Mark Horowitz, Peter Marks, Eric Schaeffer, et al. Set for Signature Theatre’s Sondheim Birthday Weekend

Signature Theatre in Arlington Virginia will celebrate Stephen Sondheim’s 80th birthday with a variety of special events that are being offered alongside its production of Sweeney Todd, which continues through April 4.

The events for the Sondheim Birthday Weekend begin at noon on March 20 with Backstage Sondheim, a special 30-minute tour behind the scenes of Sweeney at the theater. Other free events that day will include a discussion on The Sondheim Influence, featuring Washington Post critic Peter Marks and NPR’s Bob Mondello in a conversation moderated by Eric Schaeffer, Isn’t It Rich, a performance of Sondheim’s song in the theater’s lobby, and Sondheim Cinema, which will feature screenings of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Gypsy.

On the 21st, the celebration will continue with additional performances of Isn’t It Rich?, as well as a screening of West Side Story, a discussion by music specialist Mark Horowitz on the Sondheim holdings in the Library of Congress, and What Is It About Sondheim?, a panel during which actors will discuss why they enjoy performing works by the songwriter. The celebration will culminate at 10pm on March 21 with Happy Birthday, Steve!, a sing-along in the theater’s lobby.

There will also be two special fundraising events. The ‘Sweeney’ Experience Auction will give a winning bidder the chance to be onstage during a performance of Sweeney Todd at the March 21 matinee, and the Sondheim Award Gala Raffle will give a winning raffle-ticket buyer the a pair of tickets of the Sondheim Award Gala on April 12.

For further information, visit: www.signature-theatre.org.