I’ve been following the progress of what is now Here We Are, Stephen Sondheim’s final musical, for years, and I naively presumed it would never happen. So when I found out that my planned November trip to Broadway overlapped with the world premiere of Here We Are, I knew we needed to make it happen. We wound up seeing it on the same day as Merrily We Roll Along. Two Sondheims on the same day!
We found out that tickets would go on sale for the whole run on a specific day with a member presale. To hedge our bets, we made a small donation to The Shed, ensuring membership. Turns out we didn’t need to do that. The run did sell out, but it didn’t sell out immediately, and the run was ultimately extended.
Here We Are is a musical based on two films by Spanish director Luis Buñuel. I wouldn’t want to give too much away, but the story begins with a group of friends and acquaintances that endeavor to go for a meal together, and things don’t go as planned. The tone is funny, sometimes dark and also very dark. Roughly 60% of the songs for the show were written by Sondheim before he died, so while the first act is very musical, the second act of the show is more like a play.
What Works?
The production is very stylish. Every detail is worked out to perfection, including the beautiful stage which toggles from a very striking white to a highly detailed mansion interior. The costume designs are nothing less than iconic.
Among the all-star cast was Bobby Cannavale (the guy that ruined Will and Grace), who I have always disliked, but he won me over as Leo, the very flawed patriarch of the group. Michaela Diamond (The Cher Show, Parade) and Rachael Bay Jones (Dear Evan Hansen, Pippin) also stand out in their very unique roles.
What Doesn’t Work?
It feels wild to say this, but I didn’t love some of the music. Maybe it’s an acquired taste, as some Sondheim shows are. I still can’t get into Passion, lol. Or maybe the included songs are simply unfinished.
There’s also a very unnecessary moment in the second act, involving a gun, that I felt was very heavy, overly visceral and didn’t really service the plot. I imagine it’s from the source material.
In general, I’m thrilled to have witnessed this historical production and all-star cast, and I certainly felt entertained. The Shed is a beautiful new venue that I look forward to going to again some time.
7/10
Here We Are is currently playing at The Shed in New York City until Jan 21, 2024.
https://www.theshed.org/program/301-here-we-are
One response to “Here We Are makes me wish Sondheim was still alive (specifically so he could finish this)”
I’m so glad to have seen this with you, Mike. Great review!