Photo Flash: First Look at Cover for Sondheim's Second Book!

Up on Amazon.com, Stephen Sondheim's second book, a follow up to his "Finishing The Hat, is now available for pre-order.  Entitled, "Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes," Amazon is taking pre-orders here. The book is scheduled for release on October 25, 2011. Here's a first look at the cover!

Stephen Sondheim has won seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and the Kennedy Center Honors. His career has spanned more than half a century, his lyrics have become synonymous with musical theater and popular culture, and in his first book, Finishing the Hat, Sondheim has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he is giving readers a rare personal look into his life as well as his remarkable productions.

Along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981-including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd-Sondheim treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day. He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers,Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotes-filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details-transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come.

Accompanying Sondheim's sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriter's personal collection.

"Look, I Made a Hat: Collected Lyrics (1981-2011) with Attendant Comments, Amplifications, Dogmas, Harangues, Wafflings, Diversions and Anecdotes" picks up where "Finishing the Hat" leaves off.  Pre-order your copy today!