Over 25 years ago, when Steven Sondheim was approached for permission to put together a revue of his work, he replied, “By all means try, but I can’t think of anything more boring except possibly the Book of Kells.”

Thus, “Side by Side by Sondheim” was born.

The musical revue will be featured at Capitol Theatre this weekend, bringing together a horde of talented performers — many of whom are Ohio State alumni — with local celebrity Cabot Rea, Emmy-winning co-anchor of NBC NewsChannel 4, for two exceptional performances. The shows will benefit Special Wish Foundation, Inc., a charity organization dedicated to granting the wishes of children diagnosed with a life-threatening disorder.

Created in 1975, the show got its start in London at the Mermaid Theatre and soon moved to the larger Wyndham Theatre, where Sondheim ended up directing. After experiencing much success, the show made its way to Broadway.

Featuring three singers, one narrator and two pianists onstage, “Side by Side by Sondheim” is a collection of Sondheim’s lyrics and music through the middle of his career. Though Sondheim may not be a household name, he wrote lyrics for such classics as “Gypsy” and “West Side Story” and music for musicals like “Follies” and “A Little Night Music.”

Rea was approached by Greg Little, the producer of the show, to play the role of the narrator. Having a commendable musical background — he graduated from Otterbein College with a degree in music education, and is completing his master’s degree in voice at OSU — Rea was equal to the task. He said the show is different than a typical revue and features some special talent.

“It’s a different kind of performance — it’s not big set pieces and drama and plot — it’s a musical revue, but it’s quaint and highly energetic, and it just moves and moves and moves. It is a unique show, that is for sure,” he said. “It does have some local touches to it, and certainly shows the talent of the three singers. They are very good and very entertaining.”

Little agreed the show is particularly unique, and said the weekend performances will feature more acting than the traditional revue.

“We actually do take it into more scenes than just standing there singing — it’s not the typical revue where somebody comes out, sings a song and then they leave,” he said. “The set is also very unique — it’s not typical of any production of this show I have ever seen.”

He said the audience will be in for some surprises.

“I think the audience will be very, very surprised. There are going to be songs where, in some cases, they are going to say, ‘Oh, he wrote that?’ “

Little is based out of New York, but is originally from Westerville. He’s one of many people involved in the show who attended OSU; lighting director Mary Tarantino, set designer Matthew Kari, and musical director Matthew Ebright and one of the two pianists are part of the OSU community.

Another OSU alumnus involved with the show is stage director Randy Skinner. He was nominated for a Tony for his choreography in the Broadway show “42nd Street,” and has received critical acclaim for his work as a director and a performer. Skinner is a cum laude graduate of OSU, and although he could not be in Columbus this weekend for the shows, he said he was more than happy to assist Little in putting together the production while still in New York.

“It was really nice to be able to help out — Columbus is really my home, plus this is for a really great cause,” he said.

Skinner said Steven Sondheim has a great collection of work that will appeal to everyone.

“Sondheim really writes great songs. His music and lyrics tell a story and that is why people like his work — he is a sophisticated songwriter,” he said.

Performances of “Side by Side by Sondheim” are at 8 p.m. tomorrow and Saturday at Capitol Theatre. Tickets are available at The Riffe Center-CAPA box office or through Ticketmaster. OSU students can buy tickets at the box office for $5 the day of the show.