Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends Tickets

A live casting recording of Stephen Sondheim tribute concert Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends has been announced. The news came from the official social media accounts of the show, on the day of Stephen Sondheim's birthday, 22 March. There is currently no news on release date, but cover artwork for the soundtrack has been released. Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - Cast Recording cover artwork Devised and produced by Cameron Mackintosh, the tribute concert was held on 3 May 2022 at the Sondheim Theatre in London, following the death of Stephen Sondheim on 26 November 2021 aged 91. Staged by Matthew Bourne, Maria Friedman and Stephen Mear, and conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo, the all-star cast included Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Anna-Jane Casey, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Sian Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Gary Wilmot and Michael D. Xavier. You can watch the concert on BBC iPlayer – here. Also check out the song list for Old Friends, and read reviews of the night. Cameron Mackintosh is also bringing an actual tribute show to the West End later this year, with Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends getting a full run at the Gielgud Theatre. The show will star Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, with Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon), Christine Allado (Hamilton), Janie Dee (Follies), Bonnie Langford (Anything Goes), Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd), Beatrice Penny-Touré (The Phantom of the Opera), Joanna Riding (Follies) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). It will play the Gielgud from 16 September 2023 for a 16 week run to 6 January 2024, with Matthew Bourne directing, alongside Julia McKenzie, and choreography by Stephen Mear. More about tickets to Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre in London

Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Janie Dee, Bonnie Langford, Joanna Riding, Jac Yarrow, Christine Allado & Jeremy Secomb to star West End impresario Cameron Mackintosh has announced that his tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim - Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - will get a full West End run. The show will play the Gielgud Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue from 16 September 2023 for a 16 week run to 6 January 2024. The show was originally staged as a one-off concert at the Sondheim Theatre on 3 May 2022, in tribute to Stephen Sondheim, who died in 2021 at the age of 91. Cameron Mackintosh devised and produced the show, which is to be directed by Matthew Bourne, alongside Julia McKenzie, with choreography by Stephen Mear. The show will be conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo, with musical supervision by Stephen Brooker, musical arrangements by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, projection design by George Reeve, lighting design by Warren Letton and sound design by Mick Potter. The West End show is set to star Broadway legend Bernadette Peters, with Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon), Christine Allado (Hamilton), Janie Dee (Follies), Bonnie Langford (Anything Goes), Jeremy Secomb (Sweeney Todd), Beatrice Penny-Touré (The Phantom of the Opera), Joanna Riding (Follies) and Jac Yarrow (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). [ngg src="galleries" ids="1028" display="pro_tile"] Further cast will be announced. Cameron Mackintosh said in a press statement: "Old Friends began its journey to the West End in a conversation I had with Steve during our enforced pandemic isolation – ‘It's time we did a third show' said Steve, and complete the trilogy that started with Side-by-Side by Sondheim in the 1970s, followed by Putting It Together in the ‘90s. We commenced work on it but as theatres and shows started to reopen post Covid, we got distracted and then suddenly on Thanksgiving just over a year ago Steve sadly left us, leaving his extraordinary legacy of work to live on forever. Over Christmas ‘21 I put together all our thoughts, and inspired by the shows I had worked on with him and Julia McKenzie, and the desire to showcase his greatest music as well as his great lyrics, the material of Old Friends miraculously fell onto the page pretty much as it is. Thanks to a phenomenal Gala cast, the show proved to be the great celebration we all wanted for our friend and inspiration - performed in the Sondheim Theatre, which I had rebuilt and renamed in his honour. The response to both the show and the subsequent television version recently screened by the BBC over the New Year has been quite overwhelming, so I am thrilled that Broadway legend, Bernadette Peters, one of my favourite old friends, is going to reprise her brilliant performance in what is astonishingly going to be her British stage debut - to be joined by Lea Salonga, who of course became my youngest old friend, when she created a sensation at the age of 17, starring in the original Miss Saigon – this will be her first West End run since Les Misérables 27 years ago. Bernadette and Lea head a stellar cast of co-stars, many of whom also appeared in last year's unforgettable Gala. Steve was always a Broadway Baby