Side by Side by Sondheim (1976)

Side by Side by Sondheim is a musical revue featuring songs by Stephen Sondheim. The title is taken from the song “Side by Side by Side” from the musical Company. The revue is a collection of Sondheim’s songs, brought together by commentary from the Narrator, who provides context, explains the origins, and delves into the thematic significance of each piece. The revue primarily features songs from Company and Follies, but also includes selections from A Funny Thing, Anyone Can Whistle, Pacific Overtures and Gypsy.

Development
The revue originated as a benefit performance for The Stables, a theater owned by singer Cleo Laine and her husband, musician John Dankworth, in Wavendon. The benefit featured Millicent Martin, Julia McKenzie, and David Kernan, with director Ned Sherrin serving as the Narrator. Producer Cameron Mackintosh saw the potential and decided to develop it into a full production.

Productions
The revue premiered on May 4, 1976, in London, running for a total of 806 performances with the original benefit cast. The Broadway version, produced by Hal Prince, opened on April 18, 1977, and ran for 384 performances. The entire cast was nominated for Tony Awards. Since its debut, the revue has been revived regularly in the United States, England, Ireland, and Australia, with the song list evolving over time. Notable recent revivals include productions in London’s West End in 2007 and 2015.