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Stephen Sondheim Headshot

Stephen Sondheim

Date of Death: November 26, 2021 (91)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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BIO

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).


Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Road Show (2008), Passion (1994), Assassins (1991), Into the Woods (1987), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sweeney Todd (1979), Pacific Overtures (1976), The Frogs (1974), A Little Night Music (1973), Follies (1971; revised in London, 1987), Company (1970), Anyone Can Whistle (1964) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear a Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Little (1981), You're Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983) and Putting It Together (1993/99) are anthologies of his work, as is the new musical Sondheim on Sondheim. He composed the film scores of Stavisky (1974) and Reds (1981) and songs for Dick Tracy (Academy Award, 1990). He also wrote songs for the television production "Evening Primrose" (1966), co-authored, with Anthony Perkins, the film The Last of Sheila (1973) and, with George Furth, the play Getting Away with Murder (1996), and provided incidental music for the plays The Girls of Summer (1956), Invitation to a March (1961) and Twigs (1971). He won Tony Awards for Best Score for a Musical for Passion, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Follies and Company. All of these shows won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday in the Park with George, the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Saturday Night (1954), his first professional musical, finally had its New York premiere in 1999 at Second Stage Theatre.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1973
Performer

[New York]
Reading, 1954
Piano

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2024]
Lyrics
 
[West End, 2023]
Music & Lyrics
 
[Regional (US), 2018]
Lyricist
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Composer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lyrics
 
[West End, 1999]
Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Lyricist
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
Composer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Composer
 
[Broadway, 1956]
Composer

Writing

Composer & Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Conceiver
Bookwriter
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist

Awards and Nominations


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 2015 - Lebedev Award

Stephen Sondheim


winner
Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen Sondheim, Into The Woods


winner
Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen SondheimInto The Woods

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen Sondheim, Passion


winner
Olivier Awards - 2011 - The Society’s Special Award

Stephen Sondheim

Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Road Show

Drama Desk Awards - 2008 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Road Show


winner
Tony Awards - 2008 - Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim


winner
Olivier Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Production

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday In The Park With George

Olivier Awards - 2005 - Outstanding Musical Production

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd


winner
The Lortels - 2003 - Outstanding Lifetime Achievement

Stephen Sondheim


winner
Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lyric

Stephen Sondheim, Saturday Night


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Saturday Night

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Musical Production

Stephen SondheimA Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Olivier Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Musical Production

Stephen SondheimInto The Woods

Olivier Awards - 1997 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Passion


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Passion


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1994 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Passion


winner
Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen SondheimSweeney Todd


winner
Tony Awards - 1994 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Passion


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1993 - The American Express Tribute

Stephen Sondheim

Olivier Awards - 1993 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Assassins


winner
Drama League Awards - 1991 - Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre

Stephen Sondheim


winner
Olivier Awards - 1991 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday In The Park With George

Olivier Awards - 1991 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Into The Woods

Drama Desk Awards - 1990 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Assassins


winner
Evening Standard Awards - 1989 - Lebedev Special Award

Stephen Sondheim


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1988 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods


winner
Tony Awards - 1988 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods


winner
Olivier Awards - 1987 - Musical of the Year

Stephen Sondheim, Follies


winner
The Pulitzer Prize - 1985 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park With George


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George

Tony Awards - 1984 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George


winner
Drama League Awards - 1983 - Unique Contribution to the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along

Tony Awards - 1982 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along


winner
Olivier Awards - 1980 - Musical of the Year

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1979 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd


winner
Tony Awards - 1979 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Music & Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Pacific Overtures


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1976 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Pacific Overtures

Olivier Awards - 1976 - Musical of the Year

Sondheim, Side By Side

Tony Awards - 1976 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Pacific Overtures


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Music & Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1973 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1973 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music


winner
Tony Awards - 1972 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Follies


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Follies


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Follies


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1971 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Follies


winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim, Company


winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Stephen Sondheim , Company


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Company


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1970 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Company


winner
New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1970 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Company


winner
Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Videos

News


Cameron Mackintosh Is Bringing Sondheim Home
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 22, 2025

Bit by bit, Cameron Mackintosh has been putting together the masterpiece that is his latest musical project. Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, a tribute to his old friend who passed away before seeing it onstage, comes to Broadway this spring following acclaimed runs in London and Los Angeles. He's telling us all about how it came to be.
Photos: See Highlights from Charles Busch: MY LEADING LADIES at 54 Below
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 22, 2025

