Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
Manhattan Theatre Club
In association with CMI and Daryl Roth
presents
Cameron Mackintosh's Production of
STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS
Broadway Premiere
Starring Bernadette Peters & Lea Salonga
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Devised by Cameron Mackintosh
Choreography by Stephen Mear
Musical Staging and Direction by Matthew Bourne
Side by Side with Julia McKenzie
ON BROADWAY AT THE
SAMUEL J. FRIEDMAN THEATRE
2024-2025 Season
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Celebrate the life and work of the great Stephen Sondheim, with an irresistible company headlined by none other than Tony Award® winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga. Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends comes to Broadway from London’s West End, where it earned a bevy of 5-star raves and was hailed by The Times as “unmissable musical theatre.”
Joining Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga will be co-stars Jasmine Forsberg, Kate Jennings Grant, David Harris, Bonnie Langford, Beth Leavel, Gavin Lee, Jason Pennycooke, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, Kevin Earley, Paige Faure, Alexa Lopez, and Peter Neureuther.
Center Theatre Group will present the North American premiere of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles in advance of the Broadway premiere.
Cast
Bernadette Peters
Throughout her illustrious career, Bernadette Peters has dazzled audiences and critics with her performances on stage, film and television, in concert, and on recordings. She has garnered numerous accolades including three Tony Awards, a Golden Globe, four Emmy and four Grammy Award nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Best known for her work on stage and one of Broadway’s most critically acclaimed performers, Bernadette just concluded a highly successful West End debut in the Cameron Mackintosh production of Old Friends, celebrating the life and work of Stephen Sondheim. Bernadette has starred as Dolly Gallagher Levi in the hit musical, Hello, Dolly!. She also starred in City Center’s Encores! production, A Bed and a Chair: A New York Love Affair featuring the music of Stephen Sondheim and orchestrations by Wynton Marsalis. Prior to that, she starred on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and Follies. Peters garnered both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for her performance in the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Song and Dance. She also won a Tony Award for her performance in Annie Get Your Gun. She received Tony nominations for her outstanding performances in Sam Mendes’ critically acclaimed revival of Gypsy, in Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl, Stephen Sondheim’s Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Sunday in the Park with George, the Jerry Herman/Gower Champion ode to the movies, Mack and Mabel, and the Leonard Bernstein/Comden and Green musical On The Town. In addition to these honors, Peters earned a Drama Desk nomination for her unforgettable portrayal of the Witch in Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods. She also enjoys a career which boasts an impressive list of television credits, most recently the Apple TV+ series, “High Desert” and a guest-starring role on the NBC-TV series, “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” for which she earned an Emmy nomination. The popular series was made into a TV movie musical titled “Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas” for The Roku Channel. Other TV appearances include “The CW’s “Katy Keene”; CBS All Access’ “The Good Fight”; and Amazon Prime’s Golden Globe winning series, “Mozart in the Jungle”. Additional television credits include NBC-TV’s “Smash,” ABC-TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Ugly Betty’. In addition to starring in the Lifetime TV movie Living Proof, Peters has lit up the silver screen in over 30 films throughout her distinguished career. She received a Golden Globe Award for her memorable performance in “Pennies From Heaven.” Other film credits include The Jerk, The Longest Yard, Silent Movie, Annie, Pink Cadillac, Slaves of New York, Woody Allen’s Alice, Impromptu, It Runs in the Family, Coming Up Roses, The Broken Hearts Gallery and most recently, a surprise appearance in the popular Jonathan Larson biopic, tick, tick…BOOM! Bernadette has recorded six solo albums, including the Grammy-nominated I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight, Sondheim, Etc.: Bernadette Peters Live at Carnegie Hall, and Bernadette Peters Loves Rodgers & Hammerstein, in addition to numerous original Broadway cast recordings. Peters devotes her time and talents to numerous events that benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Her “pet project” Broadway Barks, cofounded with Mary Tyler Moore, is an annual, star-studded dog and cat adoption event that benefits shelter animals in the New York City and tristate area. The American Theater Wing honored her efforts and awarded her with the Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award which recognizes an individual from the theatre community who has made a substantial contribution of volunteered time and effort on behalf of one or more humanitarian, social service or charitable organizations, regardless of whether such organizations relate to the theatre. This past November, while in London Bernadette presented West End Woofs, a sister organization to Broadway Barks that she co-hosted with her good friend, Elaine Paige. The event is the first of its kind in the UK that fostered a spirit of community among animal shelters and rescue groups. She is a New York Times best-selling author who has penned three children’s books: “Broadway Barks”, “Stella is a Star”, and “Stella and Charlie: Friends Forever”. All of her proceeds from the sale of these books benefit Broadway Barks. Peters resides in New York and Los Angeles with her rescue dogs, Charlie and Rosalia.
