David Schmittou, Becca Ayers & More Set for Riverside Theatre's SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM, Beginning Tonight

Riverside Theatre's 2014-2015 Season continues with the delightful and enchanting musical, Side By Side By Sodhiem. Featuring the music of legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, Side By Side By Sondheim plays the Waxlax Stage from tonight, March 10th through March 22nd and is sponsored by Dick & Rosemary Haverland, John & Marilyn McConnell, Ray & Sonia McGowan, and Bobbie Olsen along with Riverside Theatre's Patron Producers.

Stephen Sondheim has been the leading composer of musical theater for the past fifty years. His work is timeless. From the streets of ancient Rome, through 19th century Japan and turn-of-the-century Sweden, to the high-rise apartments of 1970 Manhattan, his songs represent a definitive time and place, and yet move beyond their particular settings to speak to us all. Now, with this award-winning revue of his earlier work, some of the most lush, unforgettable songs from this musical theater master are presented in one magical evening. Highlighting music from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Anyone Can Whistle and Pacific Overtures, the musical also features Sondheim's collaborations with theatre giants Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers.

The origins of this show are fairly simple. Cleo Lane and her husband John Dankworth contacted actor friend David Kernan to put together a benefit concert for a theatre they owned, The Stables Theatre, in Wavendon, England. Kernan, who was performing in A Little Night Music at the time in London, thought the benefit should be a tribute to Stephen Sondheim. When Kernan and director Ned Sherrin contacted Sondheim for permission to use his material, they received a telegram saying, "By all means try, but I can't think of anything more boring."

That little benefit eventually turned into a three year run in London and a Broadway production that ran for almost a year. Since the show was created in 1975, the revue contains music from Sondheim's earlier works. Songs include: "Comedy Tonight," "If Momma Was Married," "Getting Married Today," "Company," "Everybody Says Don't," "Send in the Clowns," "I'm Still Here," "Side By Side By Side," and many more.

Riverside Theatre's production of Side By Side By Sondheim is directed by DJ Salisbury and stars David Schmittou, Becca Ayers, Kelly McCormick and Will Ray.

The crew includes: Mark Fifer (Music Director), Allen D. Cornell (Scenic Designer), Emily Baldwin (Costume Designer), Rebecca Montero (Lighting Designer), Craig Beyrooti (Sound Designer), and Melissa A. Nathan (Stage Manager).

Side By Side By Sondheim performs tonight, March 10-22, 2015 on the Waxlax Stage at Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $50. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 772-231-6990 or online at www.riversidetheatre.com.

Performance Schedule:

March 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21 @ 8pm

March 11 & 14 @ 2:30pm

March 12, 18, 21 & 22 @ 2pm

Side By Side By Sondheim is final production in the Waxlax Stage for the 2014-2015 Season.

The 2014-2015 Season on the Stark Stage concludes with Memphis (Apr. 7 - 26).

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