at heart, so I'm delighted that I have been able to put together one last great hurrah for my old friend, containing many of the greatest songs ever written for the musical theatre, in one ‘great big Broadway show' - just as he wanted." The cast of the original May 2022 concert included Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Anna-Jane Casey, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Sian Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Gary Wilmot and Michael D. Xavier. It was staged by Matthew Bourne, Maria Friedman and Stephen Mear, and conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo. You can watch the concert on BBC iPlayer – here. Also check out the song list for Old Friends, and read reviews of the night. Currently playing at the Gielgud Theatre is the Tony award-winning Broadway production of To Kill a Mockingbird starring Matthew Modine, which plays until 20 May 2023 at the theatre. It is currently unclear what will run in the theatre from June to August 2023. More about tickets to Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre in London

Bernadette Peters will headline the Manhattan Theatre Club Winter Benefit this evening at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City. Peters is stepping in to replace the previously announced Kelli O’Hara. Due to a positive COVID diagnosis, O’Hara is unable to perform at the MTC benefit this evening. The festive evening will feature a cocktail reception, an elegant dinner, and an exclusive, one-night-only performance. Throughout her illustrious career, Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage, film and television, in concert, and on recordings. She has garnered numerous accolades including three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, three Emmy and four Grammy Award nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Best known for her work on stage and one of Broadway’s most critically acclaimed performers, Bernadette recently starred on Broadway as Dolly Gallagher Levi in the hit musical, Hello, Dolly!. Prior to that, she starred in City Center’s Encores! Production, A Bed and a Chair: A New York Love Affair featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim and orchestrations by Wynton Marsalis and on Broadway, in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and Follies. Peter's also performed in the 2022 London benefit Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. MTC Artistic Director Lynne Meadow said, “Bernadette is a legend in our industry and is one of our most beloved stars. I am so grateful that she was able to step in tonight. She has been a great friend to MTC since she and I worked together in 1982 on  the MTC production of Sally and Marsha. Bernadette subsequently joined MTC’s Board of Directors and we are all honored that she is a treasured member of the MTC family.” All proceeds from the winter benefit event support MTC in developing and presenting new work with the most exciting artists in a dynamic, supportive environment, as well as producing a diverse repertoire of innovative, entertaining, and thought-provoking plays and musicals by American and international playwrights each season. In addition, the event supports MTC’s renowned education program, which uses the power of live theatre and hands-on playwriting experiences to awaken minds, ignite imaginations, open hearts, and change lives. Individual tickets for MTC’s Winter Benefit, including cocktails, dinner, and the show, are available for $3,000, $2,500, and $2,000. Tables of 10 are also available for $30,000, $25,000, and $20,000.

Check out the new TV trailer for Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends tribute concert, airing on the BBC in the UK this Saturday. The star-studded London tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim is coming to the BBC on 31 December 2022 at 5.35pm on BBC Two. Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends was organised by Cameron Mackintosh on 3 May 2022 at the Sondheim Theatre, for a unique night to pay tribute to the legendary musicals composer, who died in November 2021 at the age of 91. The cast was a stellar one, including stage and screen legends Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Rob Brydon, Petula Clark, Anna-Jane Casey, Rosalie Craig, Janie Dee, Judi Dench, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Damian Lewis, Julia Mckenzie, Julian Ovenden, Bernadette Peters, Sian Phillips, Jon Robyns, Clive Rowe, Jenna Russell, Imelda Staunton, Charlie Stemp, Gary Wilmot and Michael D. Xavier. Staged by Matthew Bourne, Maria Friedman and Stephen Mear, and conducted by Alfonso Casado Trigo, the BBC will screen the concert on BBC Two this Christmas, and put the one-off show on BBC iPlayer. Read more about the song list for Old Friends, and read reviews of the night. The show will air on BBC Two on 31 December 2022 at 5.35pm on BBC Two, and will then be available on BBC iPlayer. In the UK? Watch Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends on BBC iPlayer - here. More about Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Video: BBC Trailer for Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. Video courtesy of BBC / Cameron Mackintosh Ltd / sondheimoldfriends.com This article was updated on 16 December 2022 with the date and time of the screening, and 29 December with the video.

