MTI musical · Full-length
Side by Side by SondheimScript, Piano/Vocal Score & show details
- Full-length · 2 acts
- Small cast (up to 10)
- Roles: 2 women · 2 men
- PG‑13
The printed Side by Side by Sondheim script comes with your MTI license. The digital version is a separate add-on for your whole cast and crew. See pricing
Side by Side by Sondheim synopsis
Music by Jule Styne, Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim · Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim · Continuity by Ned Sherrin
Get ready to laugh, cry and fall in love with lyrics that are heartbreakingly true and music that captures the soaring emotions of a new generation with Side by Side by Sondheim. Simple and unpretentious, this Tony Award-winning musical is a perfect introduction to the work of this contemporary master and a must for diehard fans.
Stephen Sondheim has been the leading composer of musical theatre for the past fifty years. His work is timeless. From the streets of ancient Rome, through nineteenth-century Japan and turn-of-the-century Sweden, to the high-rise apartments of 1970 Manhattan, his songs represent a definitive time and place, and yet move beyond their particular settings to speak to us all. Now, with this award-winning revue of his earlier work, some of the most lush, unforgettable songs from this musical theatre master are presented in one magical evening. Featuring music from Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle and Pacific Overtures, not to mention the classics written with musical theatre giants, Leonard Bernstein, Jule Styne and Richard Rodgers, this dazzling array of some of Sondheim's best-known songs demonstrates his masterful craft and astounding creativity.
Minimal sets and costumes, a small cast and two pianos allow the brilliant songs to shine. The proceedings are run by a charming, pithy narrator whose virtually nonexistent musical requirements are ideal for a nonsinging, local celebrity with limited rehearsal time.
Full synopsis
Side by Side by Sondheim is a collection of Stephen Sondheim songs, some he has written by himself and some for which he has written the lyrics and collaborated with other composers. The numbers are a mix of well known favorites from Sondheim's work as well as some more obscure pieces, or songs that didn't make it into famous shows. A Narrator guides the evening, interjecting interesting stories between the numbers. Some of the stories focus on Sondheim's life and career, while others relate to the shows from which the songs come or set up the moment before the song. In some cases, certain songs can be substituted with other songs from the Sondheim catalogue if that substitution is appropriate for the singers. These moments of substitution are noted in the script, and which song should be substituted is also noted.
The show is described by the Narrator as more of a "show than a play." It has very little plot and it was born from three British performers in the 1970s who hoped to introduce Sondheim's work to the English. The order of the songs is as follows:
"Comedy Tonight"
"Love Is in the Air"
"Comedy Tonight" (Original Version)
"If Momma Was Married"
"You Must Meet My Wife"
"The Little Things"
"Getting Married Today"
"I Remember"
"Can That Boy Foxtrot"
"Company"
"Another Hundred People"
"Barcelona"
"Marry Me a Little"
"I Never Do Anything Twice"
"Beautiful Girls"
"Ah Paree!"
"Buddy's Blues"
"Broadway Baby"
"You Could Drive a Person Crazy"
"Everybody Says Don't"
"Anyone Can Whistle"
"Send in the Clowns"
"We're Gonna Be Alright"
"A Boy Like That"
"The Boy From…"
"Pretty Lady"
"You Gotta Get a Gimmick"
"Losing My Mind"
"Could I Leave You?"
"I'm Still Here"
"Conversation Piece" (Medley)
"Side by Side by Side"
Synopsis courtesy of Music Theatre International (MTI).
Side by Side by Sondheim characters & vocal ranges
The Side by Side by Sondheim musical has 4 named roles, for a small cast (up to 10). Many roles can be cast across gender. ‘Written as’ reflects how MTI lists each role.
| Character | Written as | Vocal range | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narrator | Male | D4–C3 | Our show's guide through the life and music of composer & lyricist Stephen Sondheim. Informative and full of facts, but quick to crack a joke. |
| Man | Male | B4–G2 | Featured musical numbers include "I Remember," "Marry Me a Little," "Beautiful Girls," "Buddy's Blues," "Anyone Can Whistle," and "Could I Leave You?" |
| Woman 1 | Female | F5–D3 | Featured musical numbers include "Getting Married Today," "I Never Do Anything Twice, " "Au Paris," "Send in the Clowns," "A Boy Like That," "The Boy From& ," and "I'm Still Here." |
| Woman 2 | Female | C6–E3 | Featured musical numbers include "Another Hundred People," "Broadway Baby," "I Have a Love," and "Losing My Mind." |
Side by Side by Sondheim song list
- Comedy Tonight/Love is in the Air
- If Momma Was Married
- You Must Meet My Wife
- The Little Things You Do Together
- Getting Married Today
- I Remember
- Can That Boy Foxtrot!
- Company/Another Hundred People
- Barcelona
- I Never Do Anything Twice
- Beautiful Girls/Ah, Paree!/Budy's Blues
- Broadway Baby
- You Could Drive a Person Crazy
- Everybody Says Don't
- Anyone Can Whistle
- Send in the Clowns
- We're Gonna Be All Right
- A Boy Like That/ I Have A Love
- The Boy From&
- Pretty Lady
- Losing My Mind
- Could I Leave You?
- I'm Still Here
- Side By Side By Side
How to get the Side by Side by Sondheim script & Piano/Vocal Score
The printed materials come with your MTI license. The digital version is an add-on that gives your whole cast and crew immediate access. See what that looks like
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Delivered through ProductionPro, MTI’s exclusive digital delivery partner. Looking for a free Side by Side by Sondheim script PDF? The script comes with your MTI license, so it isn’t available on its own.
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