Book Robert J. Sherman Composer Al Sherman | Playwright Robert J. Sherman | |
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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 Productions January 2014 St. James Theatre April 2014 St. James Theatre Lyricists Robert J. Sherman, Al Sherman Similar Busker Alley, Bumblescratch, On the Record, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Soho Cinders | ||
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. Lighting was designed by the show's Stage Manager Andrew Holton.
Contents
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 as well as four and five star reviews from dozens of other papers and online reviewers. 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." A Spoonful of Sherman was so successful in its own right, that further shows were scheduled for April 2014.
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
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. Reviews of the CD were extremely favorable. The cast recording was released digitally on iTunes September 7, 2015.