
This distinctive take on a classic performance stands as its own against the original simplistic version of Sondheim’s original vision.
Bobby, a 35-year-old strives to break away from the suffocating nagging of her friends, as she attempts to find more than a fling in New York City.
This modern revival incorporates the introduction of a homosexual couple to the cast, encapsulating modern living and a more probable friendship gruop in 2019. The use of a female lead normalises the fact that not all women’s futures are family driven and love focused and a partnership should develop over a period of time that is acceptable to each individual rather than following the norms of her friends who are settled down and ‘happily married’.
As Patti Lupone’s perceived farewell to theatre life after her 47 years long acting career, she remains as elegant and able performing in dance routines and tasking solo songs as she did in her years as Evita. If this is the end it is a more than credible production for her final curtain call.
The closing song, the infamous ‘Being Alive’, is sung with refreshing a comedic tone rather than Raul Esparza powerful emotional take of the spectacular finale. Although the two display vastly different emotion, they both succeed to convey the eventual readiness to move on in life and overall acceptance that it’s ok to long for someone to share your life with.
I would recommend the production to all age ranges, as attested to by my Nan who cheered at the end of the show. And, as a 17-year-old with a love for theatre, the characters resonated with the hardships of life. The Cosmopolitan cast is a welcomed and very much needed change to a definitive musical.