Lea Salonga
LEA SALONGA is best known for her Tony Award Winning role in Miss Saigon. In addition to Tony, she has won the Olivier, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theater World Awards, Time100 Impact Award from Time Magazine, and the Gold Legend Award from Gold House. Most recently, Lea starred in the West End production of Old Friends, and as Aurora in Here Lies Love on Broadway, which she also produced. Lea was also the first Asian to play Eponine in the musical Les Misérables on Broadway and returned to the show as Fantine in the 2006 revival. Fans of all ages recognize Lea as the singing voice of Princess Jasmine from Aladdin and Fa Mulan for Mulan and Mulan II. For her portrayal of the beloved princesses, the Walt Disney Company bestowed her with the honor of “Disney Legend.” She has released 14 albums – including her latest recording, Sounding Joy– and toured all over the globe, performing sold-out concerts in landmark venues. Salonga’s talents extend to the screen, where she can be seen on MAX’s Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Sony’s Yellow Rose and heard on Netflix’s Centaurworld and FX’s Little Demon.
Bernadette Peters
Lea Salonga
Jasmine Forsberg
Jasmine Forsberg is an actor and songwriter from Orlando, Florida. Broadway: Six (Jane Seymour), Here Lies Love (Maria Luisa). First National Tour: Six. Off Broadway: Broadway Bounty Hunter. Regional: A Grand Night For Singing (Goodspeed), Love in Hate Nation (Two River Theater), Wild Fire (Denver Center). TV: “One December Night” (Hallmark), “Llamas” (Nick Jr.). Jasmine’s debut single, “do you”, is streaming on all platforms. BFA from Penn State. Thanks to CESD, Tara Rubin Casting, and my loved ones for their endless support. www.JasmineForsberg.com @jasmine_forsberg
Kate Jennings Grant
BROADWAY: Belinda in Noises Off, The Country House (MTC), The Lyons (dir. Mark Brokaw), Sarah Brown in Guys and Dolls, Proof and An American Daughter (both directed by Daniel Sullivan.) Off-Broadway: Mother of the Maid opposite Glenn Close, Bette in The Marriage of Bette and Boo, The Beard of Avon (dir. Doug Hughes), Radiant Baby (dir. George C. Wolfe), Between Us (MTC), Summer of ’42. Most recently Kate starred as Beatrice in Simon Godwin’s production of Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare Theatre, D.C.) NATIONAL TOURS: Sharon in Finian’s Rainbow and Eve Harrington in Applause. FILM: Love and Other Drugs opposite Jake Gyllenhall (dir. Ed Zwick), United 93 (dir. Paul Greengrass) Diane Sawyer in Frost/Nixon (dir. Ron Howard), Custody (dir. James Lapine), When a Stranger Calls, Kinsey (dir. Bill Condon), Forgiven (Bend Film Festival Best Supporting Actress). TV roles include: Madame Giry on “Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” Louise Herrick on ABC’s “Notorious,” “We Crashed,” “Russian Doll,” “Billions,” “Madame Secretary,” “The Good Wife,” and recurring roles on “Alpha House,” “Damages,” “Parenthood,” and “Pan Am.” Kate is a graduate of The Juilliard School’s Drama Division and holds a B.A. in English and Music Composition from the University of Pennsylvania.
David Harris
David joins Old Friends direct from his Broadway run as The Duke in Moulin Rouge! after originating the role in the first national tour. Regional productions include Valjean in Les Misérables, Father in Ragtime, Billy in Anything Goes, Dan in Next to Normal (BroadwayWorld and Connecticut Critics Circle Award nominations for Best Actor), and originated the role of Max Bronfman in a reimagined Rags.
As one of Australia’s most acclaimed leading man, David has earned multiple Best Actor awards and nominations for roles including Chris in Miss Saigon, Fiyero in Wicked, Tick in Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Emmett in Legally Blonde, the Baker in Into The Woods, Malcolm in The Full Monty, Joe in Damn Yankees, John in Little Women, Prez in Pajama Game, Perchik in Fiddler On The Roof and Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie.
US and International concerts include Ragtime with the Boston Pops, Defying Gravity – the songs of Stephen Schwartz, and Boublil & Schönberg’s Do You Hear The People Sing? David has release two solo albums, ‘Til The Night Is Gone and At This Stage.
