Putting It Together (Review)

Putting It Together (Review) Susan Egan Shines in Los Angeles
in Sondheim's Putting It Together
Reviewed by Joe Blenkle/Sacramento Stage & Theatre

Susan Egan and PUTTING IT TOGETHER co-star Bronson Pinchot pose for the camera in the Mark Taper Forum dressing room after a Nov. 21 show.

    As many of you may know, besides maintaining this theatre page, I created Music Circus favorite Susan Egan's Official Fan Page.
    Although I no longer run the page, it was a fun thing to do for over two years!
    Back in late August, Susan closed out the Sacramento Music Circus' 1998 season reprising her role as Nellie Forbush in SOUTH PACIFIC. The day after SOUTH PACIFIC closed, Susan flew to Los Angeles to begin rehearsals for a new revue of Stephen Sondheim songs called PUTTING IT TOGETHER.
    New in the sense that it's a new production. Several other Sondheim revues have gone under that name. The 1992 original in England starring Diana Rigg, and the 1993 off-Broadway production starring Julie Andrews.
    The cast of 1998's show is no less impressive. Set at a cocktail party, Carol Burnett stars as Amy, the wife; John McCook is Charles, her husband; John Barrowman stars as a young associate of Charles, with Susan as his date, Julie; and Bronson Pinchot sets the whole show up as The Observer.
    This loose plot - the meeting between these people at the cocktail party - holds everything together. Bronson Pinchot closes up the gaps with comedy and introductions and surprisingly - a few songs himself (did you know he could sing?).
    Carol Burnett was out sick the night we saw the show, but class act that she is, Burnett tried to warm up until right before curtain time. She just couldn't do it though, and came out and apologized to the audience.

CAST:   Amy, the wife - Carol Burnett
  Charles, the husband - John McCook
  Barry, a young associate - John Barrowman
  Julie, his date - Susan Egan
  The Observer - Bronson Pinchot

    Taking Carol's place was another Music Circus alumni - Teri Ralston, who played Mother Abbess opposite Susan Egan's Maria in the 1996 production of SOUND OF MUSIC.
    The crowd, although disappointed that Carol Burnett was not on stage, gave Ralston great support in a difficult situation. It must be terrible to find out only minutes before the show starts that you will be going on stage - especially when you must fill the shoes of an entertainer like Burnett. Ralston did an admirable job, although in one instance, one of those shoes fell off her, as she danced across the stage.
    Susan Egan looked absolutely lovely in her slinky black dress and the chemistry between her and co-star John Barrowman made for a fabulous night of entertainment. Barrowman is best known for his stage appearances in England and made his Broadway premiere as Joe Gillis in SUNSET BOULEVARD. He also starred as Peter Fairchild in the CBS television series CENTRAL PARK WEST.
    The cast went through nearly three dozen Sondheim songs in two hours including the likes of "My Husband the Pig" and "Bang!" from A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC; "Hello Little Girl" from INTO THE WOODS; "Sooner or Later" from DICK TRACY; "Come Play Wiz Me" from ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and "Not Getting Married Today" from COMPANY.
    For anyone who hasn't seen a show at the Mark Taper Forum, the place is a real treat. It seats probably half what Sacramento's Music Circus seats, but the semi-circle configuration around a stage that sticks out into the audience gives everyone a fantastic view of the stage. There are only 14 rows of seats, so even the back row is extremely close to the performance. The sound system is superb and unlike MC's orchestra pit, the band is hidden behind a screen to the left of the stage. A video camera picks up the conductor back stage and the performers have several monitors around the stage so they can cue off him during the performance.

We met Susan in the "Green Room" after the show and finally got to meet her wonderful dog Willa, who "guards" Susan's dressing room during many performances. Willa is a true theatre dog and can tell when Susan is due to arrive back in the dressing room by the applause from the audience.

    While waiting for Susan, Tom Bosley, who starred with Susan in BEAUTY AND THE BEAST walked by. Teri Ralston also popped her head into the room, and Bronson Pinchot came in long enough to say hi and pose for the picture with Susan found at the top of this article.
    Being that we had seen a Saturday matinee show, Susan had several hours before she was due back on stage for the evening performance. We went to dinner at Otto's which is found right in the Music Center of Los Angeles along with the Mark Taper Forum, Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and Ahmanson Theatre. If you ever go to the complex and park there, be sure and note where your car is! The complex has a massive underground parking facility - about eight levels down!!! - A frightening experience for someone like me who loses their car at the mall!!!
    If you want to see some stars after a matinee, your best bet is Otto's. Most of the cast was over there and as we walked in, Susan was met with a round of applause from a table near the door.
    It was a fabulous weekend down in Los Angeles with a fabulous lady. I'd urge you to take a trip to Los Angeles to catch the show, but unfortunately PUTTING IT TOGETHER closed its run at the Mark Taper on December 6.
    And as much as I'd like to see the lovely Miss Egan back at Music Circus for the Summer of '99, she probably will be otherwise occupied. There is a good chance that the Cameron Mackintosh produced PUTTING IT TOGETHER will be heading to Broadway in March. Good news for Susan, bad news for Sacramento.
    But Susan will undoubtedly return here someday. She's a crowd favorite and holds a fond spot in her heart for Sacramento's theater under the tent.

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