Is today unofficially Stephen Sondheim day?

We are assured that our readers and fellow theatre fans are interested in niche facts, particularly if they’re about Stephen Sondheim!

Some fans may be aware that 4 April is a significant day for Sondheim.

On this day in 1964, Broadway officially welcomed Anyone Can Whistle, and seven years later, in 1971, it marked the opening night of Follies.

Anyone Can Whistle, written with Arthur Laurents, ran for only twelve previews and nine performances and is, in American terms, considered a turkey. This is despite having Angela Lansbury make her stage musical debut in the show as Cora Hoover Hooper. Meanwhile, Follies was a big hit for the composer and book writer James Goldman. The “Broadway Baby” was directed by Harold Prince and Michael Bennett, with choreography by Bennett, won seven of its 11 Tony Award nominations, and ran for over a year at the Winter Garden Theatre. However, it is reported that the production lost much of its investment.

It seems only fitting then that the hit revival of another original Sondheim flop, Merrily We Roll Along, is being released on streaming today – though sadly for us, only in the US. As always, keep an eye on WhatsOnStage for any news of a UK date.

While it is true that many shows tend to open on Broadway in April to meet the Tony Awards eligibility dates, we like this coincidence and wonder if there’s more to it.

If you were to ever partake in a Sondheim pub quiz, what you learn today may win you the round!