Actress, and singer/songwriter, Eleri Ward is fascinated with the duality of the pain we experience throughout life, what she calls a “happy/sad cry.” She explores this thought with her new CD, A Perfect Little Death, a celebration of the music of Stephen Sondheim, who certainly knew a thing or two about the happy/sad cry. Eleri’s Indie-Folk approach to the material allows a new listening experience, one she hopes will reach those who might not be open to a Broadway show or the way these songs are usually presented.

I talked to Eleri a month before her June 2022 tour with Josh Groban.