BWW Interviews: Side by Side by Sondheim's Shawn Wright

Side by Side by Sondheim kicked of The Grand London's 2010-2011 Mainstage Season and has been getting rave reviews and introducing the wonderful early works of Stephen Sondheim to a whole new generation. This year marks the 80th Birthday of the legendary American lyricist and composer, and many theatres and venues have been celebrating the man behind such wonderful shows such as Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd and more with special productions, reviews and tributes. One such review is SIDE BY SIDE which is a musical that covers his early works (1957-1976) and features Shawn Wright as Man/Narrator. Shawn recently completed a very successful two year run with the Original Canadian Cast of JERSEY BOYS and took a few minutes to talk to BWW about what his experience with Side by Side has been like and what Sondheim means to him:

Congratulations on the success of Side by Side! For readers who are unfamiliar with the show, could you give a bit of an overview as to what exactly it is?

Thanks! The show is a musical revue with factual narration which focuses on the first section of Sondheim's career (1957-1976) including material from West Side Story to Pacific Overtures.

This is a very special year for Sondheim given that it marks his 80th birthday, a theatre was named after him and he's releasing his "Finishing the Hat" memoirs. What is your most fond memory of something Sondheim related? Whether it be a favourite show or a first experience....

My fondest Sondheim related memory was when I got to meet the man himself at the closing night party for his musical "Bounce" which premiered at the Goodman Theatre in 2003 in Chicago. It was playing across the alleyway from where I was doing "Mamma Mia" He was very gracious to me.

Would you be able to pick a favourite song from his catalogue?

That is a tough one. I would say it changes often but today it's a tie between "Don't Look at Me" from "Follies" and "Now You Know" from "Merrily We Roll Along."

One thing that Sondheim is known for is that his pieces are characteristically difficult to sing, as a performer, do you take a different approach to his work?

My approach to Sondheim? Well, his songs are almost like children who need your undivided attention. You can never really feel like you 100% have the song down and don't have to think about it anymore. That's because the lyrics, melody, time or rhythm will change in subtle ways from verse to verse which is very unusual and tricky. And all those words!!! I try to never approach his material unless I am well fed and well rested *laughs*

What has been your favourite thing about doing Side by Side thus far?

My favourite thing about Side by Side so far has been the variety of wonderful Sondheim characters I get to play each night. They cross age and gender lines. For example, in one evening I get to be Bobby (Company) in "Barcelona", Phyllis (Follies) in "Could I Leave You" and even Electra the stripper (Gypsy) in "Gotta Get A Gimmick."

A lot of younger people haven't had the chance to be exposed to Sondheim's work due to short lived revivals that often don't expand beyond NYC, what would you say to them to encourage them to come out and try this show?

Student audiences have actually been our most vocal. Sondheim is appealing to students because he challenges authority in numbers like "Everybody Says Don't" and of course there are so many sexy numbers sung by strippers ("Gotta Get A Gimmick") the madam of a brothel ("I Never Do Anything Twice") and a stewardess after a one night stand ("Barcelona")

Finally, Sondheim is coming to Toronto in December for the first time in a decade to do a Q&A, any plans to try and go see him?

Yes! I definitely plan to see Mr. Sondheim speak. He is being interviewed by Robert Cushman who is a good writer in his own right - I performed a one man show of his about Noel Coward which was very clever and touching and I'm looking forward to the evening with Sondheim.

When and Where?

Three Performances Left with Tickets Still Available!

November 5th at 8PM and November 6th at 2PM and 8PM

Tickets can be purchased by phone at 519-672-8800 or online at www.grandtheatre.com

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM finishes performances in London this Saturday, November 6th but there is still lots of great programming coming up.  The show launched the 2010-2011 Mainstage Season for The Grand, which according to Artistic Director Susan Ferley, "offers entertainment for all ages and interests.  Audiences can expect a variety of musicals, mystery, drama, romance and comedy."

In the upcoming months, The Grand will present Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Kingfisher Days, Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure, Shirley Valentine and finally The Hobbit.

Subscriptions and single tickets are available now for each show in the season by calling The Grand Theatre Box Office at 519-672-8800 or going online at www.grandtheatre.com.

In addition, as mentioned in Shawn's interview, Stephen Sondheim will be coming to Toronto for a very special one night Q&A with journalist and theatre critic Robert Cushman on December 6th.  The event will take place at The Princess of Wales Theatre and tickets can be purchased by calling Mirvish at 416-872-1212 or online at www.mirvish.com

 

 

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