Putting Stephen Sondheim Back Together Again

After more than 20 years of producing theater in Los Angeles, I have learned to appreciate good reviews, swallow bad ones and just move on. However, as The Times is the paper of record, I cannot allow a recent Laurie Winer review (“ ‘Putting It Together’ Reworks Sondheim,” Jan. 28) to stand without comment.

Winer says the show “owes its existence to people who cannot get enough of the maestro and who delight in any excuse to listen to his songs.” Is she aware of how incredibly insulting that is to Stephen Sondheim and Cameron Mackintosh? Does she really think that these two giants of the theater would throw together an inferior show just to satisfy the fans?

She states, “This revue cries out for stars.” Since when does good material need “stars” to deliver it? She finds it odd that a gay man would join in on “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid.” Does the fact that a man is gay mean he can’t admire and appreciate gorgeous women?

She writes, “Full knowledge of the Sondheim canon is expected of the audience--otherwise you might be confused when the wife calls the husband Paul . . . and then Charlie.” Does she honestly believe L.A. theater audiences are that dense? Our audiences are a lot sharper than Winer seems to think and tend not to need things spelled out for them. Believe me, they get it.

Finally, she declares herself, since “Passion,” to be “an ex-Sondheim junkie.” If she is disenchanted with Sondheim, and therefore predisposed to dislike the evening, why on Earth is she reviewing this show in the first place? How does that serve your readers?

By the way and just for the record, judging from audience and critical response, Winer’s negative opinion of the show puts her in a very small minority.

BARBARA BECKLEY

Producing Director

The Colony Studio Theatre

Los Angeles