The Stephen Sondheim Society

The world premiere of Stephen Sondheim's last show, written with David Ives, has been captured for posterity thanks to a cast recording made this week by Concord Theatricals.   Book by David Ives, music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed by Joe Mantello. Featuring Francois Battiste, Tracie Bennett, Bobby Cannavale, Micaela Diamond, Amber Gray, Jin Ha, Rachel Bay Jones, Denis O’Hare, Steven Pasquale, David Hyde Pierce, and Jeremy Shamos. Photograph Courtesy Emilio Madrid

The original Desirée Armfeldt, for whom Sondheim wrote "Send in the Clowns", has passed away at the age of 100. "Glynis had a lovely, crystal voice," said Steve, "but sustaining notes was not her thing. I wanted to write short phrases, so I wrote a song full of questions". The British Tony-Award-winning - and Oscar-nominated - actress was one of the last remaining stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Click the link to listen to Johns singing her signature song in 1992.

A HUGE thank you to Alex Young and her talented friends for a lovely evening of cabaret at Upstairs at the Gatehouse. (l-r) Ryan MacKenzie, Ellie Nunn, Izi Maxwell, Alastair Brookshaw, Tom Watson, Jade Oswald, Jordan Broatch, Alex Young, Eamonn O'Dwyer, Desmonda Cathabel, Joe Bunker & Mackenzie Larsen