The big Stephen Sondheim tribute concert Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends is in its final rehearsals, ready for its big night tonight (3 May 2022). Organised by Cameron Mackintosh, the benefit concert at the Sondheim Theatre in London will see a host of Sondheim celebs sing his songs and celebrate his life. The live show will also be transmitted live over to the Prince Edward Theatre, for a special screening (tickets are still available for this). Such are talent rights, Mackintosh had to get special permission from the cast to do the Prince Edward screening. Whilst he's at it, did he also seek permission to screen the concert on TV or streaming? That's the hint he gave celebrity journalist Baz Bamigboye, who has recently jumped ship from tabloid Daily Mail to entertainment industry trade website Deadline. He told Baz that it may end up on TV, albeit with negotiations with agents having to take place. "They’re [the cast] all working for nothing aside from expenses. Look, there is a possibility of further life, we’ll see", Cameron said. Choreographer of the show, Matthew Bourne, also confirmed on Instagram that the producers of the show are looking at screen options for the Sondheim gala. He said that, "The production was designed as a fundraiser for the new Sondheim Foundation supporting young writers and artists. For it to reach a wider audience through broadcast, streaming or DVD it would require a re- negotiation with everyone involved but hopefully that may happen at some point so more people can share in this glorious and historic evening! I really hope that everyone gets the chance to see this. It was very special." https://www.instagram.com/p/CdOZXOOAxqG/?igshid=MDJmNzVkMjY= Here's hoping. Seems crazy to live stream it and not also press "RECORD" so fans (AND WE MEAN US) can watch it at some point. The cast line-up is phenomenal, with theatrical royalty such as Dame Judi Dench, Julia McKenzie and Bernadette Peters providing tributes, plus big-hitters such as Michael Ball, Helena Bonham Carter, Janie Dee, Maria Friedman, Haydn Gwynne, Imelda Staunton and A LOT more. Check out our updated post on all things Old Friends here including video of rehearsals. In the UK? Watch Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends on BBC iPlayer - here. More about Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends

Stars were out in force last night, 3 May 2022, in the West End, to celebrate the life of Stephen Sondheim, who passed away last year. Theatre impresario and close friend of the composer Cameron Mackintosh staged the gala concert, titled Old Friends, at his Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue, usually home to Mackintosh's long-running production of Les Miserables. The full line-up of stars and songs (see the full Songs List here) was a who's who of musicals stars, all of whom had some connection to Sondheim, including grande Dame of British theatre Judi Dench, Broadway megastar Bernadette Peters, and many of the British musicals stars who have done so much to champion Sondheim's work, including Imelda Staunton, Daniel Evans, Jenna Russell, Maria Friedman and Julia Mackenzie . All proceeds from the gala are benefitting the Sondheim Foundation, supporting young playwrights, composers and lyricists. The creative team behind the show were also mighty, including choreography by Stephen Mear, staging by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman, and the 26 piece orchestra that was conducted by Alfonso Casado. Old Friends - Video of the finale [videopress WZRAUnj5 w=750] The live show was screened simultaneously at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, where Mary Poppins is currently playing. Ahead of the screening Cameron Mackintosh, Michael Ball and a number of other performers popped in to introduce the screening, before high-tailing it down Old Compton Street to the Sondheim Theatre. Stephen Sondheim died in November 2022 at the age of 91, at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, US. Cameron Mackintosh said in the original press for Old Friends that "It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to Musical Theatre, both personally and