Emily Berman first became interested in theater after following a friend to an audition.
“She was auditioning for children’s theater plays and I was like, ‘I want to do that,’” Berman says. “When we both got cast, it just became one of my favorite things to do.”
Today, the New Trier grad is starring in Porchlight Music Theatre’s “Sondheim on Sondheim,” an inside look at the life of the famous songwriter. We spoke with Berman about her unique role in the production as well as why this show is perfect for Chicago.
Make It Better: First, can you tell us about “Sondheim on Sondheim”?
Emily Berman: “Sondheim on Sondheim” is, out of the many reviews that have been created around Sondheim’s work, the only one that he was involved in. He helped create the original production of this by basically telling his life story on film and pieces of those films are worked into and around the songs. I don’t want to call it a documentary because it’s much, much, much more than that, but it has elements of that because it’s him talking about his life. And that’s really exciting. It’s something we don’t get access to ever because he’s such a private guy. So it’s a window into this man’s life.
Tell us about your role in the production.
I’m one of eight, essentially, ensemble members. I sing a bunch of different songs. “Not a Day Goes By” is one of my solos. But it’s basically an ensemble of eight actors that play varying roles throughout the production, sometimes taking on elements of, for example, Sondheim’s father or Sondheim’s mother or other people that he met in his life. At one point I play another version of Sondheim, and I think that can be said about everyone in the cast.
What has that experience been like compared to playing one character throughout a show?
That’s what’s so exciting and it’s so great to be in the hands of Nick Bowling, the director. For this production, we’re sort of retooling some things to suit the actors we have in Chicago, reorganizing things and trading songs around and solos around, so it’s been a process of constantly showing up every day and being ready for the new ways that Nick wants to tell the story. And for the ensemble, it’s just been so exciting because every day things are changing and falling more into place and you’re seeing this show being crafted right on the spot with your input, which is really exciting.
The show—in the same way that Sondheim’s canon is varied—is going to be funny, it’s going to be touching and heartwarming, it’s going to make you think. It’s sort of a perfect piece of theater for a cold winter night in Chicago. I think it’s going to be something that people really love, both people who know Sondheim well and people who don’t know anything about him yet. I think it will be really great for everyone.
“Sondheim on Sondheim” runs through March 15 at Stage 773, 1225 W. Belmont Ave., Chicago. For more information and to buy tickets, visit Porchlight’s website.
