Tony Award-winning musical theatre composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who last was represented Off-Broadway at the Public Theater with Road Show, took part in a one-night-only event at Avery Fisher Hall on Sunday January, 18th.
'Stephen Sondheim: A Life in the Theater' featured Sondheim in conversation with former New York Times theatre critic Frank Rich. The celebrated pair engaged in a live, unscripted conversation, reminiscing about Stephen Sondheim's career, legendary collaborations, inspirations, his varied theatrical and cinematic resumé and some real surprises in regards to his personal likes and dislikes.
BroadwayWorld's Chief Theatre Critic Michael Dale attended the event and gives us his usual informed and insightful commentary on the evening, which you can read by clicking here.
There was also some information regarding future Sondheim works, one is the James Lapine devised "iSondheim" which will premiere in Atlanta in the near future. "iSondheim" will feature electronic versions of the music legends work, while Sondheim himself is seen talking about the various songs on several different sized screens.
Sondheim also hinted that he was "nibbling with John Weidman and James Lapine on some items" and that "I've got to start writing music again."
He teased the audience with the statement "There isn't one particular project, but there will be."
Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Saturday Night, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, The Frogs, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park With George, Into the Woods, Assassins, and Passion, as well as lyrics for West Side Story, Gypsy, Do I Hear a Waltz? and additional lyrics for Candide. Side by Side by Sondheim, Marry Me A Little, You're Gonna Love Tomorrow and Putting It Together are anthologies of his work as composer and lyricist. For films, he composed the score of Stavisky, co-composed Reds and wrote songs for Dick Tracy and the television production "Evening Primrose." He co-authored the film The Last of Sheila and the play Getting Away With Murder. Sondheim is the winner of eight Tony Awards (including one for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre), the Pulitzer Prize in Drama, two Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Kennedy Center Honor. He is on the Council of the Dramatists Guild and served as its President from 1973 to 1981.
