Singer-songwriter Eleri Ward will celebrate her album Keep a Tender Distance, her second release of songs by Stephen Sondheim reimagined as folk guitar tunes, with a national concert tour launching at NYC's Sony Hall December 19. Ward will be joined by surprise musical guests.
Ward's tour will pick up in 2023 with shows in Boston, Massachusetts; Red Bank, New Jersey; Burlington, Vermont; Portsmouth, New Hampshire; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Cincinnati, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; Davenport, Iowa; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Indianapolis, Indiana. For dates and ticket information, visit EleriWard.com.
WATCH: Eleri Ward in an Exclusive Performance of Stephen Sondheim’s 'I Remember'
Keep a Tender Distance was digitally released via Ghostlight Records September 16, with a physical recording expected to drop later this season. The release is a follow-up to her 2021 album A Perfect Little Death.
Along with the previously released singles "No One Is Alone" (from Into the Woods) and "Another Hundred People" from Company, the album includes songs from Merrily We Roll Along, Assassins, Sweeney Todd, Evening Primrose, A Little Night Music, and Sunday in the Park With George. Keep a Tender Distance is produced by Allen Tate and Ward with string arrangements by Ellis Ludwig-Leone.
"In order to choose the songs for this second collection," shared Ward in an earlier statement, "I go for the compositions I love, feel connected with, and hear the arrangements for in my head. Inspiration never leads me astray, so that’s what I follow. These were the songs that spoke with the most clarity and passion."
Ward's acoustic covers of Sondheim's songs have amassed a viral cult following and received approval from the late Sondheim himself before his passing. Broadway alum Josh Groban is also reportedly a fan, inviting Ward to be the opening act on his Harmony national tour, which wrapped up August 2. Ward is currently making her Off-Broadway debut in MCC's Only Gold.
Buy or stream Keep a Tender Distance here.
