Most people are willing to settle for a cake and a couple of cards for their birthday. Stephen Sondheim, on the other hand, had an entire gala to celebrate his special day.
Originally due to be held on 22 March, Covid-19 put a proverbial spanner in the works, with Broadway already closed for the foreseeable. Instead, stars from across the world came together to serenade the theatrical legend, singing to him from their own homes and broadcast on YouTube.
Performers were given but one instruction – only songs from the birthday boy himself could be performed. The rest was up to them.
The reimagined stage did little to quell the performers’ spirits. Maria Friedman told the story of her first Sondheim performance, when she was heckled by a member of the audience, having been pulled in to perform at the last minute. Mandy Patinkin put on a spirited rendition of Sunday in the Park with George.
The leading ladies were the highlight of the show, with Patti LuPone hitting all the high notes from Anyone Can Whistle, while Bernadette Peters sang the timely No One is Alone, made even more poignant given present circumstances.
The trio of Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald sang The Ladies Who Lunch, in their respective abodes, divided by the pandemic, but united by their choice of tipple.
Perhaps The Times describes the event most aptly of all: “What a birthday party they put together, though, for Broadway’s greatest living genius.”
