Sondheim and Ives' HERE WE ARE at The Shed- Page 3
Sondheim and Ives' HERE WE ARE at The Shed
Ke3
Broadway Star Joined: 6/25/20
#50Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:43pm
jkcohen626 said: "As far as it never happening if he didn't mention it on Colbert, I disagree about that too. Below is a New Yorker article (part of the conversations that became the bookFinale) from 2017 where he discusses it. In the book, he discusses it at length. I agree that it definitely got a kickstart by being mentioned on Colbert, but I disagree that there wouldn't have been conversations and a potential production if he hadn't.
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/05/15/stephen-sondheim-and-meryl-streep-side-by-side-at-the-pen-gala"
While this is true, he'd been talking about it for years by this point. His announcement on Colbert that the show hoped to open next season is what led to the expectation that it'd still be staged after he died. Many took his statement to mean that the work was mostly finished and merely needed to go through a preview process. After his death, it was being thought of as a Rent situation. Cameron Mackintosh was the first person to reveal it wasn't even 75% finished. It's my belief that without his big announcement, we simply would've gotten the songs he wrote for it on an album a few years from now and it would've been considered an unrealized project.
#51Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:43pm
I wish to God this announcement came with even one piece of casting and and a video of a song, to give us something to talk about. Because the “will this go to Broadway” conversation is the same thing discussed before “Road Show” and we all know how that turned out.
#52Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 1:44pm
Just paid the $10 to support the Shed and hopefully gain early access. We'll see if any tickets are left then...
#53Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 4:44pm
Jordan Catalano said: "I wish to God this announcement came with even one piece of casting and and a video of a song, to give us something to talk about. Because the “will this go to Broadway” conversation is the same thing discussed before “Road Show” and we all know how that turned out."
I can give you a couple lyrics from Finale, lol
In the Act 2 opener (at least what it was several years ago), Marianne sings:
"I like things that shine about me, I like things that glow"
Then the soldier says:
"Would you like to dance, miss?" and puts his arms around her waste.
In response, Marianne sings:
"Why can I not be free? Why do I like what I see? And not what I know?"
Another lyric from a "half-finished verse" not attributed to any character or song, but probably from the second act is, "Life in this room, in this gorgeous God-damn room"
#54Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 4:58pm
noahseestheatre said: "Just paid the $10 to support the Shed and hopefully gain early access. We'll see if any tickets are left then..."
Same here. Definitely hoping this will help me get in, but, if not, at least I'll only be out $10.
AnythingYouDo
Chorus Member Joined: 5/28/19
#55Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 5:18pm
I don't know that I trust Cameron Mackintosh's word about how complete the show was. Who knows where he got the 50-60 percent figure, whether that was Sondheim's judgment or his own. To be sure, this production won't be what we'd have seen if Sondheim had lived to see it produced, but I also wouldn't be shocked if it's close to a complete score, with maybe a handful of moments Sondheim had intended to expand into song. While Sondheim himself described it as incomplete not long before he died, the language both Nathan Lane and David Ives have used to describe its status indicates something close to complete.
By the way, another morsel of a lyric:
If it isn't the sun, it's the birdsong.
If it isn't the air, it's the view.
I'm completely undone by the endless abundance of life.
Aren't you?
#56Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 5:28pm
AnythingYouDo said: "By the way, another morsel of a lyric:
If it isn't the sun, it's the birdsong.
If it isn't the air, it's the view.
I'm completely undone by the endless abundance of life.
Aren't you?"
I love the internal rhyme. Thanks for sharing this. I also share your cautious optimism about the state of the show - "incomplete" can mean a lot of things, and I imagine Sondheim would be pretty tough on himself about it.
#57Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 6:26pm
In the Dramatists Guild's magazine tribute issues to Sondheim, in a convo between Lapine, Weidman and Ives (lead by Lin-Manuel Miranda), Ives finishes things off by saying that they were looking for a home for the show, and that it's basically finished. He and Mantello had a lot to do with shaping it for the reading that happened in the weeks before Sondheim died. And that conversation probably took place late last summer? And all of those collabs. say how damned hard Steve was on himself, and how much he relied on them to buoy him-- even when they weren't specifically working with him at the moment. (He spoked with Lapine and Weidman at least once a week as long as he knew them.)
