Stephen Sondheim's 'Old Friends' Brings Harmony To The Ahmanson

(l-r) Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga
pic by Matthew Murphy

By Darlene Donloe

Stephen Sondheim has a way with lyrics and music, a masterful blend of intricacy, tone, and passionate intensity.

Some of Sondheim's most famous songs include Send in the Clowns, Agony, Into the Woods, Somewhere, and Everything’s Coming Up Roses, a testament to his innovative spirit, intellectual curiosity, and profound understanding of the human experience.

Those classics and a host of Sondheim’s other hits can be heard in ‘Sondheim’s Old Friends,’ currently playing at the Ahmanson Theatre through March 9, 2025.

‘Old Friends’ was born from Cameron Mackintosh and Sondheim’s lifetime of friendship and collaboration. The two came up with the idea during the pandemic, drawing on the many shows they had done together in partnership with their good friend Julia McKenzie.  

The show, a musical tribute to Sondheim’s many innovative gifts to musical theater, stars two-time Tony Award winner Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, also a Tony Award winner. 

They honor the legendary composer throughout the show with their talented, melodic offerings.

Other offerings of Sondheim’s include ‘Loving You,’ ‘Children Will Listen,’ ‘Pretty Women,’ ‘Sunday,’ and ‘You Gotta Get a Gimmick.’

Salonga is exceptional on ‘Loving You’ and ‘The Worst Pies in London,’ as is Peters on ‘I Know Things Now’/Bounce’ and ‘Send in the Clowns,’ as is Jason Pennycooke on ‘Live Alone and Like It” and Jasmine Forsberg on ‘On the Steps of the Palace’ and Bonnie Langford on ‘I’m Still Here.’

The cast of 18 does engaging justice to Sondheim's music during a two-act musical journey through the master’s prolific works. These works often feature intricate, jazz-influenced harmonies and unconventional tonalities that add depth and sophistication to his songs.

The lyricist is known for his clever wordplay, complex characters, and exploration of universally relatable and intensely personal themes.

Throughout his career, Sondheim has consistently pushed the boundaries of musical theater, experimenting with new forms, styles, and themes.

Sondheim died in November of 2021, but his music, which is emotional and original, lives on!

What a fabulous night of theater.

You should meet some ‘Old Friends’ at the Ahmanson Theatre.

‘Old Friends’ is a must-see!

Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Old Friends,’ directed and musically staged by Matthew Bourne, side by side with Julia McKenzie, stars Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, both of whom appeared in the West End production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends.

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, devised by Cameron Mackintosh, and choreography by Stephen Mear.

The superb cast includes Jason Pennycooke, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, Jasmine Forsberg, Jason Dickey, Kevin Earley, Kate Jennings Grant, Bonnie Langford, Beth Leavel, Gavin Lee, Joanna Riding, Jeremy Secomb, Kyle Selig, Paige Faure, Alexa Lopez, and Peter Neureuther.

Kudos to Matt Kinley for his spectacular scenic design, Stephen Mear’s choreography, Jill Parker’s costume design, Warren Letton’s lighting design, Mick Potter’s sound design, George Reeve’s projection design, and Stefan Musch’s wig, hair and makeup design.

The 15-piece orchestra, helmed by Annbritt duChateau, is on point.

On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), E (excellent), ‘Old Friends’ gets an E (excellent).

‘Old Friends,’ The Ahmanson Theatre, located at The Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012,  through March 9, 2025, 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, and 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. on Sundays, $25, 213-628-2772.