With two pianos, five singers and 30 songs, the Belfry Theatre is taking audiences on a two-hour tour of Stephen Sondheim’s body of work in “Side by Side by Sondheim,” staging now through Feb. 9.
Show Director Ron Richards and Music Director Brenna Whitaker both spoke to The Reporter about this unique musical revue, which is being billed as an early Valentine’s celebration.
“We have a fairly blank stage,” Whitaker said. “The five actors come in and tell the story. It is very simply done. There are some stools and some beautifully painted pianos along the side of the set. It just focuses on telling the story of Sondheim, some backstory for both his famous and lesser-known works and filling in the gaps for the audience with some interesting anecdotes. Then it just lets us focus on the music.”
Photo provided by the Belfry Theatre
One of the things Whitaker wanted from the early planning of this show was to have two pianos on the Belfry stage at the same time.
“I love the simplicity of the orchestration with this show,” Whitaker said. “Between the two pianos we are able to have extremely complex music coming toward the audience. We have two Yamaha upright pianos on stage facing each other. We were able to work with Piano Solutions to get the pianos provided. They have been amazing partners to work with.”
Whitaker is no stranger to this production, having been a cast member at Footlite in Indianapolis more than a decade ago.
“18 months ago, when Ron [Richards] and I were talking about what show we wanted to do, I really wanted to do something that was very much about the music,” Whitaker said. “I had a dream of being able to find a group of really solid singers who could embrace and work with the complexity of Sondheim. I have been thrilled with the group that I found. This is exactly what I had been hoping for and more. For me, as a vocal director, that is such a treat. This is something I think our Belfry audience will really enjoy.”
Being the music director years after performing in this revue has given Whitaker a deeper appreciation for the music she is helping bring to audiences.
“When I did the show 12 years ago, I was 28,” Whitaker said. “I had a very different perspective on it from what I do now at 40. It is so interesting that having a little more maturity gives you a different perspective on Sondheim. I am happy that we found a group that is able to demonstrate some of that maturity on stage you need to pull off Sondheim successfully.”
Photo provided by the Belfry Theatre
For many, this may be a return to a composer and lyricist they love. For others, this could be a first look at the world of Sondheim.
“Our goal was to be able to present musical numbers that a lot of people won’t hear because they are not in musicals that are performed in the area,” Richards said.
According to Richards, the show was cast in late November, but due to the holidays their rehearsal time at the Belfry was only four weeks long.
“We had four days before the week of Christmas, and we started back up on the 5th of January,” Richards told The Reporter. “I am extremely appreciative for how much work the five of them had been doing with Brenna [Whitaker], often at her house, by the time I saw them on the 5th of January.”
This musical revue will be onstage at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Feb. 9 at The Belfry Theatre, 10690 Greenfield Ave., Noblesville.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $16 for ages 65 and older and ages 12 and younger. Reserve you seat by calling (317) 773-1085 or visiting TheBelfryTheatre.com.