Stephen Sondheim

She’ll be swell, she’ll be great…Broadway diva Patti LuPone will once again be singing the words of Stephen Sondheim at the Ravinia Festival.  This summer, LuPone will tackle the mother of all stage mothers, Mama Rose in a staged concert of “Gypsy” August 11-13.  Ravinia first embarked on its annual Stephen Sondheim festival 6 years ago with a concert version of “Sweeney Todd” starring LuPone and George Hearn.  LuPone, who is currently recreating her role as Mrs. Lovett in an entirely reconceived and highly acclaimed Broadway revival, returned to the Highland Park summer concert venue for succeeding concert stagings of “A Little Night Music,” “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Passion” and “Anyone Can Whistle.”  The Sondheim festival was originally planned to complete a 5-year run with the acclaimed composer/lyricist’s 75th birthday, but its popular success has encouraged Ravinia to continue. 

“Gypsy,” which was most recently revived on Broadway with Bernadette Peters as Mama Rose, features a score by Jule Styne and lyrics by Sondheim.  All of the previous Ravinia productions have been those with music as well as lyrics by Sondheim.  The 1959 musical originally starred Ethel Merman, and is considered one of the great “book musicals” of the Golden Age of Broadway.  LuPone will be following in the shoes formerly owned not only by Merman and Peters, but Angela Lansbury, Tyne Daly, Rosalind Russell and Bette Midler, among others.  The role of the “I Had a Dream” stage mother is considered the pinnacle for musical theatre divas.  LuPone certainly has the prestige and the lung power, having won a huge following, as well as Tony and Olivier Awards for her work in such shows as “Evita,” “Anything Goes,” “Les Miserables,” “Sunset Boulevard,” “Oliver,” and numerous concerts and recordings.  Tickets for the Ravinia concert are available by calling (847) 266-5100 or by visiting www.ravinia.org.  Reserve early, as this is a guaranteed sell-out!

“Gypsy” will be only one of the legendary Stephen Sondheim musicals Chicago theatre and music lovers can sample this summer.  The Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Grant Park Music Festival will host “Sondheim in the Park” from July 14-16, 2006 in Millennium Park.  The centerpiece of “Sondheim in the Park” will be two spectacular concerts with the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus in the Jay Pritzker Pavilion on Friday, July 14 at 6:30 p.m., and Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m.  Working with Mr. Sondheim on the program, Grant Park Music Festival Artistic and General Director James W. Palermo, will team Broadway veteran conductor and native Illinoisan Kevin Stites with an ensemble of Broadway stars who are experts in the interpretation of Sondheim’s works.  The Lurie Garden, Wrigley Square and other locations throughout the park will also play host to the words and music of the master, with performances over the weekend by Chicago performers.

Although the specifics of the program have yet to be announced, the Sondheim songbook will give them plenty to pick and choose from.  Sondheim’s Broadway career spans from “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” in 1960 to his most recent effort “Bounce,” which played Chicago’s Goodman Theatre two years ago.  Sandwiched between are “Anyone Can Whistle,” “Company,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “The Frogs,” “Pacific Overtures,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Into the Woods,” “Assassins,” and “Passion.”  In addition to “Gypsy,” Sondheim’s lyric-only efforts have included “West Side Story” and “Do I Hear A Waltz.” 

According to Lois Weisberg, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs, “The Sondheim in the Park celebration will honor the master of American musical theater and his music in one of the country’s newest landmarks – Millennium Park.  We are delighted to be able to present an entire weekend of Mr. Sondheim’s works, to be enjoyed by Chicagoans and visitors alike.”  The performances are free and open to the public.  For more information about “Sondheim in the Park,” call (312) 742-1168 or visit www.millenniumpark.org.  For information on the Grant Park Music Festival, including season membership and a complete schedule, call (312) 742-7638 or visit www.grantparkmusicfestival.com.
 
Joe Stead
Theatre In Chicago News Contributor Joe Stead has spent over 20 years as a critic, director, designer and performer. His reviews currently appear online at www.steadstylechicago.com.