Wagner College Theatre Main Stage Opens PUTTING IT TOGETHER, 10/3

Wagner College Theatre kicks off the 2012-13 Main Stage season with "Putting It Together," a Stephen Sondheim revue, which opens on Wednesday, Oct. 3 and runs through Sunday, Oct. 14. The show marks the WCT's return to its home stage in the newly renovated Main Hall after a year away at Snug Harbor.

            "Putting It Together," a compilation of songs by the great theatrical composer, Stephen Sondheim, is helmed by guest director Drew Scott Harris and WCT music director Lauri Young, who will provide the lone accompaniment on a grand piano.

            This revue of Sondheim's later work originally opened in the U.K. in 1992 starring Julie Andrews, and then on Broadway in 1999 featuring Carol Burnett. With a few changes approved by the maestro himself, Harris says that Wagner's production will be a unique theatrical experiencE. Harris plans to "open it up visually and more dramatically, to make this show more visually stimulating and interesting, while leaving musical values classic and old-fashioned, with nothing but excellent singing."

            For Harris, this is the first time directing Sondheim's work, and he credits the cast and crew for meeting the challenge of "the extremely difficult harmonies. But we have excellent and dedicated students who will make it happen. More time has been devoted on music to this show than on any other I have worked on in the past. There is a very intellectual language, and the music is very complex."

            The cast of nine includes 2011 Bistro Award Winner and WCT faculty member Amy Williams and seniors Elana Abt, Alex Boniello, Eric Petillo, Michael Garamoni, Robert Haltiwanger and Olivia Puckett, who sing over 30 Sondheim songs.

            "Putting It Together" plays Oct. 3-6 and Oct. 10-14, with showtimes as below:

            Tickets run from $16 to $27. For tickets to this show, or a season subscription, call the box office at 718-390-3259.