Putting It Together

Director Elise Greig did not heed Stephen Sondheim’s mantra of ‘Less Is More’ with this production of Putting it Together. The original paper-thin plot of setting it at a cocktail party, also had to carry a secondary plot of the kids rehearsing the show for a Broadway producer. It made for a long afternoon in the theatre. Of course Greig had to make room for a cast of 23, whereas the original only had five performers in it. The show was also used as a salute to Sondheim following his recent death, though I might add that it was way too sycophantic. But there was some great talent on stage, some good individual performances, and some stylish dance moves from John Clarke.

‘Back in Business’ which opened the second act had razza-ma-taz by the bucketful, and ‘Everybody Ought to Have a Maid’ brought some much-needed fun to a show which was light on comedy overall. Genevieve Dawkins was delightfully vacuous alongside Lucy Goodrick’s vamp in ‘Lovely’. Class was added when the boys entered bringing some masculinity and brawn to the proceedings.

Tiffany Payne and Aidan O Cleirigh were highly sexual in Dick Tracy’s ‘Sooner or Later,’ whilst Nicolas Van Litsenborgh and Chelsea Burton had a Fred and Ginger moment in Richard Rodgers and Sondheim’s “Do I Hear a Waltz’.

Jacqui Dwyer’s ‘Ladies Who Lunch’ was nicely acidic, Gabriel Tiller and Corey Smark handled the vaudeville schtick of ‘Buddy’s Blues’ like old pros, but Jonathon Gardner, accompanying himself on acoustic guitar, and Isabel Lanigan, were breathlessly exciting on Assassins’ ‘Unworthy of Your Love’. It was an island of calm affection amidst the piano-heavy accompaniment.

Probably the best vignette was Company’s ‘Not Getting Married’, with Brooke Szych as the manic going-out-of-her-mind bride, Gabriel Tiller as the bemused bridegroom, and Genevieve Dawkins providing the soprano pipes. Assisted by the full company, it was classic musical theatre.

Heidi Loveland’s piano accompaniment as always was musically sound, and Keith Clark’s lighting helped the kids every step of the way. I’m sure this ‘Class of 22’ will grace our professional stages in the future. The talent on display was immense!

Peter Pinne