11-2-17 Outcast Productions Follies in Concert blends entertainment and art

Outcast Productions presents Follies in Concert for three weekends, from November 3^rd. to the 18^th. The show features the music of Stephen Sondheim and includes 15 performers.

Today, I attended a one-hour lecture by Eileen Soskin, the Musical Director of the show. She did a brilliant job of explaining the difference between entertainment and art. Sondheim’s music, as she pointed out, is entertaining, but is truly art. She noted that as many times as she has played the music from Sondheim’s shows, she keeps finding new ways to interpret what she is hearing.

Some of Sondheim’s best known shows include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and my personal favorite, Into the Woods.

As Soskin spoke and performed some piano excerpts, she pointed out the nuances in the rhythms and the melodies. As she talked, I realized what an emotional punch I have often gotten listening to Sondheim music. She provided examples of how the emotions and thoughts of the characters are conveyed in the way that the music is written.

I don’t usually make recommendations in this marketing blog, but hearing the lecture today made me want to share my enthusiasm for Outcast Productions and my excitement about seeing this show.

If you want tickets, you can go to the Outcast website for information: www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3102010. You can purchase tickets through Brown Paper Tickets or send a request for a reservation to ocp@whidbey.com.