Following Workshop at the Public Theater, Details About Stephen Sondheim's New Musical Emerge

This week, Michael Riedel in The New York Post reported on a recent workshop of the upcoming new musical from legendary musical theatre composer, Stephen Sondheim.

It is said that the new musical, Sondheim's first in almost a decade, fuses two films, 1972's "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" and 1962's "The Exterminating Angel".

"Bunuel", the show's working title, is derived from the name of director Luis Bunuel who helmed the surrealist films upon which the show is based. The action of the play is said to center on boozy, glamorous socialites who gather for frequent dinner parties and who are as cutting as they are depressed.

A workshop of the show's first act took place at The Public Theater last week. Artistic Director, Oskar Eustis assembled an all-star cast including Norm Lewis, Sierra Boggess, Schuler Hensley, Marc Kudisch, and Nancy Opel to read through the musical for the first time. Those in attendance at the top-secret reading report that the show, as it stands, is in fine form and possesses a nonlinear narrative, penned by playwright David Ives, and a "gorgeous score" by the legendary composer.

There is no director currently attached to the project, though it is reported that Joe Mantello, director of last season's winner of the Tony Award for Best Play, "The Humans", was in attendance at the reading. Mantello famously directed the lauded 2004 revival of another Sondheim classic, "Assassins."

Read the full story at The New York Post.