Image courtesy of the New York Times
On Sunday, March 5, Skidmore’s Musical Theater- Opera Workshop will be performing a Stephen Sondheim revue titled You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow. This powerful medley honors the career of the late composer and Broadway legend Stephen Sondheim, showcasing some of his adored classics as well as his more obscure masterpieces.
You’re Gonna Love Tomorrow was originally performed in 1983 at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. The review sold out on both nights that it was performed and included surprise appearances from both renowned musical theater singers and Sondheim himself.
This performance is a rare opportunity to experience a musical theater cabaret in the intimate setting of Skidmore campus’ Surrey-Williamson Inn. Uniquely, students are playing a large role in the directive process, as Johnny Mulcahy ‘24 will be the co-stage director with Dr. Sylvia Stoner-Hawkins, and Nate Lucas ‘23 will be the co-music director with Professor Casey Gray. The production is produced by Dr. Stoner-Hawkins and Professor Gray, coached by Carol Ann-Elze, and accompanied by Wayne Hawkins on keyboard. The performers are Sebastian Caparas, Alex Ciardullo, Darren Jackson-Wilkins, Arielle Lam, Finn Lyon, Jacob Martin, Johnny Mulcahy, Nina Renkert, Hannah Schlosberg, Naomi Wagner, Lucrezia Zichichi, Jordan Zickmann, and Isadora Zucker.
There is much to look forward to in this performance. Lucas has told me of the singers’ incredible belting, and Mulcahy is excited by how quickly the cast is mastering their choreography. The talent of these students will be highlighted even more by the intimate setting of the Surrey-Williamson Inn where it will be performed. Cast member Sebastian Calabras ‘23 notes that the performers “do not rely on any sound system. In this intimate setting you should expect to have incredible singing in your ear for the entire show and you’ll be able to see every microexpression on [the performers’] faces.” As a result of this setting, the audience will observe every artistic choice up-close, and the message will feel even more personal. Therefore, you should “expect to have laughs and some tears and to see people dancing and interacting with you,” says Naomi Wagner ‘26. The musical numbers span from serious to comical, and each one will bring you on a new emotional journey.
Even if you are unfamiliar with Sondheim or theater in general, you will be taken on this journey. Jacob Martin ‘23 asserts that “for this show in particular, you do not need to know Sondheim because his music is generally quite accessible and touching to an audience. It’s actually quite challenging for the performers, but his music is very close to the heart. You do not need to know a single word of Sondheim to get something out of this show so that you can say,‘I felt something while listening to that.’ ‘I related to something while listening to that.’ This show by and large will not contain references to the shows that the pieces come from. They’re able to stand alone because they’re very emotionally accessible, and I’m sure that every audience member will find something that resonates with them.”
Even if you know and love Sondheim, you too will be in for a surprise: all audience members should expect to hear a number that they’ve never heard before. The revue contains some fan favorites, but many of the numbers are rarely performed, so even the biggest theater fans will find new songs to love.
Mulcahy and Lucas are proud of their cast members and promise you a fun evening. Seats are very limited, so if you want to see this moving performance, honor Sondheim, and support talented Skidmore musicians, reservations are required. You can get your free ticket with this link: https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/zankel/7074. The performance is in the Surrey-Williamson Inn on Sunday, March 5. There will be two showings, at 2 PM and 7 PM, and doors will open 30 minutes before each show. Run time is about 70 minutes and there will be no intermission. Desserts with coffee and tea will be served.