“Happy Birthday, Stephen!” from Chicago with love!

***** There could be nothing greater for me than an evening of celebration of Stephen Sondheim! Tonight!

Tonight, the Auditorium theater was filled with the sounds and words of this genius, this magical wordsmith, this great writer of award -winning musicals. Wow! What a night. For those of you who listen to my radio show ( WCPT820 on Sundays from 2-3 p.m.), you knew about this special early celebration of Stephen’s 90th birthday.  Director ( and one of the performers)of this show, Joan Curto appeared on the show and we spoke about the talent that was assembled for this glorious evening. I am hopeful that it was taped and saved for posterity and perhaps someone will run it on TV so that the millions of musical comedy fans can get a glimpse of what we witnessed this evening.

The music was played by the Chicago Philharmonic , conducted by Rich Daniels. The musical director for the evening was Chicago favorite Beckie Menzie who also sang and played the piano. How is that for a great evening?

The singers: Heidi Kettenring, Paul Marinaro, Johnny Rodgers and Robert Sims, joined by special guests Susan Werner and Rodrick Dixon ( who brought the audience to its feet as he concluded the first act with his rendition of “Somewhere” ( from “West Side Story”).

Musicals that were represented: “Anyone Can Whistle”, “Gypsy”, “Merrily We Roll Along”, “Company” ( Ms Kettnering truly master the amazingly word-filled “Not Getting Married Today”), “Sweeny Todd”, Follies”, “Into The Woods” ( my favorite Sondheim show),”Dick Tracy” and of course, the previously mentioned “West Side Story”. That was only the first act!

Act Two also had music from “Into The Woods”, “Sweeny Todd”, “A Little Night Music” ( where the biggest Sondheim hit “Send In The Clowns” originated), “Follies”, “Anyone Can Whistle” and of course the final song, “Sunday” from “Sunday In The Park With George”.

The singers that joined the stars, Sophie Grimm, Laura Freeman, James Osborne, Marianne Murphy Orland, David Edelfeldt and Tom Michael were all terrific and for the finale, the entire cast was joined on the Auditorium Stage by students of Roosevelt University who are all seeking lives in the art of music. This was definitely Stephen Sondheim- Chicago style and a night that Jane and I will remember for years to come. I can’t wait for his next birthday and to see what he might produce along the way!

Thank you Auditorium Theatre  for bringing this magnificent celebration to Chicago!