Maui Onstage celebrates Stephen Sondheim with Jan. 25 fundraiser
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A fundraiser for Maui OnStage, "Saturday with Sondheim," will pay tribute to legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim with a musical journey through some of his most popular works.
A cast of some of Maui's most talented performers will regale the audience with Sondheim hits as well as some of his lesser known compositions.
"We have about 24 songs written by Stephen Sondheim," says Kalani Whitford, the show's director. "We have a cast of 15 singing some of his greatest, most well-known songs and also a handful of songs that I don't know if a lot of people are going to know but we chose them because they're just so great."
The singers include Amber Seekig, Bailey Miller, Laura Cole, Lia Krieg, Lin McEwan, Lina Krueger, Marsi Smith, Nara Boone, Elliana Pascua, Aaron Pardini, Bob Wills, Brian Miller, Dale Button, Daniel Burnison and Kiegan Otterson.
Among the songs performed are "A Weekend in the Country" from "A Little Night Music," "Let Me Entertain You" from "Gypsy," "Getting Married Today" from "Company," "Sweeney Todd's" "Johanna," "Loving You" from "Passion," "Comedy Tonight" from "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," and "Agony" from "Into the Woods."
Also known for writing the lyrics for "West Side Story," Sondheim received an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards, including a Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize and a Laurence Olivier Award.
Having previously directed productions like "Murder on the Orient Express" and "The Rocky Horror Show," Whitford is full of admiration for Sondheim's work. "He's so smart and clever with his lyrics, and there are songs that are just so memorable. The music is just so beautiful and memorable."
A tribute revue honoring the composer and lyricist, "Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends" opened in London in 2022. A successful West End run starred Tony winners Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga, who performed at the MACC. Both are set to star in a Los Angeles production followed by Broadway in 2025.
Vania Jerome and Robert E. Wills are co-musical directors of "Saturday with Sondheim." "There are solos, duets and trios, and we have four group songs with the full cast," says Whitford.
The show is a fundraiser for the venerable theater organization, with roots that stretch back to the early 1930s, when the Maui Community Theater was formed from two smaller companies. Their first production was the comedy "Mr. Pim Passes By" by A. A. Milne, who became famous for writing "Winnie-the-Pooh." When MCT moved to the Iao Theatre, their first production there was the Gilbert and Sullivan classic, "H.M.S. Pinafore," directed by Don Allton.
At the black-tie event, Maui OnStage's Board of Directors will present door prizes. There will be a special silent auction and the theater's 2025 season will be announced.
"We're hoping to get people to donate to help Maui On Stage stay around," says Whitford. "The organization has been one of the oldest continually running community theaters in the country."
Maui OnStage presents "Saturday with Sondheim" at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25. Tickets are $50 for general admission and $100 for premium seating.
Editor’s note: This report has been updated to reflect that event planners are only hosting one show at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 25.