Posted: 3/19/16 at 12:56pm
For my theater class we are writing a letter Stephen Sondheim, in which he will responding back to us. I'm totally stuck as to what to write to him. Any ideas?
Posted: 3/19/16 at 1:03pm
1.What was his favorite show?
2.Which composers does he like /dislike?
3.How does he decide what his next show is?
4.Which musical does he regret was not a big hit?
Posted: 3/19/16 at 1:19pm
Nicole, you don't even have a real question for this guy so why make him take time to answer you?
Can you imagine how many theater classes in the country think it is a cute idea to write Sondheim or Hal Prince? These guys have written books on this subject already and done speaking tours you can easily see on YouTube.
Luckily, they have an office staff and interns who will answer letters like this and sign his name but really, if you don't even have a question, don't waste the time of the staff.
It is like writing Pres Obama about some questions about government.
Posted: 3/19/16 at 1:49pm
It's great to write a composer! I know somebody that did that once as a teenager and actually did get a letter back. But I suppose he could well have more letters than he can handle, so it's possible you could get a form response saying he's too busy. No reason not to try, though.
You don't say what level class this is--high school, college?--and that might make a difference deciding what to ask. I would suggest that before you write you see what topics he has already addressed. There is a huge amount of material out there--interviews on YouTube, articles in magazines, and also many good books about Sondheim, at least in part (the most famous of which is probably Horowitz's "Sondheim on Music"
. Above all, take a look at his great "Finishing the Hat" two-volume set, if you haven't already--his extensive commentaries throughout it are incredibly enlightening and interesting.
Good luck!
Posted: 3/19/16 at 3:20pm
Wow I can't even count all the times I've wished I could ask Sondheim something. Get me his address!
Posted: 3/19/16 at 3:22pm
Why is he allowing Barbra Streisand to film Gypsy?
Posted: 3/19/16 at 5:02pm
Luckily, they have an office staff and interns who will answer letters like this and sign his name
Is this true?
Posted: 3/19/16 at 5:05pm
^ NO. his partner (husband?) typically responds for him....
Posted: 3/19/16 at 8:02pm
Maybe ask him about his new musical he's been working on?
Posted: 3/19/16 at 11:56pm
To the OP: you should read everything you can that he has already answered in print, PARTICULARLY his own two books of biography/collections of his lyrics. Read also Craig Zadan's SONDHEIM & CO.
You may even find the question you want to ask occurs to you while you are researching your subject.
You'll also find what NOT to ask, such as his opinions on living composers and lyricists. He makes it clear in his book that he prefers not to critique his peers while they are alive.
(With respect, Mr. Roxy, I think most of the questions you propose are answered in FINISHING THE HAT.)
Posted: 3/20/16 at 12:16am
Bernard Pivot's list could be interesting (via James Lipton) -
Updated On: 3/20/16 at 12:16 AM
Posted: 3/20/16 at 7:03am
The title of this thread sent my brain into silly mode and had me envisioning a Dear Abby type of advice column in which the responses were all written in Sondheim tone and lyrical mode. Someone make it so.
Posted: 3/20/16 at 6:22pm
Mike Costa said: "Nicole, you don't even have a real question for this guy so why make him take time to answer you?
Can you imagine how many theater classes in the country think it is a cute idea to write Sondheim or Hal Prince? These guys have written books on this subject already and done speaking tours you can easily see on YouTube.
Luckily, they have an office staff and interns who will answer letters like this and sign his name but really, if you don't even have a question, don't waste the time of the staff.
It is like writing Pres Obama about some questions about government.
Mike Costa, I do have questions to ask him, I”m just asking for some suggestions. And for your information he always responds back himself and doesn't have his office staff and interns respond on his behalf so don't know where you heard that. And this isn't a cute theater class idea, I'm being graded on this. Regardless of having books written about them, there’s no harm in asking questions.
Posted: 3/20/16 at 6:27pm
Peter2 said: "It's great to write a composer! I know somebody that did that once as a teenager and actually did get a letter back. But I suppose he could well have more letters than he can handle, so it's possible you could get a form response saying he's too busy. No reason not to try, though.
You don't say what level class this is--high school, college?--and that might make a difference deciding what to ask. I would suggest that before you write you see what topics he has already addressed. There is a huge amount of material out there--interviews on YouTube, articles in magazines, and also many good books about Sondheim, at least in part (the most famous of which is probably Horowitz's "Sondheim on Music". Above all, take a look at his great "Finishing the Hat" two-volume set, if you haven't already--his extensive commentaries throughout it are incredibly enlightening and interesting.
Good luck!
Hey Peter 2, it’s a college class. The class actually focuses on Sondheim’s lyrics and we’re actually using Finishing the Hat and Look I Made A Hat as our textbooks, so from that research we’re supposed to think of questions to ask.
