Resonance Works Presents a Celebration of Stephen Sondheim
By: Rebecca Russo Feb. 24, 2017
RESONANCE WORKS presents Side by Side by Sondheim on Saturday March 4 at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday March 5 at 3:00 p.m. in Levy Hall at Rodef Shalom congregation in Shadyside. The evening is a celebration of the wit and genius of musical theater's most influential artist of the last half-century - Stephen Sondheim. This Tony-nominated revue features music from his early work including selections from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Anyone Can Whistle and Pacific Overtures, plus his collaborations with musical legends Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers.
Resonance Works has assembled a team of new and returning artists from Pittsburgh and beyond for these performances. Mezzo-soprano Hilerie Klein Rensi and baritone Christopher Scott are back with Resonance Works after last season's moving performance of Ned Rorem's Evidence of Things not Seen. New York-based soprano Rebecca Shorstein, celebrated for her larger than life roles in Elixir of Love, Cinderella, and Bach's Coffee Cantata, returns along with baritone Daniel Teadt, who portrays King Melchior in Resonance Works' annual performances of Amahl & the Night Visitors, and stage director Craig Joseph (Trouble in Tahiti). Making her Resonance Works debut is Carnegie Mellon alumna Gillian Hassert, fresh off a successful run in the national tour of Fame. Pittsburgh favorite and WQED-FM host Anna Singer (Cinderella, Bon Appétit!) narrates, and may have a musical surprise of her own! Accompanying this evening of scintillating Sondheim are pianists Sara Chiesa (Arizona Opera, Opera Saratoga, New Opera Singapore) and musical renaissance man Robert Frankenberry.
"Sondheim's brilliant music has long been beloved by opera and musical theater performers alike. His songs and productions are pieces of remarkable workmanship - crossing different styles of music and theater, and taking on issues of contemporary life with his brilliant wordplay. Marriage, relationships, madness, nostalgia, injustice, revenge, and the human condition are explored in meaningful ways" says Artistic Director Maria Sensi Sellner. "This revue also presents a number of lesser-known but marvelous songs that you will be glad to know, from shows like The Mad Show and The Seven-percent Solution."
Tickets for Side by Side by Sondheim begin at $20 and can be purchased online at www.resworks.org/tickets/. Special rates are available for senior citizens, students, and priority seating. A $5 discount applies for advance sales online. Group rates are available; contact sales@resworks.org.
All performances are at Rodef Shalom congregation (4905 Fifth Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213)
Side by Side by Sondheim
Saturday March 4, 2017 @ 8:00 pm
Sunday March 5, 2017 @ 3:00 pm
Levy Hall @ Rodef Shalom congregation
4905 Fifth Ave, Shadyside
Hilerie Klein Rensi
Rebecca Shorstein
Daniel Teadt
Narrated by Anna Singer
Sara Chiesa & Robert Frankenberry, piano
Craig Joseph, stage director
Maria Sensi Sellner, music director
About Resonance Works | Pittsburgh
Resonance Works is an artist-driven, multi-modal performing arts company dedicated to exploring the confluence of artist, audience, music, and space. Artist-driven programming sets Resonance Works apart. Seasons are created to showcase outstanding professional artists from Pittsburgh and beyond, performing in a variety of venues in Pittsburgh. In three years, the company has quickly become an important part of the professional arts ecosystem in Pittsburgh, and is committed to maintaining a rich and vibrant community of professional musicians in the region. Resonance Works' multi-modal approach takes the form of a variety of musical performances that include opera, chamber music, orchestral music, and choral music, often with interwoven elements of dance, visual media, and spoken word. Venues are chosen to enhance performances and offer a more intimate and musical experience for the audience.
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