CDS offers sophisticated musical
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This is a digitised version of an article from The Cayman Compass's print archive. Occasionally, the digitisation process introduces transcription errors, or other problems.
See the article in its original context from April 1999.
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Side by Side by Sondheim opens next Thursday at the Prospect Playhouse. Director Chris Bowring describes it as more of a show than a play, since its focus is on individual songs rather than a plot with songs to help develop it.
But the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim frequently turn songs almost into one-act plays, as the show's narrator (Alastair Paterson) explains. Some sets comment on a theme or explore a certain style. Structure also comes from the narrator himself, who provides bits of theatre lore, backstage gossip and topical humour to link the songs.
Some of that humour, incidentally, is adults only. A similar label applies to some of the lyrics. This is not a children's show, either in form or content.
From Sondheim's considerable catalogue of credits, 25 songs have been selected. For whatever reason, there's nothing from his best-known work, West Side Story: Is everyone tired of "Tonight" and "Maria"?
On the other hand, there are audience favourites ranging from a pensive "Send in the Clowns" (A Little Night Music) to the raucous "You Gotta Have a Gimmick" (Gypsy). A good portion of the show, however, deals with less well-known numbers demonstrating both undeniable skills and willingness to experiment. Sondheim, after all, wrote both words and music after collaboration with such luminaries as Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne. His songs can be a challenge to both performer and listener.
Providing voices and energy equal to the task on stage are people who have had their share of standing ovations locally: Wendy Moore, Kevin Redfern and Neil Rooney. They are joined by equally talented recent arrivals Jane Maisey and Kristi Mitchel.
Wendy, Kevin and Neil, of course, are remembered for their roles in the soul-wrenching love triangle involving Queen Guenevere, Sir Lancelot and King Arthur in Camelot. Neil and Kevin later formed half of the quartet in Forever Plaid, which saluted the harmonies of the 1950s.
Jane, who appeared in pantomimes and Shakespearean productions in England, is on secondment to the Royal Cayman Islands Police, arriving just in time to take part in The King and I. Kristi makes her Cayman debut, coming here as a teacher. Her previous roles include the lead in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Providing the exceptionally difficult accompaniment are two pianists who can certainly be considered pros, regardless of their day job. The criterion is simply to ask, how many musicals have there been lately without Chris Bowring or Kate Moore? Linda Rayner is in charge of choreography and staging. Julie Tromans is producer.
Side by Side by Sondheim is scheduled to run Thursday through Saturday. 22-24 April then Thursdays through Sundays until 9 May. Curtain as always is 7.30 pm. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 children, and may be reserved by phoning Omeria at 949-5585.
