STEPHEN SONDHEIM AND FRANK RICH

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Monday October 26 I had a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet both Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich.

I attended STEPHEN SONDHEIM A LIFE IN THE THEATER, AN ONSTAGE CONVERSATION WITH FRANK RICH at Benaroya Hall.

We (of course this night was a Conn family event) started the evening off at a 6:30pm reception in the Founder's Room hosted by David Armstrong, Producing Artistic Director, The 5th Avenue Theatre, and Dennis Coleman, Artistic Director, Seattle Men's Chorus /Seattle Women's Chorus. Delicious food, yummy wine, and what a beautiful room!

We were there not just for the wine and food, but to meet Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich! So as soon as Stephen entered the room, the Conn family made a beeline for him! Wow, what a friendly, gracious and talkative man! We introduced ourselves, told him what huge fans we were, told him that INTO THE WOODS is Trinity's favorite show, and that Myrna was The Baker's Wife in INTO THE WOODS at Village Theatre Kidstage. Stephen congratulated Myrna on nabbing "the best role" in the show. He asked about the production - what was the orchestration, how much rehearsal time etc. I was then able to inform Mr. Sondheim that the girl who had played Little Red in that same show (Keaton Whittaker) was going to be in the Broadway production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC. This was news to him, since he had left New York just days before the role was cast! So, I was able to tell Stephen Sondheim something he didn't already know. My husband went on to tell Stephen how much he loved COMPANY.

My husband and I had a fun, but brief, talk with Frank Rich, and he seemed genuinely pleased that we had both read and enjoyed his memoir Ghostlight

After more chatting with friends, it was almost 8:00pm -- time to go to the presentation! Boy, did that hour and a half pass quickly.

We had a great view of the two chairs on stage as David Armstrong and Dennis Coleman introduced Stephen Sondheim and Frank Rich! What a fun evening. Frank was a great host/moderator, and Stephen spoke at length about his past shows, experiences, musical influences (Ravel, Harold Arlen, Cole Porter...) collaborators (James Lapine, Hugh Wheeler, George Furth, John Weidman...), producers (Hal Prince...) and other celebrities ( Ethel Merman, Ingmar Bergman, and Elaine Stritch, to name a few).

One funny story was when he was working on COMPANY and trying to figure out what song to write for Elaine Stritch. He went out for a very late night cap with her and the bar was closing up. She told the bartender, "all I need is a bottle of vodka and a floor plan". Hmmm, I can see where "The Ladies Who Lunch" came from!

Another was Hermione Gringold's audition for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, where she took off her wig to expose a bald head. She was hired on the spot.

Frank read some questions that had been submitted by the audience. For example, what do you do if you're stuck on a lyric ? Stephen answered, call my collaborator!

He then told us about the Parisian production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, which he was very interested in seeing because it is going to star Kristin Scott Thomas and wait for it...Leslie Caron!

Too soon the evening was over and we were on our feet applauding. It was a night to remember!

By Suzy Conn on October 28, 2009 11:31 AM | | Comments (0)


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