Custom Stage @ Off-Market (San Francisco, CA)
Custom Made Theatre Co. presents Putting it Together, a revue showcasing the songs of Stephen Sondheim. Written by Sondheim himself, the show tells the parallel stories of two couples, with songs from Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music, and many more Sondheim hits.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last date listed for Stephen Sondheim's Putting it Together was Saturday August 15, 2009 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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You can't go wrong with Sondheim, right? You probably wouldn't even consider attending this show unless you're crazy about Sondheim, and you won't be disappointed. Many of his fine songs are represented, and their fiendishly clever lyrics are, admirably, quite easy to understand (for once). There are some singers who have a way with a Sondheim song, and Amy Dondy is one of those singers. Granted, she has been given what are arguably the best songs--with one very notable exception. Just when I thought Miss Dondy was walking away with the show, Luke Anthony announced that it was his turn and launched into a no-holds-barred rendition of "Buddy's Blues" that left me breathless. Now, this is a concept show, and, as such, needs a clear and focused concept, especially in the design elements. The set, which appeared unfinished at the preview, and the costumes, culled from "thrift shops and flea markets" did nothing to give this production the unified design focus that it requires. However, the songs triumphed and Sondheim emerged as the star of the show, which is as it should be. Recommended for Sondheim fans.
One of the best productions I've seen through Goldstar. I've seen a lot of them. Book>GREAT
Performance>better than expected Stageing>Great Director
I'm not the Sondheim freak in the family (that would be my husband, who suggested seeing this show), but I still enjoyed "Putting It Together." I've found that the performances at Custom Made can be inconsistent, but in this show, all 5 of the actors are excellent, with great voices and lots of personality. The two women in particular were fabulous. There's no story here, just 2 hours of Sondheim songs with piano accompaniment, so if you're not a diehard fan, it might be tough going... but if you love the man's music, you will be in heaven.
I am not very familiar with Sondheim's work, but I can tell a good performer when I hear and see one. Definitely worth going for Amy Dondy, whose presence on stage commands attention even when she is not singing. Her understanding of the intricacy of the text is amazing. She made me appreciate Sondheim's ability to zoom in on an apparently trifle detail of interpersonal relations and reveal all the psychological complexity that lies behind it. Dondy has also great vocal qualities such as impeccable intonation and refined phrasing that brings to life these impossibly difficult melodies. The narrator, Luke Anthony, has wonderful stage presence, a seemingly endless reserve of energy, great singing and dancing abilities, and magnetic blue eyes that shine even in the dimly lit corners of the stage. I also liked the Young Woman, Giana DeGeiso, who displayed fantastic comic timing in addition to remarkable interpretation skills. And Kudos for the pianist (Rona Siddiqui?) who handled the very hectic stage action and occasional musical failings with perfect aplomb. As other reviewers have pointed out, there are weak links, and I am sure musicians would wish the rest of the cast were as strong vocally as the ones I mentioned. But all in all, a very enjoyable show!
As a Sondheim fan, I am pretty demanding about how his work is done. Right away, then, I will say that I was completely delighted by this performance. I do not expect Broadway on a small upstairs stage in SF, so I got enough of the taste of Sondheim, his spirit, to come out happy. The two women were the best of the cast, but the more-or-less MC (I can't find my cast list) was over-fabulously wonderful. The two other men were weaker. I noticed that the athletic-built handsome young man did not "give" enough until he had to force it out, and then he did fine. Since he "had it," he could then force out more on a continuous basis, coming out with still more when needed.
I love all the songs you did, but so few people do "Ladies Who Lunch" well enough, and "I Won't Get Married Today" well enough, that I must say that both these songs were absolutely terrific and the cast members involved deserve special kudos for them. Many thanks!
Delightful, touching, the actors/singers did very well by the wonderful Sondheim songs.
We had an absolutely fabulous time. My girlfriend and I laughed out lound throughout the majority of the show, Sondheim is a lyrical genious and the cast executed the songs to perfection!
Kudos to Luke, Amy and Giana... Phenominal!
A great little production! Everyone in the cast had a spot on voice and the venue was nice and intimate. A real fun time. I highly recommend it.
Broadway fans will not be disappointed in this lively, entertaining production of Sondheim's music. The cast, to me, were remarkably talented and appealing; it would be hard to pick a stand-out, they were all that good, but the Narrator ... no, no, the Married Woman- oh, wait - that terrific blond ... Well, you get the idea. I'm glad to know that the troupe is moving into larger, better quarters in the Fall. They deserve every success!