Discover more at Davidharrisofficial.com and follow @DavidHarrisOz.
Bonnie Langford
BONNIE LANGFORD starred in Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends at the Gielgud Theatre in London’s West End and as Madame Thénardier in the Les Misérables World Tour Arena Spectacular. She also returned to her role of The Doctor’s assistant, Melanie Bush in “Doctor Who” on BBCTV and Disney Plus worldwide. West End theatre includes Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre); Anything Goes (Barbican Theatre); 9 to 5, The Musical (Savoy Theatre); 42nd Street (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and filmed for DVD and cinema release in the UK and Ireland, across America and streamed on Broadway HD and PBS America); Cats (The Gillian Lynne Theatre); The Pirates Of Penzance (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane and London Palladium); Peter Pan – The Musical (Aldwych Theatre); Me and My Girl (Adelphi Theatre); Sweet Charity (Victoria Palace Theatre); Spamalot (Harold Pinter Theatre and Playhouse Theatre); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Savoy Theatre) and Chicago (Adelphi Theatre, Cambridge Theatre and on Broadway). She made her West End debut at the tender age of seven in Gone with the Wind at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The following year she played Baby June in Gypsy opposite Angela Lansbury at the Piccadilly Theatre and on Broadway. For this performance, at the age of ten, Bonnie was nominated for a Drama Desk Award. UK tours: 42nd Street; Charlie Girl; Oklahoma!; Guys and Dolls; Fosse; Spamalot; 9 to 5, The Musical; Anything Goes and numerous Royal Variety Performances and Royal Galas. Bonnie performed her concert An Evening with Bonnie Langford to celebrate the 120th Anniversary of Richmond Theatre. She also hosted both The Music of the Night and Let’s Face The Music concerts with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the
Royal Albert Hall. She regularly performs her own cabaret shows at The Pheasantry and Crazy Coqs in London. Television/Film: BBC’s “EastEnders” for which she won Best Newcomer at the 2015 British Soap Awards, a BAFTA for best continuing drama and nomination for Best Serial Drama Performance at the 2019 National Television Awards; Bugsy Malone (dir. Alan Parker); “Just William” (ITV); “The Lena and Bonnie Show” (ITV); “The Hot Shoe Show” (BBC); “Hotel Babylon” (BBC); “Agatha Christie’s Marple” (ITV); “The Catherine Tate Show” (BBC); Melanie Bush on “Doctor Who” (BBC) and even “The Masked Dancer” as Squirrel. Bonnie was the subject of ITV’s “This Is Your Life.” In 2006, she learned to ice skate on the ITV show “Dancing on Ice,” skating her way to the final and returning for the All Stars season in 2014. Recordings include Bonnie Langford Now, Jazz at the Theatre and numerous Doctor Who audio dramas for Big Finish
Beth Leavel
Tony Winner Beth Leavel was most recently seen on Broadway in the role of The Baroness in Lempicka. She was nominated for a 2019 Tony, Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critic’s Circle award for her performance as DeeDee Allen in the critically acclaimed Broadway show The Prom. She received Tony, Drama Desk, NY Outer Critics Circle and L.A. Drama Critics Awards for her performance as the title character in The Drowsy Chaperone. Beth also received Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her role as Florence Greenberg in Baby It’s You. Other Broadway roles include Mrs. June Adams in Bandstand, Emily in Elf, Donna in Mamma Mia!, Frau Blucher in Young Frankenstein, Dorothy Brock in the revival of 42nd Street, Tess in the original company of Crazy For You, Mrs. Bixby in The Civil War, Ellie in Hal Prince’s Showboat, and Anytime Annie (her Broadway debut) in 42nd Street. Numerous TV, most recently The Ghosts of Christmas Always (Hallmark), The Walking Dead (AMC), and The Bite (Spectrum). Beth’s one-woman cabaret, It’s Not About Me, has played across the country to rave reviews and sold out venues. In her spare time, Leavel gives back and teaches master classes for students all over the world. MFA from UNC-G. Proud mom to T.J. and Sam and helplessly in love with Adam Heller. Grateful to my BRS/GAGE family.
