Stephen Sondheim
1930 - 2021
Stephen Sondheim, truly a Giant of the American Musical Theater died yesterday at the age of 91. Had Sondheim only written the lyrics for West Side Story he would be, in my book anyway a first ballot Hall of Famer, but his other works include such classics as Gypsy, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum, Company, Follies, and A Little Night Music. Wikipedia lists 19 "major" productions for Sondheim. There were many more.
In his career, he won eight Tony Awards, eight Grammy Awards, an Oscar, a Pulitzer Prize, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and even an Edgar Award for his screenplay of the 1974 movie, The Last of Sheila.
I once saw a production of Company at the Pittsburgh Public Theater. It was somewhat complex. The play was "about" the institution of marriage, but I am still not sure if Sondheim was celebrating the institution or excoriating it. That the play could be seen from both points of view says something about the complexity and brilliance of the playwright, I believe.
To hear one of Sondheim's most famous and movie pieces, Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music, as performed by Judy Collins, click here.
Dim the lights on Broadway. RIP Stephen Sondheim.
No comments:
Post a Comment