Side by Side by Sondheim at Theatre Guild

Dan Martino, Keith Hampton, Ryan Clark

A Tony Award-winning musical revue with songs by one of America’s top contemporary songwriters comes to the Racine Theatre Guild stage, 2519 Northwestern Ave., from July 18-27.

The wit, heart and genius of Broadway’s most innovative and influential artist, Stephen Sondheim, are at the center of this musical tribute. In his career, Sondheim has won multiple Tony and Grammy Awards, an Academy Award and a Pulitzer Prize. A dazzling array of some of his best-known songs features numbers from landmark shows that revolutionized musical theatre: Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum. Some of those familiar songs are “Send in the Clowns,” “Comedy Tonight,” “Broadway Baby” and “I’m Still Here.” Then there are the classic scores written with the legendary Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne, Richard Rodgers and Arthur Laurents: West Side Story, Gypsy and Do I Hear A Waltz? Also included are delectable rarities from television and film. A narration runs throughout, putting the songs in context and offering a behind-the-scenes look at the shows from which the songs are drawn.

Side by Side by Sondheim began as a piece commissioned by singer Cleo Laine and her husband in 1975 to raise funds for their theatre in England. It ran there for 59 performances, then transferred to London for 806 performances. The British cast traveled to the U.S. for a successful 1977 Broadway run, where the entire cast was nominated for Tony Awards.

Anne Mollerskov and Dan Martino

It takes gifted vocalists to sing Sondheim’s tunes and RTG has them: Kathy Berg, Ryan Clark, Keith Hampton, Alexa Hujik, Dan Martino, Anne Mollerskov and Rita Torcaso. They are accompanied by two pianos played by equally gifted musicians Greg Berg and, on an alternating schedule, Kate Potter-Barrow and Jane Livingston.

Directing the local production is RTG Managing/Artistic Director Doug Instenes, with Greg Berg as music director. Amy Falaschi is responsible for choreography and Katie Kowbel serves as stage manager.

Anne Mollerskov, Rita Torcaso, Alexa Hujik

Performances of Side by Side by Sondheim are scheduled on two weekends only, July 18-20 and 25-27. Show times are 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays (tickets $18), and 1:30 and 7 p.m. on Sundays (tickets $16). Discounts are available for seniors, season subscribers and groups. Season tickets—both reserved seat and flex passes—are also available.

The Racine Theatre Guild is a nonprofit, volunteer-based, community theatre getting its 71st season off to a hot start with this bonus production. Box office hours are weekdays 12 to 6 p.m. and from one hour prior to each curtain time through intermission. On performance Saturdays, the box office opens at 2:30 p.m. For reservations, call 262-633-4218. Look online for information or visit in person at 2519 Northwestern Ave.