Applause! Applause! Review of Eric Michael Gillett & Melanie Vaughan's "It Takes Two: The Duets Of Stephen Sondheim" at Don't Tell Mama by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens

This review of Eric Michael Gillett and Melanie Vaughan’s “It Takes Two: The Duets Of Stephen Sondheim” at Don’t Tell Mama was written by Dr. Thomas Robert Stevens and appeared in Volume III, Issue 1 (April, 1998) of Applause! Applause!

"It Takes Two: The Duets Of Stephen Sondheim" - Eric Michael Gillett & Melanie Vaughan

Don't Tell Mama (343 West 46th Street, NYC)

Reviewed 4/7/98 at 7:00 p.m.   

This is a perfect show, period!! Catch it without delay on a Wednesday in May at 7:00 p.m. and be sure to make advance reservations!! Some of the raw comments I wrote down during the show are the following: "as good as it gets", "excellent", "great rapport", "best show anywhere", "lovely", "beautiful", "what talent!", "superb showmanship", "delightful". The opening medley alone consisted of "Two By Two" (Music by Richard Rodgers) cut from Do I Hear A Waltz?, "It Takes Two" from Into The Woods, "Small World" (Music by Jule Styne) from Gypsy, "One Hand, One Heart" (Music by Leonard Bernstein) from West Side Story, "Barcelona" from Company, "Poems" from Pacific Overtures, "Together Wherever We Go" (Music by Jule Styne) from Gypsy, "Send In The Clowns" from A Little Night Music, "Kiss Me" from Sweeney Todd, "One More Kiss" from Follies, and "A Boy Like That" and "I Have A Love" (Music by Leonard Bernstein) from West Side Story. Do you really need to read any more before making your reservation?

Eric Michael Gillet and Melanie Vaughan are a dynamic duo who sing with the voices of proverbial angels. It is one of the most entertaining cabaret shows I have ever seen. Whatever your cares or woe, this show will transport you on a wonderful journey into the woods and then out again, cleansing your spirit along the way. One song that had that effect on me was "Move On" from Sunday In The Park With George. I also especially enjoyed the powerful and emotionally moving "Take Me To The World" from Evening Primrose, the only musical written by Stephen Sondheim for television.

The bulk of the show consists of 3 collaborations, 3 love songs and a suite of Ben & Sally duets from Follies. The collaborations included "Tonight" (Music by Leonard Bernstein) from West Side Story,  "Let Me Entertain You/If Momma Was Married" (Music by Jule Styne) from Gypsy, and "We're Gonna Be All Right" (Music by Richard Rodgers) from Do I Hear A Waltz?. The love songs included "Unworthy Of Your Love" from Assassins, "Happiness" from Passion, and "You're Gonna Love Tomorrow" from Follies. The suite of Ben & Sally duets from Follies included "Don't Look At Me", "Pleasant Little Kingdom" cut from Follies, "Too Many Mornings" from Follies and "All Things Bright And Beautiful" cut from Follies, and "It Wasn't Meant To Happen" cut from Follies. I hope you now see what I have been trying to tell you! Do Not Miss This Show! If you do, you should never forgive yourself!!