The complete cast and performance dates have been set for for the world premiere of Here We Are, the new musical from Stephen Sondheim and David Ives, at The Shed in New York. Here We Are will feature Rachel Bay Jones, Francois Battiste, Tracie Bennett, Bobby Cannavale, Rachel Bay Jones, Micaela Diamond, Amber Gray, Jin Ha, Rachel Bay Jones, Denis O’Hare, Steven Pasquale, David Hyde Pierce, Jeremy Shamos and Rachel Bay Jones.
The show starts previews on 28 September 28. Opening Night is on 22 October October 22, and the run is limited to 15 weeks only.
I am a huge Rachel Bay Jones fan. I was already tempted to try to make it to New York to catch this show, but now with this cast, it's even more tempting. (Even without Rachel Bay Jones it's a damn impressive line up.) And Merrily We Roll Along - my favourite Sondheim musical - will be playing at the same time. Aargh!!
What a cast! Bobby Cannavale can sing?? I’m in the same boat, but I would like to find a weekend of overlap between this show and Sweeney Todd (and Back to the Future) to go to NY. But I forgot about Merrily, I’d love to see that too! So many Sondheim revivals to see! I’m glad I got to see Into the Woods at least.
Isn't it? Given it's the last ever opportunity for someone to appear in a world premiere of a Sondheim musical, they probably didn't have too many people turning them down.
Bobby Cannavale can sing??
I've seen him on stage a couple of times, but only in straight plays. Looking at his bio, Cannavale was in the 2014 movie version of Annie (the one with Cameron Diaz as Miss Hannigan) and the movie musical Sing 2, but I'm not sure if he's ever done a stage musical. There's a clip of him singing a Neil Diamond song live on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU9RAxOIATo
Based on that, he can carry a tune, but he's no Steven Pasquale. (But then, few people are.) That said, not all Sondheim roles require impressive vocals. Eg Desiree in A Little Night Music.
overlap between this show and Sweeney Todd (and Back to the Future) to go to NY. But I forgot about Merrily
I'm fortunate in that I've already seen the Groban/Ashford Sweeney on my last trip to New York, and Back to the Future in London. So I just got to figure out the timing - and, more importantly, justify the expense to myself - for Merrily and Here We Are. (Although I've already seen that production of Merrily in London with the original cast, so I suppose it's not an absolutely must-see for me in New York.)
Thanks for the link, he’s not bad! And you’re right with how important this musical is I’m sure there’s a reason they chose him above everyone else who would love to be in it. It’s so sad to think that this is the last new Sondheim musical. But wow you get to see all the best productions, I’m jealous!
I'm fortunate in that I've reached that stage in my life where I can see lots of theatre. On the downside, that stage of my life is me being a lot closer to death than I used to be!