“Side by Side by Sondheim” is a truly blissful concoction and everything you might expect as a musical.
On Manoa Valley Theatre’s chic set and staging, it is a resourceful and resounding success that celebrates and explores the many riches in composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s vast and varied songbook.
It is a marvelous, intimate, and delightful production, performed by a magical, inspired and dedicated cast of six – three ladies, three gents—and backed by an astonishing and tireless musical conductor who shines and steers through every note as a one-woman orchestra.
The show is simultaneously a musical, a play, a recital and an experiment. And it’s also a show-within-a-show, when – in Act 2 – the ensemble performs on a makeshift stage hidden behind a billowing white curtain in Act 1. Parodies and medleys of Sondheim’s hit contributions in the Broadway catalogue are joyously shared in off-the-wall delivery.
The entire program is an enlightening lesson in Sondheim-ism, with a mix of narratives from the actors who perform solos, duets, and – well, you get the idea – in a stunning examination of the composers’ styles. And natch, of lyrics, too. His aren’t the easiest tunes to deliver. (Ask any veteran actor who’s been in one of his shows).
The cast is a wonderment. The women are Kim Anderson, Jasmine Haley Anderson and Lisa Konove; the guys are John D’Aversa, Andrew Simmons and David Weaver.
Each singer is star-caliber, with the sense of intensity of vocalizing, no matter the mood. Everyone is capable to handle a comedic number, right before mood-changes and the tension of romantic ballads.
Highlights are plentiful, but apologies – coming off a surgery last week, it’s a bit of a strain to take notes in a darkened theater and MVT’s abbreviated playbill no longer offer deserved credits of who sings what.
Disclosure: MVT has an online program, but song titles and performers are shamefully neglected here, too, since “Side by Side” unreels 30 titles plus montages/medleys from “Gypsy,” “West Side Story” and “Company.” These professionals should be rewarded with proper recognition. .
A short list of highlights, however, include “Barcelona,” “The Boy From…” “You Must Meet My Wife,” “Send in the Clowns,” “I Never Do Anything Twice’” and :”Anyone Can Whistle.”
Suggest you take in the show and discover your own favorites and highlights.
What will impress you, too, the moment you enter the theater, is that awesome set. It looks like a condo with open-house appeal, and was created by Jax Pitts, combined with Willie Sabel’s scenic artistry. There’s a sofa, a recliner with a footstool, a staircase to a second level entrance/exit, a shelf containing books and central wall depicting paintings and an oversized screen with rotating images, often as backdrops to select tune deliveries.
The piano, manned by the indefatigable Miki Yamamoto, is hidden beneath the stage that will host a hilarious series of medleys.
James Wright, director-choreographer, knows the value of pacing. He moves his actors-singers-dancers with fluidity and finesse, so the savvy twirls never sidetrack or diminish the camaraderie of the teamwork.
And his casting is impeccable. The two Andersons and Konove, plus D’Aversa, Simmons and Weaver, could easily step into a touring company of “Side by Side” tomorrow.
Janine Myers’ lighting design and Timothy Manamtams’ sound design complement each other.
There’s credit for costumer (Kanani Sato) but no and hair-makeup credit, so if the ensemble tended to this chore themselves, kudos. The looks suit the performers.
MVT is on a roll, with consistency of show choices, delivering first-rate productions back-to-back.
“Side by Side” thus winds up yet another successful season…
And that’s Show Biz…
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‘Side by Side by Sondheim
What: A musical revue of composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim’s music, originally produced on Broadway by Harold Prince.
Where: Manoa Valley Theatre
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 3 pm. Saturdays and Sundays, through July 27
Tickets: $25 to $50, with discounts available for military, senior citizens and youths 25 and under, at (808) 988-6131 or https://ci.ovationtix.com/35307sidebyside