Lapine, both in that piece, and in PUTTING IT TOGETHER, says that he thought "Lesson No. 8" ad "Children and Art" were basically finished-- as far as he was concerned-- long before they actually made it to the copyist and rest of the company. But Steve didn't think so...
In terms of the "Who could finish it?" question (which I think will turn out to be moot)-- Lin-Manuel Miranda is not a composer in the same league as Sondheim melodically or harmonically. He totally lacks sophistication in both departments. Both JRB and Guettel (and, to some extent, Scott Frankel-- a very rich and unique harmonist) have very different harmonic sensibilities, however indebted they might be to Sondheim. In fact, I only think a contemporary of Sondheim's could perform the masquerade passably-- but, except for John Kander, they're all dead.
I hope the powers that be leave well enough alone. The people who know and care will just be thrilled to hear whatever he left behind. But I think it's more finished than Macintosh says. In fact, I wouldn't even trust him to get my luncheon order right, let alone offer insight into Sondheim's work. Remember, he's the man who insisted "The Road You Didn't Take" be cut from FOLLIES.
#58Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 7:56pm
Of course these fragments of lyrics mean practically nothing without the context of the scenes in which they belong. But does anyone else here get the eerie sense that these resemble lyrics that a ChatGPT4 program might have spit out if asked to mimic a Sondheim-like quatrain?
#59Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 8:05pm
Someone in a Tree2 said: "Of course these fragments of lyrics mean practically nothing without the context of the scenes in which they belong. But does anyone else here get the eerie sense that these resemble lyrics that a ChatGPT4 program might have spit out if asked to mimic a Sondheim-like quatrain?"
I don't, especially with the subtle rhyme in the line I'm completely unDONE by the endless aBUNdance of life. Aside from that, I do suspect that GPT4 could probably fool most of us by cooking up something in the style of any particular lyricist.
AnythingYouDo
Chorus Member Joined: 5/28/19
#60Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/21/23 at 9:20pm
jv92 said: "In terms of the "Who could finish it?" question (which I think will turn out to be moot)-- Lin-Manuel Miranda is not a composer in the same league as Sondheim melodically or harmonically. He totally lacks sophistication in both departments. Both JRB and Guettel (and, to some extent, Scott Frankel-- a very rich and unique harmonist) have very different harmonic sensibilities, however indebted they might be to Sondheim. In fact, I only think a contemporary of Sondheim's could perform the masquerade passably-- but, except for John Kander, they're all dead.
I hope the powers that be leave well enough alone. The people who know and care will just be thrilled to hear whatever he left behind. But I think it's more finished than Macintosh says. In fact, I wouldn't even trust him to get my luncheon order right, let alone offer insight into Sondheim's work. Remember, he's the man who insisted "The Road You Didn't Take" be cut from FOLLIES."
I'm with you about Cameron Mackintosh's quote about the work. Not that I know anything myself about the state of things, but I find Mackintosh to be completely unreliable as a source in this matter.
I agree that they should present the score as it was when Sondheim died. That said, when I've contemplated who could or should take up the task of finishing the score, the team that has come to mind is Ahrens and Flaherty. I find their work to be first-rate, and they are so versatile that I could imagine them doing a fine job of adapting to the style of the show. Again, though, I'm more interested in hearing the score as Sondheim left it.
I do hope we get some insight soon about the state of the score.
#61Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/22/23 at 12:14am
TotallyEffed said: "SEEKING THE FOLLOWING ROLES AND UNDERSTUDIES:
MARIANNE – Female (cis, trans, or non-binary), 35-45, any ethnicity. Ethereal. Daffy. A cool beautywith a warm heart. Capable of unexpected lyricism.A terrific singer with a large vocal rangespanning from chesty and conversational to lyric soprano. Strength with rhythm is a plus.
LEO – Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 60’s, any ethnicity. Charming billionaire. Ruthless, insatiable, alittle crude. Some non-strenuous singing. Strength with rhythm is a plus.
RAFAEL – Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 50’s, any ethnicity. Cosmopolitan and suave, great-looking. Has great charm and humor. Lyric baritone with some vocal power, not bottom heavy, vocally. Strength with rhythm is a plus.
