Audra McDonald, Jeremy Jordan, Darren Criss & More Set for Upcoming Stephen Sondheim HBO Documentary; Directed by James Lapine

HBO has announced a series of documentaries for this fall including SIX BY SONDHEIM, an intimate look at the prolific career of the renowned Broadway lyricist and composer.

The film will follow Sondheim's life and work, highlighting his experiences writing six of his most celebrated songs: "Something's Coming," "Opening Doors," "Send in the Clowns," "I'm Still Here," "Being Alive" and "Sunday." Told primarily by Sondheim himself, it draws on his extensive personal archive and dozens of interviews from all stages of his career, underscoring his honesty and passion for his art.

New performances by such stars as Audra McDonald, Jarvis Cocker, Darren Criss, Jeremy Jordan, America Ferrera and Sondheim himself have been produced exclusively for the feature documentary. The film, airing December 9, will be directed by Tony winner James Lapine, with musical segments directed by Todd Haynes, Autumn de Wilde and James Lapine.

Also on tap for the cable network will be SEDUCED AND ABANDONED, airing October 28. The documentary follows Broadway vet Alec Baldwin (Orphans) and James Toback as they attempt to make a deal to produce their version of "Last Tango in Paris" at the Cannes Film Festival. From intimate chats with Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Roman Polanski, to the pursuit of high-profile names like Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain, to an expose of backroom wheeling and dealing, this cinematic romp is a humorous ode to everything alluring about cinema. Directed by James Toback.

In November, HBO will premiere WHOOPI GOLDBERG PRESENTS MOMS MABLEY, celebrating the iconic African-American standup comedienne Jackie "Moms" Mabley, who broke racial and sexual boundaries. Recently unearthed photography, rediscovered performance footage and the words of numerous celebrated comedians, entertainers and historians underscore her profound influence. Directed by Whoopi Goldberg the documentary airs November 18.

Photo Credit: Genevieve Rafter-Keddy