‘Putting Together’ a Delight

Theater Review

Theatre Palisades staging of the Stephen Sondheim musical review ‘Putting it Together,’ which opened at Theatre Palisades last Friday is delightful. Although some of the voices are uneven, there is much to commend this show, which plays weekends through December 12 at Pierson Playhouse. The imaginative set, designed by Sherman Wayne, places the grand piano on stage, with the twinkling skyline of Manhattan behind it, which means we can appreciate the talents of pianist Chip Colvin and Dave Volpe on keyboards. Musicians are generally the unseen heroes of all musicals, and it was nice to have them subtly spotlighted. Catherine Rahm, who has done an outstanding job of directing the review admits in her notes that she has performed in numerous Sondheim musicals, including ‘Company,’ ‘Into the Woods’ and ‘Sweeney Todd.’ She feels that this particular show offers a chance for those unfamiliar with Sondheim to hear his lyrics, which are witty and tell a story. To those who love Sondheim’s music and remember classics like ‘Send in the Clowns,’ ‘Anyone Can Whistle’ and ‘Losing My Mind,’ this review also offers songs that aren’t heard as often. When this review played in New York and then Los Angeles, one of my favorite songs, ‘The Ladies Who Lunch,’ was in the show. Theatre Palisades has substituted that song with ‘Could I Leave You,’ as well as expanding the cast to six players rather than five. Cassandra Ristaino, who is making her Theatre Palisades debut, plays the younger woman and does it with aplomb. Her voice dances over the music with ease, and she may be the one of the main reasons to go to the show. What a lovely voice’her presence is reminiscent of a young Bernadette Peters. When she sings ‘Sooner or Later,’ from the movie Dick Tracy, which garnered Sondheim an Oscar for best song, the audience is entirely beguiled. Patty Reid returns to TP after taking time off to be a full-time mom. Her role was added, and one wishes that she could have had more solos, because her voice is one I would’ve liked to listen to more. Stephen Sondheim, who celebrated his 80th birthday in March, received an all-star birthday concert at Lincoln Center (which is scheduled to air on PBS on November 24). He has completed a new book ‘Finishing the Hat’ and was interviewed by KCRW-FM’s ‘Bookworm’ host Michael Silverblatt on Monday at UCLA Royce Hall. Sondheim has written lyrics for ‘West Side Story’ and ‘A Little Night Music,’ and music and lyrics for ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,’ and a ‘Sunday in the Park with George.’ Songs from all of those shows are woven into ‘Putting it Together,’ which features an older married couple, a younger man and woman, and a maid and butler. The songs in the review explore the complexities of love, life and relationships, through a keen adult eye. In a interview with the Telegraph, Sondheim said, ‘[William] Faulkner said there are three things a writer needs: experience, observation and imagination. I’ve always simplified it, that you can do without one of them, but you can’t do without two. I don’t have an awful lot of experience, but I’ve got a lot of observation and imagination.’ Sondheim has shaped American musicals for the last 50 years and Theatre Palisades offers residents a chance to hear some of the songs that have had lasting impact on the musical scene. Call: (310) 454-1970 or visit: www.theatrepalisades.org.