The Ovation Theatre Company is concluding its third season with Stephen Sondheim's You're Gonna Love Tomorrow. This musical revue is a fine season closer as well as a happy summer foray into musical theater for Ovation.

        You're Gonna Love Tomorrow is a collection of Sondheim gems from some of his lesser known musicals (such as Saturday Night, The Frogs and Anyone Can Whistle), and a few songs that were cut from A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, all mixed together with a handful of Sondheim classics, including “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music. The revue was originally put together in 1983 as a benefit concert.

        Each song in this production basically stands alone with a short spoken narrative into each piece. His breadth of human insight and his inventiveness show why Mr. Sondheim is widely and appropriately regarded as a musical genius, even with this grouping of mostly rarely heard songs, many of which come from musicals that were originally considered flops. Most composers would die to have flops like these.

        Ovation's ensemble of six (Lisa Hall Breithaupt, Karen Husman Davis, Mike Fielder, Joe Hornbaker, Corrine Mohlenhoff and Joe Vater) handle Mr. Sondheim's not-so-simple melodies and phrasing with aplomb. They work well together as they sing across the setless stage in the Aronoff's Fifth Third Bank Theater, moving through the aisles under Joe Stollenwerk's effective direction and Gina Cerimele-Mechley's flowing choreography.

        Ms. Mohlenhoff and Ms. Davis stand out with the most animated performances. Ms. Mohlenhoff shines in the spunky “What More Do I Need?” as she thrills about the joys of New York. She also scores (with Mr. Hornbaker) in a sadder mood in “With So Little To Be Sure Of,” singing about the heartache of saying goodbye.

        Ms. Davis is especially touching with “Isn't It?,” which showcases Mr. Sondheim's often overlooked romantic side. The ensemble is energetic and moving with “Someone in a Tree” from Pacific Overtures,Mr. Sondheim's musical (and personal favorite score) about cultural changes in Japan.

        Vocal Director Marty Cosgrove deserves credit as does Orchestra Director Rick Ashworth who accompanies with the piano and leads three other musicians (Art White, Jay Bressert and Bob Donsi).

        You're Gonna Love Tomorrow is an enjoyable effort by Ovation and well worth seeing, particularly by Sondheim fans who might be hearing some of these songs for the first time.

       You're Gonna Love Tomorrow, Ovation Theatre Company, Thursday-Saturday, Aronoff Center, 241-7469.

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