Lapine Talks Early Career, SONDHEIM ON SONDHEIM

The Princeton Packet features an article a look back with Sondheim On Sondheim conceiver and director James Lapine.

Lapine reflects on his first collaboration with Stephen Sondheim, Sunday In The Park With George. On the disasterous first preview, Lapine shares, "You could literally have been stampeded as people were walking out of this thing." Mr. Lapine adds, "I remember going home that night thinking I was going to have a heart attack, and hoping I was going to have a heart attack so I could get out of facing our producers."

The piece also provides some insight into the post-Broadway plans for Sondheim On Sondheim. After the show ends its limited Broadway run on June 27, Mr. Lapine plans to license a DVD of the original Sondheim footage so that it can be used in future regional and student productions. "The beauty of the show is that you can do it with eight people or with 80,” Mr. Lapine said. “The idea for 'Sondheim' was less about Broadway than about getting it out into the world, so that 10 years from now, 20 years from now, when Steve’s not here, we’ll get a chance to hear from him."

To read the entire article, click here.

Sondheim on Sondheim stars Barbara Cook, Vanessa Williams, Tom Wopat, Leslie Kritzer, Norm Lewis, Euan Morton, Erin Mackey & Matthew Scott, with music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and the production is conceived & directed by James Lapine.

Sondheim on Sondheim opened officially on April 22nd, 2010 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). This limited engagement has been extended through Sunday, June 27th, 2010.

He brought us Into The Woods, Company, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, West Side Story and Gypsy (to name a few). By writing songs that reflect the complexity of his characters, he has changed the way we define a great musical. But even though millions of fans know his songs by heart, few know much about Stephen Sondheim himself. Until now. Roundabout presents Sondheim On Sondheim, an intimate portrait of the famed composer in his own words... and music. Through the use of exclusive interview footage, you'll get an inside look at Sondheim's personal life and artistic process. An ensemble cast of Broadway's best will perform brand-new arrangements of over two dozen Sondheim tunes, ranging from the beloved to the obscure. Directed by frequent Sondheim collaborator James Lapine, this unique experience will take you inside the life and mind of an ordinary New Yorker... with an extraordinary talent.

Sondheim on Sondheim has been nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical Revue, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical and the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Musical.

Sondheim on Sondheim creative team includes David Loud (Music Direction & Arrangements) and Dan Knechtges (Musical Staging). The design team includes Beowulf Boritt (Sets), Susan Hilferty (Costumes), Ken Billington (Lights), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound) and Peter Flaherty (Projection & Video).

Major support provided by The Shen Family Foundation, Perry and Marty Granoff, Tom and Diane Tuft, and First Service Williams.

Tickets are available by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Studio 54 Box Office (254 West 54th Street). To become a Roundabout subscriber visit www.roundabouttheatre.org or call Roundabout Ticket Services (212)719-1300. Ticket prices range from $36.50-$126.50.

Sondheim on Sondheim plays Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00PM with a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinee at 2:00PM.