ICT opens season with tribute to late songwriter Sondheim
OUTSIDE THE GATES
Long Beach’s International City Theatre opens its 2022 season with a tribute to the late songwriter Stephen Sondheim, “Marry Me a Little,” on Friday, Feb. 11. Conceived and developed by Craig Lucas and Norman René, the musical, which premiered in 1980, weaves 17 of Sondheim’s lesser-known works into the tale of two lonely strangers who live just one floor apart in a New York building.
This production, helmed by director Kari Hayter and music director/pianist Diane King Vann, stars Katy Tang and Nick Tubbs as two people who separately fantasize about finding love with each other. In addition to the title tune, the song list includes “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” “A Moment With You” and “The Girls of Summer.” Sondheim, who died at age 91 on Nov. 26, was a wellrespected titan of American theater who got his start writing the lyrics for “West Side Story.” Among the more famous musicals he wrote for are “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and “Into the Woods.” “Marry Me a Little” runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. through Feb. 27. Tickets are available via www. InternationalCityTheatre.org or (562) 436-4610 and range from $49-$55. Proof of vaccination is required for admission, and masks that cover both mouth and nose must be worn at all times inside the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.
