Syracuse Stage announces Sondheim’s ‘Putting It Together’ to replace ‘Souvenir’ in 2008-09 season

Syracuse Stage announces Sondheim’s ‘Putting It Together’ to replace ‘Souvenir’ in 2008-09 seasonSeptember 08, 2008Patrick Finlonstagepr@syr.edu

This winter, Syracuse Stage will celebrate one of the giants of the American theater, composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim’s “Putting It Together” will run Jan. 27-Feb. 15, 2009. The show replaces Stephen Temperley’s “Souvenir” in the 2008-09 lineup.

Rajendra Ramoon Maharaj, associate artistic director, will direct “Putting It Together.” Maharaj is also directing “Godspell” this season.

“After discussions with the playwright, it was decided not to present ‘Souvenir,'” says Timothy Bond, producing artistic director. “Fortunately, we have come up with an excellent addition in ‘Putting It Together.’ It will be an absolute treat to have all of Sondheim’s greatest songs together in one evening, directed by someone with a huge appetite for Sondheim’s brilliant music and storytelling.”

Conceived by Sondheim and Julia McKenzie as a musical review, “Putting It Together” showcases 30 of Sondheim’s most beloved songs from musicals such as “Sunday in the Park with George,” “Assassins,” “Company,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “A Little Night Music” and “Sweeney Todd,” among others. A swanky Manhattan cocktail party provides the setting for a cast of five who use Sondheim’s exquisite songs to examine the ups and downs of two relationships.

Originally produced in 1992 in Oxford, England, the show had its American premiere in 1993 at Off-Broadway’s Manhattan Theatre Club, with Julie Andrews leading the cast. A Broadway production in 1999 featured Carol Burnett, George Hearn and Bronson Pinchot. For his part, Hearn received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor.

Sondheim, one of the most influential and accomplished composer-lyricists in Broadway history, is the recipient of an Academy Award, multiple Tony Awards (seven, more than any other composer), a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Frank Rich of The New York Times described Sondheim as “the greatest and perhaps best-known artist in the American musical theater.” Famously mentored by Oscar Hammerstein II, Sondheim redefined the concept of American musicals and is known for writing complex characters.

For “Putting It Together” ticket information, contact the Syracuse Stage Box Office in person at 820 E. Genesee St., via telephone at (315) 443-3275 or online at http://www.SyracuseStage.org.