Gavin Lee
Gavin is currently playing Thénadier in the World Concert Arena tour of Les Miserables. Before this he was part of the London company of Sondheim’s Old Friends and is thrilled to be returning to the show in LA and NYC. Recent favorite roles have included Lumière in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast at the London Palladium, the title character in How The Grinch stole Christmas at MSG and Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical on Broadway (Drama Desk Award and Tony Award nomination) He originated the role of Bert in the West End and Broadway productions of Mary Poppins (Drama Desk and Theatre World Awards, Olivier and Tony Award nominations).TV credits include “Law and Order: SUV”, “The Good Wife”, “Little America” and “White Collar.”
Select London/UK theatre credits include Top Hat, Crazy For You, Peggy Sue Got Married, Me and My Girl, Oklahoma!, Contact and Singin’ In The Rain.
Jason Pennycooke
Jason has 3 Olivier nominations for: Lafayette/Jefferson (Original cast of Hamilton)
(also W.O.S.A winner), Bobby Dupree (Memphis), and Jacob (La Cage Aux Folles).
3 affiliate Olivier nominations for West End shows he choreographed Porgy & Bess,
Soul Sister and The Big Life.
Other West End credits include: Sondheim’s Old Friends, Toulouse Lautrec (Moulin
Rouge Musical), Benny Southstreet (Guys & Dolls), Paul (Kiss Me Kate), Little Moe
(Five Guys Named Moe), Second (Father Comes Home From The Wars – Royal
Court), Benny (RENT), Rocky III (Starlight Express), Jason (Soul Train), Particle
Man (Stomp), Sammy Davis Jnr (The Rat Pack live from Las Vegas), John Jasper
(Simply Heavenly), Joe Wellington (Golden Boy), Lamar (Elegies), Admiral (The
Big Life), Will Scarlett (Robin and The Seven Hoods), Cats.
He Can Currently be seen as Wilson Pickett in Elton John biopic ROCKETMAN,
Other Samuel in BBC Drama/Comedy – BOAT STORY, Larry in season 2 – LOKI –
Marvel Studios, Steve in – DINNER WITH THE PARENTS – Prime, and Barry in
Season 3 – SISTER BONNIFACE MYSTERIES – BBC/Britbox.
Other credits include Bus Conductor in WORZEL GUMMAGE – BBC. As the voice
of the Lead Wildebeest in feature animation JUNGLEBEAT THE MOVIE. Voice of
lead character ARNI in new Disney Animation series VIKING SKOOL Disney+.
Choreography/Direction/Resident Direction: Get Up Stand Up, The Big Life, Half a
Sixpence, Into The Woods, Shrek The Musical – Sweden, Crazy For You – Sweden,
End of The Rainbow, Five Guys Named Moe, Pearl Fishers. Numerous Stage shows,
stadium events and music videos.
Other credits Film and T.V include: Mister Lonely. Dir. Harmony Korine, Bumps –
BBC1, Shopping Dir Paul W..S Anderson, All About The Mckenzies – ITV, London
Live, and Stay Lucky (YTV),
Instagram: @jasonpennycooke @thepennycooke
Joanna Riding
Joanna Riding is a British, 5-time nominee and 2-time winner of the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical, for Julie in Carousel (National Theatre, London) and Eliza in My Fair Lady (Drury Lane Theatre, London). She was nominated for the following roles: Jane in Witches of Eastwick (Drury Lane), Sarah in Guys and Dolls (National Theatre) and Annie in Calendar Girls the Musical (Phoenix, London). Other recent roles include the London production of Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud), Sally in Follies (National Theatre), Madame Rose in Gypsy (Buxton Opera House) and Babe in Pajama Game (Shaftesbury, London).
Her plays include: Ruth in Blithe Spirit, Maggie in Hobson’s Choice, Mrs Cheveley in An Ideal Husband and Fania in Playing For Time.
TV credits include: Eve Marbury in Ridley (ITV), Maeve Gibney in McDonald and Dodds, and Melissa in Stella (Sky).
Joanna’s film credits include Cinderella’s Mother in Into the Woods.