The show is excellent in every regard. Thanks for leting us know about it.
My wife and I love Stephen Sondheim's musicals, and we know how difficult it is for even seasoned professionals to present his work. Custom Stage gives an energetic and engaging performance in this revue of some old Sondheim favorites and some surprisingly fresh and unfamiliar material. Not all the cast members have strong voices, but in such an intimate venue no amplification is needed. The athletic dance routines and clever stagecraft add to the fun. Note: This is a revue, so don't look for a well developed plot. Just sit back and enjoy some of the greatest songs written for the modern stage.
Wonderful for Sondheim fans, it even converted my non-believer partner. Some wonderful acting/singing here, along with some not-so-wonderful. The wonderful (Luke Anthony, Amy Dondy) outweighs the too-often off-pitch or wooden or over-the-top-overacting from the rest of the cast. But the music/lyrics, the piano, the direction and the above-mentioned star-quality performers make this a really enjoyable production.
Just returned from seeing "Stephen Sondheim's Putting it Together" at the Custom Theatre on Mission & 5th www.custommade.org... a joyous production with a cast of five first rate singers, most especially Amy Dondy
www.a-jproductions.com) and a terrific pianist are performing a labor of love through 8/8.
The intimacy of the theatre allows one to hear every word of Sondheim's amazing lyrics. Sit up front if possible.
The staging was terrific and the cleverly designed set allowed for a surprising amount of well choreographed movement.
My heart is full after two hours of laughter and verclempt emotions. Best anti-depressant I've had in a long time!
Stephen Sonheim's music is always a distinct pleasure. To have it performed in a small, intimate setting by polished professionals is a special pleasure.
This was a delightful evening out. Amy Dondy's stellar vocal performance was the light through and through. Sondheim wrote this for her. If you want to take her home with you, check out the CD Simply Sondheim on sale at the theater. I love it!!
Great for anyone who loves Sondheim. As another reviewer mentioned, you could hear every verse. Voices were good, sometimes great. Pianist is amazing. The evening flowed well, without any goofy force-fitting of a genuine plot. A long tone-poem, with lyrics.
It was very well done, very professional and we will recommend it to friends.
Love the show, go and enjoy you wont be sorry!
The whole show was enjoyable, but then, I'm a slight Sondheim nerd. Gessford's "Marry me a little" was probably the best I've ever seen as far as making the song mean what it means -- was that him, the director, or both? In any case, a good time.
Great show... lots of enthusiasm and interesting how they did put Sondheim's songs together. Most of the voices were good and overall I would recommend seeing it!
Love the use of the great lyrics from Sondheim to tell a a story. There were some strong performnces from the lady singers, as well as the young man who was the narrator. It as fun night for me an my friend
a great evening of Sondheim songs and wonderful singers.
Thank you
Our party loved the show. The only weak element was the quality of the lighting.
Great show! Excellent singers! We especially liked Luke Anthony, the narrator, who was a good actor/MC as well as singer--lively, energetic and engaging. The theatre is small and comfortable, and Heaven's Dog (7th and Mission) is a good place to go for dinner before the show.
1-Pianist/music director was astonishingly accomplished. #10 for her!
2-Singers were energized, articulate and well suited to the songs.
3-Programs need a song list and photos; would be easier to follow.
4-Set left much to be desired; it should be much better in the new venue.
5-Kudos to the singer who stepped in as a sub. Beautiful voice.
6-My faves—Ladies Who Lunch and Being Alive
It turns out I'm not that much of a Sondheim fan. If you aren't a major fan this isn't for you. There were a few songs I enjoyed but overall it was a bit too maudlin for me. They have a new singer who stepped in at the last second and I think it will improve when he doesn't need to carry the script with him. It's a fun, intimate setting, but it's in a sketchy area and we were not comfortable walking back to the car.
The most fun I have had since 1984.
It was Sondheim done very well. Loved it.
It was fun. I thought all of the singers were very talented, with a couple outstanding. I agree w/ some other reviewers - the venue is a bit warm, but they are moving and this is their last play in this smaller (about 70 seats) setting. I was thinking this would be a medley of Sondheim songs for some reason, so I was surprised in that it is really a musical. It is not suggested for children, due to some adult subject matter.
What can we say? Over the top fantastic!
Very professional actors. Did Sondheim proud.
Anyone who enjoys music written by Soundheim will like this clever play and weave of songs.
