Signature’s Mark
New award places Sondheim center stage
By Janet Rems
Stephen Sondheim will be in attendance for Signature Theatre’s inaugural Sondheim Award this month will honor the his body of work. In subsequent years, the award will go to an individual‘s contributions to interpreting Sondheim’s works. Courtesy of Signature Theatre
Composer Stephen Sondheim is, in his own words, “pathetically neurotic about being in the spotlight.” So Signature Theatre’s April 27 inauguration of a Sondheim Award, with Sondheim himself in attendance, is more than a major coup.
But anyone who knows Signature’s artistic director Eric Schaeffer won’t be surprised. Schaeffer, also artistic director of the Kennedy Center’s Sondheim Celebration in 2002, has an enviably close relationship with the complex and reclusive Sondheim that dates back over 20 years.
As its website notes, “Musical Theater is Signature’s ‘signature,’ and the theatre [founded in Arlington in 1990] is renowned for its definitive Sondheim productions.” In fact, every season since 1991 has included Sondheim works, starting with “Sweeney Todd.”
In the upstairs boardroom of Signature’s 2-year-old Shirlington Village complex, the ebullient Schaeffer, 46, recalls his first contact with Sondheim, who turned 79 on March 22. Schaeffer, directing Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park with George” (one of his favorites) for the Arlington Players in 1988, wrote the composer about his ideas for the production. He was thrilled when, a week later, Sondheim wrote back. “I was, Oh my god. I wanted to frame that [first] letter,” says Schaeffer, who has saved all subsequent and frequent correspondence.
The initial Sondheim Award, Schaeffer emphasizes, will not be given to the composer. Instead, the inaugural gala will honor Sondheim and his body of work and kick off what is expected to become a significant annual event. The first actual award, which will recognize an individual for his or her career contributions to interpreting Sondheim’s works, will be presented in 2010.
The black-tie gala to be held at the Embassy of Italy will reflect Signature’s innovative and risk-taking personality, says managing director Maggie Boland, who joined Signature in May 2008. Schaeffer’s ties with Sondheim (reminiscent of Sondheim’s own famous apprenticeship with Oscar Hammerstein II), as well as famed producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh, drew her to Signature, 38-year-old Boland says.
Seated next to Schaeffer, Boland raves, “This guy is the real deal. These relationships are what make Signature such a unique place.”
A gala for a man such as Sondheim cannot merely be good, Schaeffer adds. “It has to be brilliant.”
Schaeffer, who also is directing the world premiere running April 28 through May 31 of a musical based on Edna Ferber’s “Giant,” is relishing the opportunity to work directly with his mentor on something new. The two have already come up with a rough list of recipients for the next 10 years. Let the speculation begin.
For more details, visit www.sig-online.org.
(April 2009)