Stephen Sondheim’s mysterious final musical has shocking Act 2: insiders

The late Stephen Sondheim’s upcoming ultimate musical, “Right here We Are,” is the largest thriller of the theater season.

Audiences know nearly nothing about this should-be main cultural occasion by one of many biggest composers of all time that’s solely weeks away.

However considered one of its many puzzles is a selected head-scratcher. 

“Right here We Are,” in accordance with sources acquainted with the e book and rating, has hardly any songs in its second act.

One insisted it has “zero,” including, “Steve bailed as a result of he couldn’t write Act 2. He gave it up and by no means thought it might be executed.”

The insider went on to say that “there are solely six songs in Act 1, and one is repeated in each single scene.”

Expertise brokers additionally despatched actors to be seen for nonsinging roles within the musical, which ended up with a starry forged together with David Hyde Pierce and Bobby Cannavale.

When requested if Act 2 has songs, manufacturing spokesman Rick Miramontez wouldn’t reveal any specifics concerning the present.

“Right here We Are,” which is directed by Joe Mantello and starts previews Sept. 28 on the Shed in Hudson Yards, relies on two movies by Spanish surrealist director Luis Buñuel — 1972’s “The Discreet Allure of the Bourgeoisie” and ’62’s “The Exterminating Angel.” 

Act 1 is claimed to be “Discreet Allure,” whereas Act 2 is “Angel.” The second half is closely reliant on playwright David Ives’ e book.

The legendary creator of “Sweeney Todd,” “Into the Woods,” “Firm” and “Sunday within the Park With George” died in late 2021 at 91, and his ultimate musical, in no matter state it’s in, will probably be required viewing for Sondheim buffs.

However many have doubts that it’s prepared for prime time.

“That is half a present,” a supply mentioned.

But one which’s charging full worth. Theatergoers have griped concerning the stratospheric ticket costs, as the standard of the musical is unknown and it’s primarily based on materials unfamiliar to many.

Seats are $129 in the event you’re fortunate, and $350 in the event you’re not. That’s greater than Saturday evening at “Hamilton” and “The Lion King” on Broadway.

These eye-gouging prices for the 15-week run are due, in accordance with a supply, to its humongous $8 million enhancement. 

“Enhancement cash” permits industrial producers to subsidize their very own exhibits at nonprofit theaters. It’s a follow that’s turn out to be commonplace, however that $8 million quantity, the supply mentioned, is among the largest ever.

“Right here We Are” is produced by Tom Kirdahy, Sue Wagner, John Johnson and the Stephen Sondheim Belief.

As for the music that’s within the present, how is it?

One supply who’d heard the rating mentioned it “has a number of terrific melodies.” One other mentioned that “it’s not nice Sondheim” and sounds “like David Yazbek if translated from the French,” referring to the composer of “The Band’s Go to.”

Everyone agrees “Right here We Are” is unwieldy and half-finished.

However one trade vet mentioned Sondheim, who reportedly shelved the incomplete musical seven months earlier than he died, turned reinvested later and was about to embark on the subsequent part of the long-gestating challenge. They urged he might need even given directions for the piece’s future to his collaborators. 

New Sondheim music being out on the planet is an effective factor — although ideally for lower than $350 a pop.

And this would be the first new Sondheim musical since “Highway Present” opened to detrimental evaluations on the Public Theater in 2008.

We’ll see what the critics must say about “Right here We Are” when it opens on Oct. 22.