Pacific Overtures - by Stephen Sondheim, John Weidman
Pacific Overtures is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a libretto by John Weidman, and additional material by Hugh Wheeler. The musical is set in 1853 Japan and follows the difficult Westernization of Japan, through the lives of two friends caught in the change. The title of the work is ironic, nodding toward "overture" as a musical form, noting that the initiatives of the Western powers for commercial exploitation of the Pacific nation were anything but "pacific" (or peaceable) overtures. Built around a quasi-Japanese pentatonic scale, the music contrasts Japanese contemplation ("There is No Other Way") with Western ingenuousness ("Please Hello," "Pretty Lady").
The original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures in 1976 was presented in Kabuki style, with men playing women's parts and set changes made in full view of the audience by people dressed in black. It opened to mixed reviews and closed after six months, nevertheless being nominated for ten Tony Awards. According to Steven Suskin, the score is "uniformly interesting" and contains "some of Sondheim's finest writing".[1]
Discover the excitement surrounding the upcoming release of THE NEW PEGGY studio cast recording, featuring the talented Ann Hard. Get all the details on when and where you can get your hands on this highly anticipated recording, and experience the magic of this enchanting musical.
The original cast recording of The York Theatre Company's 2022 world premiere presentation of Penelope, or How the Odyssey Was Really Written, a new musical comedy, with book & lyrics by Peter Kellogg (York’s Desperate Measures), music by Stephen Weiner (The Rivals), is out now.
Listen to Sondheim Unplugged: The NYC Sessions – Volume Three, the final installment of the monumental three-volume set dedicated to the oeuvre of iconic musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim.
YELLOW SOUND LABEL will release Sondheim Unplugged: The NYC Sessions – Volume Three, the final installment of the monumental three-volume set dedicated to the oeuvre of iconic musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim. The third edition will be available on Friday, November 18 in streaming and digital formats, in addition to a 2-disc CD.
She ain’t down yet! Brought to you by the Transport Group’s award-winning production in conjunction with Music Theatre International, this studio recording of The Unsinkable Molly Brown is now available. Listen here!
Brought to you by the Transport Group’s award-winning production in conjunction with Music Theatre International, this studio recording of The Unsinkable Molly Brown, will be available everywhere, digitally, Friday, July 22nd. Get an exclusive first listen to Beth Malone singing 'I Ain't Down Yet' here!
The studio recording of The Unsinkable Molly Brown will be available everywhere, digitally, Friday, July 22nd. The Unsinkable Molly Brown features Meredith Willson's original score and lyrics plus unknown gems from Willson’s trunk, with a new book and added lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and liner notes by Luis Miranda.
YELLOW SOUND LABEL has announced the release of Sondheim Unplugged: The NYC Sessions – Volume Two, the next installment of the monumental three-volume set dedicated to the oeuvre of iconic musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim.
YELLOW SOUND LABEL has announced the release of Sondheim Unplugged: The NYC Sessions – Volume Two, the next installment of the monumental three-volume set dedicated to the oeuvre of iconic musical theater composer Stephen Sondheim.