Butler musical guild to play the best of Stephen Sondheim
There are a lot of words in many of the songs penned by Stephen Sondheim, especially the “patter” songs, which feature quick and clever dialogue and rhythmic delivery.
Six singers will take on Sondheim’s songs in an upcoming musical tribute show by Butler Musical Theatre Guild.
Jessica Sanzotti, the guild’s communications coordinator, said “Side by Side by Sondheim” features about 25 songs written by Sondheim, so audience members likely will know at least one, from musicals like “West Side Story” and “Into the Woods.”
She said a narrator will give context for each song, so audiences can find something to latch onto while listening to the music.
“There are three or four full company numbers, but there’s lots of duets and solos,” Sanzotti said. “There are like more than 25 songs. A lot of them are together, and some of them are even mashups.”
“Side by Side by Sondheim” opens June 20, and has shows through June 28.
Larry Stock is the director, and Toni Schlemmer is the musical director.
According to Sanzotti, the show is more of a concert than a full-blown musical, because the singers don’t play characters and they don’t do much acting. The narrator will introduce some of the songs, and the singers — two men and four women — will perform the songs as they are written.
“There’s a minimal set, so it’s perfect for us to have at the building,” Sanzotti said. “There’s not outright dancing, but I would say there’s musical movement.”
Sanzotti also said that even people who are not familiar with Sondheim’s songs likely could enjoy the show, because his songs are often playful and feature fun lyrics. She said his lyrics are her favorite aspects.
“It’s fast, clever witty lyrics that are so hard rhythmically, but if you think of it as saying a phrase, it makes it so much easier,” Sanzotti said. “That’s my favorite thing, is the cleverness. He wrote lyrics with a thesaurus on the piano.”
“Side by Side by Sondheim” shows at 7:30 p.m. June 21, 22, 27 and 28, and at 3 p.m. June 22, at the MTG William A. Lenherd Performance Hall and Production Center in Butler Memorial Park. For tickets and more information, visit www.mtgbutler.org.
