MLT’s Side-by-Side Sondheim To Open Friday

The Marblehead Little Theatre's production of Side-by-Side Sondheim will open to a sold-out crowd on Friday.

This Tony Award-winning musical pays homage to one of theater's most admired composers and lyricists, Stephen Sondheim, by showcasing a selection of his earlier works and weaving them together in the form a revue.

"The play was first performed in England in 1976, so the songs included are from before that time," said Anne Lucas, professor of theater at Salem State College and director of MLT's Side-by-Side Sondheim. "Sondheim's later works tend to be more solemn and introverted. His earlier songs, many of which are in this play, are more upbeat and cheerful."

But Side-by-Side Sondheim is more than just a fun-filled tribute to a Broadway legend, who happens to turn 80 this year. The play is an outlet for passionate thespians to share their love of the theater and music with each other and their audiences.

"We have an extremely talented cast and crew and there is a real camaraderie that I hope the audiences will see," said Lucas, who has been involved in MLT productions for 11 years, beginning with her role as Anna in "The King and I." 

"I just hope everyone – cast, crew, and audience – has a wonderful time and their hearts are uplifted by song," Lucas says. "This is entertainment and I hope everyone enjoys it."

Performance information

Performances of Side-by-Side Sondheim will take place Aug. 6-8 and 13-15. Show times are 8 p.m. with an additional show on both Sundays at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door and $15 for students. Tickets can be purchased Online at TicketStage.com or ordered by check or cash using ticket forms available on the front door of the theatre. Tickets may also be purchased at the MLT box office one hour before show time. However, space is limited so there is no guarantee that tickets will still be available at this time.

Produced by Doug Hill

Directed by Anne Lucas

Musical Direction by Betty Lautner

The Cast

Karin Anderson

Danielle Cotter

Tom Edmonds

Nora Falk

Anne Lucas

Liana Pacilli

Jim Robinson

David Scannell           

The Guest Performers

Aug. 6 - Henry Dembowski and David Allen George

Aug. 7 - Dr. Alison Brookes

Aug. 8, 2 p.m. - Bobby Kerrigan

Aug. 8, 8 p.m. - Judith Black

Aug. 13 - Amy Malkoff

Aug. 14 - Greg Mancuso-Ungaro

Aug. 15, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. - Betty Lautner

Side-by-Side Sondheim includes a variety of songs, for which the play's namesake wrote the lyrics, music, or both. Some of these musical numbers are as follows:

• "Comedy Tonight" (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, 1962)
• "Everybody Says Don't" (Anyone Can Whistle, 1964)
• "You Could Drive a Person Crazy" (Company, 1970)
• "Losing My Mind" (Follies, 1971)
• "Send in the Clowns" (A Little Night Music, 1973)