Putting It Together

[Talissa]

www.sydneystage.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=29

A fantastic-sounding production opened at Sydney's Seymour Centre on Friday night, starring Belinda Wollaston, Andrew Benson, Natalie Gamsu, Barry Langrishe and Tyran Parke.

Venue: Downstairs at the Seymour Centre
Dates: March 31 – April 30, 2006; Previews March 29 & 30, 2006
Times: Tues - Sat @ 8pm & Sun @ 5pm; Matinee Sat @ 2pm
Bookings: 02 9351 7940

[Yonkers]

"Paging Belinda Wollaston for WICKED". Watch this space.

[davidredden]

Putting It Together
Broadway Australia Review
REVIEW BY SKYE CRAWFORD

They say a song can tell a thousand words and even though Putting It Together is a ‘review’ style of production showcasing some of Sondheim’s best work, it also weaves a clever and entertaining story through the songs that originally in most cases have completely different contexts. The songs from shows like Company, Sweeney Todd, Follies and Assassins have been rewritten by Sondheim to create a show that allows the audience to be a fly on the wall in the world of the rich upper class. We are privy to watching both an older couple whose marriage is teetering on the edge of the cliff and a pair of young lovers not yet comfortable with each other and at times seem still on the prowl. The musical is set at a party and the characters' over the top debauchery is used as a vehicle to put some excitement in their boring wealthy lives.

Putting It Together is made for a town like Sydney. We love the gossip of the rich, upper classes, who reign the Sydney social pages. Often the perfect picture is not so great underneath. Like a rotten onion, still perfectly formed on the outside, however you don’t see the decaying inside until the surface layers are slowly pulled away.

Putting it Together begins with a song delivered by Andrew Benson that is essentially about being in the audience for dummies with tips on how to applaud, refraining from eating sweets in cellophane and definitely no coughing! Benson is entertaining and funny as the Observer throughout the show with funny quips and quirky jokes playing the barman, the maid and the toy boy.

The songs that follow feature the four other actors playing two couples, one younger and one older. Belinda Wollaston and Tyron Parke essentially steal the show with their great connection and partnership as the younger couple. Wollaston plays a drunk, winsome, seductive young girl with ease and her voice easily stands out as the strongest and most interesting in the cast. Parke is both playful and free and delivers his songs with effortless energy. Tyron and Belinda are the perfect fit. There is so much passion and spark in this duo. Their voices and chemistry shine in both Unworthy of Your Love and most significantly in Bang!. Matt Young’s creative and sharp choreography is exceptional throughout the show, but is highlighted in Bang!, where Wollaston and Parke dance a mean tango.

Natalie Gamsu is strong and versatile in her role as the unhappy and frustrated wife. Having only seen Gamsu perform as a cabaret artist and never in an actual role before, it was interesting to see her extend her range and ability with a wide variety of numbers including a standout version of Getting Married Today and an entertaining Ladies Who Lunch. Wollaston and Gamsu were both hilarious in their rendition of There’s Always A Woman and create a playful and at times fiery rivalry between their characters. The choreography here was again excellent and both Pete Nettell (director) and Matt Young manage to get the most out of the small space with the actors making great use of the set and props and using every inch of the stage.

Barry Langrishe is a mature and passionate addition to this talented cast. His voice however illuminates the lack of and undeniable need for body mikes in this show. The space does not let the voices carry well and Langrishe especially struggles to allow the low notes to carry. Sitting in the second row was an advantage, but at times even I strained to hear some of the words sung not just by Langrishe, but the other cast members as well. Langrishe has a sensuous and soulful voice and it is a pity this was marred by the lack of mikes. With it only being opening night and with a four-week run still to come the cast are sure to lose the spark in their voices under the strain.

These five actors work well as a team and bring Sondheim’s classics to life with great style and aplomb. Wollaston is elegant, Gamsu strong, Parke enthusiastic, Benson comedic and Langrishe experienced. Putting It Together is a fun night out and definitely worth seeing.

