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'Putting It Together' does

Sondheim review opens at park stage

The Musical Theater Guild has put it all together in its summer show, "Putting It Together" a Stephen Sondheim review which opened Friday. While Sondheim's songs may not cause you to hum a familiar melody, you will definitely do your share of toe tapping.

The amazing cast has a vocal blend that is enjoyable and unique. On the ensemble songs, their voices formed tight harmonies and melodies that were exceptional.

The show opened with "The Observer" played by Aaron Willoughby setting the stage for the audience. He delivered his do's and don'ts via "Invocation and Instructions to the Audience" from Sondheim's "The Frogs," followed by a company number and title song "Putting It Together" from his "Sunday in the Park with George."

Woven together with Sondheim's songs is a little plot line of drama which begins as the stage is set for a cocktail party at the home of two well established, well bred, well dressed, but perhaps not well adjusted mature adults played by MTG veterans Kelly Benner and Dean Weiland.

Benner is up to her standard in this show where she can say it all with a look. Her acting and nonverbal cues make her the excellent actress she is and that is without singing a note.

Add her voice and you have a package that delighted throughout the performance.

She has a way of transporting the audience through the emotional roller coaster of whomever she is portraying and the audience goes willingly. "Every Day a Little Death" was both powerful and sad.

Her voice paired well with her cast mate, Stephanie Auth, who gave a moving performance on this song as well.

Benner's sense of timing and her style are pure fun and easy to listen to. Her humor and candor were apparent in "Ladies Who Lunch," a jab at insincere women on the go and those who observe them.

Words can't describe her performance of "Getting Married Today," you just have to see it for yourself. Her chemistry with Weiland, who plays her husband, was convincing.

Weiland, who is quick to note this is one of the toughest shows he's ever done, was quite capable and up for the challenge of this role.

"Good Thing Going" was a thoughtful and well sung piece. He loosened up after the first few numbers and hit his stride in "Country House," which he sang with Benner. They conveyed beautifully their compelling emotional changes throughout the seasons of their marriage.

Newcomers to the MTG stage, Auth and Jim Kasperick were delightful as the young couple. They each are extremely talented and mixed well with each other, performing equally as well solo. Their duet, "Unworthy of Your Love" from Sondheim's "Assassins" was tender and passionate.

Kasperick's energetic and sweet "Merry Me a Little" was simply charming. Hopefully we'll see more of this versatile performer.

Auth vacillated between song bird and seductress. Her beautiful clear voice was lush in the harmonies yet bold and sassy in the saucy "Sooner or Later" from "Dick Tracy." Her experience was evident in her stage presence and her confidence. Not just anyone could wear that dress.

She showed her comedic side in "More," also from "Dick Tracy," and in "There's Always a Woman" from "Anyone Can Whistle," which she performed with Benner.

Elliot Roth, the musical director, and Ken Schreffler, Jr., the director, pulled off quite a coup in successfully nailing Sondheim's complex work.

The cast was excellent, the vocals amazing, but it is probably the best least known show I have seen.

A special treat at the end was the rousing finale by the musicians after the ovation. If they do it every night, it in itself is worth the price of admission.

IF YOU'RE GOING


WHAT: "Putting It Together" a Stephen Sondheim review by The Musical Theater Guild

WHEN: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, July 14 to 21, and 2 p.m. Sundays, July 15 and 22

WHERE: The Musical Theater Guild Production Center at Butler Memorial Park

TICKETS: $15; on sale at May's Music Shoppe, East Jefferson Street, or call to reserve 724-283-5811. Limited supply at the door if available.

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