Stephen Sondheim received an all-star salute with the help of Patti LuPone, Sierra Boggess, Sutton Foster, Norm Lewis, Brian Stokes Mitchell and Skylar Astin at the Hollywood Bowl’s ‘Everybody Rise!’ writes Times theater critic CharlesMcNulty
A critic’s tribute to Broadway composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, a master of storytelling in song.
LuPone can sing with Puccini-esque flair, drawing out vocal color with an Impressionist’s insouciance. But she is also an astute dramatic performer who knows how to release the hidden meanings of lyrics. Her rendition of “Send in the Clowns” would touch even the newcomer who mistakenly believed LuPone was singing about a trapeze star at Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, so resonant was her stoical disappointment.
The shimmering richness of Lewis’ baritone and the agile beauty of Boggess’ soprano supplied the evening’s natural pyrotechnics. Lewis combined lightness and gravity in his handling of “Everybody Says Don’t” from “Anyone Can Whistle.” Boggess and Lewis imbued “Too Many Mornings” from “Follies” with gorgeous romantic melancholy.Mitchell gamely took on both spousal roles in “Getting Married Today” from “Company,” his bridal anxiety turned up to maximum hilarity.
Mitchell’s superlative baritone darkened the amphitheater with “Epiphany,” Sweeney’s murderous prayer. With LuPone’s perversely opportunistic Mrs. Lovett reviewing the prospective cannibalistic menu, his Sweeney perfectly complemented her cockeyed humor with his own savage drollery. And together with Lewis in “Pretty Women,” Mitchell seized on the devilish irony that Sondheim often saves his most magnificent melodies for the bloodiest occasions.
Astin, who played the Baker in Longbottom’s staging of “Into the Woods,” impresses once again at the Bowl. His version of “Finishing the Hat” made me wish someone would immediately cast him in the next revival of
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