Putting It Together plays Downstairs at the Seymour Entertainment Centre until April 30. Bookings: 9351 7940.

[davidredden]

Putting It Together | Big M Productions
Sydney Stages.com
Written by Claire Fitzgerald

Saturday, 01 April 2006

"Putting it Together" is a medley of the hits of Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim. Sondheim has written the music and lyrics to some of the biggest hits in musical theatre in the last fifty years, including “Sweeny Todd”, “Sunday in the Park with George”, “Company” and “Assassins” to name but a few. “Putting it Together” is a musical revue of Sondheim’s hits all focusing on love relationships, both wonderful and horrible. You meet couples in love, couples who have come to the end of their union and men and women who will never get it together.

The sardonic wit of Sondheim’s lyrics can be enjoyed by a wide range of audiences. Sondheim’s dissection of dysfunctional relationships runs riot in this piece. The characters are often neurotic, spoilt, wealthy and confused and sing catchy numbers that make us think about our own frailties, whilst having a chuckle at the same time. The set is minimalist, with several paintings in the style of Gaugin, Van Gough and Matisse across the top of the stage, all representing intimacy. These artworks were created by set designer Wayne Harris. The three musicians performing the score (Bev Kennedy, Hugh Fraser and Andy Davies) are on stage at all times and are very much a part of the live action, which creates an intimate cabaret dynamic. Pete Nettell’s passion for the music of Sondheim is evident in this slickly directed piece. The tight ensemble cast of five all work intrinsically together- radically different ages and types, who compliment each other in a positive fusion.

Fresh from his sell out season of “Aunty Mavis, Scones and Songs”, rising cabaret performer Andrew Benson opens the show with a comedic monologue to warm up the audience. He acts as a sort of M.C, but he is billed as “Observer”. Nimble Benson shines in numbers “Merrily”, “Bang!” and “Buddy’s Blues” as he radiates a contagious energy and enthusiasm. His brief impersonation of a demented bunny rabbit also deserves an honorable mention. Benson is joined on stage by statuesque Nambian born diva Natalie Gamsu, who is strong, earthy and grounded. Sophistication and humour are Gamsu’s strengths as she demands attention with some of the more difficult songs. Her performance of the petrified bride to be in “Getting Married Today,” is almost as impressive as the legendary Madeline Kahn’s rendition. Gamsu’s comic timing is spot on and razor sharp, other highlights include her versions of “My Husband the Pig” and “Ladies who Lunch.” Straight from her stand out performance in the STC’s “Summer Rain” young, but already established musical theatre performer Belinda Wollaston is a delightful addition to this strong cast. Young, pretty, light and free- her “character” is a polar opposite to Gamsu’s street wise and jaded “Wife.” Wollaston’s soprano voice provides light and breezy comic relief in ditsy and often materialistic songs. Her best moments were performing “More” and “Sooner or Later”, both songs immortalized by Madonna in “Dick Tracey.” Whilst Madonna vamped the songs up, Wollaston sends up the excess and makes the audience laugh. Veteran Barry Langrishe is an accomplished actor and gets underneath Sondheim’s text to create a rich character. He has many great moments in the show, both tragic and comedic. His pairing with Gamsu, who plays his wife is terrific. Tyran Parke as the young man completes the ensemble and compliments the other cast members with his leading man role. He interacts terrifically with his co-stars, especially with Wollaston, who plays his love interest.

For a fun, light night out don’t miss Sondheim’s “Putting it Together” which plays at The Seymour Centre for all of April.

Venue: Downstairs at the Seymour Centre
Dates: March 31 – April 30, 2006; Previews March 29 & 30, 2006
Times: Tues - Sat @ 8pm & Sun @ 5pm; Matinee Sat @ 2pm
Bookings: 02 9351 7940

[starlight]

I saw the show last night (Tuesday) and although there were some sound issues I loved the show, an amazing cast, Natalie Gamsu and Andrew Benson were a treat to watch on stage, they have great comic timing and Bellinda Wollestan was a gem. I laughed and cried.