CLAUDIA – Female (cis, trans, or non-binary), 40’s, any ethnicity. Fleshy, sexy, hungry, loud,entertaining, always happy to take exception or pick a fight. Excellent comic and dramatic skills.Some non-strenuous singing. Belt/mix. Could be a character sound. Strength with rhythm is a plus.
PAUL – Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 40’s, any ethnicity. Laid back, low-key, and always nice with anunderlayer of anxiety. Has solid but understated comic skills. Some non-strenuous singing. Baritonewith good rhythmic skills.
FRITZ – Female (cis, trans, or non-binary), 25-35, any ethnicity. A political rebel fromupper-middle-class Greenwich. Angry at the world. Lonely. Sulky. Self-Starved. Strong singer. Rolerequires vocal flexibility ranging from chatty belt to lyricism.
COLONEL – Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 50-60, any ethnicity. Comically block-headed andstrong-jawed, all-business and no-brains. Comically appealing because he’s so deeply unaware. Minimalsinging.
SOLDIER –Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 25-30, any ethnicity. Very attractive. A dreamer, searcher,natural-born poet in love with the idea of love. Excellent singer. Lyric baritone with some goodtenor notes. Warm vocal sound.
BISHOP – Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 50-70, any ethnicity. Sweet, gentle, endearingly lost. Greatcomic skill, natural personal appeal, and good singing skills. Bright character tenor.
WOMAN – Female (cis, trans, or non-binary), 50’s, any ethnicity. Multiple and very diverseparts. Comically inventive and transformational. Impeccable comic accent(s). Strongvoice. Think Kurt Weill meets French Chanteuse. Broad and big vocals.
MAN – Male (cis, trans, or non-binary), 50’s, any ethnicity. Multiple parts. Superb comedy,accents, strong character work and good singing. Character baritone range."
I think it’s pretty clear Lane must’ve played Leo in the reading. What do we think about Bernadette?
The Rural Juror
Chorus Member Joined: 6/2/15
#62Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/22/23 at 9:45am
Based on the character description, "Claudia" sounds right up Bernadette's alley. But I could also see her fitting "Marianne" if it's the lead opposite Nathan. Both roles posit the character as in her 40s, but that may not matter much. It is Bernadette after all, she of indeterminate age.
AnythingYouDo
Chorus Member Joined: 5/28/19
#63Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/22/23 at 10:39am
In this article, Sondheim’s biographer David Benedict says “only about 60% of the piece was written.” However, a commenter on the article claims a 2017 draft of the show was “122 pages with songs throughout.” I’ve heard a draft of the show has circulated but I haven’t seen anything of it.
Maybe Sondheim and Ives scrapped that draft when they restarted work on the show during the pandemic? Or maybe Benedict is repeating Mackintosh’s quote?
I hope we know more about what this production will be soon. His 93rd birthday would be a good day to provide an update…
#64Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/22/23 at 9:51pm
kdogg36 said: "Someone in a Tree2 said: "Of course these fragments of lyrics mean practically nothing without the context of the scenes in which they belong. But does anyone else here get the eerie sense that these resemble lyrics that a ChatGPT4 program might have spit out if asked to mimic a Sondheim-like quatrain?"
I don't, especially with the subtle rhyme in the lineI'm completely unDONE by the endless aBUNdance of life.Aside from that, I do suspect that GPT4 could probably fool most of us by cooking up something in the style of any particular lyricist."
For what it's worth:
The guests arrived with grace and charm,
In their finest clothes, they took no harm,
But as the night wore on, they felt the spell,
Trapped in the mansion's walls, a living hell.
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Georgeanddot2
Featured Actor Joined: 2/20/20
#65Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/22/23 at 11:26pm
#66Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/23/23 at 10:01am
AnythingYouDo said: "In this article, Sondheim’s biographer David Benedict says “only about 60% of the piece was written.” However, a commenter on the article claims a 2017 draft of the show was “122 pages with songs throughout.” I’ve heard a draft of the show has circulated but I haven’t seen anything of it.
Maybe Sondheim and Ives scrapped that draft when they restarted work on the show during the pandemic? Or maybe Benedict is repeating Mackintosh’s quote?
