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.
8 / 10
*CRITIC'S PICK* Old Friends,” which opened on Tuesday at Manhattan Theater Club’s Samuel J. Friedman Theater, is in that sense a lot like its predecessors. The 41 numbers it features come from the main pool, with an emphasis on songs from Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Company, Follies and Into the Woods. Most of them were brilliant in their original context; many remain so outside it. Some are sung spectacularly by a bigger-than-usual cast of 17, led by Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Others are middling, a few are misfires. [...] Though directed by the British choreographer Matthew Bourne — the show began life as a one-night gala in London — Old Friends has a stodgy quality that I find surprising. A couple of boxy towers [...] dominate Matt Kinley’s set design, moving back and forth as if in a very slow chess endgame.
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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.'
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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!
| 2023 | West End |
West End |
| 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 |
