"Bit by bit
Putting it together
Piece by piece
Only way to make a work of art
Every moment makes a contribution
Every little detail plays a part
Having just the vision's no solution
Everything depends on execution
Putting it together - that's what counts"

"Actually, I slowed it down [Getting Married Today] because there are times when it's done, it goes so fast, I know that's the way Stephen wanted it, it goes so fast you miss those lyrics... I wanted people to hear those hysterical lyrics."
-Carol Burnett

During it's 1999 Broadway run Putting It Together was billed as a review, rather than a revue. Actually it's not a straight revue or compilation of Sondheim songs, it's something more. In order to give the songs support and context a plot was devised by Julia McKenzie and Stephen Sondheim to frame them. In other words, a story of sorts is told, through the use of Sondheim songs from various shows from Forum to Assassins, with only a few spoken words and a brief monologue.Set at a cocktail party in a fashionable Manhattan apartment, the story involves a mature husband with roaming eyes, his wife, and a younger man and woman, who shake the foundation of their marriage. An observer is on hand as well. Another thing, the story is in the background, and frequently the show will depart from it. In the 1992 Manhattan Theatre Club presentation the story was more in the forefront, In the Broadway production it was less so. The story works as sort of a sketch, an outline if you will.

Diana Rigg starred in the original 1992 presentation in Oxford, England and Julie Andrews starred in the 1993 Manhattan Theatre Club production. In 1999 Carol Burnett led the Broadway cast, and George Hearn played her husband. In 2001, the Broadway production was televised on PPV courtesy of the Broadway Television Network, and was later released commercially on DVD and VHS.

Production informatiion: Broadway: Opened November 21, 1999 at the Barrymore Theatre and closed on February 20, 2000, Producer: Cameron Mackintosh in association with The Mark Taper Forum. Director by Eric D. Schaeffer, Musical Staging: Bob Avian,Musical Director: Paul Raiman, Musical Director: Paul Raiman, and Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick.

1993 Off Broadway production:opened on April1, 1993 at City Center for a limited enagement. Closed on May, 23 1993.Poducer: Cameron Mackintosh and the Manhattan Theatre Club,Director: Directed by Julia McKenzie, Musical Staging: Bob Avian, Scenery: Robin Wagner,Costumes:Theoni V. Aldredge,Lighting:Tharon Musser, Musical Arrangements: Chris Walker, Musical Direction by Scott Frankel, and sound by Scott Lehrer.

1992 Oxford Production: Opened January 27, 1992 at the Old Fire Station, Oxford, England. Producer:Cameron Mackintosh, Director by Julia McKenzie.

Song-Cast list
Shows