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Sondheim! The Birthday Concert is a historic tribute to the Broadway work of Stephen Sondheim that took place in New York's Avery Fisher Hall in March 2010. That's 25 years after a similar all-star concert, Follies in Concert, was held in the same venue, also with Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic, and the song list and parade of stars seems intended to evoke those memories. But rather than re-creating one show, this concert hosted by David Hyde Pierce celebrates three decades of work in honor of the composer's 80th birthday. It starts a bit slowly, with some songs for which Sondheim wrote only the lyrics, but even that offers something "new": an unfamiliar song from Hot Spot (music by Mary Rodgers) called "Don't Laugh," performed by Victoria Clark. From there the concert shifts into high gear with Sondheim's shows from the '70s and '80s. Three songs from Follies are covered by a young generation of talent (Jenn Colella, Matt Cavenaugh, Bobby Steggert, Laura Osnes), by Audra McDonald and opera star Nathan Gunn, and by original cast member John McMartin. That's followed by some thrilling reunions: Joanna Gleason and Chip Zien's "It Takes Two" from Into the Woods, Jim Walton with a song he didn't sing in Merrily We Roll Along ("Growing Up"), Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters with "Finishing the Hat" and "Move On" from Sunday in the Park with George, and Patti LuPone with two different Sweeney Todds--George Hearn and Michael Cerveris. Six "ladies in red" sing solos--LuPone's "The Ladies Who Lunch," Marin Mazzie's "Losing My Mind," McDonald's "The Glamorous Life," Donna Murphy's "Could I Leave You," Peters's "Not a Day Goes By," and Elaine Stritch's "I'm Still Here"--before hundreds of currently working actors flood the theater and sing "Sunday" to emotionally overwhelm the guest of honor. Since none of the shows represented were written later than the '80s (Passion is not represented, though its two female leads are, nor is Assassins), it's safe to say that this combination of songs sung by so many original stars will never be repeated. --David Horiuchi
Product Description
Join us for a rousing celebration of the life and work of one of Broadway�s greatest legends � the one and only Stephen Sondheim. For the master composer and lyricist�s 80th birthday, many of musical theater�s brightest stars gathered to perform more than two dozen sensational numbers from Sondheim�s illustrious career. Many of these enduring songs are rarely heard and several are performed by the original Broadway cast members. David Hyde Pierce hosts this magical event with Stephen Sondheim�s longtime collaborator Paul Gemignani conducting the New York Philharmonic."America" (Dancers, West Side Story) "Something�s Coming" (Alexander Gemingnani, West Side Story) "We�re Gonna Be Alright" (Marin Mazzie, Jason Danieley, Do I Hear a Waltz?) "Don�t Laugh" (Victoria Clark, Hot Spot) "Johanna"(Nathan Gunn, Sweeney Todd) "You�re Gonna Love Tomorrow" and "Love Will See Us Through" (Matt Cavenaugh, Jenn Colella, Laura Osnes, Bobby Steggert, Follies) "Too Many Mornings" (Nathan Gunn, Audra McDonald, Follies) "The Road You Didn�t Take" (John McMartin, Follies) "It Takes Two" (Joanna Gleason, Chip Zien, Into the Woods) "Growing Up" (Jim Walton, Merrily We Roll Along) "Finishing the Hat" (Mandy Patinkin, Sunday in the Park with George) "Move On" (Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Sunday in the Park with George) "Pretty Women" (Michael Cerveris, George Hearn, Sweeney Todd) "A Little Priest" (Michael Cerveris, George Hearn, Patti LuPone, Sweeney Todd) �Theme from �Reds�� with Pas De Deux (NY Philharmonic, Two ABT Dancers Maria and Blaine) "So Many People" (Laura Benanti, Saturday Night) "Beautiful Girls" (David Hyde Pierce) "Ladies Who Lunch" (Patti LuPone, Company) "Losing My Mind" (Marin Mazzie� Follies) "The Glamorous Life" (Audra McDonald, A Little Night Music) "Could I Leave You?" (Donna Murphy, Follies) "Not a Day Goes By" (Bernadette Peters, Merrily We Roll Along) "I�m Still Here" (Elaine Stritch, Follies) "Sunday" (Broadway Chorus, Sunday in the Park with George) "Happy Birthday" (All Cast)
Filmed live, March 15�16, 2010 at Avery Fisher Hall, New York City
Performances Include:
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
86 of 89 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Surprising Selections And Powerhouse Performances Distinguish Yet Another Sondheim Tribute
November 25, 2010
Format:DVD
As a bit of a theater nerd, I believe I have seen every tribute to Stephen Sondheim ever created--and let's be honest, that's too many to count these days! But seriously, what's not to love? And why not? With such a terrific oeuvre, I'm not complaining. Even so, I found "Sondheim: The Birthday Concert" to be especially effective. Most of these retrospectives feature the top echelon of talent--and this is certainly no exception. What was refreshing, however, were the more unusual selections to make it into the concert. There weren't the typical warhorses you might expect (nary a "Clown" in sight). Heck, you know things have gone wonky when one of the featured numbers is a dance to the "Theme to 'Reds'." All in all, then, the surprises are what make this particularly noteworthy.