professionally. He was as great a teacher as he was an incomparable writer and the Little Things that he did for so many people forged legions of friendships throughout his long life. I was lucky enough to be Steve’s friend and occasional collaborator for over 45 years since I first produced Side By Side By Sondheim and the Wyndham’s Theatre in 1976. It was a friendship full of laughter, gossip and glorious insightful camaraderie. Steve was so prolific and profound as a writer that it’s impossible to put together a definitive list of his greatest songs, as everyone has their own favourites, so our choice of songs will purely reflect the joy and love I have for one of the greatest Broadway Babies of all time.” In the UK? Watch Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends on BBC iPlayer - here. More about Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends Photos of the Old Friends Sondheim tribute gala in London Photos by Danny Kaan [ngg src="galleries" ids="791" display="pro_tile"] Reviews of Old Friends at the Sondheim Theatre

Cameron Mackintosh presented a tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim last night, 3 May 2022, at the Sondheim Theatre in London. Here's the full song list and performers for Old Friends at the Sondheim Theatre. What a line up! Also read more about Old Friends here. Photo: Danny Kaan ACT I  Sunday in the Park with George - Daniel Evans Side by Side - Ashley CampbellI, Rosalie Craig, Josefina Gabrielle, Amy Griffiths, Bradley Jaden, Julia McKenzie and Jenna Russell  Comedy Tonight - Rob Brydon, Clive Rowe, Gary Wilmot and West End All Stars Company - West End All Stars The Little Things You Do Together - Rob Brydon and Haydn Gywnne You Could Drive a Person Crazy - Anna-Jane Casey, Janie Dee, Josefina Gabrielle Live Alone and Like It - Clive Rowe Loving You - Michael Ball Getting Married Today - Anna-Jane Casey, Holly-Anne Hull and Jon Robyns Into the Woods - West End All Stars Agony - Julian Ovenden and Michael D. Xavier I Know Things Now - Bernadette Peters Hello Little Girl - Damian Lewis and Bernadette Peters Children Will Listen - Bernadette Peters A Weekend in the Country - Desmonda Cathabel, Janie Dee, Rob Houchen, Holly-Anne Hull, Julian Ovenden, Michael D. Xavier and West End All Stars Send in the Clowns - Judi Dench The Ballad of Sweeney Todd - Michael Ball and West End All Stars The Worst Pies in London - Michael Ball and Maria Friedman My Friends - Michael Ball Pretty Women - Michael Ball and Jeremy Secomb A Little Priest - Michael Ball and Maria Friedman The Ladies Who Lunch - Haydn Gwynne Sunday - Daniel Evans, Bernadette Peters and West End All Stars INTERVAL  ACT II Entr'acte - Overture from Merrily We Roll Along - The Orchestra Tonight Quintet - Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Louis Gaunt, Rob Houchen and Students from the Royal Academy Musical Theatre Company and Mountview Broadway Baby - Helena Bonham Carter, Rosalie Craig, Maria Friedman, Josefina Gabrielle, Amy Griffiths, Haydn Gwynne, Bonnie Langford, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Jenna Russell and Gary Wilmot  Everybody Ought to Have a Maid - Rob Brydon, Damien Lewis, Julian Ovenden and Siân Phillips You Gotta Get A Gimmick - Anna-Jane Casey, Bonnie Langford and Bernadette Peters Waiting For The Girls Upstairs - Ashley Campbell, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden and Charlie Stemp I'm Still Here - Petula Clark Could I Leave You? - Michael Ball  Buddy's Blues - Gary Wilmot The Boy From...... - Janie Dee Losing My Mind - Bernadette Peters Everything's Coming Up Roses - Imelda Staunton Not A Day Goes By - Michael Ball, Rosalie Craig, Maria Friedman, Julia McKenzie, Bernadette Peters, Jenna Russell and West End All Stars  Being Alive - Michael Ball, Rob Brydon, Rosalie Craig, Haydn Gwynne, Bradley Jaden, Bonnie Langford, Julian Ovenden, Jon Robyns, Jenna Russell, Jeremy Secomb, Michael D. Xavier and West End All Stars  Old Friends - Full Company Side By Side - Full Company Our Time - Full Company WEST END ALL STARS Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Holly-Anne Hull, Ashley Campbell, Anna-Jane Casey, Desmonda Cathabel, Aoife Dunne, Josefina Gabrielle, Louis Gaunt, Amy Griffiths, Rob Houchen, Bradley Jaden, lan McLarnon, Jeremy Secomb, Jordan Shaw, Matthew White More about Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends

27 April 2022 update: First look video of rehearsals for the Old Friends tribute concert to Stephen Sondheim at the Sondheim Theatre (see below). The concert will also see the following stars perform on the night: Shan Ako, Christine Allado, Holly-Anne Hull, Ashley Campbell, Anna-Jane Casey, Desmonda Cathabel, Josefina Gabrielle, Louis Gaunt, Amy Griffiths, Bradley Jaden, Ian McLarnon, Jeremy Secomb, Jordan Shaw and Matthew White. 30 March update: More stars have now been added to the concert, including Janie Dee, Rosalie Craig and Rob Brydon. Also a simulcast of the live show to be held at the Prince Edward Theatre on 3 May. A major concert celebrating the life of US musicals composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is coming to the Sondheim Theatre in London on 3 May 2022. Produced by friend and collaborator, West End impresario Cameron Mackintosh, the Gala celebration is going to be a star-filled night, with British and American stars coming together to celebrate the life and work of one of the 20th century's most important theatre practitioners. Over 30 stars will perform at the Gala, many of whom have achieved some of their greatest stage musical success with Sondheim's work, including Bernadette Peters, Adrian Lester, Julian Mackenzie, Imelda Staunton, Hannah Waddingham, Judi Dench, and Daniel Evans. Also appearing will be Elaine Paige, Michael Ball, Petula Clark (Mary Poppins), Bonnie Langford (Anything Goes), Damian Lewis, and Clive Rowe. New stars recently added include Janie Dee, Rosalie Craig, Rob Brydon, Rob Houchen, Julian Ovenden (South Pacific), Anna-Jane Casey (Cabaret), and Gary Wilmot. Rehearsals of the Old Friends all-star Stephen Sondheim Concert in London. "It is impossible to overstate the influence and contribution Stephen Sondheim has made to Musical Theatre, both personally and professionally. He was as great a teacher as he was an incomparable writer and the Little Things that he did for so many people forged legions of friendships throughout his long life. I was lucky enough to be Steve’s friend and occasional collaborator for over 45 years since I first produced Side By Side By Sondheim and the Wyndham’s Theatre in 1976. It was a friendship full of laughter, gossip and glorious insightful camaraderie. Steve was so prolific and profound as a writer that it’s impossible to put together a definitive list of his greatest songs, as everyone has their own favourites, so our choice of songs will purely reflect the joy and love I have for one of the greatest Broadway Babies of all time.” said Cameron Mackintosh. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Sondheim Foundation, supporting young playwrights, composers and lyricists. Choreography will be by Stephen Mear, with staging by Matthew Bourne and Maria Friedman, and a 26 piece orchestra conducted by Alfonso Casado. Musical supervision is by Stephen Brooker, musical arrangements are by Stephen Metcalfe, set design by Matt Kinley, projection designs by George Reeve, lighting by Warren Letton and sound by Mick Potter. Audiences can expect songs from some of Sondheim's greatest musicals including Gypsy, West Side Side, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Merrily We Roll Along,  Sunday in the Park With George, Into the Woods, Assassins, and Passion. The live show will also be screened simultaneously at the Prince Edward Theatre in London, where Mary Poppins is currently playing. Stephen Sondheim died in November 2022 at the age of 91, at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut, US. Les Miserables is currently playing at the Sondheim Theatre in London. Original article posted 3 March. Updated 18 March to include additional cast members. Tickets: The actual live gala performance at the Sondheim there is SOLD OUT. But you can still get tickets to the live screening at the Prince Edward Theatre here. In the UK? Watch Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends on BBC iPlayer - here. More about Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends