A Spoonful of Sherman
| A Spoonful of Sherman | |
|---|---|
 St. James Theatre poster by Rebecca Pitt (Second Run) | |
| Music | Al Sherman, Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman and Robert J. Sherman |
| Lyrics | Al Sherman, Richard M. Sherman & Robert B. Sherman and Robert J. Sherman |
| Book | Robert J. Sherman |
| Productions | January 2014 St. James Theatre April 2014 St. James Theatre |
A Spoonful of Sherman is a two act cabaret show which premiered on January 6, 2014 at the St. James Theatre in London. Robert J. Sherman produced, wrote and emceed A Spoonful of Sherman. The event also served as the book launch for Sherman's father's (posthumously released) autobiography: Moose: Chapters From My Life for which Sherman also served as the book's editor. After each performance, Sherman participated in a book signing. The show was billed as "A Celebration of the Life, Times and Songs of Robert B. Sherman" and was received extremely well by the crowd and the critics alike. The cast consisted of four rising West End theatre stars including Charlotte Wakefield, Emma Williams, Stuart Matthew Price and Greg Castiglioni. Musical Direction was provided by Colin Billing and the show was directed by Stewart Nicholls.[1] Lighting was designed by the show's Stage Manager Andrew Holton.
Production
The show was produced by MusicWorld (UK) in association with the St. James Theatre, James Albrecht, Creative Director. Joanne Benjamin and Clive Chenery of The Entertainment Business provided General Management.
A Spoonful of Sherman received outstanding notices, garnering four stars from Clive Davis of the London Times[2] as well as four and five star reviews from dozens of other papers and online reviewers.[3][4][5][6] The show covered ninety years of Sherman songwriting (including material written by the Sherman Brothers' father, Al Sherman (who began writing music in the early 1920s.) Songs written by the younger Robert Sherman were also included in the show as well) but the focus of the evening was the music and lyrics of Robert B. Sherman and the Sherman Brothers. "In deciding what songs to select, particular emphasis was put on material that would propel the narrative of Robert B. Sherman's life story forward. My narration would then fill in the gaps. Of course almost all of the famous stuff made it in. Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Winnie the Pooh , The Jungle Book and "It's A Small World (After All)" were represented, but I'm particularly pleased that we were able to include some unexpected gems in the mix as well."[7] A Spoonful of Sherman was so successful in its own right, that further shows were scheduled for April 2014.[8][9]
Origin of the Name
A Spoonful of Sherman is derived from the title of the popular song "A Spoonful of Sugar" from the successful 1964 Walt Disney musical motion picture, Mary Poppins. The song was written by the Sherman Brothers.
Critical praise for A Spoonful of Sherman
- Clive Davis of The London Times gave the show 4 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★, writing that it was: “A show that strings together one joyous hit after another, delivered by a first-rate quartet of singers.”[2]
- Mark Shenton in The Stage wrote, "There’s plenty to both surprise and delight here."[3]
- Jonathan Baz gave the show 4 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ and wrote: “It is a wonder that this charming show has not been staged before. Amidst all of Broadway’s giant songwriting partnerships, none reaches out to the child within us quite like the legacy of the Sherman Brothers. Cleverly crafted songs that speak of hope against adversity, written in verses that talk to every age. This show deserves to tour and when it comes to your town, don’t miss it!”[10]
- Rhiannon Lawson of What's On Stage gave the show 4 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ and wrote: "If you love a bit of nostaligia, enjoy flying a kite, singing with orangutans, feeding the birds or wondered what the wonderful thing about Tiggers is, you will have a Truly Scrumptious evening at A Spoonful of Sherman. Leaving the theatre with a spring in my step, I don't expect my sugar rush from this evening to be over for some time.[11]
- Edward Seckerson wrote: “A cavalcade of Sherman, three generations, no medicine, just charm, and one or two genuine surprises...to demonstrate that the legacy lives on – “Music of the Spheres” by Robert J. Sherman (given a real sheen by Stuart Matthew Price). I want to hear that again, as I do “The Whistle Tune” from Busker Alley ”[12]
- UK Theatre Web gave the show 5 Stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ writing: “It really was supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Riffs and mash-ups on Winnie The Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Mary Poppins and a smashing Al Sherman Medley made the evening all too short, all too few songs, all the more memorable. I feel privileged to have been there. A truly scrumptious smorgasbord of smash hits by the Sherman Brothers.”[13]
- Bargaintheatreland gave the show 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ writing: "Something magical happened at St James Theatre – it was a night of revelation, emotion and sheer joy."[14]
- Remotegoat gave the show 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ writing that it was: "Supercalifragilistic-expialidocious! An evening of magic and delight."[15]
| A Spoonful of Sherman | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Cast recording by Original London Cast | |
| Released | 13 July 2015 |
| Genre | Musical Theatre |
| Length | 91:51 |
| Label | SimG Records |
| Producer | Nick Lloyd Webber |
- Musical Theatre Review wrote: "I predict a great future for A Spoonful of Sherman. Don’t miss this great cast!"[4]
- West End Wilma gave the show 5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ writing: "The audience were on the edge of their seats yearning for more."[16]
- The Public Reviews called the show: "Irresistible" giving it 4 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ “A delightful way to spend a couple of hours - great fun."[17]
- The Leighton Buzzard Observer wrote: “Walt Disney may have built a magical ‘toon empire but it was the Sherman Brothers who gave the mouse maestro his voice. A Spoonful of Sherman is a night of pure indulgence.”[18]
- Stagey Secrets wrote: “Truly scrumptious. The overwhelming power of their music is inescapable.”[19]
Original London Cast Recording
The double CD, Original London Cast Recording was recorded between July 2014 and February 2015. It was produced by Nicholas Lloyd Webber and mixed and engineered by Matthew Weir at the Palace Studios, located in London. Mastering was produced by Simon Grieff and engineered by Sam Featherstone at Price Recording. The executive producer of the album was Robert Sherman who also wrote and performed the narration and co-conceived the show with musical director, arranger and pianist, Colin Billing. It was released by SimG Records on July 13, 2015.[20] Reviews of the CD were extremely favorable.[21][22][23][24][25][26] The cast recording was released digitally on iTunes September 7, 2015.[27]
References
- ↑ "St James Theatre - Events: A Spoonful of Sherman".
