although I could run the category on Jeopardy, not as assuredly as I can “Beauty Queens,” but close,) but I knew, and loved, just about every song on opening night. [Note: I’ll tell you about my uber-fun audience experience in my upcoming Celeb Sightings column.]
Old Friends is the epitome of Broadway. It was all thought up, put together, and produced by British showman extraordinaire, Sir Cameron Mackintosh. And perhaps lost in all of this excellence is the fact that Sir Matthew Bourne, my favorite creative person ever, did the direction and gorgeous staging! Since it’s not one of his amazing ballets, I had not heard his name in connection to the project. Even though someone else did the actual small bit of choreography, the cast must have absolutely adored getting to work with Matthew.
The ladies of the cast. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Everything about this production is delightful. It moves seamlessly from one number to another. In my opinion, Sir Mackintosh chose the perfect assortment of songs, both serious, (such as Losing my Mind,) and humorous, (like Everybody Ought to Have a Maid,)and in the right order. The audience got excited just hearing the opening notes, (or in the case of Sweeney Todd, seeing the costumes,) of each one. (There should be an audience contest to see who can name the show that each song is from!)
Old Friends reminded me of just how prolific Mr. Sondheim was. For many of the songs, I had forgotten that he is the one who wrote the lyrics or music or both. Mr. X always says that West Side Story is the best musical ever. Even though I’ve seen the movie version at least a dozen times, I actually forgot that Sondheim was even involved until I saw this show last week. His lyrics are as good as his music, which is part of what he’s known for.
West Side Story. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Proving as popular as Sondheim’s works are the two stars of this one, Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. They received thunderous applause just for walking out onto the stage at the beginning. And the night got more exciting from there.
Just hearing Bernadette Peters sing Send in the Clowns is worth the price of admission alone. I was sitting too far back to see if she was crying this time, (as she often does because she’s so invested in what she’s doing,) but it sounded like she was. (As we were walking into the theatre, my friend and I met two of the musicians she knew, and I asked them if Bernadette cries as she sings in this show. And they replied that they don’t know if she does, because they don’t see her face, but that they cry from her performance! An artist cannot receive higher praise from their musicians!) She’s just one of those people who was born to entertain others. I wonder what it would feel like to be so beloved by so many.
The revelation for me was Lea Salonga; I had no idea that she sings so gorgeously! She blew us all away with every note.
The rest of the cast gives us their all, as well. Each one shines.
Beth Leavel. Photo by Matthew Murphy.
I was thrilled to see Tony winner, (for The Drowsy Chaperone, one of my three favorite musicals of all time,) Beth Leavel, in person again. Her rendition of The Ladies Who Lunch brought down the house! The applause was deafening, as it also was for Bonnie Langford’s I’m Still Here.
Let’s face it—as I’m sure we all do, I’ve wondered how some actors have gotten the job, but definitely not anyone in this show! They’re all perfection. And they’re all so in shape! My young friend Nina, (with whom I was celebrating Galentine’s Day, which Old Friends made a very happy one,) pointed-out how great they all look. Ms. Peters will turn seventy-seven next week, and we all should be so lucky to have her arms!
One aspect of the production that really warmed my heart was seeing actors who usually audition against each other getting to work together for once. They must have had a blast doing it.
The curtain call on Opening Night, as is the one of the second act curtain at the top of this review. Photo by Karen Salkin.
The visuals throughout are beautiful, as are the costumes, and the orchestra pulls it all together with not just their music but also by being seen all night because they are positioned on a platform at the top back of the stage. (And Nina was impressed that they’re led by a female Music Director, the stunningly-monikered Annbritt duChateau.)
Now that you’ve spent a few minutes reading this review, you have even less time to get tickets to see this show! So do yourselves a favor and order them right now.
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends running through March 9, 2025
Ahmanson Theatre 135 N. Grand Avenue
213-972-4400 www.centertheatregroup.org
Bernadette Peters singing “Send in the Clowns.” Photo by Matthew Murphy.
Okay, here’s my quick personal Bernadette Peters story, for which I’m glad to finally get to apologize to her! When I first came to LA as a teenager, a local girl I worked with started bossing me around took me under her wing. I was basically a babe in the woods here. The girl, (I’ll call “Judy,”) took me, along with one of her other pals, to a musical starring a young Bernadette, and told me that she knew her. When the show was over, Judy said that we’re going backstage to say hi to Bernadette. I was really hesitant and asked if we’re really allowed to do that. But Judy insisted that she knew her, (in actuality, she only knew of her,) and, miraculously, we were ushered into Bernadette’s dressing room. The other girl and I barely said a word, and Judy just stood there yapping away while Bernadette was at her make-up table, being polite. This was a matinee, so Bernadette had another show that night. But did that stop Judy’s kibitzing? Of course not! I was so embarrassed and felt so bad for Bernadette. I somehow finally got Judy to leave, but even with all of Bernadette’s career experiences, I have a feeling that one is seared into her brain. It sure is into mine! But hey—I always get to say that I met Bernadette Peters! We’ll always have that long-ago matinee.
