Anyone Can Whistle, one of Stephen Sondheim’s most intriguing, yet rarely-produced musicals will make its Canadian professional Canadian premiere in the Talk Is Free Theatre presentation, Jan. 11 and 12.
With book by Arthur Laurents, under the direction of Richard Ouzounian, Anyone Can Whistle boasts a 15-piece orchestra and a star-studded cast.
One such thespian is Adam Brazier, know for his work in the mega hit Mamma Mia, and the Broadway production of Into the Woods. He is ready to sink his teeth into the obscure yet highly-anticipated play, which debuted 45 years ago.
“It’s never done,” noted Brazier, who had just begun learning his script when he spoke to The Advance from Toronto. “It closed after eight performances on Broadway. But it’s a gem, that’s for sure. It’s got great music. It can be played very funny. It’s worth doing for the audience to hear the brilliant score of an early Sondheim.”
Brazier, who will play J. Bowden Hapgood, is a consummate musical theatre performer who spent 18 high-profile months singing and dancing to Abba tunes, before making his debut on Broadway with Into the Woods, 2002.
“Broadway was great to me. I respected Mamma Mia for the kind of machine that it was and continues to be. Into the Woods, as a show, I had a lot of passion for. Sondheim is one of the reasons I want to do musicals,” Brazier said.
Having also starred in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Woman in White, Brazier considered it to have been a risky show, yet one that perhaps showcases Webber’s best score since Evita.
“I think Woman in White will be well respected because of the risks he took, which, funny enough, is what makes Sondheim so great – the perpetual taking of risks. Anyone Can Whistle was a huge risk. I think it was only the second show for which he wrote the complete music and lyrics for Broadway.”
Brazier’s interest in musicals piqued after his first year in the ensemble at Stratford in the chorus of Oedipus Rex. But Brazier had initially avoided singing.
“I never intended to go into musical theatre. At the time I just wanted to be an actor. Stratford, in many ways, is responsible for me doing musicals. They were doing Camelot and I purposely wouldn’t sing … then the musical director told me to take a small solo part. It was a simple line. I said, ‘please don’t make me.’ What ended up happening is that I had such a great time. The cast was so much fun. I don’t remember ever laughing so much during a show and being excited to get backstage to hear the stories,” he said.
At the end of his first season at Stratford, Brazier decided to audition for the company ensemble again, but instead, landed a lead in Man of La Mancha. Since then, musical theatre has been the primary focus of his career. And singing has taken on new meaning. “There are times when it’s the most exhilarating experience of your life. Other times, it’s the most stressful, agonizing and torturous,” Brazier said, adding that as a very technical craft, certain structures can be hindering.
“Sometimes I disagree with the composer. That’s why I love working on Sondheim because I never disagree with the composer. If I do, I’m wrong. Sondheim is like Shakespeare, when you do it well it takes you on the ride. You just set the course and go,” he said.
Having played Romeo in Theatre By The Bay’s production of Romeo and Juliet, Brazier is looking forward to once again performing in Barrie. Following Anyone Can Whistle, he will take on a role in the Toronto production of We Will Rock You, and this summer will also appear in television and film.
Anyone Can Whistle is a 1964 musical about a corrupt mayor, a fake miracle and renewed hope for a bankrupt town. TIFT’s production will be performed at the Gryphon Theatre. For tickets, call the box office at 792-1949.
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