- 1 2 Davis, Clive. "A Spoonful of Sherman at the St. James Theatre, SW1" The Times, January 15, 2014
- 1 2 Shenton, Mark. "A Spoonful of Sherman" The Stage, April 22, 2014
- 1 2 Honoré, Patrick. "A Spoonful of Sherman – St James Studio Theatre" Musical Theatre Review, January 19, 2014
- ↑ Lawson, Rhiannon (April 26, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman (St James Theatre)". whatsonstage.com.
- ↑ Anderson, Gemma (April 21, 2014). "Review: A Spoonful of Sherman, St James Theatre". ayoungertheatre.com.
- ↑ Robert J. Sherman comments on "A Spoonful of Sherman" facebook.com, accessed August 1, 2015
- ↑ Admin (February 21, 2014). "Critically acclaimed ‘A Spoonful of Sherman’ returns to St James Studio From Tuesday 15 – Tuesday 22 April 2014". theartsshelf.com.
- ↑ Shenton, Mark (March 4, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman, Celebration of Songs By Three Generations of Songwriters, to Be Reprised at London's St. James Theatre Studio". playbill.com.
- ↑ Baz, Jonathan (January 14, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman". jonathanbaz.com.
- ↑ Lawson, Rhiannon (April 26, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman (St James Theatre)". whatsonstage.com.
- ↑ Seckerson, Edward (January 14, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman, St. James’ Theatre Studio". edwardseckerson.biz.
- ↑ Weston, Orlando (January 14, 2014). "Robert J Sherman at the St James Theatre". uktw.co.uk.
- ↑ Cronin, Caroline (January 13, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman". bargaintheatreland.com.
- ↑ Waites, Aline (January 14, 2014). ""Sheer Musical Magic and Delight"". remotegoat.com.
- ↑ West End Wilma (February 10, 2014). "Critically acclaimed ★★★★★ 5* A Spoonful of Sherman returns to St James Studio". westendwilma.com.
- ↑ Foster, Ian (April 20, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman – St James Studio, London". thepublicreviews.com.
- ↑ Cox, Anne (January 14, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman - Teamwork Creates A Dazzling Show". Leighton Buzzard Observer online.
- ↑ Miles, Louise (January 14, 2014). "A Spoonful of Sherman - Review 13/01/14". stageysecrets.com.
- ↑ BWW News Desk (July 9, 2015). "A Spoonful of Sherman: Original London Cast Recording Out Next Week". broadwayworld.com.
- ↑ Baz, Jonathan (July 12, 2015). "A Spoonful of Sherman CD Review (5 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★)". jonathanbaz.com.
- ↑ Cooper, Jackson (July 10, 2015). "CD Review: A Spoonful of Sherman (4 1/2 stars ★ ★ ★ ★ 1/2)". thepublicreviews.com.
- ↑ Wakeham, Nick (July 17, 2015). "CD Reviews – A Spoonful of Sherman, Lost West End, Gypsy, The Scottsboro Boys, The King and I". musicaltheatrereview.com.
- ↑ Eastham, Terry (July 7, 2015). "Review of SimG Record’s A Spoonful of Sherman (4 stars ★ ★ ★ ★)". London Theatre 1.
- ↑ "CD Review: A Spoonful of Sherman (Original London Cast Recording)". Ought To Be Clowns (blog spot). July 19, 2015.
- ↑ "SimG Records: A Spoonful of Sherman: Original Cast Recording". simgproductions.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.
- ↑ "iTunes: A Spoonful of Sherman (Original London Cast Recording)". itunes.apple.com. Retrieved March 27, 2016.