I used to hate musical reviews. When I was much younger, I looked at them as if they were merely strings of variety show numbers kind of jumbled together. I was disappointed that there wasn’t a narrative story to follow. What I failed to realize is that when a song is well-written, there is usually a compelling story or even just a tidbit of information that relays what seem to be vast quantities of plot, character, intention and relationship. In that sense, musical reviews tell many stories, not just the handful that are told in a typical musical. You just need performers that know how to tell a good story, and the ability and vision to weave theses stories together in a way that makes some sort of sense.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley took on the herculean task of paying tribute to the legendary Stephen Sondheim with “Being Alive: A Sondheim Celebration.” I call it herculean because how do you honor a man not only as prolific as Sondheim, but who also played a huge part in revolutionizing the musical theatre art form, and do all of it justice in under two days, let alone under two hours? There will always be instances of “they didn’t do ________” or “they forgot _______” with a writer like Sondheim. I think the trick needed for a satisfying result is to to perform the chosen songs extremely well. This Sondehim celebration delivers.
The setting is simple: we’re at a runthrough of a musical review. As the audience enters, we see technicians onstage making final adjustments, performers arriving and warming up, a pianist leafing through a score while settling in at the keyboard and the general hubbub that happens while getting ready for a rehearsal or performance. It’s a clever device, and it works well. The runthrough then begins with a song from Sondheim’s “Sunday In The Park with George” and another Sondheim review, “Putting It Together.” As we move along, the cast talks about Sondheim’s songs focusing on the biggies: Love and relationships. Rarely are their stories that don’t include these essentials to human life.
All performers were very good, but the women shine brightest in this six person cast. Solona Husband has a strong, sassy, and playful energy as Sally. Melissa WolfKlain, who I remember fondly from TheatreWorks’ fantastic production of “|Ragtime” a couple of years ago, is lovely as Helen. And as Lena, Anne Tolpegin is simply wonderful. Nick Nakashima beautifully layered as Gene. He’s got a look that says “character roles,” but is clearly capable of more than just a comic turn. As Ben, understudy Adam Griffith took over for the ill Noel Anthony. Mr. Griffith was up for it, and performed like the word “understudy” had been removed from the dictionary. Sleiman Alahmadeih is very good as George.
Director Robert Kelley and musical director William Liberatore conceived the piece, and the concept, direction, and musical direction are put together nicely. Wilson Chin’s backstage set design is wonderful, and costumes, as well as…costumes (we’re seeing a show within the show) designed by Fumiko Bielefeldt work well. Pamila Z. Gray’s lighting design was effective, and the sound design by Cliff Caruthers was well-balanced.
So go check out “Being Alive: A Sondheim Celebration” at Theateworks Silicon Valley. If you don’t know who Sondheim was (and if so, where have you been?), you’ll turn into a fan. And if you like Sondheim, you’ll know that Theateworks did his work justice.
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Rating: **** (For an explanation of Theatrestorm’s rating scale, click here.)
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