Geneseo Community Players brings a Sondheim Tribute Revue to the historic Geneseo Riviera Theatre on Saturday, October 5, 2024.

The New York Times considers Stephen Sondheim "theater's most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century and the driving force behind some of Broadway's most beloved and celebrated shows." This October 5 at 7:30 pm, Geneseo Community Players (GCP) will highlight Sondheim's amazing music and clever lyrics in their one-of-a-kind revue performed in Geneseo's historic Riviera Theatre. Patrons can buy tickets for this one-night-only evening of entertainment by visiting www.geneseocommunityplayers.org or at the Riviera box office on the evening of the performance. The ticket prices are $15 for adults and $10 for students and senior citizens.

GCP's “Sondheim Tribute Revue” will take audiences on an incomparable journey through songs from over 20 titles from the Sondheim songbook, including "Company," "Follies," "The Frogs," "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," "Into the Woods," "A Little Night Music," "Sunday in the Park with George," "Saturday Night," "Sweeney Todd" and the recent Tony Award Winner, "Merrily We Roll Along." When asked about the choice of Sondheim for Players's October slot, director Kurt Fletcher highlighted the influence of Sondheim's music on other composers. He said, "Sondheim's music often combines complex melodies with wise and thought-provoking lyrics. His shows have inspired the next generation of Broadway composers and creators. For example, Lin-Manuel Miranda — the creator of "Hamilton" — considers Sondheim one of his mentors. It's hard to think of any American musical theater composer who has been more influential in the last fifty years than Stephen Sondheim." Musical director Sarah Whittel concurred, noting that Stephen Sondheim's music is unique. "Sondheim has a harmonic language that can only be described as iconic."

Whittel and Fletcher have gathered some of the best talent in Livingston County to pay homage to the brilliance of Stephen Sondheim. The cast includes GCP performers Lindsey Buckel, John Costik, Chandra Downs, and Felicity Houston-Thomas, recently seen in GCP's July production of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” along with prior GCP performers Sophie Houseman (“Pirates of Penzance”-2018), Casey Whittel (“Sound of Music”-2004) and Michael Capel (“A Musical Scrapbook”-2023). Newcomer to GCP but no stranger to Livonia Community Players audiences is cast member Margaret Crabb, who rounds out the group that music director Sarah Whittel believes has the talent and artistry to pull off Sondheim's music. "The lyrics. The voices. Every rehearsal gives me the chills."
Geneseo Community Players chose the historic Geneseo Riviera Theatre for its October 5 “Sondheim Tribute Revue” due to its intimate, beautiful setting and comfortable seating. Tickets are guaranteed to go fast for this one-night-only event, so people are encouraged to act fast to ensure they don't miss this evening of Sondheim specially curated for this group of performers and local audiences.