Tony Award-nominated actor, playwright and cabaret entertainer Charles Busch returns 3/21 to 3/23 with a new show of stories and songs devoted to the women who have inspired him from show business legends to the remarkable aunt who raised him.
Ian McKellen and More Set for Rivertowns Playhouse 2025 Summer Festival Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 21, 2025

Rivertowns Playhouse will present its fourth annual Summer Festival Season, featuring two acclaimed productions. See the full lineup and learn how to purchase tickets.
Watch Audra McDonald Sing in New Highlights from GYPSY
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 21, 2025

Starting here, starting now we;ve got new highlights from the critically acclaimed new production of GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald on Broadway.  Watch McDaonald and the full cast in action in this video!
BroadwayWorld Cabaret Upcoming Show Roundup " Mar. 21 to Mar. 27, 2024
by Rebecca Kaplan - Mar 21, 2025

Looking for a fun show to see this week? We have you covered with jazz, cabaret, comedy, and more! NYC has so many incredible events, but here are a few top picks to consider this week.
GYPSY, THE WOMAN IN BLACK And More Announced for The Rep 2025/26 Season
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2025

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has announced the theatre’s 2025-26 season, with expanded offerings of five Mainstage productions and three Studio plays, making the 59th anniversary season the biggest and boldest in years.
New Broadway Mystery Novel, The Sound of Murder, Now Available For Pre-order
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 21, 2025

The new musical theatre-themed mystery novel, The Sound of Murder, is now available for pre-order at major online booksellers. Upcoming April 3rd release, as paperback and eBook.
Review: JENN COLELLA Back In The Basement With Broadway At 54 Below
by Stephen Mosher - Mar 19, 2025

Whether on Broadway or in the cabaret, Jenn Colella is one of our best. This week at 54 Below it's Broadway AND cabaret.
SWEENEY TODD Announced At Lone Star College-North Harris
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 19, 2025

SWEENEY TODD THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim & a book by Hugh Wheeler, will be presented by Lone Star College-North Harris & Cash Carpenter Productions.
RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR and More Set for Writers Theatre 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Writers Theatre has revealed its 2025/26 season. The five-play season is marked by four productions never seen before in Chicago and two add-on special engagements.  
Sasha Velour to Bring THE BIG REVEAL LIVE SHOW! to Berkeley Rep
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Following shows across the United States and Europe, Berkeley-born global drag icon, visual artist, and author Sasha Velour (HBO’s We’re Here, RuPaul's Drag Race) will bring The Big Reveal Live Show! to Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre. Learn more!
GYPSY and More Set for Palo Alto Players 2025/26 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Palo Alto Players has revealed its 95th. The 2025-26 line-up begins in September 2025 and includes GYPSY, ANNIE, and more.
Bernadette Peters to Open Milwaukee Rep's New Associated Bank Theater Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 18, 2025

Three-time Tony Award recipient Bernadette Peters will headline a special concert to mark the grand opening of Milwaukee Repertory Theater's Associated Bank Theater Center. Learn more and see how to attend.
Lin-Manuel Miranda Shares Emails With Sondheim During HAMILTON Writing Process
by Stephi Wild - Mar 18, 2025

Lin-Manuel Miranda has taken to social media to share some touching email exchanges between himself and the late Stephen Sondheim during Miranda's process writing Hamilton. 
Video: Watch Raúl Esparza Sing 'Come to Your Senses' at MCC MISCAST22
by Michael Major - Mar 17, 2025

Watch Raúl Esparza sing 'Come to Your Senses' from Tick, Tick...BOOM! at MCC Theater's MISCAST22. The video was filmed at MCC's 2022 installation of the annual benefit concert.
Coming Up at 54 Below: Exclusive Previews from Jenn Colella, Lillias White & More
by Joey Mervis - Mar 17, 2025

Broadway's best performers are getting ready to hit the stage at NYC's premiere cabaret destination, 54 Below. Enjoy previews from some of this month's performers, including Jenn Colella ('I Could Have Danced All Night'), Charles Busch ('Bill'), and Lillias White ('I'm Getting Along Right').
Video: Can You Guess the Answer to This '21st Century Broadway' Final Jeopardy?
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 17, 2025