Jeremy Secomb
Theatre:Les Misérables Arena Spectacular (World Tour); Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (Gielgud); Sister Act (Eventim Apollo & UK tour); A Christmas Carol (Dominion); Cats (Kilworth); Evita (UK and International tour & Adelphi); Sweet Charity (Nottingham Playhouse); Les Misérables (Queens); Sweeney Todd (London & New York); The Phantom of The Opera (Majesty’s & Australia/New Zealand & UK tour); Lend Me A Tenor (Gielgud); Priscilla Queen of the Desert (Palace); The Woman In White (Palace); Jerry Springer The Opera (Cambridge); Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK tour); A Grand Night for Singing (Footbridge Sydney).Television: Stonehouse (ITV).Concert: Soloist: Liverpool Philharmonic, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Symphony and Ulster Symphony Orchestras; Old Friends-Stephen Sondheim Gala (Sondheim & BBC); Bonnie & Clyde; Evita; Sunset Boulevard (Alexandra Palace & Royal Albert Hall); Three Phantoms (China & UK); Movies to Musicals; Les Misérables; Jesus Christ Superstar; Playing Our Part (Cadogan Hall) Recordings: Mascherato: The Musical; Jerry Springer The Opera; 25th Anniversary Phantom of the Opera; Lend Me A Tenor; Vocalist on numerous solo albums. Awards: Sweeney Todd (Winner: The Theatre World Award. Nominations: Best Leading Actor in a Musical, Lucille Lortel, Drama League and Drama Desk Awards).
Instagram: @jeremysecombofficial
Maria Wirries
Maria Wirries (she/they) is a Performer, Composer, Lyricist, and Self-Proclaimed Swamp Witch.
Select credits include: Dear Evan Hansen (Broadway and First National Tour), Kinky Boots (Off Broadway Revival), and Penelope or How the Odyssey Was Really Written (Off Broadway). She is currently in the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Workshop, and has developed her own original musicals at the Goodspeed Opera House, the Paramount Theater, and Penn State University. She is a proud Penn State and Young Arts Alum, and says a huge thank you to her childhood voice teacher Alan for gifting her a love of Sondheim and his work from an early age; “children will listen.”
Daniel Yearwood
Daniel Yearwood Broadway: Sweeney Todd, Hamilton, Once on This Island, INK. NYC: Eyes of the World: From D Day to VE Day (Carnegie Hall), Grand Hotel (NYCC). Regional: In the Heights, Newsies (Fulton Theatre). Recent collaborations include Breathe: Portraits from a Pandemic; Music by Douglas Lyons & Ethan Pakchar, Book by Timothy Allen McDonald & Jodi Picoult; Past Demons: Tales by Shirley Jackson by Ryan Scott Oliver. Immensely grateful to MTC and excited to return and celebrate the legacy of the late Stephen Sondheim alongside this incredible cast. Love to Mom, Dad, & The Three Peas. Thank you Tara, Sheri and Erica. @daniel.j.yearwood
Kevin Earley
Broadway credits include Les Misérables, Thoroughly Modern Millie and A Tale Of Two Cities. Kevin secured a NY Drama Desk Award nomination for the title role in Death Takes a Holiday at the Roundabout, Laura Pels Theater. He has also received a Chicago Joseph Jefferson Award, L.A. Drama Critics’ Circle Award and four L.A. Ovation Award nominations. Original cast albums include Death Takes a Holiday, A Tale of Two Cities, Secondhand Lions and Ripper, as well as his solo album “Earley Standards.” His regional highlights include Pierre in Natasha Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812, Dysart in Equus, Robert in The Play That Goes Wrong, Andrews in Titanic, Mr. Hart in 9 to 5 and Archibald in The Secret Garden. Directing credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, The Glass Menagerie, Changing Channels and The Fantasticks. Special thank you to Julie Ann. kevinearley.com
Paige Faure
Paige Faure (Co-Star/Dance Captain) – Broadway: A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (The Noise and Marcia, Ellie, Jaye standby), the Tony-winning revival of Company (Bobbie, Sarah, Jenny standby), the title role in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Ella), the revival of Miss Saigon (Ellen u/s), Bullets Over Broadway starring Zach Braff (Ellen u/s), and How To Succeed in Business… featuring Daniel Radcliffe (Hedy La Rue). She’s toured internationally with five other Broadway shows, premiered new works regionally at The Old Globe, Papermill Playhouse, The REV Theatre Company and the Kennedy Center, and has, most recently, created choreography for The Rev Theatre’s 2024 production of Jersey Boys, as well as being part of the choreography team for the A Beautiful Noise first national tour. She has performed for the Tony Awards, PBS Capitol Fourth Celebration, The Met Gala, and is a frequent soloist with The New American Pops Orchestra and NJ Festival Orchestra. Paige is a compassionate yoga teacher and arts educator, and totally cringe mom to Hank. @paigefaure
Alexa Lopez
Alexa Lopez is a proud Cuban American hailing from South FL. She most recently originated the role of April in the world premiere of Falcon Girls at Yale Repertory Theatre. Regional credits include Jane Doe (Ride the Cyclone/Beck Center), Sonya (The Great Comet of 1812/Idaho Shakespeare & GLT), Mimi (Rent/Cain Park), Lizzie Borden (Lizzie/Beck Center), Maria (West Side Story/Porthouse), Mollie (Perpetual Sunshine and the Ghost Girls; 2021 ASCAP Award Winner/Beck). Last year, she was honored to perform the national anthem for over 65,000 fans at her first major football game, Browns vs. Steelers, for Hispanic Heritage Month. Alexa also won Best Actress in a Musical in the 2022 Cleveland Critics Circle Theatre Awards for her work as Maria in Porthouse’s West Side Story. Recent Grad of Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre 2024. Alexaelizabethlopez.com @alexaelopez.
