In honor of Stephen Sondheim, who passed away Friday, I offer these three memories:
- The best production that my college theater pass allowed me to see was my university's production of "Assassins." Yes, the subject matter is dark, and the antagonists don't deserve anyone's sympathy. The cast I saw, however, rose to the show's musical demands, turning in some of the most convincing performances I've ever seen on stage. "Unworthy Of Your Love" is a particular standout, as it puts an appropriate amount of delusion with a dollop of self-awareness into the mouths of actors playing John Hinckley and Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme. Even out of context, the song holds up. I could tell that a lot of DJs at KCOU saw the same production I did in 1992, as there was a spike in the soundtrack's airplay.
- Of the high school, college, and professional productions in which I played the bass, "West Side Story" had the most challenging score. With its distinctive, exposed melody, it's especially important to nail the precise rhythm and feel of "Cool." During a rehearsal, I caught on immediately that I needed to listen to the singer closely so our tempos were synchronized. That strategy worked; after the final performance, Mr. Z., the director, told me, "When you were playing 'Cool' tonight, I was bouncin' right along with you." That's still one of my favorite compliments about my bass playing.
- An incident from the '90s that still moves me: A woman I knew told me, "I want to play one of my favorite songs for you. It makes me think of my sister." She then played Barbra Streisand's version of "Not While I'm Around" from "Sweeney Todd." Upon hearing it, I thought, "I see why this moves you. It's a direct, emotionally honest way of saying, 'As long as I'm here, I'll protect you.'" People aren't that emotionally vulnerable that often, so I appreciated her sharing that with me. I haven't seen that woman or her sister in a long time, but I hope they're both doing well--and looking out for each other.
Few people have a gift of lyricism that reaches so many people, whether they're lifelong fans or casual listeners. When someone so influential passes away, it's challenging to write accolades that don't sound like scores of others. Thus, I asked myself, "What Sondheim-influenced memories do I have that are unique to me?" I recommend this approach to others facing the same dilemma.
