One Of The Few Things On Broadway Now, I Would See Twice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

                                          I do not say this often, girls.  The last two times I said it were of Sondheim shows; first, the revival of "Sweeney Todd" with Josh Groban and Ruthie Ann Miles, and then the revival of "Merrily We Roll Along," with Jonathan Groff, Lindsay Mendez, and Daniel Radcliffe.  The two gents received TONY Awards for their heartrending performances.

                                            Now, there is another Sondheim show on Broadway, by way of London, and it is a perfect evening of musical theater.  Headed by Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Bonnie Langford, (whom I first saw, at age 9 playing Baby June in the Angela Lansbury revival of "Gypsy," back in 1974, when I was a tender 19) and a former neighbor of mine from Woodside, Kevin Earley, the cast perform outstanding renderings of Sondheim classics.  Because of the overlapping, it was especially good to hear "A Weekend In The Country," from "A Little Night Music," and the "Tonight Quintet" from "West Side Story" on stage!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga are the headliners, and while Bernadette does her usual magic with "Send In The Clown," and "Losing My Mind," it is Lea Salonga who is the show's surprise.  Who knew she had the range, or capability, to do a brilliant take on Mrs. Lovett, (I liked her better than Annaleigh Ashford!) or Mamma Rose, as she proves in "Everything's Coming Up Roses," and "Rose's Turn?"  Audra McDonald should pay attention to her.

                                                      Beth Leavel, a Broadway favorite, puts her own spin on "The Ladies Who Lunch," and it is so refreshing to hear a new voice do it.

                                                         I also love the united take on "Not A Day Goes By."  Bernadette usually does it solo, but this time the whole ensemble is brought in, adding depth and meaning.

                                                         Of course, one could list Sondheim songs that might have been included but aren't my personal choice being "Too Many Mornings."   But why quibble when Theater Queens and africandos will have just about the best evening of musical theater one could hope for.

                                                            You have GOT to see "Old Friends," darlings.

                                                              And here is another phrase I seldom use anymore.

                                                             It transported me to theatrical realms.  Meaning I floated to the ceiling, stuck there, not wanting to leave the theater, and someone had to pull me down.

                                                               Really, girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!