Peter Neureuther
Peter is overjoyed to be making his Broadway debut with this legendary cast! Regional: Les Miserables (The Muny), Beauty & The Beast (The Northern Stage). Recent graduate of CCM MT. Thank you to the creative team, Tara Rubin casting, and the amazing team at HCKR for this opportunity. Love to Mom, Dad, Lucy, and Grace. Thank you for always believing in my dreams! IG: @peter_neureuther
Jasmine Forsberg
Kate Jennings Grant
David Harris
Bonnie Langford
Beth Leavel
Gavin Lee
Jason Pennycooke
Joanna Riding
Jeremy Secomb
Maria Wirries
Daniel Yearwood
Kevin Earley
Paige Faure
Alexa Lopez
Peter Neureuther
Creative
Music & Lyrics
Stephen Sondheim
STEPHEN SONDHEIM wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night (1954), A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1962), Anyone Can Whistle (1964), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), The Frogs (1974), Pacific Overtures (1976), Sweeney Todd (1979), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sunday In The Park With George (1984), Into The Woods (1987), Assassins (1991), Passion (1994), Road Show (2008) and HERE WE ARE (2023), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear A Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973), Side By Side By Sondheim (1976), Marry Me A Little (1981), You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983), Putting It Together (1993/99), Moving On (2001) and Sondheim On Sondheim (2010) are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. For films, he composed the scores of “Stavisky” (1974), co-composed the score for “Reds” (1981) and wrote songs for “Dick Tracy” (1990). He wrote songs for the television production “Evening Primrose” (1966), co-authored the film “The Last of Sheila” (1973) and the play Getting Away With Murder (1996) and provided incidental music for the plays The Girls of Summer (1956), Invitation To A March (1961), Twigs (1971) and The Enclave (1973). He won the Tony Award for Best Score for Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Passion, all of which won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award, as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday In The Park With George, the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (1985). Stephen Sondheim was born in 1930 and raised in New York City. He graduated from Williams College, winning the Hutchinson Prize for Music Composition, after which he studied theory and composition with Milton Babbitt. He served on the Council of the Dramatists Guild, the national association of playwrights, composers and lyricists, and served as its president from 1973 to 1981. In 1983 he was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 1990 was appointed the first Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theatre at Oxford University. He was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 1993, the National Medal of Arts in 1996, the MacDowell Medal in 2013 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015. His collected lyrics with attendant essays have been published in two volumes: “Finishing the Hat” (2010) and “Look, I Made a Hat” (2011). In 2010 the Broadway theater formerly known as Henry Miller’s Theatre was renamed in his honor, and in 2019 he became the first living artist to have a theatre named in his honor on Shaftesbury Avenue when the refurbished Queen’s Theatre in London’s West End was renamed the Sondheim Theatre to commemorate his 90th birthday, by Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
Devisor / Producer
Cameron Mackintosh
CAMERON MACKINTOSH (Devisor / Producer) has been producing shows since 1967 and remains the world’s most prolific producer of musicals in theatre history. As well as producing three of the world’s longest running musicals – Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera and Cats – his legendary productions also include Miss Saigon, Oliver!, Mary Poppins (co-produced with Disney), Side By Side By Sondheim, Little Shop of Horrors, The Witches of Eastwick and Five Guys Named Moe. He has produced several hugely acclaimed revivals of My Fair Lady, Oklahoma! and Carousel as well as reinventing long-running new productions of Les Misérables, Miss Saigon, The Phantom of the Opera and Oliver! Cameron is also co-producer with Jeffrey Seller of Hamilton in London and on Tour in the UK. In 2012, alongside Working Title Films and Universal, Cameron produced the hugely successful Oscar®, Golden Globe and BAFTA award winning film adaptation of Les Misérables, which is one of the most successful movies ever of an original stage musical. To celebrate over 10 years since its release, the movie has been remixed and recently rereleased in full Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision