Sondheim’s early work set side by side

Tom Titus

If America were a monarchy, Stephen Sondheim would have had a “Sir”

attached to his name long ago, despite the alliteration involved.

After all, he’s the reigning king of Broadway whose tenure is

approaching half a century.

Unlike that British knight, Andrew Lloyd Webber, who composes

brilliantly but leaves the lyrics to others, Sondheim writes both

words and music, and has been doing so since “A Funny Thing Happened

on the Way to the Forum” some 42 years ago.

The only problem with a show like “Side by Side by Sondheim,” now

in residence at the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Founders

Hall through Sept. 19, is that it was written some 27 years ago and

doesn’t include anything Sondheim has created since -- such as “Into

the Woods,” “Sweeney Todd” or “Assassins.” However, what we’re left

with is still pretty hot stuff -- particularly in the current

incarnation of this tribute.

The cast numbers only three -- well, four if you include guest

narrator Carole Cook, who contributes one solo -- but it’s certainly

the right trio. Orange County’s own Teri Ralston, who’s enjoyed a

career of Sondheim shows, joins Davis Gaines (who’s made a career out

of playing the “Phantom of the Opera” more than 2,000 times) and

young, blond sparkplug Julie Dixon Jackson, who draws -- and aces --

some of Sondheim’s trickiest solos in this production.

What separates “Side by Side by Sondheim” from other tributes to

Broadway composers, such as “Red, Hot and Cole” (Cole Porter) or

“Some Enchanted Evening” (Rodgers and Hammerstein) is the depth to

which the three singers -- all skilled actors -- can reach with their

interpretations. Each musical segment touches a particular emotional

nerve, and Ralston, Gaines and Jackson all know which buttons to push

in this regard.

Highlights abound and each singer has at least one memorable

number. Ralston just about brings down the house with her stirring

hymn to survivorship, “I’m Still Here,” from “Follies,” and Gaines

immediately follows with another in the same vein, “Being Alive,”

from “Company.” Both are celebratory, life-affirming numbers,

enhanced by superb interpretations.

Meanwhile, Jackson rattles off the hilarious “Getting Married

Today” (also from “Company”) and the equally amusing “Another Hundred

People” from the same show with admirable clarity -- Sondheim’s

lyrics aren’t for the timid, especially these two tongue-twisting

selections.

Ralston, the Laguna Beach resident who directed and performed in a

fine production of “Follies” earlier this year at the Irvine Barclay

Theatre, also scores highly with “Send in the Clowns” from “A Little

Night Music,” but her face is blocked to the stage-right section of

the audience by the motionless Gaines (who’s just rendered a moving

“Anyone Can Whistle” from the little-known show of that title),

somewhat diluting the effect. This is something director Nick

DeGruccio could easily remedy simply by moving Gaines off the stage

after his number.

As the troupe’s opening selection promises, there’s “Comedy

Tonight.” Toward the end of the show, the three singers offer the

strippers’ “You Gotta Have a Gimmick” from “Gypsy,” but since only

two are female, Gaines draws the assignment of interpreting the

“classy” bump and grinder with hilarious results, including his

feigned reluctance.

Meanwhile, Cook brings a veteran, brassy presence to the mix, and

some of her erstwhile ad-libs border on the blue. But if she’s only

to be given one number, why not “Ladies Who Lunch” from “Company,”

rather than “Broadway Baby” from “Follies?” Her been-there, done-that

attitude would be perfect for the song etched into the memory banks

by Elaine Stritch.

All three principal singers have extensive experience in Sondheim

musicals -- Ralston even helped create a few -- and all bring a

knowing, loving presence to the tuneful irony they contain. “Side by

Side by Sondheim” beautifully celebrates the early years of

Broadway’s greatest composer-lyricist.

* TOM TITUS reviews local theater for the Daily Pilot. His reviews

appear Fridays.