The 5 Must See Performances From Sondheims 90th Celebration

Last night some of the biggest stars on Broadway got together (over a Zoom call obviously) to celebrate the work of Stephen Sondheim.

In true Broadway fashion, the show didn't start on time and eventually began over an hour late. When it did start it was nearly 2 and a half hours of some of Sondheims best loved songs and some deep cuts that weren't so well known.

The full performance can be seen on the Broadway.com Youtube channel.

But if you don't have 2 and a half hours to spare (We are all insanely busy with our social lives at the moment, aren't we?) here are my top 5 must see performances from the night:

5. Patti LuPone - Anyone Can Whistle (from Anyone Can Whistle)

Starts 2:08:07 on the main video above

Not the song you'd expect Patti to sing but her iconic Ladies who Lunch will be seen later on this list.

4. Bernadette Peters - No One Is Alone (from Into The Woods)

Starts 2:11:15 on the main video

Bernadette closed the show with an acapella version of this song from Sondheims classic Into The Woods. Poignant lyrics considering what is going on in the world at the moment.

3. Aaron Tveit - Marry Me A Little (from Company)

Starts 27:09 on the main video

Robert may have been gender swapped to Bobbie on the new production of Company but that didn't stop a previous leading man do this amazing version of one of his/her most iconic songs. Though strangely nobody attempted 'Being Alive' during the concert.

2. Annaleigh Ashford & Jake Gyllenhaal - Move On (from Sunday in the Park with George)

Clip below, full video starts 2:03:29 on the main video

Annaleigh and Jake were due to reprise their roles in Sunday In The Park With George at the Savoy theatre in June. While nothing official has been said about it not going ahead, it looks increasingly likely theatres will not be reopening over the Summer. Fingers crossed the run gets delayed and not cancelled altogether as moments like this need to be witnessed on the stage.

1. Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski and Audra McDonald - The Ladies Who Lunch (from Company)

Starts 1:58:42 on the main video

Well, what else could be number one? While it may not have been the most beautiful vocal of the night, putting these three legends together for one of Sondheims most iconic songs was a stroke of genius. The ladies can still lunch even when social distancing.

Other notable mentions were:

Neil Patrick Harris performing 'The Witch's Rap' from Into The Woods (12:45)

Maria Friedman singing 'Broadway Baby' from Follies (59:04)

Lea Salonga singing 'Loving You' from Passion (1:05:45),

Michael Cerveris singing 'Finishing the Hat' from Sunday In The Park with George (1:28:00)

Donna Murphy singing 'Send In The Clowns' from A Little Night Music (1:53:55)

Overall a great concert that was worth the wait at the beginning, though staying up til nearly 5am for it was a challenge! The things we do for theatre!