And Just Like That — Late Stephen Sondheim Final Musical Coming to New York
"Producer Tom Kirdahy is thrilled to announce the world premiere of "Here We Are," the final musical by the late Stephen Sondheim," reads a press release.
The musical, formerly known as "Square One," features a book by Tony Award nominee
David Ives and is inspired by the two films "The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie" and "The Exterminating Ange"l by Luis Buñuel.
Direction of the new musical is by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.
Executive Producers are Sue Wagner, John Johnson and Jillian Robbins.
Co-presented by The Shed; Artistic Director Alex Poots, President and COO Maryann Jordan, and Chief Executive Producer Madani Younis.
The strictly limited engagement will begin September 2023 in The Shed's Griffin Theater.
Ticket on-sale information and casting will be announced soon.
The press release reads: "The Shed is a new cultural institution of and for the 21st century. We produce and welcome innovative arts and ideas, across all forms of creativity, to build a shared understanding of our rapidly changing world and a more equitable society. In our highly adaptable building on Manhattan's West Side, The Shed brings together established and emerging artists to create new work in fields ranging from pop to classical music, painting to digital media, theater to literature, and sculpture to dance.
"We seek opportunities to collaborate with cultural peers and community organizations, work with like-minded partners, and provide unique spaces for private events. As an independent nonprofit that values invention, equity, and generosity, we are committed to advancing art forms, addressing the urgent issues of our time, and making our work impactful, sustainable, and relevant to the local community, the cultural sector, New York City, and beyond."
"The show, scheduled to begin performances in September, will be a commercial Off Broadway venture, produced by Tom Kirdahy ("Hadestown") in a 500-seat theater at the Shed, a multidisciplinary arts venue in Hudson Yards. The Shed, a nonprofit, is being described as a co-presenter," reports the New York Times.
"It is not entirely clear when Sondheim began working on the show, but he first discussed it publicly in 2014, and there were delays and setbacks in the years following. He talked about it occasionally during public appearances; for a time it was called 'Buñuel,' and then 'Square One'; it was backed at various points by the commercial producer Scott Rudin and by the nonprofit Public Theater. And there were workshops over the years, including one in 2016, and one in 2021 featuring Nathan Lane and Bernadette Peters; casting for the production at the Shed has not been announced, but there are no indications that Lane and Peters have remained with the project."