Putting it together
With so much chaos, strife, and turmoil all around us (both in
the real world and on stage where it's dramatized), South Coast
Repertory's outstanding production of "Putting It Together" is a
treasure. Beautiful to the eye and delightful to the ear, it lifts
the heart and informs the soul.
Created from songs that were taken from six of Stephen Sondheim's
former Tony Award-winning shows, this work was "put together" by a
team of musical titans headed by Sondheim himself.
Neither a review or dramatic musical, it comes across like an
insightful narrative that revolves around five characters: a
glamorous married couple who have become rich, famous and jaded; a
young single couple with unfulfilled dreams and desires; and a detached
young man who serves as a clever observer.
Everything takes place at a cocktail party in an elegant New
York penthouse. Thomas Buderwitz' stunning set will knock your eyes
out, enhanced by Steven Young's dazzling light design and Soojin Lee's
smashing costumes.
As for talent: Under Nick DeGruccio's superb direction, with
Dennis Castellano conducting from the keyboard, a first-rate cast puts
Sondheim's lyrics across with the class, style, sophistication and
flair they demand.
None of the characters are named. Beginning with Matt McGrath's
hilarious "Introduction and Instructions to the Audience" from
Sondheim's earliest work, "The Frogs," the audience is next treated
to the title song, "Putting It Together" from "Sunday in the Park with
George."
Sitting in the dark like privileged voyeurs, we watch Harry
Groener and Mary Gordon Murray portray the beautiful couple who own
the penthouse. After they tell us how "Rich and Happy" they are, from
"Merrily We Roll Along," Dan Callaway enters as their handsome guest,
a confirmed bachelor.
As might be expected, Dan is immediately attracted to Niki
Scalera, the sexy/flirty/girly bar-maid who is scurrying around
serving cocktails. When she performs "Lovely, I'm so Lovely" from
"A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," the other four agree
that "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid." A few martinis later, Niki ceases
to be a servant and becomes a guest herself.
When more and more liquor is consumed, the light-hearted party
atmosphere becomes dark, and repressed feelings surface. Sondheim
aficionados will recognize "Hello Little Girl" from "Into the Woods";
"Every Day a Little Death" and "Now" from "A Little Night Music";
"Pretty Women" from "Sweeney Todd"; and "Could I Leave You?" from
"Follies."
All together there are 30 fabulous songs. Whether you're
familiar with them or not the pastiche works; they flow seamlessly
together and their delivery is flawless.
In Act II the cast performs a haunting waltz series from "A
Little Night Music" that includes "Love Takes Time" and "The Sun
Won't Set." Prompted by more liquor and provocative party games,
raw feelings verge out of control.
"The Gun Song" from "Assassins," followed by "The Miller's Son"
and "Sorry Grateful" bring the evening to a climax. Then Matt's "I
Could Drive a Person Crazy" and Mary's "Not Getting Married Today"
pull it back with comic relief.
At the finish, the wisdom of "Being Alive" with "Old Friends" who
behave "Like It Was" lifts everyone's spirit. The audience leaves
with high hopes as they head merrily home. Take a hint, this SCR
production is a five-star event that shouldn't be missed. For
ticket information, call (714) 708-5555 or go on line at
www.scr.org