The absolutely transcendent highlight of the show comes near the end as six actresses square off center stage. But before I get to that, I'll just say that David Hyde Pearce is a nimble host. The earlier moments that stood out for me are the pairings--Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley are a delight, Joanna Gleason and Chip Zien have a charming reunion from "Into the Woods" and Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin slay with a powerful selection from "Sunday in the Park With George." But truly, no one hits a wrong note here--the entire production is spot-on.
But the Diva sing off is beyond words. With Peters, Mazzie, Donna Murphy, Patty LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Elaine Stritch--you think I'm going to say I didn't like it? Not a chance. LuPone is strong, McDonald (one of my all time favorites) is precise, and Stritch belts out her signature number to crowd pleasing perfection (however, it is the third concert this year where I've seen her do it). Peters, always perfection, is quite understated and touching. Donna Murphy almost steals the show with the impassioned "Leave You," a remarkable performance that took me by complete surprise. But without a doubt, it is Marin Mazzie that blew the rafters off at our home. She takes the reliable standard "Losing My Mind" (and who doesn't love that to start with?) and absolutely tore it up with such heartfelt gusto. I truly felt I was hearing the song for the first time--and that's saying a lot. There is charm to spare here, and if you're a fan--you'll absolutely want this beauty for your collection. KGHarris, 11/10.
The absolutely transcendent highlight of the show comes near the end as six actresses square off center stage. But before I get to that, I'll just say that David Hyde Pearce is a nimble host. The earlier moments that stood out for me are the pairings--Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley are a delight, Joanna Gleason and Chip Zien have a charming reunion from "Into the Woods" and Bernadette Peters and Mandy Patinkin slay with a powerful selection from "Sunday in the Park With George." But truly, no one hits a wrong note here--the entire production is spot-on.
But the Diva sing off is beyond words. With Peters, Mazzie, Donna Murphy, Patty LuPone, Audra McDonald, and Elaine Stritch--you think I'm going to say I didn't like it? Not a chance. LuPone is strong, McDonald (one of my all time favorites) is precise, and Stritch belts out her signature number to crowd pleasing perfection (however, it is the third concert this year where I've seen her do it). Peters, always perfection, is quite understated and touching. Donna Murphy almost steals the show with the impassioned "Leave You," a remarkable performance that took me by complete surprise. But without a doubt, it is Marin Mazzie that blew the rafters off at our home. She takes the reliable standard "Losing My Mind" (and who doesn't love that to start with?) and absolutely tore it up with such heartfelt gusto. I truly felt I was hearing the song for the first time--and that's saying a lot. There is charm to spare here, and if you're a fan--you'll absolutely want this beauty for your collection. KGHarris, 11/10.
52 of 63 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I was lucky enough to be there as well and I have to say... buy this without a question. Totally magical, David Hyde Pierce was a marvelous emcee, and the cast was obviously star-studded. Only Stephen Sondheim's birthday could bring these amazing performers together. Worth it just for the overwhelming finale; I don't think there was a dry eye in the audience. Just buy it.
22 of 25 people found the following review helpful
By John Myler
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
if only to see and hear "Losing My Mind" (Marin Mazzie- Follies)SHOW-STOPPER!!! and "The Glamorous Life" (Audra McDonald- A Little Night Music), "Leave You" (Donna Murphy- Follies), "Not a Day Goes By" (Bernadette Peters- Merrily We Roll Along), "I'm Still Here" (Elaine Stritch- Follies).
Living proof that musical-theatre can indeed be ART!
Living proof that musical-theatre can indeed be ART!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautiful
I ordered this for a friend who does not have a computer; it arrived in a timely manner, and the price is good. My friend is very pleased with this purchase... Read more
Published 3 days ago by Susan H. Poole
5.0 out of 5 stars
BEST OF THE BEST
An array of Broadway's best performers and original cast members offer the show-stoppers from the best of Sondheim. Lots of goose bump moments.
Published 12 days ago by Linda DeSantis
5.0 out of 5 stars
Must Have DVD
One of the best concerts of Sondheim's work presented by Class A Broadway performers. Events like these don't come along too often and we should be thankful this one was filmed.
Published 24 days ago by Jaynaynay
3.0 out of 5 stars
Would have enjoyed more if tunes were familiar.
I didn't realize before watching and listening to this that Sondheim songs can't be very popular at least to us seniors. Read more
Published 28 days ago by E. Johnson
3.0 out of 5 stars
Good to pass a couple of hours
If you're a Sondheim fan, you'll enjoy this. Good compilation of music. Basic concert style though...not too many costumes like I'd hoped.
Published 29 days ago by lindascript
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!!
Oh my goodness! The talent displayed by these incredible singers was amazing and special. The song choices were nostalgic. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Y. Kleckley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Dabbling
This is a great sampling of Sondheim's work, sung by all my favorites. A couple numbers also have dancing. There are also two Sweeney Todd's. WIN.
Published 2 months ago by Browncoat
3.0 out of 5 stars
not impressed
I was disappointed with the songs they chose to feature. When they had so many better songs to choose from.
Published 3 months ago by tom rotherham
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Best Sondheim Concert - EVER!!!!
Without a doubt, this is the best concert of Stephen Sondheim music ever done. The Host (the great David Hyde Pierce), the guests and the selections couldn't be more perfect. Read more
Published 3 months ago by John C. Adam
5.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant!! Witty, touching, emotional and totally satisfying
This is a fantastic show!! Lonny Price, who wrote and directed, is obviously a consummate showman. His choice of performers and their material was outstanding and wholly... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Nancy Greco
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