in selected cinemas around the world, as well as a new home vision 4K Blu-ray disc and iTunes download version of the film. The staged concert version of Les Misérables has proved to be just as successful as the original musical and is returning this autumn to stadiums and stages around the world in a much-anticipated spectacular Arena Tour – which is already mostly sold out in the UK. The concert version of Les Misérables has been filmed three times – at the Royal Albert Hall, the O2 Arena and the Gielgud Theatre – and is continually rescreened on TV and in cinemas throughout the world and, alongside his spectacular Royal Albert Hall production of The Phantom of the Opera, regularly breaks attendance records for live recording performances of musical theatre. Cameron owns and operates eight historic London theatres, which have all been spectacularly rebuilt and refurbished for the 21st century. They house many of London’s most successful hits. The Sondheim, formerly known as the Queen’s, now has a glorious auditorium and backstage and has been renamed in honour of Cameron’s great friend, theatrical legend Stephen Sondheim, who passed away in 2021. The last show he and Cameron were working on, Old Friends, had an all-star gala premiere at the Sondheim Theatre in 2022 and was later screened on BBC TV. In 1990, Cameron inaugurated the Chair of Contemporary Theatre at St Catherine’s College in Oxford University, with Stephen Sondheim as his visiting professor. The current Professor is world-renowned director, Gregory Doran. Music Theatre International, one of the world’s oldest and largest libraries of secondary rights of the greatest musicals ever written, is now one of Cameron’s companies. Cameron was knighted in the 1996 New Year’s Honours for his services to British theatre and in June 2023, was awarded the Freedom of the City of London. He is the first British producer ever to be elected to Broadway’s Theater Hall of Fame.
Musical Staging & Direction
Matthew Bourne
MATTHEW BOURNE is firmly established as the UK’s most popular and successful choreographer and director. He is the creator of the world’s longest-running ballet production, a record-breaking nine-time Olivier Award winner, and the only British director to have won the Tony Award for both Best Choreographer and Best Director of a Musical. He is the Artistic Director of New Adventures, the UK’s busiest and most popular dance company and the major exporter of British dance internationally.
As Artistic Director of his first company, Adventures in Motion Pictures, from 1987 until 2001, Matthew created many award-winning works (including Nutcracker!, Highland Fling, Swan Lake, Cinderella and The Car Man) Further hit productions were created when New Adventures was launched in 2002 (including Play Without Words, Edward Scissorhands, Dorian Gray, Sleeping Beauty, The Red Shoes and Romeo and Juliet)
Matthew is also a West End and Broadway choreographer; a 30 year relationship with producer Cameron Mackintosh has resulted in the globally successful musicals Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and Oliver!
In 2015, he became the first dance figure to be given the Stage Award for Outstanding Contribution to British Theatre. He received the OBE in 2001 and was knighted in the Queen’s New Year Honours in 2016; in the same year he was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award in recognition of his outstanding services to dance.
His latest work for New Adventures, The Midnight Bell, which premiered in 2021, went on to win the National Dance Award for Best Modern Choreography. His productions of Romeo and Juliet and Edward Scissorhands are currently on tour.
Side by Side with
Julia McKenzie
On screen, Julia McKenzie is perhaps best known for playing Miss Marple in Agatha Christie’s Marple. More recently, Julia starred in The Queen & I, BBC’s adaptation of J.K Rowling’s The Casual Vacancy, Gold Digger, ITV’s The Town BBC’s Cranford and the hugely popular British sitcoms Fresh Fields and French Fields. Julia is also recognised for her work on stage having starred in many productions in the West End and on Broadway, including Promises Promises and On The 20th Century. Julia is well known for her work with Stephen Sondheim, Company, Side By Side By Sondheim, Follies, Into The Woods, and Julia went on to win the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical in Sweeney Todd. Julia also won the Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical for Guys And Dolls at the National Theatre, and the Evening Standard Award for Best Actress for Woman In Mind by Alan Ayckbourn.
Film work includes: Allelujah, Notes On A Scandal, Bright Young Things and Shirley Valentine. In 2018, Julia was awarded an CBE for her services to Drama.
