Ladies and Not So Gentle Men

Angela Lansbury, Debra Monk, Donna McKechnie, Pamela Myers, Barbara Walsh, and Raul Esparza sing Sondheim, while Patrick Stewart brings his Macbeth to Broadway.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Apr 9, 2008 • New York

On Monday night, the Acting Company's benefit The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim brought out some of Broadway's best and brightest to the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. And no one shone more than original Sweeney Todd star Angela Lansbury, who received standing ovations for her renditions of that musical's "The Worst Pies in London" and "Not While I'm Around."

The evening's director John Doyle -- soon to be directing Sondheim's Bounce -- told the audience he couldn't believe he was sharing the stage with original Company stars Pamela Myers and Donna McKechnie, who did a thrilling duet version of their original trio number "You Could Drive a Person Crazy."

Curtains star Debra Monk brought down the house by singing "I'm Still Here," "Can That Boy Foxtrot" and, especially, "The Gun Song," which she originated in the Off-Broadway production of Assassins.

Barbara Walsh, a last-minute surprise guest, sang a gorgeous "Send In the Clowns" from A Little Night Music, in which she is currently starring at Baltimore's Centerstage, and the searing "Ladies Who Lunch" from Doyle's production of Company.

Doyle departed from the evening's theme by asking Raul Esparza to perform his show-stopping rendition of Company's "Being Alive" -- and the audience was really glad he did!

Victor Garber, who starred in the original productions of Sweeney Todd and Assassins and the City Center Encores! production of Follies, was in the audience.

The legendary Marian Seldes was on hand to applaud Lansbury, with whom she starred last season on Broadway in Terrence McNally's Deuce.

Sian Phillips, who will co-star in the Roundabout's upcoming revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, played Madame Armfeldt in a celebrated London production of A Little Night Music.

Producer Ted Hartley and actress Dina Merrill were among the luminaries in attendance.

Record mogul Clive Davis was another VIP at the event.

Tuesday night, Patrick Stewart returned to Broadway in the title role of Shakespeare's Macbeth, having won accolades for his portrayal in the West End and BAM.

Here's the evening power couple: director Rupert Goold and wife Kate Fleetwood, who stars as a very sexy Lady Macbeth.

Television and stage favorite Carolyn McCormick accompanied husband Byron Jennings -- who joined the Macbeth company for its Broadway run as Duncan -- to the opening-night party.

Rachel Ticotin, who now plays Lady MacDuff, and handsome hubby Peter Strauss were also on hand for the festivities.

One of Broadway's most notable actors, Roger Rees, was another first-nighter.

For TheaterMania's review of the BAM production of Macbeth, click here.