Admittedly I'm a Sondheim junkie. I confess that he's my favorite American musical theater composer/lyricist. Perhaps it is my English degree that digs through his metaphors, or that fact that I'm partial to strings in an orchestra, but either way, he's my hetero man crush. What's not to admire about someone who has won multiple Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, an Academy Award, and did I mention the Grammy?

And even with his mentor and friend Oscar Hammerstein guiding him into the world of musical theater, now and then every good storyteller goes awry and write a great piece that just doesn't serve the purpose of the story as the characters grow and change. So what happens to these songs? Do they become the savvy singer's audition piece? A karaoke novelty? Nope, they get placed in reviews like Side by Side by Sondheim, Marry Me A Little, You're Gonna Love Tomorrow, and Putting It Together. While these shows lack a plot, they are an excellent evening of a cabaret style performance of several talented singers. Virginia Musical Theater's production of Side by side by Sondheim does just that.

While waiting for the show to start, I heard several patrons complain that the show "wasn't about anything". While I wanted to disagree, I kept quiet and listened. They are right, there is no plot, just a collection of songs that comment on relationships. That's what Sondheim is known for, great analogies, rhythms, and analysis of the modern revolution of relationships. Never have charaters so dissatisfied been so well stated. Still, a show like this tends to group songs in twos or threes, and directors either go for gimmicks to force a story upon the words, which works counter to Sondheim's intentions, or it's a bunch of songs that sound pretty. So, if one isn't willing or interested in really listening, mulling over the wordplay, and put a little of one's self into it.....it'll take you a lot longer to buy into the show, if you do at all.

Alan Souza helms the production as director and succeeds in bringing the meaning and subtlety to the appropriate levels. He understand the material and is able to get the best out of the cast members consisting of Christianne Tisdale, Joel Newsome, and Deb Lyons. He moves them well around the stage, uses only minimal props. George Hillow's set is effective and simple.

Andrew Meyers light design is rather harsh

Each of the singers had several solo moments to shine, as well as some great ensemble work. Some bits are better than others, but my favorite by far is "Barcelona" with Newsome and Tisdale. Of all the pieces, it has the most clear story concerning a one night stand between a man and a flight attendant. Playful, touching, and awkward, it's a nice piece.

Tisdale is better at the physical comedy than Lyons, and shines with her more playful characters. The "Can That Boy Foxtrot" duet she shares with Lyons is a good example. Her best number is "Broadway Baby" which she works to a cabaret polish and elicits her strongest audience reaction. Also fun are "The Boy From" and "Losing My Mind" dealing with a camped up gay boyfriend(?).

Joel Newsome is the glue that holds the girls together.

Deb Lyons is more of the matriarch of the group, best at the socialites and sophisticates. She frequently was scraping for her top notes, which made her best numbers ones where she didn't have to stretch. "Getting Married Today" was her best number, a verbal and diction nightmare that she navigates almost perfectly.

I left the show feeling quite satisfied, if a bit lost in my thoughts over relationships I am in, have been in. All I needed was a Cosmo and a date, and the evening would have been complete. Instead, I pleasantly hummed my favorite snatches, glad that VMT had picked this savvy show, and done it justice.

This is the last show VMT will have in their temporary space, and while they are very grateful for the subscribers who have stayed with them though the past few years, they are eagerly courting new ones, and with an ambitious next season, they are sure to attract attention. Almost everything I have seen by VMT has been a polished professional gem. I would highly recommend taking a look at their next season that includes Hairspray, Miss Saigon, White Christmas, and Titanic. In a new space, in a new season, they are going to be out to impress. Again. And I think they will.