Sondheim on Sondheim is a beautifully done retrospective with Stephen Sondheim himself (on film) narrating, describing his adventures in the world of musical theater as he created some of the most memorable shows on Broadway. It's a fine piece of theatrical history in a concept that succeeds beyond what you might expect performed by a cast of good singers, including the gorgeous Vanessa Williams whose voice is warm and rich, the very solid Tom Wopat, and the wondrous Barbara Cook.
Onto the stage comes an overweight white-haired old woman who walks with difficulty. Cook sings, and if you close your eyes you hear the voice of a beautiful young girl. She's amazing. The other five cast members, including a standout Norm Lewis, are strong singer/actors, and we get not only the familiar songs, but some that were cut from shows and never appeared until now.
Show after show is illuminated by imaginative direction by James Lapine, who conceived the show, innovative magical set by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Susan Hilferty and lighting by Ken Billington. There is a great film pastiche of "Send in the Clowns, terrific staging of a multi-character love story, and Cook's killer rendition of "....Clowns" near the end. Experiencing the evening with Sondheim, his open communication of the personal as well as the professional -- his work, his life -- the experience is unique, informative, totally entertaining, and not to be missed.
