Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - 2025 Broadway History , Info & More
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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Videos
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
From: The Wall Street Journal
By: Charles Isherwood
Date: 2025-04-08
8 / 10
The headliners are wonderfully showcased. Ms. Peters has been an exemplary interpreter of Sondheim’s work for decades, having starred in the original stagings of Sunday in the Park With George and Into the Woods. While her voice has lost some of its rich timbre, her rendition of Send in the Clowns is so deeply infused with soul-searching that any vocal imperfections are quickly forgotten as Ms. Peters’s evocation of a love that might have been—could have, should have—burrows into your heart. Equally extraordinary is her performance of another exquisite song of ill-fated yearning, Losing My Mind.
From: New York Theater
By: Jonathan Mandell
Date: 2025-04-08
7 / 10
The producers apparently believe that showstoppers sell a show. But it’s unreasonable to expect cast members, no matter how capable, to deliver one number after another that outshine the iconic performances with which Sondheim-lovers in New York are well-acquainted. And there’s that problem of a lack of context. Too many of these numbers, revved up from nothing, start to make the revue feel like a singing competition. Everybody is supposed to be old friends, no?
Video: Catching Up with Old Friend Maria Wirries
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!
Video: Bernadette Peters Reveals Her Favorite Stephen Sondheim Song
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!
Photos: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Cast Celebrates Opening Night
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.
Review Roundup: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Opens On Broadway
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!
Photos: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Hosts Benefit Performance
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!
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Extends for Two More Weeks
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.
Cameron Mackintosh Is Bringing Sondheim Home
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.
Up on the Marquee: STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
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.
Watch Lea Salonga Perform 'Everything's Coming Up Roses' in OLD FRIENDS
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.
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends History
Other Productions of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends - 2025 Broadway Awards and Nominations
Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends 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 |