Choreographer
Stephen Mear
Stephen has won the Olivier Award for Best Theatre Choreographer three times, twice for Mary Poppins (London, Broadway & UK tours; Co-Choreographer with Sir Matthew Bourne – they also received an LA Drama Critics Circle Award, a Helpmann Award in Australia, and a Tony and Drama Desk Award nomination) and the third for Hello, Dolly! at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Olivier Award Nominations include: Gypsy (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy), Kiss Me, Kate (Chichester Festival Theatre/Old Vic), Crazy for You (Regent’s Park/Novello), Sweet Charity (Menier Chocolate Factory/Theatre Royal), Sinatra (Palladium/UK tour), Singin’ in the Rain (West Yorkshire Playhouse/ National; received the WhatsOnStage Award in 2001 for Best Choreography) and Soul Train (West Yorkshire Playhouse/ Victoria Palace).
Theatre includes: as Director/ Choreographer: Guys and Dolls and Funny Girl (Théâtre Marigny, Paris), Guys and Dolls Live in Concert and The Best of the West End (Royal Albert Hall), 42nd Street (Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris), Top Hat and Thoroughly Modern Millie (Kilworth House Theatre), She Loves Me (Chichester Festival Theatre), Little Shop of Horrors (Storyhouse Theatre, Chester) and Shoes (Sadlers Wells/Peacock). As Choreographer: La Cage aux Folles (Regent’s Park), The Witches (National Theatre); Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends (Sondheim Theatre), Chess (ENO), Sunset Boulevard (ENO, Broadway), On the Town (ENO, Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris), Singin’ in the Rain (Grand Palais/Théâtre du Châtelet, Paris), City of Angels, The Vote and The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui (Donmar Warehouse), White Christmas (Curve/Dominion), Scrooge: The Musical (Curve), Mack and Mabel (Chichester Festival Theatre/ UK tour), The Pajama Game (Shaftesbury), Amadeus, Music Man, Funny Girl, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Putting it Together and The Grapes of Wrath (Chichester Festival Theatre), Guys and Dolls, Dreamgirls and Ragtime (Milwaukee Rep), Die Fledermaus and The Little Mermaid (Broadway), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (West Yorkshire Playhouse/ UK tour), Gigi (Regent’s Park), Stephen Ward (Aldwych), Betty Blue Eyes (Novello), Me and My Girl (Sheffield Crucible), Anything Goes (National/Theatre Royal) and Acorn Antiques: The Musical (London/UK tour).
TV credits: Gypsy Live at the Savoy, The Tracey Ullman Show, Psychobitches, Acorn Antiques: The Musical, So You Think You Can Dance? and Victoria Wood’s Christmas Special.
Music Videos: Number 1 (Goldfrapp) and The Importance of Being Idle (Oasis).
Producing Partner
Daryl Roth
DARYL ROTH is honored to hold the singular distinction of producing 7 Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Anna in the Tropics; August: Osage County (2008 Tony Award); Clybourne Park (2012 Tony Award); How I Learned to Drive; Proof (2001 Tony Award); Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women; and Wit. The proud recipient of 13 Tony Awards and London’s Olivier Award, her over 130 productions include Kinky Boots; Angels in America; Between the Lines; Company; Funny Girl; Gloria: A Life; Edward Albee’s The Goat or Who is Sylvia; Indecent; Into the Woods; It Shoulda Been You; Life of Pi; Love, Loss, and What I Wore; The Normal Heart; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; and War Horse. Currently: The Picture of Dorian Gray (West End) and Appropriate. Upcoming: Left on Tenth. Trustee, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and Lincoln Center Theater. She is proud to have been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.
Alfonso Casado Trigo
Music Supervisor
Stephen Brooker
Music Supervisor
Stephen Metcalfe
Music Arranger
Annbritt duChateau
Conductor
Matt Kinley
Set Designer
Jill Parker
Costume Designer
Warren Letton
Lighting Designer
Mick Potter
Sound Designer
George Reeve
Projection Designer
Tara Rubin Casting
Casting
David Lober
Production Stage Manager
Music & Lyrics
Stephen Sondheim
Devisor / Producer
Cameron Mackintosh
Musical Staging & Direction
Matthew Bourne
Side by Side with
Julia McKenzie
Choreographer
Stephen Mear
Producing Partner
Daryl Roth
Alfonso Casado Trigo
Music Supervisor
Stephen Brooker
Music Supervisor
Stephen Metcalfe
Music Arranger
Annbritt duChateau
Conductor
Matt Kinley
Set Designer
Jill Parker
Costume Designer
Warren Letton
Lighting Designer
Mick Potter
Sound Designer
George Reeve
Projection Designer
Tara Rubin Casting
Casting
David Lober
Production Stage Manager