Chumisa Dornford-May and Rory Kinnear in Here We Are [Marc Brenner]

STEPHEN Sondheim’s final musical (he died in 2021) is inspired by two films by Spanish surrealist Luis Buñuel. Completed posthumously, Here We Are is the result of seven years of collaboration between Sondheim, director Joe Mantello and writer David Ives (book).

The first act reimagines Buñuel’s Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie. We follow six well-heeled Americans on their journey to find the perfect brunch.

Billionaire Leo Brink (Rory Kinnear) and his airhead wife Marianne (Jane Krakowski) are joined by Paul (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), a cosmetic surgeon, and Claudia (Martha Plimpton), a talent agent. Raffael (Paulo Szot), the corrupt ambassador of Miranda, a fictional South American country, and Marianne’s anarchic kid sister Fritz (Chumisa Dornford-May) also tag along.

The hungry posse find no joy at the three establishments they visit, and end up dining in the ambassador’s opulent residence, joined by a soldier (Richard Fleeshman), a colonel (Cameron Johnson) and a bishop (Harry Hadden-Paton).

The second act, draws on Buñuel’s Exterminating Angel. After gorging themselves at Raffael’s expense, the group discover they can’t leave his mansion. As the satire takes on a more dystopian hue, Sondheim’s music peters out.

It’s an uneven evening. Sondheim’s catchy numbers lighten the first half and when the music falls silent the work loses its joy.

That said, Here We Are is enlivened by a terrific ensemble, Joe Mantello’s superb staging, and David Zinn’s lavish set. Denis O’Hare and Tracie Bennett, reprising their roles in the original off-Broadway production, complete the cast, playing various eccentric waiting staff.

Until June 28
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