Last week, 21st Century Broadway was featured as a final Jeopardy. The clue was: 'A review of this musical noted 'sacrilege' and said it was 'blasphemous' but 'its heart is as pure as...a Rodgers & Hammerstein show.'' Find out the answer here!
MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG to be Presented at Burning Coal Theatre Company
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 17, 2025

Burning Coal Theatre Company will present Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Merrily We Roll Along, directed by Jerome Davis. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Hot Tickets of the Week: DEAD OUTLAW, REDWOOD, and More
by Team BWW - Mar 17, 2025

Let BroadwayWorld and Ticketmaster be your guide to which plays and musicals are the most buzz-worthy this week, starting March 17, 2025. Check out five Broadway shows we recommend that you should snag tickets to right now!
Review: INTO THE WOODS at The Royal Theatre
by Theresa Bertram - Mar 14, 2025

I have loved Into the Woods ever since I saw the 1987 production on PBS. The way it mashed up all those fairy tales into one story completely blew my mind — and then when most of the characters died, I couldn’t believe it. It was wild. Honestly, I still think it’s wild, and I’m still obsessed. So, when I heard that my favorite, Bob Bidewell, was directing this Stephen Sondheim classic (Book by James LaPine) at The Royal Theatre in Benton — playing through Sunday, March 16 — I knew I was ready to go back Into the Woods.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Stephen Sondheim been in?

Stephen Sondheim has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

How many West End shows has Stephen Sondheim been in?

Stephen Sondheim has not appeared in the West End

What awards has Stephen Sondheim been nominated for?

Stephen Sondheim has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career. Some of the notable nominations include the Lebedev Award (Evening Standard Awards) for Best Musical Revival for "Into The Woods" and "Passion," the Olivier Awards for Best Musical Revival for "Into The Woods," "Passion," and "A Little Night Music," the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music for "Road Show," and the Tony Awards for Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre. Other nominations include Outstanding Musical Production at the Olivier Awards for "Sunday In The Park With George," "Sweeney Todd," and "Merrily We Roll Along," Outstanding Lyric and Outstanding Music at the Drama Desk Awards for "Saturday Night" and "Passion," and Best Original Score at the Tony Awards for "Passion," among many others. Sondheim has also received recognition for his work in various categories such as Outstanding Lyrics, Outstanding Music, Musical of the Year, and Best Original Score. Some of the awards he has won include the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for "Sunday in the Park With George" and the American Express Tribute at the Helen Hayes Awards.

What awards has Stephen Sondheim won?

Stephen Sondheim has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Lebedev Award (Evening Standard Awards), Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods, The Society’s Special Award (Olivier Awards), Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Road Show, Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards), Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George, Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (The Lortels), Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Outstanding Lyric (Drama Desk Awards) for Saturday Night, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Saturday Night, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion, Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Passion, The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards), Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George, Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Follies, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Sunday in the Park With George, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Unique Contribution to the Theatre (Drama League Awards), Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Pacific Overtures, Outstanding Music & Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Follies, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Follies, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Company, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Company, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Company, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Company, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Company, and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

How many shows has Stephen Sondheim written?

Stephen Sondheim has written 42 shows including Girls of Summer (Composer), West Side Story (Lyricist), Gypsy (Lyricist), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Composer), Anyone Can Whistle (Composer), Do I Hear a Waltz? (Lyricist), The Mad Show (Lyricist), Company (Composer), Follies (Composer), A Little Night Music (Composer), Sondheim: A Musical Tribute (Composer), The Frogs (Composer), By Bernstein (Lyricist), Pacific Overtures (Composer), Side by Side by Sondheim (Composer), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Composer), Marry Me a Little (Composer), Merrily We Roll Along (Composer), Sunday in the Park with George (Composer), Into the Woods (Composer), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Composer), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Lyricist), Assassins (Composer), Putting It Together (Conceiver), Hey, Love (Composer), Passion (Composer), Getting Away With Murder (Playwright), Saturday Night (Composer), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Composer), Mostly Sondheim (Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), Short Talks on the Universe (Composer), Celebrating Sondheim (Composer), Bounce (Composer), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Composer), Children And Art (Composer), Evening Primrose (Composer/Lyricist), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Lyricist), Mixed Company (Composer), Road Show (Lyricist), Sondheim on Sondheim (Composer), Here We Are (Composer & Lyricist).

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