Sondheim and The Road To Ruin

sond1.jpg

A few months ago, I got wind that the latest musical by Stephen Sondheim (pictured) and John Weidman was going to undergo a name change. Finally, someone realized that not only was the title “Bounce” a little too close to a certain fabric softener but that it didn’t convey the show’s spirit well enough. I reported that the title “The Road to Riches” was being considered. (In fact, the new title is “Road Show,” and the piece will begin previews at the Public Theater in New York on October 28.) I have belatedly realized why “The Road To Riches” didn’t make the cut: it was too close to the title of a new show that is about to open at the 45th Street Theater in New York: “The Road To Ruin.” The plot promises “desperate housewives lusting after well-built young men, as well as an assortment of strippers, prostitutes, and dancing rabbits.” I’m there! In addition, this musical, written by William Zeffiro, was performed in 2006 at the apartment of the late Kitty Carlisle Hart, in New York. The press release reports that it was “the final performance at the legendary East 64th Street address.” When a comedian is funny, we say that he killed; perhaps it was the same for “The Road To Ruin” at Miss Kitty’s.

Leave a Comment