FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Sondheimese

This week, in honor of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, we are taking a look at one of his most thoughtful and thought-provoking musicals, the Sondheim/John Weidman collaboration directed by Hal Prince, 1976's PACIFIC OVERTURES...

Containing Stephen Sondheim's favorite song of his entire oeuvre - the seven-minute mini-masterpiece "Someone In A Tree" - the 1976 Kubuki-style musical PACIFIC OVERTURES is one of the finest examples of the possibilities of musical theatre pushed to their furthest extremes and what brilliance can result with the right ringmasters. This show combines so many theatre conventions, from Broadway to Tokyo and beyond. The original Hal Prince production was recorded for Japanese television and is available for viewing on YouTube.

What could be better than a chance to experience an original Stephen Sondheim masterpiece, one with sets by the legendary and genius Boris Aronson and time-twistingly tantalizing text from John Weidman? It is rare to encounter a score so unique and unlike anything you have probably heard or seen before, utilizing the ancient traditions of Kabuki theatre in telling the tale of the Westernization of Japan by Commodore Perry hundreds of years ago, and also bringing the story to the present day - or, more to the point, present day 1976. Modern productions, such as the recent Broadway revival, have added somewhat unnecessary accents to the Finale of the show, but, as not to as spoil the surprise for those that have not heard the revival recording, I can't help but feel it is a bit of a bomb.

Watching with the encouragement of the respectful and, in some cases, rapturous reviews for the newest Sondheim show - SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM - it is particularly enlightening to look back to one of his most innovative and intellectual shows to see the contrast to the more wistful and audience-friendly one exhibited there. PACIFIC OVERTURES is affronting and absorbing, one of a three part thematic trilogy of politically-themed musicals ostensibly on America written with John Weidman that also includes 1990's ASSASSINS and last year's ROAD SHOW. PACIFIC OVERTURES is a show - and a score - to embrace and then explore and, after that, to truly adore - though you have to work for the rewards. Enjoy!

NOTE: There will be a special installment of FLASHBACK FRIDAY next Wednesday - thus Remember When? Wednesday - featuring Sondheim and Weidman in conversation with Hal Prince deconstructing and entire process of creating the "Someone In A Tree" sequence, which is also viewable in its entirety in this exciting video with the original sets and costumes, though - all things considered - it is equally entertaining to watch Sondheim sing it at the piano with members of the original cast as he does in the Anatomy of a Song presentation. Stay tuned!

That's all for this week, and remember if you would like to see a particularly fun, hilarious, bizarre or just all-around excellent performance from the past highlighted here be sure to send us a link! Until next time...