There are several Stephen Sondheim compilations out there because people can’t seem to get enough of his music. Putting It Together is perhaps the best of the lot. Sondheim himself assembled it, so it has a semblance of a story and through it you get a very good picture of Sondheim’s view on marriage and relationships. South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa is currently presenting a very good production with a strong cast, albeit there are some problems in casting.
The story of Putting It Together revolves around a party given at a posh apartment in New York City. The gorgeous set by Thomas Buderwitz, which would be the envy of any native New Yorker. This lush rich apartment belongs to an aging couple (Harry Groener and Mary Gordon Murray). Guests at the party include bachelor (Dan Calloway), a maid turned guest (Niki Scalera) and an observer who seems to have designs on either one of the younger guests.
In the course of the evening the older couple's relationship is closely examined in songs that include “Sorry-Grateful” (from Company), “Could I Leave You” (from Follies), “Getting Married Today” (again from Company), “Like it Was” (from Merrily We Roll Along), and “Old Friends” (from Merrily We Roll Along).
The younger couple examine what it might be like to be in a relationship through different songs, “The Miller’s Son (from A Little Night Music), “Marry Me Alittle” (from Company”, “Bang” (from A Little Night Music) and “Hello Little Girl” (from Into The Woods). The observer is left to sing “”Merrily We Roll Along” and “I Could Drive A Person Crazy”. Along the way there are duets and full company singing.
The cast are all very good but I felt there was some miscasting. The bachelor should be drop dead handsome in order to attract both sexes. Dan Calloway is good looking but not someone who would demand sexual tension.
But I had the most problem with Matt McGrath, who I felt was totally wrong for the part. His singing voice is not all that pleasant and his manner can be annoying. He too should be sexy and handsome in his own right and not a class clown or silly twit.
The older couple were perfect, however. Both Groener and Murray are old hands at Sondheim and have the necessary polish and sophistication to pull it off. Their scenes together were memorable.
Nick Degroccio does a fine job of directions with only a few missteps, while Dennis Castellano does a fantastic job of musical directing.
Putting It Together will play at South Coast Repertory until October 11.
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