As someone who has made a career of reviewing performers and performances, I was truly taken aback by this astonishing recording. Expecting yet another "Sondheim's Greatest Hits," I instead discovered an intelligently constructed and brilliantly performed retrospective covering Sondheim's entire output and including many of his lesser known and, in the case of "Farewell," never-before-recorded songs. After each stunning performance ended, I thought things couldn't possibly get better, but they indeed did. Especially noteworthy were Amy Dondy's formidable rendition of "Last Midnight," Kelly Ground's best-ever "Sunday in the Park with George," and James Brewer's witty and hilarious "Hades." This an absolute MUST HAVE for any musical theatre lover, in particular those who delight in the genius of Stephen Sondheim. This CD will go in my "Desert Island" collection!!!
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As a life-long fan, I was delighted to find this full concert recording of what was apparently the ultimate Sondheim tribute. It features brilliantly sung, smartly arranged and, often, rarely heard songs from every single one of his shows, plus the world premiere recording of Farewell!!! The phenomenal cast delivers showstopping performances that are absolutely riveting and which apparently brought the audience to its feet. How I wish I could have been there. One hopes there will be a DVD or perhaps even an encore run of this great show (on Broadway maybe???)
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Once we had Side by Side by Sondheim, now this. This kind of survey of a top composer's work, done with this kind of gusto, is invaluable. A fine bunch of West Coast performers (not at all known here in the UK!) and a 1000-volt audience make for a great musical experience.
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