Photo Flash: Sneak Peek - City Center's Sondheim Celebration
By: Jessica Lewis Apr. 28, 2010
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Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, led the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration on April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals. As a group, the gala's performers have appeared in more than 75 Sondheim shows. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, highlighted numbers from shows for which Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and featured a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Sondheim.
BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the evening below. Stay tuned for complete coverage coming soon!
The birthday celebration cast included Len Cariou, Michael Cerveris, Claybourne Elder, Raúl Esparza, Sutton Foster, Alexander Gemignani, Joanna Gleason, Alexander Hanson, Mark Jacoby, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, Debra Monk, Donna Murphy, Michele Pawk, Jim Walton, B.D. Wong, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Chip Zien, among others.
The gala began at 6:00 pm, followed by the show at 7:00 pm and a post-performance dinner at The Plaza Hotel. Gala co-chairs were JoAnne Woodward, Bobbie and Lew Frankfort, Perry and Marty Granoff, Stacey and Eric Mindich, and Mary Jo and Ted Shen.
Stephen Sondheim celebrated his 80th birthday on March 22, 2010. Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Road Show (2003), Passion (1994), Assassins (1991), Into the Woods (1987), Sunday in the Park With George (1984), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sweeney Todd (1979), Pacific Overtures (1976), The Frogs (1974), A Little Night Music (1973), Follies (1971), Company (1970), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), as well as lyrics for Gypsy (1959), West Side Story (1957), Do I Hear A Waltz? (1965), and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). He has won Tony Awards for Best Score for a Musical for Passion, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Follies and Company. Sunday in the Park With George received the 1985 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
For more information on the New York City Center, visit www.NYCityCenter.org.
Photo Credit: Al Pereira
Stephen Sondheim and Cast Members
Gail Maidman, Richard Maidman and City Center CEO and President, Arlene Shuler
Stephen Sondheim Takes a Bow
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