SSSSPOTY 2023
Venue: Sondheim Theatre
Date: 11 June
MD: Nigel Lilley
Director: Hannah Chissick
Host: Alex Young
Opening number: TBC
Guest performers: Desmonda Cathabel (winner, SSSSPOTY 2022); ensemble from NYMT
Winner: TBC
Runner-up: TBC
Judges: Edward Seckerson (Chair), guest judges TBC
New songs courtesy of NEW UK MUSICALS
The Stephen Sondheim Society Student Performer of the Year competition - aka SSSSPOTY! - returns to The Sondheim Theatre in London's West End this June, when 12 finalists will sing their favourite Sondheim song - plus a recent work from the pool of NEW UK MUSICALS - in front of a panel of celebrity judges chaired by broadcaster and critic Edward Seckerson.
Applications are now open for students of musical theatre, music or drama aged 18 years or more as of 10 June 2023.
The competition, now in its 15th year, has seen the likes of Taron Egerton, Courtney Bowman, Erin Doherty and Alex Young crowned The Stephen Sondheim Society Performer of the Year. For the first time, this year's event will be hosted by a former winner, Alex Young! Indeed, Alex returns to the competition, having been a competitor, judge, guest performer and writer of a new song... now soon to be ading "Host" to her list.
The first round of heats is to be conducted via video submissions, after which a shortlist of performers will be invited to audition in person in front of Chair of the Judges Edward Seckerson and West End MD Nigel Lilley. From there, 12 finalists - and two reserves - will be selected to take part in the grand final, which will be staged live in a West End theatre.
To get an idea of the quality of performance required, check out the rehearsal video below from last year's event. You can also see a gallery of images from the 2022 Final, which was staged at the Sondheim Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue.
Please do come along and support this annual event - and you can say, "I saw them here first!" Tickets will be on sale shortly - check back later for details, or follow us at Twitter.com/SondheimSociety.
