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Putting It Together: A Musical ReviewOpening Date: Nov 21, 1999
Closing Date: Feb 20, 2000 Air date: Oct 14, 2001 Medium: cinema, DVD, and VHS Where to watch: DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made from this link) |
Stage Production Notes
Putting It Together is a musical revue featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim. The show takes place at a party thrown by a wealthy, older married couple, and involves a younger man, a frisky maid, and a comedic commentator.
The musical was first staged in 1992 in Oxford, England, in a production directed by Julia McKenzie and produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
The production transferred to New York, where it was produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club at the City Center Theatre. The New York production featured Julie Andrews, Stephen Collins, Christopher Durang, Michael Rupert, and Rachel York.
In 1998, Eric D. Schaeffer directed a new version in Los Angeles with a cast featuring Carol Burnett, George Hearn, John Barrowman, Ruthie Henshall and Bronson Pinchot.
Schaeffer’s new production transferred to Broadway, where it began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 30, 1999. Putting It Together officially opened on November 21, 1999.
The Broadway production received mediocre reviews. New York Times’ theatre critic Vincent Canby described the show as monotonous, while Leslie Becker writing for TheaterMania, lamented that despite the wealth of talent involved in the production, Putting It Together was ultimately unfulfilling.
Carol Burnett, appearing on Broadway for the first time in thirty years, received universally high praise from the critics.
Putting It Together was nominated for Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and George Hearn received a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as The Husband.
Putting It Together ran on Broadway for 22 previews and 101 regular performances before closing on February 20, 2000.
The revue continues to be performed around the world.
Putting It Together is a musical revue featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim. The show takes place at a party thrown by a wealthy, older married couple, and involves a younger man, a frisky maid, and a comedic commentator.
The musical was first staged in 1992 in Oxford, England, in a production directed by Julia McKenzie and produced by Cameron Mackintosh.
The production transferred to New York, where it was produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club at the City Center Theatre. The New York production featured Julie Andrews, Stephen Collins, Christopher Durang, Michael Rupert, and Rachel York.
In 1998, Eric D. Schaeffer directed a new version in Los Angeles with a cast featuring Carol Burnett, George Hearn, John Barrowman, Ruthie Henshall and Bronson Pinchot.
Schaeffer’s new production transferred to Broadway, where it began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on October 30, 1999. Putting It Together officially opened on November 21, 1999.
The Broadway production received mediocre reviews. New York Times’ theatre critic Vincent Canby described the show as monotonous, while Leslie Becker writing for TheaterMania, lamented that despite the wealth of talent involved in the production, Putting It Together was ultimately unfulfilling.
Carol Burnett, appearing on Broadway for the first time in thirty years, received universally high praise from the critics.
Putting It Together was nominated for Outstanding Revival of a Musical at the Outer Critics Circle Awards, and George Hearn received a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as The Husband.
Putting It Together ran on Broadway for 22 previews and 101 regular performances before closing on February 20, 2000.
The revue continues to be performed around the world.
Filmed Production Notes
The final Broadway performance on February 20, 2000 was filmed by the Broadway Television Network (BTN), who had previously filmed Smokey Joe's Cafe. It is possible up to five performances were filmed for the capture.
The final performance was sold out, and Playbill reported that the presence of cameras did not detract from the live theatre experience.
The capture was filmed with ten cameras — nine stationery and one roving.
On October 14, 2001, Putting It Together was screened at select digital cinemas around the United States.
The DVD and VHS were released in 2002 by Good Times. Image Entertainment re-released the DVD in 2007.
Putting It Together: A Musical Review is currently available to view DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made from this link).
The final Broadway performance on February 20, 2000 was filmed by the Broadway Television Network (BTN), who had previously filmed Smokey Joe's Cafe. It is possible up to five performances were filmed for the capture.
The final performance was sold out, and Playbill reported that the presence of cameras did not detract from the live theatre experience.
The capture was filmed with ten cameras — nine stationery and one roving.
On October 14, 2001, Putting It Together was screened at select digital cinemas around the United States.
The DVD and VHS were released in 2002 by Good Times. Image Entertainment re-released the DVD in 2007.
Putting It Together: A Musical Review is currently available to view DVD (as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases made from this link).
Putting It Together: A Musical Review PRODUCTION CREDITS
Theatre: Barrymore Theatre, New York
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh, Bruce Bandwen, Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Susan E. Lee
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Eric D. Schaeffer film: Don Roy King
Musical Director: Paul Raiman
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Bob Avian
Scenic and Costume Design: Bob Crowley
Lighting Design: Howard Harrison film: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Andrew Bruce/Mark Meanrd, film: Matt Kaplowitz
Cast:
Carol Burnett (Amy, the wife), George Hearn (Charles, the husband), John Barrowman (Barry, a young associate), Ruthie Henshall (Julie, his date), Bronson Pinchot (The Observer)
Theatre: Barrymore Theatre, New York
Producer: Cameron Mackintosh, Bruce Bandwen, Nicholas Van Hoogstraten, Susan E. Lee
Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Director: Eric D. Schaeffer film: Don Roy King
Musical Director: Paul Raiman
Orchestrations: Jonathan Tunick
Choreography: Bob Avian
Scenic and Costume Design: Bob Crowley
Lighting Design: Howard Harrison film: Alan Adelman
Sound Design: Andrew Bruce/Mark Meanrd, film: Matt Kaplowitz
Cast:
Carol Burnett (Amy, the wife), George Hearn (Charles, the husband), John Barrowman (Barry, a young associate), Ruthie Henshall (Julie, his date), Bronson Pinchot (The Observer)
Sources
Articles
Websites
- Leslie Becker, “Putting It Together,” TheaterMania (Dec 5, 1999)
- Vincent Canby, “With Wit and High Spirits, a Musical Wake-Up Kiss,” New York Times (Dec 5, 1999)
- Eileen Fitzpatrick, “GoodTimes Links With Broadway TV Network To Distribute Live-Performance Event Videos,” Billboard (July 14, 2001)
- Eric Grode, “Goin' Digital and O 'O,' Where Art Thou?,” Playbill (Aug 19, 2001)
- Charles Isherwood, “Review: ‘Putting It Together’,” Variety (Nov 21, 1999)
- Kenneth Jones, “Being Alive: Putting It Together Opens at Barrymore Nov. 21,” Playbill (Nov 21, 1999)
- Murdoch McBride, “Broadway Television Network Tapes Putting It Together Without A Hitch,” Playbill (Feb 25, 2000)
- Elyse Sommer, “Putting It Together,” CurtainUp (undated)
- Film Threat, “PUTTING IT TOGETHER: A MUSICAL REVIEW (DVD),” Film Threat (Feb 11, 2007)
Websites
- Michael H. Hutchins, The Stephen Sondheim Reference Guide, “Putting It Together,” Accessed via: http://www.sondheimguide.com/pit.html#video
- Playbill, “Putting it Together,” Accessed via: http://www.playbill.com/production/putting-it-together-ethel-barrymore-theatre-vault-0000004299
Written by Luisa Lyons (June, 2017)