A SONDHEIM TRIPTYCH

MAGNORMOS presents
A SONDHEIM TRIPTYCH
at Melbourne Recital Centre
To celebrate the 80th birthday of Stephen Sondheim

SATURDAY NIGHT
Monday September 20th 8pm

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Monday September 27th 8pm

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
Monday October 4th 8pm

Stephen Sondheim is widely regarded as the most influential writer in Broadway history, with major works including WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY, A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, COMPANY, SWEENEY TODD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC and INTO THE WOODS.

The three selected works in the Triptych are rarely performed, but still greatly loved by Sondheim fans across the globe. This presentation is a unique opportunity to experience these works performed live by some of the Australia’s top musical theatre talent in one of Melbourne’s most exciting performance venues.

The works will be presented with ‘concert staging’, retaining the focus on Sondheim’s brilliant writing and our extraordinary cast. The performances will be rehearsed, ‘book in hand’ presentations of both the songs and the script, with staging and minimalist production design.

TICKETS
SEASON TICKETS
VIP - $180 (premium seats to all three concerts)*
Gold - $160 (A reserve seats to all three concerts)*
Silver - $140 (B reserve seats to all three concerts)
*includes complimentary program and chocolates on arrival

Book your season tickets by phone: 03 9699 3333 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              03 9699 3333      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

SINGLE TICKETS
Premium reserve - $65*
A reserve - $58 ($53 concession)*
B reserve - $52 ($47 concession)*

*includes chocolates and program on arrival

Book online at melbournerecital.com.au

SATURDAY NIGHT
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by: Julius J. Epstein and Philip G.Epstein, who also wrote screenplay for Casablanca
Based on the play ‘Front Porch in Flatbush’ by Julius J. Epstein and Philip G Epstein

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 20 8PM

Directed by: Terence O’Connell | Musical Direction by: Vicky Jacobs

CAST: Zac Tyler, Claire George, Chris Durling, Sam Ludeman, Casey Gould, Andrew Strano, Matt McFarlane, Bernard Angel, Carla Kissane, Montana Perrin, Jensen Overend, Lara Thew, Rod Waterwrorth, Darren Natale, Mike Smith.

In 1953, SATURDAY NIGHT was set to mark the Broadway debut of a young, new writer – Stephen Sondheim. Owing to the death of the original producer the New York opening (which starred Australia’s own David Campbell) was delayed some 47 years! Brimming with charm and youthful vitality, SATURDAY NIGHT is a captivating story of love, ambition and friendship set during the last days before the Great Depression. This rollicking adventure follows a group of Brooklyn boys trying to make their fortunes on the stock market of 1929, with as many romantic entanglements as possible along the way!

MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by George Furth
Based on original play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 27 8pm

Directed by: Shaun Murphy | Musical Direction by: Ben Kiley

CAST: Chris Parker, Laura Fitzpatrick, Stephen Wheat, Lisa-Marie Parker, Hester van der Vyver, Darren Natale, Phoebe Coupe, Angela Lumicisi, Emily Paddon-Brown, Helena Plazzer, Jacob Cook, Joti Gore, Ben Hudson, Martin Lane

The authors of COMPANY reunited to turn the traditional showbiz musical on its head with
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG – a thrilling and compelling Broadway fable about friendship, compromise and the high price of success. With a unique narrative style that begins in the present and moves backwards in time, the story revolves around Franklin Shepard who, having once been a talented Broadway composer, has now abandoned his friends and his songwriting career to become a Hollywood producer. The milestones of his personal and professional lives are portrayed through a sequence of flashbacks, exploring the turbulence of his relationships and the changing America around him.

ANYONE CAN WHISTLE
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Book by Arthur Laurents

MONDAY OCTOBER 4 8pm

Directed by: Aaron Joyner | Musical Direction by: Laura Tipoki

CAST: Anne Wood, Patrice Tipoki, Dan Humphris, Robert Grubb, Don Bridges, Sally Bourne, Erin Keleher, Apo Arts Academy

Sondheim’s wickedly funny, cheekily disrespectful and outright blasphemous musical comedy is one of the funniest Broadway musicals ever written. An absurdist story of fake miracles, corrupt politicians, escaped lunatics, psychotherapy and even romance, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE was way ahead of its time in 1964 where it played for only nine performances on Broadway. With its well-aimed pot shots at everything America holds dear, modern audiences across the world have found new joys in its refreshing honesty and timeless relevance …


Artistic Director / Executive Producer: Aaron Joyner
Co-Producers: Laura Kooman and Sean Bryan
Lighting Designer: Lucy Birkinshaw-Campbell
Designer: Christina Logan-Bell

By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)