Side by Side by Sondheim
This revue celebrates the wit and genius of musical theatre's most influential artist.
Show Essentials
4
Roles
PG13
Rated
2
Acts

Full Synopsis

Side by Side by Sondheim is a collection of Stephen Sondheim songs, some he has written by himself and some for which he has written the lyrics and collaborated with other composers. The numbers are a mix of well known favorites from Sondheim's work as well as some more obscure pieces, or songs that didn't make it into famous shows. A Narrator guides the evening, interjecting interesting stories between the numbers. Some of the stories focus on Sondheim's life and career, while others relate to the shows from which the songs come or set up the moment before the song. In some cases, certain songs can be substituted with other songs from the Sondheim catalogue if that substitution is appropriate for the singers. These moments of substitution are noted in the script, and which song should be substituted is also noted.

The show is described by the Narrator as more of a "show than a play." It has very little plot and it was born from three British performers in the 1970s who hoped to introduce Sondheim's work to the English. The order of the songs is as follows:

"Comedy Tonight"
"Love Is in the Air"
"Comedy Tonight" (Original Version)
"If Momma Was Married"
"You Must Meet My Wife"
"The Little Things"
"Getting Married Today"
"I Remember"
"Can That Boy Foxtrot"
"Company"
"Another Hundred People"
"Barcelona"
"Marry Me a Little"
"I Never Do Anything Twice"
"Beautiful Girls"
"Ah Paree!"
"Buddy's Blues"
"Broadway Baby"
"You Could Drive a Person Crazy"
"Everybody Says Don't"
"Anyone Can Whistle"
"Send in the Clowns"
"We're Gonna Be Alright"
"A Boy Like That"
"The Boy From…"
"Pretty Lady"
"You Gotta Get a Gimmick"
"Losing My Mind"
"Could I Leave You?"
"I'm Still Here"
"Conversation Piece" (Medley)
"Side by Side by Side"

Casting
← Back to Side by Side by Sondheim
Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: None

Character Breakdown

Narrator
Our show's guide through the life and music of composer & lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Informative and full of facts, but quick to crack a joke.
Gender: male
Vocal range top: D4
Vocal range bottom: C3
Man
Featured musical numbers include "I Remember," "Marry Me a Little," "Beautiful Girls," "Buddy's Blues," "Anyone Can Whistle," and "Could I Leave You?"
Gender: male
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G2
Woman 1
Featured musical numbers include "Getting Married Today," "I Never Do Anything Twice, " "Au Paris," "Send in the Clowns," "A Boy Like That," "The Boy From& ," and "I'm Still Here."
Gender: female
Vocal range top: F5
Vocal range bottom: D3
Woman 2
Featured musical numbers include "Another Hundred People," "Broadway Baby," "I Have a Love," and "Losing My Mind."
Gender: female
Vocal range top: C6
Vocal range bottom: E3
Full Song List
Side By Side By Sondheim: Comedy Tonight/Love is in the Air
Side By Side By Sondheim: If Momma Was Married
Side By Side By Sondheim: You Must Meet My Wife
Side By Side By Sondheim: The Little Things You Do Together
Side By Side By Sondheim: Getting Married Today
Side By Side By Sondheim: I Remember
Side By Side By Sondheim: Can That Boy Foxtrot!
Side By Side By Sondheim: Company/Another Hundred People
Side By Side By Sondheim: Barcelona
Side By Side By Sondheim: I Never Do Anything Twice
Side By Side By Sondheim: Beautiful Girls/Ah, Paree!/Budy's Blues
Side By Side By Sondheim: Broadway Baby
Side By Side By Sondheim: You Could Drive a Person Crazy
Side By Side By Sondheim: Everybody Says Don't
Side By Side By Sondheim: Anyone Can Whistle
Side By Side By Sondheim: Send in the Clowns
Side By Side By Sondheim: We're Gonna Be All Right
Side By Side By Sondheim: A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love
Side By Side By Sondheim: The Boy From&
Side By Side By Sondheim: Pretty Lady
Side By Side By Sondheim: Losing My Mind
Side By Side By Sondheim: Could I Leave You?
Side By Side By Sondheim: I'm Still Here
Side By Side By Sondheim: Side By Side By Side

Show History

Inspiration


Side by Side by Sondheim is a musical revue featuring the songs of Stephen Sondheim. Its title is derived from the song, "Side by Side by Side," from Company.

The musical had its origins when David Kernan was asked by Cleo Laine and her husband, John Dankworth, to put together a revue as a benefit for The Stables, a theatre that they owned in Wavendon, England. Kernan contacted director, Ned Sherrin, and suggested that they do a revue of Sondheim material. The producer, Cameron Mackintosh, saw the benefit revue, which featured Millicent Martin, Julia McKenzie, Kernan and Ned Sherrin as the narrator, and agreed to produce it.

Productions

The original Side by Side by Sondheim had its premiere on May 4, 1976, at London's Mermaid Theatre, where it ran for 59 performances.  It subsequently transferred to Wyndham's Theatre and then the Garrick for a grand total of 806 performances. Ned Sherrin directed, but Stephen Sondheim also worked with the cast and made many suggestions. 



Hal Prince produced the Broadway version. The production, again directed by Sherrin, opened on April 18, 1977, at the Music Box Theatre and later transferred to the now-demolished Morosco Theatre. Between the two venues, it ran for a total 384 performances and six previews. 



Critical Reaction

"The sparkling sophistication and elegance of Mr. Sondheim's work is brightly presented in this well-thought-out and cleverly executed production."
– The New York Times, 1987

"On the theory that Washington can never get enough of Stephen Sondheim, Signature Theatre has programmed a revue of the composer s songbook at the very same time that the Kennedy Center is rolling out its new revival of Sondheim s Follies.And you know what? That supposition is borne out in large measure by Side by Side by Sondheim."
– The Washington Post, 2011

Drama Desk Award

1977 - Outstanding Actress in a Musical, Nominee (Julie N. McKenzie)
1977 - Unique Theatrical Experience, Nominee ()

Tony® Award

1977 - Actor In A Featured Role (Musical), Nominee (David Kernan)
1977 - Actor In A Featured Role (Musical), Nominee (Ned Sherrin)
1977 - Actress In A Featured Role (Musical), Nominee (Julie N. McKenzie)
1977 - Actress In A Featured Role (Musical), Nominee (Millicent Martin)
1977 - Broadway Musical, Nominee (Harold Prince (producer), in association with Ruth Mitchell.)

Connect

Billing

Requirements

You must give the authors/creators billing credits, as specified in the Production Contract, in a conspicuous manner on the first page of credits in all programs and on houseboards, displays and in all other advertising announcements of any kind.
Percentages listed indicate required type size in relation to title size.
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
A Musical Entertainment
 
Music and Lyrics by STEPHEN SONDHEIM
 
and music by
Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne
 
Continuity by Ned Sherrin
 
Produced on Broadway by Harold Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell

Video Warning

In accordance with the Performance License, you MUST include the following warning in all programs and in a pre-show announcement:

ANY VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDING OF THIS PRODUCTION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

Included Materials

ItemQuantity Included
ERRATA LIST1
LIBRETTO6
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 11
PIANO CONDUCTOR'S SCORE ACT 21
SONG PACKET1
VOCAL BOOK4

Production Resources

Resource
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON-10/CS
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?
PRODUCTIONPRO-DIGITAL SCRIPT/SCORE
REFERENCE RECORDING
STAGE WRITE APPLICATION

STANDARD ORCHESTRATION

InstrumentationDoubling
PIANO
PIANO 2