Anyone who loves Stephen Sondheim as much as I do can make a list of his several musicals.
The revues of Sondheim’s work have been a mix of concerts that had runs on Broadway, and new shows that included previously cut music put together around a new plot, such as “Marry Me a Little.” The concerts drew all-star casts and were released on DVD. Most recently, there have been celebration concerts for Sondheim’s 80th and 90th birthdays. The 90th birthday was in 2020 and aired over YouTube with segments from many stars. I was lucky enough to watch it live as it aired.
The new musical “Sondheim’s Old Friends” was a big hit when it opened on the West End in 2022. Originally meant to be a gala of a single night, it became a full show and opened on Broadway on April 8th, 2025. “Sondheim’s Old Friends” is a revue of songs from a variety of Sondheim’s other shows, capitalizing on the successes of “Side by Side by Sondheim” and “Putting It Together”. It combines tunes from many of Sondheim’s works, though the title comes from a song in “Merrily We Roll Along.”
As with any gala of Sondheim music, it would not be complete without the woman often called one of the foremost interpreters of Stephen Sondheim’s work, Bernadette Peters. She has performed in all three major performances of “Old Friends” and is well known for her many roles in his works, including originating the Witch in “Into the Woods” and Dot in “Sunday in the Park with George.” Peters has also performed many roles in revivals and as a replacement for original casts. It is with this experience and her friendship with Stephen Sondheim that the productions of “Sondheim’s Old Friends” can happen. The show starts with a speech by Peters where she tells the story of her relationship with Sondheim and how his music is timeless, being able to be taken out of the context of the shows the music was originally from.
As with each revue of Sondheim’s work, “Sondheim’s Old Friends” included a star-studded cast which includes Lea Salonga, Bonnie Langford, Gavin Lee, and more. Each brought their unique interpretations to the songs they performed.
Even though the show did not open until after his death, Stephen Sondheim was involved in the original plans for the gala. One could say that it is a very fitting goodbye as “Sondheim’s Old Friends” introduces his music to a new generation.
Kathryn McElfresh
Staff Reporter
