Thank you, Stephen Sondheim, for leaving me every day more interested. Thank you for the spell you cast. Opened up my eyes.
I don’t know who to thank first here, as this album seems to have sprung simultaneously from the shared minds of what became one creative soul—made up of my producer / arranger Rob Mathes; my pianist and friend Tedd Firth; my co-creator in many albums, songs and creative projects—writer Adam Gopnik; and my voice coach Phil Hall, who has nurtured me in infinite ways. Rob, you and I waited forever for this opportunity, here we are. Tedd, you make me sing. Adam, you inspire me to see purpose and beauty everywhere; you ignite everyone with laughter and quick wonder. Phil, the hours of joy. Then, fast beside us, are ever-expanding concentric circles, nothing is linear here.
Every relationship winds and curls around me, and this recording, in unique ways. Ours is a tapestry of trust and creativity, and years. A party!
I would also like to thank:
Michael Mitnick for sharing your knowledge and energizing the ideas. You pushed us farther. Alex Venguer, my engineer, for being ready for what became kaleidoscopic. You are fearless. David Finck on bass, for believing in me steadily and never being afraid of a good time.
Lewis Nash on drums, welcome to Sondheimania! You blessed us with your great talent. My incredible horn section—I promise I am trying to get us ALL together again. I was in awe.
Bruce Harris, featured trumpet, thank you for being my dawn!
My surreal strings section—Thank you for the way you lifted the cinematic side of this album and made me cry. I have never felt so lucky.
Mark Shoolery, album cover (yet again!) and graphic design, for designing my dreams.
Thank you for your genius, and friendship, so many years.
Todd Sussman, my liner notes and all written materials editor, for making everything clearer and caring about things that could so easily be overlooked. You’re so smart!
Sean Patrick Flahaven for coming into my life and believing in me and sharing your deep love for Sondheim’s music. I’m honored to join your commitment to him.
Rick Pappas for telling me this would get done, for knowing I made it with passion.
Jeff Romley for being a friend and for gently knowing everything will happen that is good and true.
Thank you also to Ted Chapin, Joan Lader, Rob Berman, James Lapine, Alex Teih (designer of the gown / back cover),
Brigitte Lacombe for the album cover photo here and on Sondheim Sublime.
Marco Vacchi photographer (“Sondheim Woman” Central Park, Manhattan silhouette, ivory blouse) Sam Morris, for great PR support. Flor Quintas, for website design. Cathy Chiarelli, Matt Redmond, Brian Jannsen, Beth Rogers, Mark Cortale, Stephanie Gonzalez, and Eric Winterling.
Patrick McEnroe, my husband, for knowing this was the biggest dream I ever tried to build
and for protecting it and being joyful to see it happening. I love you. My Mom and Dad for such faith in this.
Victoria, Diana and Juliette McEnroe—my daughters—you shall have the world. I sang “Take Me To The World” for each of you.
Special Thank You to 54 Below and Jennifer Tepper for the opportunity to debut my New York concert the first week the club re-opened after the pandemic. Thank you to Birdland Jazz Club and venues from coast to coast as well as The Crazy Coqs in London, Le Bal Blomet and Radio France in Paris, Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier in Montreal… where I have learned to strut my stuff. I never had a plan for where music would take me, but I have a deep respect for the opportunities I have had and will always treasure the energy I draw from live singing. It is my hope this recording captures the gift of spirit I have been given by audiences around the world.