The magic of 'Old Friends'

Point of view

- By DOROTHY DELGADO NOVICIO

In the entire Broadway constellation she is irrefutably a star. In "Sondheim's Old Friends," Lea Salonga, once again, shone brightest among her fellow luminaries and friends.

The two-act performance pays tribute to the timeless compositions and virtuosity of Stephen Sondheim, who The New York Times describes as "the theater's most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century."

As I eagerly read my copy of the Playbill, I knew we were in for another outstanding Ms. Salonga starrer. Watching her always stirs up wistfulness and pride. And that night at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater—from opening act to curtain call—I confirmed what I had long admiringly suspected about her. Elsewhere in Ms. Salonga's flair as an excellent actor is another splendid layer of her persona. But first, the musical.

Styled as "a great big Broadway show," "Old Friends" relives and ruminates on the enduring arrangements of Mr. Sondheim, who passed away in 2021 at the age of 91. His name is synonymous with hit Broadway productions like "West Side Story," "Gypsy," "Into the Woods" and many more, some of which had earned him Tony and Emmy accolades and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Sunday in the Park with George." Devised by Cameron Mackintosh (renowned for being the most prolific producer of musicals), "Old Friends" top bills the 77-year-old acclaimed American performer Bernadette Peters, Ms. Salonga, alongside 15 other stars.