Who ever thought we'd see the day where there'd be a final musical by the great Stephen Sondheim? But that time has sadly come, but at least we know he gave the team his blessing to go forward before his too-soon departure from this world. For my generation to get to witness the birth of a new Sondheim musical in the 21st century is an opportunity unlike any other; honestly, it's a god-given right! But to have this opportunity, and to see a new piece break down even more walls as to what musicals can truly be (something Sondheim was always known for) is an absolute honor. "Here We Are" bleeds together the forms of satire, surrealism, and existentialism into a night of theatre you'll not only want more of after the final blackout, but makes you leave thinking about our own existence and the habitual mannerisms in all humans alike. Yes, it clearly draws out the woes and narcissism of the wealthy elite in the country so much that it's delightfully laughable, but more than ever, it highlights how we can lead ourselves towards our own destruction due to inability to change, even when we realize the worst about us in such terrible times of crisis (many MANY props to David Ives for the superb writing, though some areas need a little tweaking, and character development). Director Joe Mantello does his duty in bringing these themes and more to the surface along with the help of a red hot creative team that makes you feel like you're walking through MoMA. Sondheim's final score, while not standing out completely in my head like others, is perfectly fitting in capturing the overall grand picture of this entire production. He seems to make his songs feel not only like run-of-the-mill storytelling, but like "Company" makes it more like commentary on the lifestyle these characters lead and wildness of the situations at hand in the piece, whether outrageous or purely grim. It may not be a perfect score, but it's perfect for a Sondheim musical of this depth and magnitude. To wrap the whole production up nicely is the sheer amount of talent that is this ensemble cast. You can love or hate the characters depending on how you view them, but you can't deny that each actor does their due diligence and give it their all in breathing life into these well-to-doers. It's hard for me to call any member out; they're all equal in talent when they're together onstage. If you're looking for something completely out of the ordinary, but still leaves you entertained and well versed in mind, then "Here We Are" is the musical for you. But if you're a true Sondheim fan or musical theatre fanatic, this is an absolute must for the books!