I hope we know more about what this production will be soon. His 93rd birthday would be a good day to provide an update…"
I feel like Benedict's biography is going to be a real slog-- if it even gets finished! What a bland piece of clickbait that was. I've never been impressed with what he's written about the individual shows. I often find Brits have their own ideas about Ameircan musicals and their authors that are utterly pretentious, and lack the understanding of the alive-ness and "New York-ness" of the form. There are exceptions. Benedict is not one of them. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we'll have to wait for an American to be Sondheim's Sam Wasson or Neal Gabler.
StylishCynic
Stand-by Joined: 7/5/16
#67Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/23/23 at 12:50pm
I, for one, think that Megan Mullally could be formidable casting for "Claudia". I don't know her range too much, but, hell, she could probably deliver an inspired "Marianne," too.
Come to think of it, I'd like to see Megan Mullally's take on many of Sondheim's females: Desiree or Charlotte, Mrs. Lovett, Sally, Cora Hoover Hooper, The Witch...
AnythingYouDo
Chorus Member Joined: 5/28/19
#68Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/23/23 at 7:38pm
jv92 said: "I feel like Benedict's biography is going to be a real slog-- if it even gets finished! What a bland piece of clickbait that was. I've never been impressed with what he's written about the individual shows. I often find Brits have their own ideas about Ameircan musicals and their authors that are utterly pretentious, and lack the understanding of the alive-ness and "New York-ness" of the form. There are exceptions. Benedict is not one of them. I hope I'm wrong, but I think we'll have to wait for an American to be Sondheim's Sam Wasson or Neal Gabler."
To my mind, Mark Harris would be a perfect biographer for Sondheim. I do hope Benedict's access to Sondheim in the last years of his life will at least provide some insight about what exactly happened with this Buñuel project.
#69Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/24/23 at 3:14pm
Article posted today on Theatermania...
https://www.theatermania.com/news/story-of-the-week-everything-we-know-about-stephen-sondheims-final-musical-here-we-are_1439788/?fbclid=IwAR0a-I9fTN2EwzCsszrUncLRcHJACaS6la0BX6MePJCB5wa-KtoSWdjL03E
Just give the world Love.
#70Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/24/23 at 5:44pm
A lot of great info (although I knew almsot all of iot already and I'm guessing most of you guys did too).
I agree with most of the things he posits.
I think either CamMac was BSing his comments, fundamentally misunderstood what he heard from Sondheim, or this really will be a presentation of a fundamentally unfinished work.
I also agree (as a stated a few days ago) that Tom Kirdahy wants this on Broadway and probably could have done quite well cold opening on Broadway, but made a smart choice in starting off.
#71Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/25/23 at 3:01pm
Performance dates appear to be September to January 2024 according to the audition notice (sorry if a already posted).
"You can't overrate Bernadette Peters. She is such a genius. There's a moment in "Too Many Mornings" and Bernadette doing 'I wore green the last time' - It's a voice that is just already given up - it is so sorrowful. Tragic. You can see from that moment the show is going to be headed into such dark territory and it hinges on this tiny throwaway moment of the voice." - Ben Brantley (2022)
"Bernadette's whole, stunning performance [as Rose in Gypsy] galvanized the actors capable of letting loose with her. Bernadette's Rose did take its rightful place, but too late, and unseen by too many who should have seen it" Arthur Laurents (2009)
"Sondheim's own favorite star performances? [Bernadette] Peters in ''Sunday in the Park,'' Lansbury in ''Sweeney Todd'' and ''obviously, Ethel was thrilling in 'Gypsy.'' Nytimes, 2000
#72Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/25/23 at 7:01pm
Very encouraging to see that Alex Gemignani is the music director!
His music direction on that strange WSS revival was the best part of the production.
Robbie516
Leading Actor Joined: 10/3/22
#73Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 3/31/23 at 11:12pm
Anyone thinking that Nathan is indeed doing this because Pictures is not extending? It says must close April 30 and I have inside info Studio 54 will be vacant until spring 2024…he is also filming no movies…just wanted to hear what u guys think…he also was very close to McNally and his partner is producing this…
#74Sondheim's Final Musical HERE WE ARE will premiere at The Shed this fall (No, really!)
Posted: 4/1/23 at 10:56am
I'm really just excited to see who they'll cast when a majority of the roles are asking for 40s and 50s and older.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
