A MASTER OF MUSICAL THEATER; TWENTY-SEVEN SONGS;
THREE GREAT PERFORMERS; ONE TERRIFIC REVUE
3 Faces of Steve: Sondheim in Concert at Odyssey Theatre Ensemble is a revue that spans the breadth of Stephen Sondheim’s work. Director Angelina Réaux, the soprano who personally knew and worked with the great composer, joins world-class singers Michael Sokol, baritone, and Bernardo Bermudez, bari-tenor, for an enchanting evening of solos, duets, and trios from 14 of Sondheim’s classic stage works, including Follies, Company, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, A Little Night Music and Merrily We Roll Along.
Bernardo Bermudez, Angelina Réaux & Michael Sokol
Stage right, music director William Ah Sing accompanies the singers and performs each song as if it originates in his soul, following the vocals and emotions of the artists to perfection.
William Ah Sing & Angelina Réaux
Some professional remembrances of Sondheim are shared, but the evening is really about the wide array of Sondheim’s genius. Among the many outstanding numbers: Michael and Bernardo hamming it up in the hysterical “Can That Boy Foxtrot” cut from Follies; Bernardo’s “Something’s Coming” from West Side Story and his soul-searching “Being Alive” from Company; and the trio performing an energetic “Together Wherever We Go” from Gypsy and “You Could Drive a Person Crazy” as their Act 1 finale.
Michael Sokol, Angelina Réaux, Bernardo Bermudez
Michael shared how the first show he did was Sweeney Todd, which Angelina performed in as The Beggar Woman in the first national tour. Songs from that musical included the two men singing “Pretty Women” and the comical “A Little Priest” about the famous contents of Mrs. Lovett’s pies, performed by Angelina and Michael.
William Ah Sing & Bernardo Bermudez
Michael also performed two stand-out numbers with clever choreography: “Ah Paree!” from Follies in straw hat and cane, and as the nervous groom Jamie in “Not Getting Married” from Company, perhaps the most difficult Sondheim song to enunciate, performed with Angelina and Bernardo.
Michael Sokol
Angelina’s striking soprano was highlighted during “In Buddy’s Eyes” and “I’m Still Here” both from Follies, and “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music. I also really enjoyed her “Barcelona” duet with Bernardo from Company. The men wear tuxedos, and Angelina a smart tuxedo-like outfit in the first act, but an unflattering “tent” style ensemble for the second.
Angelina Réaux
In total, twenty-seven songs were presented, each one a tribute to the masterful composer and lyricist, performed by four entertainers who really understand and appreciate his musical wizardry.
Michael Sokol & Angelina Réaux
photos by Cooper Bates
graphic design by Peter Simpson Cook
3 Faces of Steve: Sondheim in Concert
Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd
Thurs-Sat at 8; Sun at 2; Sun at 5 (Sept. 29 only)
ends on September 29, 2024
for tickets ($25-$45, +$3 for credit card), call 310.477.2055 ext. 2 or visit Odyssey Theatre
*Wine Night Fridays: Enjoy complimentary wine and snacks
after the show on the third Friday of every month.
