MPT veteran Ashton Siewert returns to the stage this fall! Keep reading to learn more about Ashton and her thoughts on Sondheim on Sondheim.

What brought you to the Madison area?

I grew up in Madison, and just returned after 3 years in Florida. I was very lucky that a wild year with my job led to an opportunity to return home and be closer to family and friends.

What is your favorite Sondheim show/song/lyric?

My favorite Sondheim song is probably “I Remember” from Evening Primrose (sadly not featured in this show). The lyrics are filled with vivid similes that paint a sensory-filled picture almost everyone can connect with. Nearly every phrase evokes nostalgia. Give it a listen! It's one of Sondheim's more hummable works.

Which Sondheim role would you love to play, but probably wouldn't be cast as?

It's a tie between Georges Seurat (George in Sunday in the Park with George), and Sweeney Todd. Although very different characters, George has some of the most beautiful passages in Sondheim’s oeuvre, and Sweeney is just a deeply troubled character with lots of dark humour and fun, dramatic moments. I will probably never get to play those roles, but I get a few measures in this show to express my inner Demon Barber of Fleet Street!

If you could spend one day with Stephen Sondheim, what would you do?

Before his passing, I would have loved a vocal coaching session, of course. Outside of theatre, I think a day at Epcot (Disney World) with Stephen Sondheim would have been great!

Don’t miss Ashton onstage in Sondheim on Sondheim September 15-17! Tickets are on sale now at www.middletonplayers.com/tickets.