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On the Steps of the Shubert: “Sondheim: A Musical Tribute”

Michael Stever
On the Steps of the Shubert Sondheim A Musical Tribute
Sondheim: A Musical Tribute was the first-ever tribute concert that gave Stephen Sondheim his deserved praise as the visionary genius he was, produced by Broadway veteran Kurt Peterson.

The concert featured a jaw-dropping array of theatrical luminaries, and tonight you’re in for a rare treat. Working with Kurt on this commemorative short film has been a dream come true and has ignited my love and deep admiration for both him and Sondheim. We spent several hours at the Shubert Theater filming among those hallowed halls — an experience that will remain one of my most cherished.

MARCH 11, 2023 (New York, NY) – James William Productions and Stephenie Skyllas present Broadway veteran Kurt Peterson inOn the Steps of the Shubert, a video filmed and edited by Michael Lee Stever commemorating the 50th anniversary ofSondheim: A Musical Tribute — the first celebration of Stephen Sondheim’s work, originally presented at the Shubert Theatre on Sunday, March 11, 1973.

Narrated by Kurt from the steps inside Broadway’s Shubert Theatre, in the very seat where he sat beside Stephen Sondheim that evening, the video premiered on Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 7:22pm EST — the exact time the original concert began.

“As producer of the evening and in honor of my producing associates Craig Zadan and Neil Appelbaum, as well as the talented colleagues who were part of the historic evening, and of course, Stephen Sondheim, this tribute offers a ‘backward glance’ at the very first celebration of this brilliant man who was yet to be fully recognized and appreciated,” said Kurt Peterson.

Kurt continued, “It is the full story of how this accidental, now legendary evening came to be — beginning with the first phone call, its incredible blossoming from a small dinner to what it became, how it was almost derailed, and the groundswell of support for a man who was often ignored, dismissed, and misunderstood up until this point and event.”

Peterson (the original “Young Ben” inFollies) was approached in late 1972 by AMDA (American Music and Dramatic Academy), as one of its alumni, to help produce the event. Directed by Burt Shevelove (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), with choreography by Donna McKechnie, music direction by Paul Gemignani, and orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick, the event was staged on Boris Aronson’s country-garden set forA Little Night Music, which had opened two weeks earlier to rapturous acclaim.

The concert brought together more than 30 stars of his shows includingAngela Lansbury, Larry Kert, Chita Rivera, Dorothy Collins, Alexis Smith, Len Cariou, and Nancy Walker, among others. It crystallized for Broadway that Sondheim’s body of work was not just impressive, but extraordinary.

The video featuresunknown highlights of the star-studded night — musical gems not found on the original cast LP or CD. Many never-before-seen photos and humorous introductions by artists such asJule Styne, Sheldon Harnick, Hal Prince, and Leonard Bernstein are included, as well as testimonials from those who attended —Jack Viertel, Lonny Price, Angela Lansbury, Donna McKechnie, Paul Gemignani, and Frank Rich.

Along with rave reviews and reflections on the event’s lasting influence, the film includes Sondheim’s own comments.
On the Steps of the Shubert is produced byJames William Productions andStephenie Skyllas.

Playbill:Sondheim: A Musical Tribute – Shubert Theatre Vault
Recording:Sondheim: A Musical Tribute – March 11, 1973

Special thanks toThe Shubert Organization, Robert E. Wankel, Mark Schweppe, Neil Meron, Mark Maxwell Abushady, Ted Chapin, and Van Williams.
Associate Producer:Claire-Frances Sullivan.

