[ssba]

Putting it Together

Reviewed by Jessica Salans

Sierra Madre Playhouse

Through March 28

RECOMMENDED:

Last week in a review I wrote for Stage Raw, I wondered whether Sierra Madre Playhouse could have rounded out its Theater for Young Audiences’ show, Einstein is a Dummy, with a cast of more robust vocalists.

A week later, the Playhouse has proven that it does, in fact, harbor strong vocalists — that can act as well as sing — in its current production of Putting it Together, a devised revue by Stephen Sondheim and Julie McKenzie. The evening encompasses Sondheim songs from his most famous works including Follies, Company, Merrily We Roll Along and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. (The only song from the current-trendy Into the Woods is a fun reinterpretation of the Big Bad Wolf’s “Hello, Little Girl.”)

The revue is well executed; director and choreographer Cate Caplin allows her singers-actors to shine with familiar theatric choreography. Mike Irizarry opens the show (as charismatic comedic relief) onto a cocktail party where he and the other four performers exchange songs regarding each other’s relationship statuses. Rachel Hirshee moves effortlessly on the stage, poised with grace and brimming with charm, hitting delicate high notes in the group harmonies. Michael D’Elia’s understudy performance proved how important it is to cast competent and talented understudies. Kurt Andrew Hansen’s beautiful, full baritone and Kristin Towers-Rowles’ soaring soprano stole the show in the Act 2 raving “Getting Married Today.”

The evening is entertaining, fun and will pluck at your nostalgic musical theater heart-strings — if you’ve got ‘em.

Putting it Together; Sierra Madre Playhouse; 87 Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre, CA 91024; Fri. March 20, 8p.m., Sat. March 21, 2:30 & 8p.m., Sun. March 22, 7p.m., Fri. March 27, 8p.m., Sat March 28, 2:30 & 8p.m. https://sierramadreplayhouse.org/