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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


Review: Stephen Sondheim's ROAD SHOW at freeFall
by Peter Nason - Feb 22, 2025

Sondheim deserves the best, and that's what freeFall has certainly delivered!
Review: Leonard Bernstein’s Crazy Philosophical Satire CANDIDE Is Presented With Colour And Clear Storytelling
by Jade Kops - Feb 22, 2025

Opera Australia brings Victorian Opera’s production of CANDIDE to the Sydney Opera House. 
Paulo Szot, Linda Eder and More to Perform at 54 Below Next Week
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 21, 2025

Next week, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Paulo Szot and more. Learn how to purchase tickets!
Review: OLD FRIENDS at Ahmanson Theatre
by Evan Henerson - Feb 20, 2025

To watch these singers perform these numbers is to dream about entire revivals of Sondheim shows built around some of these actors, maybe even productions that have their genesis at the Ahmanson.
Video: Can You Answer These 'Broadway' JEOPARDY Questions?
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 20, 2025

Last night, one of the popular Jeopardy! categories was 'Broadway.' Several clues were given to the contestants to test their knowledge of Broadway debuts, history, and more. Watch the video now!
Tickets on Sale For STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS Benefit Performance
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

Tickets are now available for Manhattan Theatre Club's special benefit performance of Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends, starring Bernadette Peters and Lea Salonga.
Review: & JULIET AND WEST SIDE STORY At The Ohio Theatre
by Paul Batterson - Feb 20, 2025

What did our critic think of & JULIET AND WEST SIDE STORY at At The Ohio Theatre?
Paul Ford, Broadway Pianist and Arranger, Passes Away
by Sidney Paterra - Feb 20, 2025

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of Broadway music director, conductor, and arranger, Paul Ford.
Audra McDonald Out of GYPSY on February 19; Tryphena Wade Makes 'Rose' Debut
by Michael Major - Feb 19, 2025

Audra McDonald will be out of Gypsy on Broadway for both performances on Wednesday February 19. Her standby, Tryphena Wade, made her debut as Rose on Tuesday, February 18.
David Saint Will Retire as Artistic Director of George Street Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

George Street Playhouse has announced that Artistic Director David Saint will retire as Artistic Director at the conclusion of the 2024/2025 season.  George Street Playhouse will honor Saint at the 2025 Gala.
Nettingham Middle School’s Performing Arts Company Will Perform INTO THE WOODS JR.
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

Students from Nettingham Middle School’s Performing Arts Company are set to enchant audiences with a fresh and humorous take on classic fairy tale characters in their production of Into the Woods JR.
GYPSY celebra su función número 100 sobre el escenario del Teatro Apolo
by Lorena Pastor Romero - Feb 19, 2025

El musical Gypsy, dirigido por Antonio Banderas, alcanzó anoche las 100 funciones tras su estreno en octubre en el Teatro del Soho CaixaBank de Málaga.
Christine Dwyer Joins SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Nashville Repertory Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

Nashville Repertory Theatre has announced that Broadway veteran Christine Dwyer will join the cast of Sunday in the Park with George, starring alongside David Shannon, for its highly at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
55 Participating Regional Awards Programs Announced For The 16th Annual Jimmy Awards
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 19, 2025

The Broadway League Foundation has announced 55 participating Regional Awards Programs for the 16th annual Jimmy Awards which will take place on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 7:30pm at Broadway's Minskoff Theatre.
Review Roundup: BLUE MOON - What Do Critics Think of the Lorenz Hart Portrait?
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 18, 2025

Blue Moon, the portrait of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart from Richard Linklater, has just made its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. Find out what critics think of the movie here!
Photos: Kamala Harris Attends GYPSY and Poses with Audra McDonald and Company
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 18, 2025

Just yesterday, former Vice President Kamala Harris and Doug Emhoff stopped by the Majectic Theatre to attend the critically acclaimed, sold-out hit musical GYPSY starring six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald. Check out photos here!
Exclusive: 19 Songs by Jonathan Larson That You Probably Don't Know Yet
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 18, 2025

Previews are now underway for The Jonathan Larson Project and fans who have checked out the new musical already have intel on the more than 20 undiscovered songs, as audiences are treated to a brief breakdown as they leave the Orpheum Theatre. BroadwayWorld is excited to share an exclusive, in-depth version of the story behind each song, courtesy of the show's conceiver, Jennifer Ashley Tepper.
NTPA Repertory Theatre Reveals 2025 Season Including INTO THE WOODS and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 17, 2025

North Texas Performing Arts Repertory Theatre has revealed its 2025 'Dare to Dream' Season! Recent winner of four Broadway World Dallas Awards. Learn more!
Photos: Coldplay's Chris Martin Visits & JULIET on Broadway
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 17, 2025

Like so many other artists in popular music today, Chris Martin has connections to & Juliet. The lead singer of Coldplay, stopped by the Stephen Sondheim Theatre over the weekend to to check out the musical, which features the music of Max Martin. Martin produced the band's last two albums- Moon Music (2024) and Music of the Spheres (2021). 
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 17, 2025
by - Feb 17, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 17, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed over the weekend.

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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