I found the first act very difficult. Well, to put it more fairly, the singers found Sondheim very difficult. The second act was MUCH improved, and errors were reduced to the point where you stopped anticipating them, and instead could allow yourself to enjoy the excellent theatricality of the cast, with the exception of the "married man," who could neither act nor sing competently. The touted star, Amy Dondy, performed with obvious confidence, but was weaker and less interesting than the "narrator," Luke Anthony, who performed with comic energy and the most accuracy (Singers, hit your notes!),the "young woman", Giana De Geiso, the best actor, who is physically and often musically lovely, and the "young man," Scott Gessford, who matured radically between acts. You should probably go; if you go, you should definitely stay.
For Sondheim devotees this I'm sure is great. The cast is enthusiastic and did a very admirable job with some fun but difficult material.
We just wished the songs and shows had been noted in the playbill. And the theater became a bit stuffy until the fans were turned on. Very good actors and direction.
A talented cast with strong clear singing voices, although one member of the cast was consistently off-key. There really is not much of a storyline to follow, so if you go in expecting to see a revue rather than a full-fledged musical you won't be disappointed. My only gripe was that the theatre was not air conditioned and had just a few random fans blowing the same tired air around the audience and the cast members. This resulted in the cast visually perspiring (shall we say sweating like hogs?) especially during the energetic dance numbers, and audience members like myself wondering if I was having hot flashes (but then again I'm a guy).
This is a show that is not "put together" well, rather poorly directed, and poorly acted. Many of the songs likely fit well in the original show for which they were composed, but as a revue, they were boring and worse. The singing was generally awful as well. One can speak Sondheim's lyrics and one can sing them, but much of what I heard was simply out of tune/off the note. The pianist was excellent.
We left at intermission, and I think our friends would have also, expect they knew someone in the cast.
Well done.....Voices first rate, and they did the best they could with the staging.
Some of the singers were better than the others, but overall, very enjoyable
Very fun and well-worth it.
This was a valiant effort, but only Amy Dondy was really up to the task. She did a marvelous job. The other cast members had some nice moments, but simply couldn't do justice to the material.
This production was OK and that's really all I can say about it. The accoustics in the room did not do anything for the voices. I never thought I would say this about Sondheim but the subject matter supported by the song selections in this theater piece seemed dated to me. I'm glad I paid the Goldstar price.
Kind of raunchy, but not bad. Great voice/acting by "unmarried woman." Rest of cast good too.
Great songs. Mostly good interpretations. But still needs work.
This was a preview so it should get better. The older male actor and the two female actresses had the better voices of the cast. I did not care for the two young males' singing voices at all. There also did not seem to be any real chemistry between the couples. Some of the audience members thought the cast was uneven as far as abilities and talents. I would agree.
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A revue with a difference. A revue that tells a story. A show that covers one night and forty years. A show that takes place today and also in 200 B.C., 1853, 1882, 1900, the 1950s, the 1970s, the 1980s and tonight.
It's a revue that's a little Ingmar Bergman, a little Edward Albee, a little Kaufman and Hart, and a whole lot of Stephen Sondheim.
Sondheim himself conceived this evening of his hits, as well as lesser known masterpieces, from "Sweeney Todd", "Into the Woods", "Sunday in the Park With George", "Company", "A Little Night Music", "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum", "Merrily We Roll Along", "Assassins", and the film, "Dick Tracy".
Putting it Together is a musical "review" that delights, dazzles and devastates as an older couple (Amy Dondy and Ty Blair*), whose marriage is on the brink, entertains a younger pair (Giana DeGesio and Scott Gessford) who are learning the joys, and fears, of a life together.
Narrated by a mysterious stranger (Luke Anthony), "Putting it Together" is both a testament to the craft and passion of Stephen Sondheim, as well as an entertaining, and unexpectedly emotional story, that fits together as perfectly as the puzzles that Sondheim so famously loves.
*appears courtsey of Actor's Equity Association in a special appearance contract.
The Custom Made Theatre Co. is a San Francisco-based not-for-profit theatre dedicated to ensemble-based, socially relevant productions. Producing for nine years in San Francisco, Custom Made has won a number of accolades including a Best Premiere for the production of the original musical Bye-Bye, Bin Laden! Most recently, Custom Made produced hit productions of The Heidi Chronicles, Woody Allen's God and Death, and Sondheim's Assassins.
Custom Made Theatre Co.
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