[NEohioPAL] Review of "Putting it Together" at CVLT

[Bob Abelman]

CVLT's 'Putting it Together' comes only partially assembled

 

Bob Abelman

News-Herald, Chagrin Valley Times, Solon Times, Geauga Times Courier

Member, International Association of Theatre Critics 

 

This review will appear in the News-Herald on 3/29/13

 

"Bit by bit, putting it together, 
Piece by piece, only way to make a work of art, 
Every moment makes a contribution, 
Every little detail plays a part, 
Having just a vision's no solution, 
Everything depends on execution."

These lyrics from Stephen Sondheim's musical "Sunday in the Park with George" explain how painstakingly difficult it is to produce a work of art.  Chagrin Valley Little Theatre's production of "Putting it Together," a musical revue showcasing the songs of Sondheim, proves just how true this is.

Sondheim's songbook consists of enigmatic music and lyrics that, with rare exception, lack that hummable quality most find desirable in show tunes.  Complex, dense with words and libretto-like in nature, his plays are as difficult to appreciate as they are to perform.  When properly put together, however, they touch the soul and challenge the intellect.

 

The same can be said about musical revues based on them.  But because Sondheim's songs are such an integral part of his play's storytelling rather than mere window dressing, they are particularly difficult to understand and appreciate when presented outside the context of the plays that house them.  

 

The most recent revue featuring Sondheim's work, "Sondheim on Sondheim," nicely compensated for this.  Premiering in New York in 2010 and given a proper staging at PlayhouseSquare's Hanna Theatre last May, this show intertwined songs with exclusive interview footage of the typically reclusive composer.  This provided sufficient context to make each song accessible and interesting to musical theater neophytes.  

 

Such is not the case with "Putting It Together."  Written in 1991, this two-act compilation of nearly 40 songs from "Company," "Follies," "Anyone Can Whistle," "Sweeney Todd," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Into The Woods," and a few lesser known works provides no context whatsoever.  

 

Instead, this revue transports us to an upscale, uptown cocktail party, where the nature of and relationships between its guests are analyzed through song.  This is not an ideal vehicle for Sondheim's songs, given their diverse subject matter and peculiar sensibilities.  Consequently, different productions of this revue embrace different presentational styles-ranging from ultra-modern abstraction to stark realism-to find some thematic vision or creative gimmick to make the revue work.

 

The vision embraced in this CVLT production, under Marc C. Howard's direction, leans toward the abstract.  The cocktail party takes place in a loft with walls free of decoration or design, furniture comprised of wooden cubes, a bar cart containing empty liquor bottles, and a view of a big city skyline projected on a rear screen.

 

Unfortunately, none of Edmond Wolff's set design really complements the work or facilitates its delivery.  In fact, it detracts from it each time a performer sits in obvious discomfort, drinks awkwardly from an imaginary martini, or has the image of lower Manhattan transferred to his or her face by venturing too close to the screen.  Abstract seems more of a budgetary consideration than a creative choice in this production, which flies in the face of Sondheim's suggestion that "having just a vision's no solution/everything depends on execution" when creating art.

 

These words also apply to the performers.  Brian Pichola, Thomas E. Love, Laura Giterman, Derrick Winger, and Hope Caldwell are fully competent singers, but they vary significantly in terms of quality, complexity of expression, and Sondheim-savvy.  

 

Some songs, such as the high-energy "Buddy's Blues" from "Follies" and the melodramatic "The Ladies Who Lunch" from "Company," are misplayed to the point of being unrecognizable.  Most songs are well presented but lack the requisite depth they deserve.  A few soar.  "Every Day a Little Death" from "A Little Night Music," as sung by Giterman and Caldwell, is wonderful.  So is "Unworthy of Your Love" from "Assassins," as sung by Winger and Caldwell.  

  

As an art form, musical revues are largely intended to be mere amusements that provide a pleasurable evening at the theater.  If this is our measuring stick, than the CVLT production meets expectations. The six off-stage musicians under D. Keith Stiver's direction are superb, Howard's direction and choreography are fluid and easy on the eye, and our five performers look fine in their formalwear. 

 

If, however, you are a true Sondheimite looking for a fix, then you should seek comfort elsewhere.

 

"Putting it Together" continues through April 20 at the Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 40 River Street, Chagrin Falls.  For tickets, $14 to $18, call 440-247-8955 or visit www.cvlt.org.
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