Michael Stever
Film Director, Cinematographer, Producer, Actor -UNITED STATES
Michael Lee Stever is an American film director, cinematographer, producer, writer, and actor – shooting and editing projects in both New York City, and Los Angeles. Stever originally set his sights on a career in journalism. At seventeen he produced his first film at Sacramento High School, nearly twenty years would pass before finding himself behind the camera again. During those twenty years, Stever worked successfully as a full time actor, singer & dancer. Theater and screen credits include the role of Joe Hardy in NETworks national tour of Damn Yankees, Diesel in a Berlin-based Broadway production of West Side Story under the direction of Alan Johnson, a stint at Brisbane Australia’s 1988 World Expo, singing & dancing on the world’s largest stage in Donn Arden’s Reno-based epic, ‘Hello Hollywood, Hello’ several shows at the prestigious Paper mill Playhouse, and singing in New York city’s historic Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He also had the good fortune to star opposite film/theatre legends Betty Garrett and Carole Cook in an Oklahoma based production of ‘Arsenic And Old Lace.’ In 1998 Stever made his television debut in an episode of the Robo-Cop inspired science fiction series, ‘Super Force.’ Stever put his acting chops on hold in 2001 & devoted himself exclusively to writing and video production. This also marked his return behind the camera where he worked for nearly three years with Rick McKay as Unit Production Manager on the critically acclaimed documentary, ‘Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There.’ An avid ‘King Kong’ lover from the time he was six, It was on the set of ‘BGA’ where Stever met and was befriended by none other than Fay Wray. ‘BGA’ was Wray’s last film. After Wray’s passing in 2004, Stever spent an exhilarating stint researching & unearthing a tremendous amount of archival data on her for the documentary, ‘Fay Wray: A Life.’ Stever’s first independently produced documentary, ‘Saturday Nightmares; The Ultimate Horror Expo!’ screened in New York City in October 2010 to solid reviews, and is now available on DVD & pay per view. ‘Saturday Nightmares: The Movie’ focuses on the now historic George A. Romero family reunion which took place at the legendary landmark Jersey City Loews Movie Palace and features the likes of Adrienne Barbeau (‘Creepshow’), actor John Amplas (‘Martin’), make up effects wizard Tom Savini (‘Friday The 13th’), and filmmaker Roy Frumkus (‘Document Of The Dead’). His recently completed documentary short films, ‘Resurrecting Carrie’ featuring Academy Award nominee Piper Laurie and ‘Jan Broberg’s Guide To Thespians, Sociopaths & Scream Queens’ featuring Elijah Wood were both chosen as ‘official’ selections at numerous film festivals, and genre expos. In early 2012 he finalized principal photography on the music video, ‘Don’t Come A Knockin’ for talented singer/song writer Dwight Thomas Vaughn. In June of 2011, he finalized principal photography on his first narrative comedy/drama, the independent feature ‘Checking In,’ based on the Fringe Festival award-winning play by Brian Hampton. His exclusive featurette on Stephen Schwartz’s first ever opera, ‘Seance On A Wet Afternoon’ can be viewed at BroadwayWorld.com along with other multi-media exclusives he’s produced. Stever also served as the official camera man for The Drama Desk Awards for nearly 10 years & has had the honor of directing & filming the likes of Vanessa Redgrave & Debbie Reynold’s induction into The Friars Club in NYC. Most recently, he served as co-cinematographer on the critically lauded 2018 documentary, ‘Every Act of Life’ which chronicles the ups and downs of legendary, recently departed playwright, Terrence McNally.

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Michael Stever

Michael Lee Stever is an American film director, cinematographer, producer, writer, and actor – shooting and editing projects in both New York City, and Los Angeles. Stever originally set his sights on a career in journalism. At seventeen he produced his first film at Sacramento High School, nearly twenty years would pass before finding himself behind the camera again. During those twenty years, Stever worked successfully as a full time actor, singer & dancer. Theater and screen credits include the role of Joe Hardy in NETworks national tour of Damn Yankees, Diesel in a Berlin-based Broadway production of West Side Story under the direction of Alan Johnson, a stint at Brisbane Australia’s 1988 World Expo, singing & dancing on the world’s largest stage in Donn Arden’s Reno-based epic, ‘Hello Hollywood, Hello’ several shows at the prestigious Paper mill Playhouse, and singing in New York city’s historic Radio City Christmas Spectacular. He also had the good fortune to star opposite film/theatre legends Betty Garrett and Carole Cook in an Oklahoma based production of ‘Arsenic And Old Lace.’ In 1998 Stever made his television debut in an episode of the Robo-Cop inspired science fiction series, ‘Super Force.’ Stever put his acting chops on hold in 2001 & devoted himself exclusively to writing and video production. This also marked his return behind the camera where he worked for nearly three years with Rick McKay as Unit Production Manager on the critically acclaimed documentary, ‘Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There.’ An avid ‘King Kong’ lover from the time he was six, It was on the set of ‘BGA’ where Stever met and was befriended by none other than Fay Wray. ‘BGA’ was Wray’s last film. After Wray’s passing in 2004, Stever spent an exhilarating stint researching & unearthing a tremendous amount of archival data on her for the documentary, ‘Fay Wray: A Life.’ Stever’s first independently produced documentary, ‘Saturday Nightmares; The Ultimate Horror Expo!’ screened in New York City in October 2010 to solid reviews, and is now available on DVD & pay per view. ‘Saturday Nightmares: The Movie’ focuses on the now historic George A. Romero family reunion which took place at the legendary landmark Jersey City Loews Movie Palace and features the likes of Adrienne Barbeau (‘Creepshow’), actor John Amplas (‘Martin’), make up effects wizard Tom Savini (‘Friday The 13th’), and filmmaker Roy Frumkus (‘Document Of The Dead’). His recently completed documentary short films, ‘Resurrecting Carrie’ featuring Academy Award nominee Piper Laurie and ‘Jan Broberg’s Guide To Thespians, Sociopaths & Scream Queens’ featuring Elijah Wood were both chosen as ‘official’ selections at numerous film festivals, and genre expos. In early 2012 he finalized principal photography on the music video, ‘Don’t Come A Knockin’ for talented singer/song writer Dwight Thomas Vaughn. In June of 2011, he finalized principal photography on his first narrative comedy/drama, the independent feature ‘Checking In,’ based on the Fringe Festival award-winning play by Brian Hampton. His exclusive featurette on Stephen Schwartz’s first ever opera, ‘Seance On A Wet Afternoon’ can be viewed at BroadwayWorld.com along with other multi-media exclusives he’s produced. Stever also served as the official camera man for The Drama Desk Awards for nearly 10 years & has had the honor of directing & filming the likes of Vanessa Redgrave & Debbie Reynold’s induction into The Friars Club in NYC. Most recently, he served as co-cinematographer on the critically lauded 2018 documentary, ‘Every Act of Life’ which chronicles the ups and downs of legendary, recently departed playwright, Terrence McNally.