Sondheim's life work showcased

The IU version of Stephen Sondheim's "Putting It Together" is the show choir of opera. The revue is an amusing melange of song, dance, and sarcasm. The show is a compilation of famous Sondheim songs. The IU Opera Theatre performed "Putting It Together" Saturday at the Musical Arts Center.\nStephen Sondheim, who has been composing since 1957 until his latest show in 1991, was the most touted composer of his time. He wrote popular musicals such as "Sweeney Todd," "Gypsy," "Sunday in The Park With George," and "West Side Story." "Putting It Together," which originally opened in 1992, is the compilation sequel to the 1976 "Side by Side With Sondheim." \nMost of Sondheim's songs are insightful glimpses into human emotion. It is difficult for these songs to stand alone in a revue format, thus "Putting It Together" is set in a dinner party. The guests then proceed to tell their stories of love, sex, marriage, and the stress they all cause, through the self-selected works of Sondheim. \nThe IU cast, comprised of Betsy Bare, Trent Casey, Erin Kelley, Melissa Korzec, Corey McKern, Nicholas Provenzale, Jeremy Truhel and Heather Nicole Winter, strayed a bit from the original dinner party idea. \nThe dialog and story of the first half was somewhat vague. The party was not present and instead the songs were independent of context and simply sung in medley style. The impact of the songs tried to be carried by the dance and blocking, however, this wasn't always clear to the audience. Regardless of not understanding completely, the audience still enjoyed the humor and the ensemble's wonderful singing. \nThe first songs were centered around sex, flirtation, the perfect girl and relationships. Highlighted selections were "Everybody Ought to Have a Maid" from "A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum," "Sooner of Later" from "Dick Tracy," and "Could I Leave You" from "Follies."\nThe second half of the show was the dinner party. Guests were seated and asked to play a game. They each wrote down a question entailing the word marriage. Then everyone drew a question and their answers were in the form of Sondheim pieces either extolling or condemning married (or unmarried) life. \nSome songs presented were "I Could Drive a Person Crazy" from "Company," "Being Alive," "The Miller's Son" from "A Little Night Music," and "Live Alone and Like It" from "Dick Tracy."\n"Putting It Together" was originally put in a storyline for clarity; perhaps if IU does the show again they will follow more closely the original. Regardless of a little confusion in the beginning, "Putting It Together" was an enjoyable show about love and all of its consequences. The cast and band did a fine job of entertaining. It is certainly a show that one should take along either the one they love or the one they would like to love.\n"Putting It Together" will be performed at the Musical Arts Center Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m.