Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - 2025 Broadway History , Info & More
Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)
261 W. 47th St. New York, NY 10036
What do you say, old friend? Ready for some more Sondheim? The music of Broadway's most revered composer is back on Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club's (in association with Cameron Mackintosh and Daryl Roth) Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends- a musical that celebrates the master himself, with an ensemble cast led by Tony Award winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends comes to Broadway from London’s West End, and plays Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles before arriving on Broadway.
Old Friends is a great big Broadway show born out of Cameron Mackintosh and Stephen Sondheim’s lifetime of friendship and collaboration. The two of them came up with the idea during the pandemic, drawing on the many shows that they had done together in collaboration with their good friend Julia McKenzie. Once theatres reopened in London and New York in the fall of 2021, Mackintosh was able to visit Sondheim again and this new show remained something they continued to discuss; but, sadly, shortly after, Sondheim passed away in November 2021.
It fell to Mackintosh to pick up where he and Sondheim left off, collating their notes, and structuring the show that would initially become a spectacular star-studded gala at the Sondheim Theatre in London’s West End in May 2022 to celebrate Sondheim’s life and work, and also raise funds for the newly formed Stephen Sondheim Foundation.
Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).
Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Road Show (2008), Passion (1994), Assassins (1991), Into the Woods (1987), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sweeney Todd (1979), Pacific Overtures (1976), The Frogs (1974), A Little Night Music (1973), Follies (1971; revised in London, 1987), Company (1970), Anyone Can Whistle (1964) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear a Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Little (1981), You're Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983) and Putting It Together (1993/99) are anthologies of his work, as is the new musical Sondheim on Sondheim.
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - 2025 - Broadway Cast
PREVIEW Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - 2025 - Broadway
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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
Here’s to Us: Old Friends, a Familiar Trip Through the Sondheim Canon
7 / 10
Old Friends stretches to two and a half hours, counting an intermission, which is both way too long and woefully incomplete. You can’t take offense at the concept — it accomplishes exactly what it aims to do, which is to remind you that Sondheim wrote some really great songs — but you do start to fantasize about it all slowing down and just committing to the dramatic frames that contained them.
BROADWAY REVIEW: ‘Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends’ revue is like a great party with perfect guests
8 / 10
But the main takeaway here is that not only is Sondheim now gone, his peers are no spring chickens, either. (Neither are some of us critics who adored his work). And these are real “Old Friends” onstage at the Manhattan Theatre Club.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - June 18, 2025
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends is now in its final two weeks on Broadway. Learn more about the production starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, and learn how to purchase tickets.
by Robert Bannon - May 30, 2025
In this video, Maria talks about her discovering a love of Sondheim, working with Bernadette and Lea, and her own love of writing! She has her own full length musicals ready to go penned by her own talented self! We also talk about her life touring in “Kinky Boots,” coming to Broadway with “Dear Evan Hansen,” and singing “Maria” while being, well, Maria!
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2025
Two-time Olivier Award nominee Scarlett Strallen will temporarily replace Kate Jennings Grant in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Learn more about the cast change here!
by Josh Sharpe - May 15, 2025
Broadway icon Bernadette Peters, currently on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, visited Live with Kelly and Mark on Thursday to discuss the production, currently playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Watch the interview!
by Josh Sharpe - May 14, 2025
As part of The Kelly Clarkson Show's Broadway-themed episode, Broadway icon Bernadette Peters stopped by the show to discuss starring in the musical revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends and shared her favorite Sondheim song. Watch the interview!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 12, 2025
Manhattan Theatre Club will present a final two-week extension for Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga. Learn more!
by Bruce Glikas - April 12, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, officially opened earlier this week on Broadway. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night celebration here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 10, 2025
Manhattan Theatre Club has revealed additional programming in association with the New York premiere of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. Learn more here!
by Joey Mervis - April 9, 2025
The music of Stephen Sondheim is alive and well at the Samuel J. Friedman Thetare, where Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends opened just last night. Watch in this video as we take you inside the big night with stars Bernadette peters, Lea Salonga, and more.
by Bruce Glikas - April 9, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends officially opened on Broadway. Check out photos of the cast taking their opening night bows!
by A.A. Cristi - April 8, 2025
It's a celebration of all things Steve as Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, celebrates on Broadway! See what the New York critics thought of this West End transfer! Read the reviews!
by Bruce Glikas - April 3, 2025
On April 2, Manhattan Theatre Club hosted a special benefit performance of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!
by Nicole Rosky - March 31, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, is now in previews. Check out highlights of the cast in action in this video.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 25, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, has extended for two more weeks. Learn how to purchase tickets.
by Michael Major - March 13, 2025
Bernadette Peters sat down on the Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon last night to discuss returning to Broadway in Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends. Watch the video of her bursting into a rendition of 'Broadway Baby.'
by Nicole Rosky - March 22, 2025
Bit by bit, Cameron Mackintosh has been putting together the masterpiece that is his latest musical project. Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, a tribute to his old friend who passed away before seeing it onstage, comes to Broadway this spring following acclaimed runs in London and Los Angeles. He's telling us all about how it came to be.
by Jennifer Broski - February 26, 2025
Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga, is coming to Broadway! Check out photos of the new broadway marquee here.
by Stephi Wild - February 20, 2025
Tickets are now available for Manhattan Theatre Club's special benefit performance of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.
by A.A. Cristi - February 15, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh's production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga is playing now at at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. Check out new video of Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga performing, 'Everything's Coming Up Roses,' from Gypsy.
by Joshua Wright - February 14, 2025
What did the critics think of Cameron Mackintosh's production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles?
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 14, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh's production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends is now open at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. Check out a video of cast members including Lea Salonga, Bernadette Peters, Beth Leavel and more singing 'Old Friends' here.
by A.A. Cristi - February 13, 2025
Cameron Mackintosh's production of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, starring two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga opens tonight, at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles. Check out new production photos featuring the star-studded cast!
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends History
Other Productions of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
| 2023 | West End |
West End |
| 2025 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - 2025 Broadway Awards and Nominations
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Sound Design of a Musical | Mick Potter |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE | Beth Leavel |
| 2025 | Drama League Awards | DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE | Lea Salonga |
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