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Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below

Phil Geoffrey Bond's Sondheim Unplugged

Nov. 03, 2021  

Halloween night 2021 brought a special evening of "Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods" to NYC's Feinstein's/54 Below nightclub.
Produced and directed by host Phil Geoffrey Bond, the series is in its 11th season of "Unplugged" editions.

The evening was guest hosted by Rob Maitner with production management by Lucia Spina.
The expert and intricate musical accompaniment was provided by music director John Fischer (Piano), Jerry DeVore (Bass), and Jonathan Russell (Violin). This trio brought hip and unique colors to the Sondheim compositions.

Performers for the evening include the quintet group "Marquee Five" - Mick Bleyer, Adam West Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Sierra Rein, & Julie Reyburn - Victoria Elizabeth Cook, Scott Coulter, Harris Doran, Rob Maitner, Lucia Spina, Forest VanDyke, and special guest Sarah Rice.

The set list included a mix of appropriately chilling and humorous interpretations of songs from both "Sweeney Todd" and "Into The Woods". Beginning with Marquee Five's spooky take on "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd", then quickly turning from "The Witches Rap", to the Sweeney Ballads (with Broadway's original Johanna singing "Green Finch & Linnet Bird") and on to duets such as a hysterically performed "Agony" and clever "A Little Priest" - with a special mention to gender bended takes on "The Worst Pies In London" and "Not While I'm Around".
The evening came to a conclusion by committing its last few numbers to The Wood's touching "No More", "Children Will Listen", and an uplifting "Ever After".


Phil Geoffrey Bonds "Sondheim Unplugged" series performs monthly at Feinstein's/54 Below. Check out www.54below.com or www.sondheimunplugged.com for dates and reservations.

Look soon for the upcoming 3 volume CD release of "Sondheim Unplugged: The NYC Sessions".
Dropping December 1st and available for pre-order now on The Yellow Sound Label.


Photos: Kevin Alvey

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Julie Reyburn, Harris Doran

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Rob Maitner, Harris Doran

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Lucia Spina, Rob Maitner

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Marquee Five, Adam West Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Julie Reyburn, Sierra Rein, Mick Bleyer

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Cast and Musicians

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Marquee Five, "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Rob Maitner

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Forest VanDyke, "Johanna"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Lucia Spina, "The Witch's Rap"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Harris Doran, "These Are My Friends"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Julie Reyburn, Harris Doran, "These Are My Friends"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Sarah Rice, "On The Steps of The Palace"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Julie Reyburn, "Not While I'm Around"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Harris Doran, Rob Maitner, "Agony"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Harris Doran, "Agony"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Rob Maitner, "Agony"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Scott Coulter, "Giants In The Sky"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Scott Coulter, "Giants In The Sky"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Sarah Rice, "Green Finch & Linnet Bird"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Rob Maitner, "The Worst Pies In London"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Rob Maitner, "The Worst Pies In London"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Rob Maitner, "The Worst Pies In London"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Julie Reyburn, "Stay With Me"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Scott Coulter, "No One Is Alone"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Lucia Spina, Rob Maitner, "A Little Priest"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Lucia Spina, Rob Maitner, "A Little Priest"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Lucia Spina, Rob Maitner, "A Little Priest"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Marquee Five, "Your Fault"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Marquee Five, "Your Fault"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Jerry DeVore

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Jonathan Russell

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Lucia Spina, "Moments In The Woods"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Forest VanDyke, "No More"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Julie Reyburn, "Children Will Listen"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Marquee Five, "Ever After"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Julie Reyburn, Sierra Rein, Mick Bleyer, "Ever After"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Adam West Hemming, Vanessa Parvin, Julie Reyburn, "Ever After"

Sondheim Unplugged: Into Sweeney Todd's Woods at Feinstein's/54 Below
Jerry DeVore (Bass), Jonathan Russell (Violin), John Fischer (Piano/M.D)



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