Photo Coverage: Sondheim at the Bowl Performance

Honorary Chairs Barbra Streisand and Warren Beatty joined ASCAP President and Academy Award winning lyricist, Marilyn Bergman in presenting Stephen Sondheim with an award commemorating the creation of Sondheim's Children Will Listen program of the ASCAP Foundation. This took place on stage at the Hollywood Bowl during a gala celebration of Sondheim's work.

A stellar line-up of performers paid tribute to Stephen Sondheim in celebration of his 75th birthday year. The Children Will Listen program has been established to bring the musical theater experience to young students nationwide. Jason Alexander, Carol Burnett, Len Cariou, Jason Danieley, Josh Groban, Angela Lansbury, Marin Mazzie, Audra McDonald, Donna Murphy, Bernadette Peters, Emmy Rossum, Elaine Stritch and Vanessa Williams were among those who performed in honor of Mr. Sondheim. The performers were accompanied by The Los Angeles Philharmonic with Paul Gemignani as Musical Director and Conductor. The event was produced and directed by Paul Lazarus.

The career of Stephen Sondheim, who is considered one of the greatest composer-lyricists of musicals, has spanned almost 50 years since his Broadway debut in 1957 as the lyricist of West Side Story. Sondheim went on to write many scores that challenged musical theatre conventions including: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Anyone Can Whistle, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures, Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins and Passions.

The ASCAP Foundation was established in 1975 and is a publicly supported charitable organization dedicated to nurturing American music creators and encouraging their growth through music education and talent development programs.

Click Here for Photos of the Sondheim 75th Birthday Celebration Arrivals!

Jason Daniely performs the opening "Something's Coming"

Angela Lansbury, giving a speech

Bernadette Peters, Eric McCormack, and Alexander Gemignani in the "Opening Doors Medley"

Anne Hathaway, Eric McCormack, Alexander Gemignani, and Stephanie D'Abruzzo

Bernadette Peters performing "Being Alive"

Adam Wylie sets Jason Alexander "Free"

Vanessa Williams surrounds herself with handsome men in "More"

Stephanie D'Abruzzo and Marin Mazzie performing "There's Always A Woman"

Barbara Cook and Josh Groban in "Move On"

The Jets

And Sharks

Vanessa Williams, Jason Daniely, and Audra McDonald close the act with a fantastic "Tonight"

Elaine Stritch is indeed a "Broadway Baby"

Jubilant Sykes, Josh Groban, and James Barbour begin the "Ballad of Sweeney Todd"

"Ballad of Sweeney Todd"

Audra McDonald performing "What Can You Lose?" and "Not A Day Goes By"

Carol Burnett and Eric McCormack in "Getting Married Today"

Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou reprise their original roles for "A Little Priest"

Warren Beatty

Bernadette Peters performing "Children Will Listen"

Barbra Streisand

Finale with the LA Master Chorale and 300 High School Students