Marry Me A Little

“MARRY ME A LITTLE” (Gold Medal) Stephen Sondheim’s 1980 “Marry Me A Little” is akin to one those really excellent Japanese hors-d'oeuvre bars, where nothing is served but side dishes. The comparison is applicable because “Marry Me A Little” conceived by Craig Lucas and Norman René, is a review of songs culled from Sondheim’s major works – “A Little Night Music”, “Company”, and others, as well as a number of songs cut from Sondheim’s epic “Follies”. Songs that, like everything that flows from Sondheim’s pen, are gems in and of themselves, but which have been overshadowed by such towering tuneful touchstones as “Send In the Clowns”, “Losing My Mind”, “A Comedy Tonight” and “I’m Still Here”. With “Marry Me A Little” you can he... full review

If you haven’t heard most of the music in Stephen Sondheim’s Marry Me A Little, it’s for good reason. The 1980 song cycle, conceived and developed by Craig Lucas and Norman René, is made up almost entirely of material left on the cutting-room floor. Fortunately, even cutting-room-floor Sondheim is better than just about anyone else, and with director Janet Miller and stars Jessie Withers and David Laffey making magic on the Lillian Theatre stage, Marry Me A Little is likely to prove one of Hollywood Fringe 2015’s most popular and acclaimed hits ... Click on link to read the rest of my review.... full review

MARRY ME A LITTLE centers on two urban singles, solo in their studio apartments 2C and 3C on a Saturday night in New York City as they pass the time with secret, unshared fantasies, never knowing that they are just one floor away from each other and possibly the end of their solitary dreams. The 70-minute one-act is perfect for the Hollywood Fringe Festival, presented with loving care by Producer/Director Janet Miller with Musical Director Corey Hirsch who accompanies the two cast members on piano with great gusto and emotional intensity through the entire show which is entirely sung through. David Laffey and Jessie Withers command the stage in their struggle for love with each song illuminating their life of joy and loss. Certainly ... full review

While Craig Lucas was appearing in the original cast of Stephen Sondheim’s classic SWEENEY TODD in New York, the fertile brain of this actor-turned-playwright was sparked by a discussion listing the many songs from the prolific composer-lyricist’s equally fertile brain that had been cut from some of his most successful creations before opening night. After approaching Sondheim with an idea and getting his blessing, Lucas and Norman Rene created this Off-Off-Broadway 1980 musical revue featuring all those lost songs and a few more from Sondheim’s then-still-unproduced musical SATURDAY NIGHT. Directed by Rene and starring Lucas and Suzanne Henry, MARRY ME A LITTLE transferred from Off-Off to Off-Broadway, racking up a decent run and even mo... full review

Strongly recommended. Click on "Original Article" to access Stage and Cinema's full review.... full review

n the early 1980’s, just before Craig Lucas transitioned from performer to playwright, he approached Stephen Sondheim about using some of the composer’s trunk songs in a new theatrical context. The result was Marry Me a Little. Full review at original article.... full review

This is a wonderful show. It took Impro Theatre to get me to start appreciating Sondheim a year ago, and Janet Miller's sharp, quick and clean production of Marry Me a Little is a perfect entree for noobs or the musically prejudiced. Revues are traditionally one of my least favorite theatrical forms, but I found this show charming, sad, funny, engaging...and just imagine if I really liked Sondheim! - Jason Rohrer... full review