Fascinating Sondheim Article

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 8:49pm

By John Lahr.

Pre-Sunday in the Park, so some of the points raised are negated by the later pieces.

A fascinating read, and brilliantly written. I don't agree with everything said, but brilliant nonetheless
John Lahr: Essays on Star Turns - Stephen Sondheim

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 8:58pm

Thanks for posting that.

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 8:59pm

Yes, thanks for posting that. Mr. Lahr once again proves why he is my favorite theatre expert, as well as the most trustworthy reviewer in New York. Brilliantly written!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/24/05 at 9:02pm

No problem Margo.


I was just doing some Sondheim reading, and this article jumped out at me, and I thought some BWW'ers might appreciate it.

For some reason I have an inkling you have read it before?

[Elizabeth_DeBris]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 5:28pm

Bump.

This was very interesting, thanks.

Posted: 3/25/05 at 5:54pm

Fascinating! I like Lahr. I was just marveling at his Spamalot review in the New Yorker today.

This Sondheim essay is wonderful. As he ran down the shows- I thought to myself "Ah yes, Follies! That was his best show...."Company! How could I forget, THAT was his best....Sweeney! Of course, that was his best...." and so on. What a genius. Thanks again for posting!

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 6:39pm

Updated On: 2/7/06 at 06:39 PM

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 8:24pm

From now on I have decided to post anything I feel is worthy, even if it will only appeal to a select few.

I know of quite a few more great articles, but I will go looking for them at a time when it is not nearing 3am.

Glad you all enjoyed it!

[WISHIHADATONY]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 8:49pm

I had never read that before and I loved it. Thank you. :)

[MusicMan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 8:49pm

Ty idziesz, dziewczyna!

[paradox_error]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 9:10pm

dziekuje, ale jestem mezczyna.

[MusicMan]

Posted: 3/25/05 at 11:38pm

Dzienki Bogu.

[nystateomind04]

Posted: 3/26/05 at 12:30am

You're right paradox, Sunday did depart from a lot of the kind of thing with which Lahr takes issue in Sondheim's work. But I don't think he fully considered some of the scores which he mentioned, or was perhaps to quick to dismiss. "Not While I'm Around" is a great example of what Sondheim is capable of when he drops his defenses and allows himself to write a song of complete emotional honesty. While one could further analyze it's placement, and what ultimatley becomes of the character who sings it, the song is still proof that irony is not the driving force of everything he does.

I'd like to hear more of what you all think about this.