Judi Dench to Sing 'Clowns' for Sondheim at 80 Prom, 7/31

The BBC reports that stage and screen star Judi Dench will pay special tribute to Stephen Sondheim on July 31, 2010 as part of the Sondheim at 80 BBC Proms event, celebrating the composer's 80th birthday. Dench will perform her rendition of "Send In the Clowns" from A Little Night Music, which she claims to be "hugely exciting" but "daunting." The song selection for the actress was a no-brainer, as allegedly, "On hearing Dame Judi's performance of Send In The Clowns at the National Theatre in 1995, Sondheim is said to have told the acclaimed actress: "It's yours now."

The Sondheim at 80 Prom will take place at the Royal College of Music, with tickets ranging from £7-£35, price band A or Prom for £5.  The entire event will be broadcast live on BBC Radio 3 at 7:30pm and on BBC Two at 8.00pm.

Dench has said of Sondheim: "His impact on musical theatre can never be overstated and I'm delighted to be part of his 80th birthday celebrations at the BBC Proms."

Also slated to perform at the concert are Bryn Terfel, Simon Russell Beale, Daniel Evans, Maria Friedman, Caroline O'Connor, Julian Ovenden and Jenna Russell who will perform songs from such Sondheim favorites as Follies, Sunday In The Park With George, Into The Woods, The Frogs, Company, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum and Sweeney Todd.

The BBC notes that the Sondheim at 80 Prom will also be the first Prom accessible for deaf concert-goers, being signed by Paul Whittaker who has additionally signed the West End productions of Les Miserables and Grease, among others. 

For more information, visit http://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/2010/whatson/3107.shtml.