Originally Posted By TheRedhead "This friend's theater company (Signature Theatre in the DC area) has since become very well known for its Sondheim musicals." Is your friend Eric Schaeffer??? I saw "Assassins" at the Signature Theater. I can honestly say it was one of my top ten theatrical experiences of my life. Better even than the Broadway production. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.
Originally Posted By DlandJB Is your friend Eric Schaeffer???>>> Yes! We used to work together. I then did some freelance work for him in the early days of Signature, writing grant proposals. He is simply a wonderful guy. I'm so proud of all that he has accomplished with that theater. He told me back in the early 1990s what he envisioned, and I think all of it has happened. <<I saw "Assassins" at the Signature Theater. I can honestly say it was one of my top ten theatrical experiences of my life. Better even than the Broadway production. Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant.>> I'd say that about nearly everything I ever got to see at Signature. They are a stellar theater.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead Wow. I feel like he's one of the guys who really GOT Sondheim, way before this recent wave of appreciation/worship. He did such an amazing job with the Sondheim Festival at the Kennedy Center in 2002. The shows were just fantastic, even from the cheap seats. Eric pulled off something truly special there. I moved from NYC to DC, and I really missed my Broadway. But the Signature is like having the best Off-Broadway theater 20 minutes from your house. Have you seen the new theater? It's all grown-up and stuff!
Originally Posted By DlandJB I was in Northern Virginia last June and I stopped in to see the theater. I got to wander around the lobbies but I couldn't go inside the theater space because they were rehersing. I bought a book and a t-shirt. There is a wonderful story to tell about how Eric got to know Sondheim. He used to be part of The Arlington Players and he really wanted to stage "Sunday in the Park" as it happened, the original sets and costumes were up for sale. But this little community theater could not afford them. Eric wrote to Sondheim and told him about his plans for the show and asked that he be allowed to borrow them. Sondheim was very impressed with Eric's vision and cut him a deal -- they would lease the costumes and sets if Eric could raise the money for shipping and insurance -- around $30,000. He did just about everything but hold a bake sale -- he may even have held a bake sale - but he raised the money and they staged it (I saw it and it was wonderful). He sent the reviews to Sondheim with a thank you and Sondheim was impressed. It was at this time they began talking about doing their first incarnation of Assassins. I've never met someone who is more clear headed about his vision and in a business that can be so nasty he remains as nice and geniune as you can be. I'm really glad you are getting to enjoy the new theater. the new season looks awesome.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I am late to this party. Assassins leapt to my mind. I, too, saw that Signature Theatre showing, and have been mesmerized by the songs ever since. I also would love to stage that show... in a fantasy version of the attic of the Smithsonian! Anyway... FOLLIES. A show with wit, fun, heartbreak, and some great star turns. There are a number of ways to experience this one. There is, of course, the review Side By Side By Sondheim which gives you a great overview of his best songs. AND there is always a Disney connection. Sondheim provided the five original songs for Dick Tracy, winning an Academy Award for Sooner or Later (sung by Madonna as Breathless Mahoney).
Originally Posted By TheRedhead I got to play Guiteau in "Assassins" in college. My favorite part ever. Thanks for that story, DlandJB. And that's exactly how he comes off every time I've see him. I'm seeing "The Visit" next month. Can't wait! A good way to experience "Follies" is the concert version. Carol Burnett singing "I'm Still Here" is pretty thrilling.
Originally Posted By DlandJB If you can catch the DVD of the Broadway version of "Putting it Together" with Carol Burnett and Bronson Pinchot in the cast, Eric Schaeffer was the artistic director on that show too.
Originally Posted By TheRedhead ^^^I didn't know that. I saw the show on Broadway. Sondheim revues don't seem to work real well. But it's a good introduction to songs if you're unfamiliar with all of his work.
Originally Posted By koobar i LOVE the signature theatre! too bad eric shaeffer directed that snow white musical at disneyland...
Originally Posted By DlandJB i LOVE the signature theatre! too bad eric shaeffer directed that snow white musical at disneyland...>>> Yes...I wasn't going to share that! LOL I think if Eric could have done it the way he wanted to do it, it would have been amazing...but probably not suitable for children!
Originally Posted By DlandDug A correction. I did not see Assassins at Signature, but rather a review in which numbers from the show were presented. It was done in the old garage theater.
