Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga and More Broadway Legends Rehearse for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends
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Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga are taking the lead in the new musical production, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends. The cast, including a group of “Broadway Babies,” is deep in rehearsals as they prepare to bring the show to life on stage. Exclusive behind-the-scenes photos by photographer Matthew Murphy give fans a sneak peek into the magic happening behind closed doors.
The musical originally premiered in London’s West End back in September 2023 and is now set to make its North American debut at the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, followed by a transfer to Broadway. The highly anticipated performances are scheduled to begin on Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Ahmanson Theatre in California, running through March 9. Subsequently, Broadway previews are set to commence on Tuesday, March 25 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City, with the grand opening night slated for April 8.
Joining Peters and Salonga on stage are a stellar ensemble of theatrical talents, including Tony Award winner Beth Leavel (known for her performance in The Prom) and two-time Tony nominee Gavin Lee (renowned for his role in Mary Poppins). The cast also features names like Jacob Dickey, Kevin Earley, Jasmine Forsberg, Kate Jennings Grant, Bonnie Langford, Maria Wirries, Daniel Yearwood, among others, with West End stars Joanna Riding, Jason Pennycooke, and Jeremy Secomb making their Broadway debuts.
The concept for Old Friends emerged from the close friendship between the late Stephen Sondheim and legendary producer Cameron Mackintosh. Conceived during the pandemic, the musical draws inspiration from the duo’s extensive collaborative history, with input from friend Julia McKenzie. Following Sondheim’s passing in November 2021, Mackintosh continued to develop the show, eventually presenting it at a gala event at the Sondheim Theatre to raise funds for the Stephen Sondheim Foundation, in a production directed by Matthew Bourne and televised by the BBC.
After a successful run in London’s Gielgud Theatre, which garnered widespread critical acclaim and rave reviews, Old Friends is now set to grace the Broadway stage, courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club, in collaboration with CMI and Daryl Roth. Audience members can look forward to hearing iconic songs from Sondheim’s beloved classics like Sunday in the Park with George, Company, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, and more.
Tickets for Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends are now available for purchase, offering theatre enthusiasts the opportunity to witness a star-studded cast bring Sondheim’s timeless tunes and Mackintosh’s vision to life in a production that promises to captivate audiences and honour the legacy of these two theatrical masterminds.