July 18: Sondheim's Putting It Together

I'm not going to lie, I love Stephen Sondheim's songs. He is a master in the art of wordplay and unusual melodies. Unfortunately, the general public doesn't seem to share this opinion. For some reason several of his shows have flopped at the box office even though critics can rave and rave about them. The general guess is that these songs make you THINK. You have to pay attention, and as Forbidden Broadway put it, go "Into the Words." He doesn't repeat his lyrics usually, and if he does it's to make some kind of point. (It's very difficult to remember the next verse sometimes if he's started it with the same words then veers off down a new path. And all the more satisfactory when the song goes right!)

In any case, Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre opted to do the "review" (not "revue") of Sondheim's work called "Putting It Together." The lovely and talented Julia McKenzie (who starred as the witch in the London Into the Woods) put this collection of songs together as an update to Side By Side By Sondheim (which also starred Julia McKenzie). In 1992 Cameron Macintosh produced it in Oxford, England, then moved it to New York the following year with Julie Andrews. Five years later Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot ("the artist formerly known as Balke") starred in a Los Angeles production, and a year later took it to Broadway.

Unlike most Sondheim shows, there is no real 'story.' There is a situation - a cocktail party with an older married couple and a younger, well, very hot couple, and another male guest/narrator of sorts. It's an excuse to hear Stephen Sondheim songs slightly out of context, sometimes in new context. For example, "Everybody Oughta Have a Maid" is now sung by an older woman referring to, well, a house boy. It's a nice little switch.

Basically, this week's show explores the songs in Putting It Together, many times from the show's cast recording.

Invocation and Instructions to the Audience - Nathan Lane, Bryn Dowling The Frogs [Original Broadway Cast] P.S. Classics The Invocation isn't performed in the show, but it's fun anyway
Putting It Together - Company Putting It Together Image Entertainment A revised version written specifically for the show. The original song (from Sunday in the Park with George) is about the difficulties of the art world. Barbra Streisand sang another revised version about the recording industry. This version is about stage work and thus is my favorite.
Rich and Happy - Company Putting It Together Image Entertainment From Merrily We Roll Along, sets up the concept of the cocktail party.
Pretty Women - Michael Cerveris, Mark Jacoby Sweeney Todd [2005 Broadway Revival Cast] Disc 2 Nonesuch
Sooner or Later - Karen Ziémba Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall Disc 2 Varese Sarabande From Sondheim's score to the Dick Tracy film
Country House - Diana Rigg, Daniel Massey Follies [Original London Cast] First Night On stage for the "review," makes a lovely counterpoint to the passionate young couple who has supposedly found an empty room upstairs.
Could I Leave You? [Follies] - Alexis Smith Sondheim: A Musical Tribute Disc 2 RCA Victor Again, the older couple in a study in contrasts with the young couple.
There's Always a Women [From Anyone Can Whistle] - Kaye Ballard/Sally Mayes Unsung Sondheim Fynsworth Alley This song is a little out of place, I have to say, but it's nice to hear it. It was cut from Anyone Can Whistle, where the corrupt mayor (Angela Lansbury) and an upstanding citizen (Lee Remick) are acting polite towards each other but thinking the worst things about each other...
Marry Me a Little - Liz Callaway On and off Broadway: The Story Goes On Varese Originally meant for Company, but too worldly for Bobby. So many lovely versions of this song, which became the title tune for another Sondheim trunk show; Liz Callaway's is my favorite.
Getting Married Today - Heather Laws Company (Revival) Nonesuch "The wife remembers her wedding day" "FIRST wedding day..."
Like It Was - Dawn Upshaw I Wish It So Elektra/Asylum From Merrily We Roll Along, this is touchingly sung by the wife to the husband here, then blended into Old Friends.
Old Friends - Stephen Sondheim, Angela Lansbury, Company A Stephen Sondheim Evening RCA