University Players bring youth to revue

By Chan Tran
Daily Forty-Niner

Composer Stephen Sondheim's music last filled the University Players' Theatre 10 years ago with the Cal State Long Beach original revue titled "Simply Sondheim."

The director, Joanne Gordon, is looking to score another hit with Sondheim's music in "Side by Side by Sondheim," which opens Saturday.

"I hope we can convert some people into Sondheim fans," Gordon said. "In every single piece, Sondheim reinvents the notion of musical language. He's given me a whole work every time."

Both onstage and offstage, CSULB University Players' production of "Side by Side," which runs Oct. 13-28, is unlike any show the theatre department has staged in recent years.

"Side by Side" is a revue of both well-known and obscure songs from many of Sondheim's shows intertwined with witty dialogues. There are no story lines or character names. Among the more popular shows included are "Follies," "West Side Story," "Company" and "A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum."

When the production originally opened in New York, the cast was comprised of three middle-aged British actors who were all mature performers.

But this is not how Gordon envisioned the latest production.

The Players' production has eight singers, all of whom are Americans in their teens and early 20s, on stage with a percussionist and pianist.

Although the change in actors may alarm some fans of the show Gordon said the good has outweighed the bad.

"Some of Sondheim's cynicism might be lost, but with more people involved, there are more chances to portray different personalities," Gordon said. "We have a different energy, a youthful bright and optimistic cast."

Gordon, a renowned writer, director and teacher, has penned two books about Sondheim. Her previous Sondheim productions include "Sweeney Todd," "Sunday In The Park With George" and the CSULB original "Simply Sondheim."

The cast members agree that the intimacy of the 99-seat theater along with a renowned director at the helm has helped them embrace this production.

"We're young college students and we have tweaked it to make it good," said Amy Warner, a junior music major.

Aside from the staging changes of "Side by Side," a departmental milestone has also been reached.

On an undergraduate level, the CSULB music and theatre department have not collaborated on a show in five years, according to Gordon.

Jonathan Talbert, director of choral studies, is handling the vocal training for the production.

"Music majors who are used to singing opera do not usually act," Talbert said. "Rarely do you get the music and theatre department together like this."

After auditioning over 60 people and rehearsing for five weeks, the opening night presents a new challenge for Gordon and the young cast.

"We have young Americans doing American theater, which is how it should be," Gordon said.