Site last updated: Thursday, June 19, 2025

Log In

Reset Password
MENU
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Butler’s Musical Theatre Guild offers Sondheim served ‘Side by Side’

The Butler Musical Theatre Guild’s latest production, “Side by Side by Sondheim,” now playing at the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall in Memorial Park, is not a typical musical. There’s no plot, no protagonist and no resolution.

Instead, MTG’s talented performers and crew have staged a lively revue of some of Stephen Sondheim’s most memorable — and sometimes obscure — songs, strung together with wit, warmth and sharp musicality. Whether you’re there for the clever lyrics, the melodic complexity or just to hear some beautifully performed songs in an intimate venue, “Side by Side” offers a gratifying evening of musical storytelling.

Director Larry Stock brings decades of professional experience to this staging. His direction ensures the show moves at a brisk pace, with smooth transitions and dynamic energy that never lags.

The production runs like clockwork, thanks in part to stage manager Becky Plymale, whose behind-the-scenes coordination keeps entrances, exits and scene changes seamless. The minimalist set, with a Mondrian-style backdrop and simple risers, keeps the focus squarely on the performers and Sondheim’s intricate lyrics.

Jerry Johnston serves as the narrator, anchoring the show with his sonorous voice. His quips, song introductions and bits of backstory provide welcome context, especially for more esoteric selections like “Can That Boy Foxtrot,” from “Follies,” and “I Remember,” from the little-seen 1966 TV special “Evening Primrose.” Johnston’s delivery makes the show feel less like a formal performance and more like an intimate evening of storytelling.

The show opens with “Comedy Tonight” from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” immediately establishing the revue’s tone — playful, clever and slightly naughty. It segues into “Love Is In the Air,” with the ensemble showing off their cohesive vocal blend before breaking into duets and solos.

Standout performances abound. Delaney Ray and Hannah Bossinger sparkle in “If Mama Was Married,” from “Gypsy,” showcasing the clarity of their vocals and their comedic timing. Ray returns later in “The Boy From,” a sly, featherlight parody of “The Girl from Ipanema,” delivered with perfect deadpan. Ray’s expressive face consistently elevates her numbers.

Bossinger also shines in the frantic patter song “Getting Married Today,” her comedic instincts matched by vocal control as she plays a bride barreling toward a panic attack. She also pairs with Rodney Boyers in “Barcelona,” capturing the scene’s emotional ambiguity with haunting subtlety. Boyers, meanwhile, brings a tender, emotive presence to “I Remember,” his voice filling the intimate space with understated longing.

Brad Townsend and Davlin Smith bring vocal dexterity and genuine chemistry to “You Must Meet My Wife,” a highlight from “A Little Night Music.” Smith's soprano is lovely throughout the show, especially in “A Boy Like That,” where she and Bossinger match each other’s passion and precision.

Townsend’s rendition of “Anyone Can Whistle,” from Sondheim’s infamous flop of the same name, is a pleasant surprise. The song’s soaring, contemplative tones suit his voice well, and it’s presented without irony, just vulnerability and hope.

Comedy is well-served too. The raunchy “You Gotta Get a Gimmick,” with Marykay Vallo’s hilariously off-key trumpet, brings belly laughs, while “You Could Drive a Person Crazy,” a trio sung in Andrews Sisters-style harmony by Ray, Bossinger and Vallo, is a jazzy delight.

Musical direction by Toni Schlemmer keeps things crisp, with Lynne Spatafora and Jessica Sanzotti on piano. The live accompaniment adds warmth and immediacy to every number, enhancing both the humor and heartbreak that Sondheim weaves into his lyrics.

The show’s only minor stumble may come from some of its deep cuts. Numbers like “We’re Gonna Be All Right,” with its outdated jabs at domestic violence, can feel a bit out of sync with modern sensibilities. Still, these are artifacts of their time and add texture to Sondheim’s evolving career. More important, the cast handles them with finesse, never allowing creaky lyrics to overshadow the music itself.

In the end, “Side by Side by Sondheim” is less a traditional theater piece and more a curated celebration of one of Broadway’s greatest voices. Its mix of crowd-pleasers and rarities makes it ideal for die-hard Sondheim aficionados, but the sheer talent on stage and the timeless brilliance of the music mean that even newcomers to musical theater will find plenty to enjoy.

“Side by Side by Sondheim” runs two hours and 15 minutes with an intermission. It shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and June 27 and 28; and at 3 p.m. Sunday at the William A. Lehnerd Performance Hall in Butler Memorial Park. Tickets are available online at www.mtgbutler.org.

More in Weekend Entertainment

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS