Everybody says you missed out if you didn’t see Side by Side by Sondheim on October 27th or October 29th. This piece of musical entertainment took you through some of Stephen Sondheim’s early work, including songs from Anyone Can Whistle, Company, West Side Story, and Follies; Just to name a few.
Side by Side included a small cast of 8 Manhattanville Students, plus Diana Canova, known on campus as a wonderful vocal coach, but also know from the TV Show Soap and from the 1995 revival of Sondheim’s own Company.
Photo by Tara Murphy ’18
The show was narrated by Senior, Nicholas Barbera, who also sang in songs such as Pretty Lady and Anyone Can Whistle, as well as ensemble numbers. Nicholas took the audience through Sondheim history, sharing facts about some of the musical pieces the audience was hearing, and giving plot for the songs as well, making sure the audience never missed a beat. And if you know Sondheim’s work, you know it can be easy to miss a beat, or two, or three.
Sarah Buturla belted her heart, in songs such as Losing My Mind, throughout the entire show. Her energy engulfed the entire theatre, and her sassy gestures and facial expressions brought smiles to the faces of everyone there. Sarah also sang, along with fellow Junior Erica Harris and senior Debora Luzincourt, Gimmick. In the scene the girls represent three strippers that discuss their odd, but efficient, gimmicks for getting guys to choose them as their girl for the night. The song ends with butterfly wings, a trumpet, and some strategically placed string lights. Erica was also noted for her sass and voice, especially in Getting Married Today, where she played a bride getting cold feet at the alter. It takes skill to sing a Sondheim song at that tempo with no mistakes, but she made it look like a breeze.
Seniors Shannon Kelly and Aaron Klein shared touching moments in songs such as Send in the Clowns, I remember, and You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow. The seniors touching moments were also paired with comical numbers. Shannon’s piece I Never Do Anything Twice, was in the perspective of a woman who worked at a brothel, and how she would never try anything the guys ask twice, because it’s only fun the first time. Aaron and fellow senior Megan Riobo, shared a comical love duet, Barcelona, where a stewardess sleeps with a young man, who tries to convince her to stay with him instead of going to Barcelona. Of course he doesn’t actually want her to stay, he’s just trying to be nice, but when she decides to go he’s left with an unpleasant surprise.
Junior, Thomas Johnson, got to play many parts himself, including the boy who can foxtrot in Can That Boy Foxtrot. He also sang in other songs such as Marry Me A Little, You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow, and Buddy’s Blues. Thomas’ theatrical performance brought laughter and joy to the audience throughout the entire show. During the final two songs, which were a combination of 28 different Sondheim songs, the audience was brought to tears laughing when Thomas sang I Feel Pretty from West Side Story, and interrupted Debora when she sang “Mariah” instead of “Marai” in West Side’s Maria.
All in all, Side by Side by Sondheim was an amazing show, one that we were lucky to be able to see! Congrats to all the performers! It was an amazing performance.