Although Everything Sondheim’s final print issue was mailed to subscribers in early September and we’re winding down activities, this has been a busy period for our website with four six features posted since October 1. In particular, give a look via the free link below to Brad Hathaway’s interview with Sandra Church, Gypsy‘s original Louise. From that page, you’ll find a link to a gallery of photos from rehearsals, productions and the recording session for that legendary show.
Recent posts include Diane Nottle’s review of Maria Friedman’s staging of Merrily We Roll Along in Boston, and Andrew Milner’s commentary about A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in Philadelphia. The site also features Peter Khoury’s review of the staging of Assassins by Hayes Theatre Company in Sydney, Australia, a perfect follow up to Bill Stephens’ profile of David Campbell, playing John Wilkes Booth. Associate Editor Diane Nottle has been busy seeing performances of Prince of Broadway and Maria Friedman’s appearance during one of several evenings of Sondheim and Bernstein tunes at Manhattan’s 54 Below. (It was a side gig while she was in Massachusetts to stage Merrily We Roll Along for Boston’s Huntington Theatre.) Both of Diane’s commentaries are available as free content, accessed below.
If you’re a subscriber, you can sign in to read a “premium” article, another installment of John Bell’s moving and amusing memoir and tribute to the late Elaine Stritch. He befriended her in the final years of her life, and his “End of Pretend” reports paint a fascinating portrait of a feisty, insightful performer. (The second part of John’s final chapter will be posted as premium content for existing subscribers on Nov. 10.)
Keep an eye out for word for what’s coming after Dec. 31, 2017. We expect to be able to soon share some good news regarding this website. At the very least, web-based articles already posted will continue to be available in 2018 and beyond.
All of us who labored to establish Everything Sondheim (and who edited and produced The Sondheim Review before that) are mourning this difficult decision. Our admiration for the musicals Stephen Sondheim is profound, and we regret that our platform cannot continue as we had hoped.
COPIES OF THE THREE ISSUES PUBLISHED DURING 2017 ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE. To order a set of all three for $15, plus $5 for domestic postage and handling, mail your order to: Rick Pender, Everything Sondheim, 1201 Jackson Street, #4, Cincinnati Ohio 45202 with a check for $20, payable to Everything Sondheim. (To order electronically, email your shipping address to rpender@EverythingSondheim.org and make payment via PayPal using the email address everythingsondheim@gmail.com. Once payment has been received, your order will be shipped quickly.)
Anyone desiring more copies — for holiday gifts, theater students or Sondheim fans you know — we’re offering five copies of each issue (15 magazines in total) for $60, plus $10 for postage and handling to U.S. addresses. Follow the same procedure described above.
After two years of launching and promoting Everything Sondheim, we have decided that our project is not sustainable as both a magazine and a website. Our ability to promote both was impeded by a limited budget. Many of our writers and editors worked as unpaid volunteers since early 2016. We’re striving to close up shop as gracefully as possible
Check back here occasionally for news and more features. If you have questions, feel free to email me at rpender@EverythingSondheim.org
Rick Pender
Executive Editor & Publisher
