Donmar's MERRILY & COMPANY Concerts Head to the West End in Celebration of Sondheim

As BroadwayWorld has previously reported, The Donmar Warehouse will play special tribute to Stephen Sondheim in honor of his 80th birthday this year with a host of special events, including a production of Passion starring Elena Roger and directed by Jamie Lloyd opening September 10,
Michael Grandage and Sam Mendes in conversation about staging Sondheim at the Donmar on September 16, and Stephen Sondheim in conversation about his life and career on October 11. Today, Baz Bamigboye reveals in the UK Daily Mail that concert versions of Company and Merrily We Roll Along presented by the Donmar will play the West End at the Queen's Theatre.  Merrily will play two performances on October 31, with evening and matiness shows. Company will play the same schedule on November 7. The concerts were initially scheduled to be performed at the Donmar's own space, but have been moved to accommodate more patrons.

Bamigboye reveals of the creative teams: "Rob Ashford will direct Merrily and Julian Ovenden, Samantha Spiro and Daniel Evans - the main leads - are returning for the concert shows. Anna Francolini will also be doing it, but other actors aren't confirmed yet.

Jamie Lloyd will direct Company. Adrian Lester, who led the original cast as Bobby, will perform - as will Clive Rowe, Michael Simkins, SopHie Thompson and Ms Francolini. The late Sheila Gish was stunning as the lady who lunched in Company."

To read Bamigboy's full report in the UK Daily Mail, click here.

Stephen Sondheim has said of the Donmar's celebration of his life, "My association with the Donmar Warehouse has been a joy from its inception in 1992 with Assassins through its productions of Company, Merrily We Roll Along, Into the Woods and Pacific Overtures. Our collaborations over the years have been professionally fulfilling and personally gratifying and now I'm honoured and thrilled that they are presenting Passion to help celebrate my 80th birthday. There is no venue, or team of artists, that I would rather have produce the piece."

Stephen Sondheim (b1930) is one of the world's greatest living composer and lyricists. His major works includes Saturday Night, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park With George (Pulitzer Prize), Into the Woods, Assassins and Bounce (re-titled Road Show). Sondheim also wrote the lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy and Do I Hear a Waltz? He is the recipient of multiple awards, including 8 Tony Awards including a Lifetime Achievement Award, 7 Grammys and an Academy Award for Best Song for Dick Tracy, and was elected to The American of Arts and Letters (1983).

For more information on the Donmar's Sondheim at 80 celebration, visit www.donmarwarehouse.com.