Review: SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED Hits the High Notes at 54 Below
Sondheim's music soars at 54 Below in the final season of the celebrated series, SONDHEIM UNPLUGGED. The show returns 6/28
Last evening, the applause brought down the house at the famed 54 Below as it hosted its final season of the celebrated music of Stephen Sondheim, aptly titled, Sondheim Unplugged. Under the direction of the engaging host, Rob Maitner, the show featured a roster of amazing musical theater talents. Maitner, an Sondheim aficionado, led our filled-to-capacity audience on a journey through some of Sondheim’s most unknown as well as renowned works on Broadway and in film.
The truly talented ensemble of known theater talent picked up the reins and we jumped into the carriage with them. Clad in a vibrant animal printed jacket and one-piece jumpsuit accessorized with a lovely pearl necklace and earrings, Jon-Michael Reese started off the night with his rendition of “More” from the not-so-successful 1990 film, Dick Tracy. Yes, my friends, it seems Stephen Sondheim penned five songs for his friend Warren Beatty’s film, which featured himself and a young up-and-coming performer named Madonna. Reese did justice to it as he pulled a powerful punch with his amazing emotional and intense voice! Theater performer Britney Coleman, dressed to impress in a red shirt, black jeans and kitten-heeled metallic slingbacks, continued to wow the crowd with her rendition of the torch song “Sooner or Later,” also from Dick Tracy. The film, as Maitner soon revealed, contained several unknown Sondheim gems which many overlooked. Coleman possesses a smooth, elegant yet powerful voice and was perfect for the Academy Award-winning piece.
Jordan Wolfe, the multi-talented young theater veteran, took the stage in a black tuxedo with a slate blue dinner jacket. This charismatic young performer reminded this reviewer of theater greats, Robert Preston and Hugh Jackman, with his “larger than life” persona while engaging with the audience throughout his rendition of “Back in Business.” (Dick Tracy)
Attired in head to toe black, the sultry voice of Ramona Mallory brought to life through her powerful vocals Sondheim’s “I Wish I Could Forget You” (Passion). A true “Broadway Baby,” Mallory, who starred in the 2010 revival of Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, is herself a second generation musical performer. Ironically her famed parents, Victoria Mallory and Mark Lambert, both starred in the original Tony Award winning 1973 Broadway production of the same show, which also starred Glynis Johns. What a family legacy!
Onward as our host guided us through some unchartered Sondheim territory. Scores from Passion, a 1994 Broadway show based on the 1981 Italian film of Ettore Scola’s 1981 Passione d’Amore and the 1869 novel Fosca by Iginio Ugo Tarchetti was next. The show is best remembered as the shortest running Broadway show (280 performances) to win a Tony Award.
Fair-haired chanteuse Leah Horowitz, who is best known for her performance in the acclaimed 2011 revival of Follies, followed on stage oozing old world charm in a burgundy slinky gown. Belting “Happiness” (Passion) to the back of the room had the crowd applauding wildly. Michelle Dowdy, stunning in a black off-the-shoulder top with black and white polka dotted skirt, engaged theatergoers with her powerful and rousing version of “Loving You” (Passion).
Finally, Lauren Maria Medina, garbed in a white minidress with floral appliques and white mini platform boots had this reviewer on the edge of the seat with a phenomenal performance of “The Glamorous Life” (A Little Night Music).
Standout performances included: Jordan Wolfe’s “Later” (A Little Night Music), Ramona Mallory’s “The Miller’s Son (A Little Night Music), Leah Horowitz’s “There Won’t Be Trumpets” (Anyone Can Whistle - the flop show which did have the honor of introducing Angela Lansbury to musical theater way back in 1964), “Me and My Town” (Anyone Can Whistle) sung by the evening’s director, Lucia Spina (of Sondheim’s Into The Woods fame), Michelle Dowdy’s joyful rendition of “See What It Gets You” (Anyone Can Whistle), Lauren Maria Medina and Britney Coleman brilliant duet of “There’s Always a Woman” (Anyone Can Whistle) and finally the piece de resistance - - Jon-Michael Reese’s tear-jerking performance of “Send In The Clowns” (A Little Night Music) which had this reviewer along with the entire audience reaching for the tissues!
What a night of Stephen Sondheim! These amazingly talented musical theater performers brought down the house at the famed venue. No easy feat! Bravo, Bravo!! The late maestro himself would have been proud of this special night of his works!
The Final Season Sondheim Unplugged featured host / performer Rob Maitner, Music Director Mark Mitchell, Director / performer Lucia Spina, Ramona Mallory, Jon-Michael Reese, Britney Coleman, Leah Horowitz, Michelle Dowdy, Lauren Maria Medina and Jordan Wolfe.
Find more great shows to see on the 54 Below website here. The next performance of Sondheim Unplugged is June 28.
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