Sondheim Tony Speech

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:07pm

Did anyone make a transcript of it?
(or have a video of it?)
I thought it was beautiful.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:08pm

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 12:08 PM

[morosco]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:09pm

Thank you all, but this award has to be shared with Julius Epstein, Arthur Laurents, Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, George Furth, Jim Goldman, John Weidman, Hugh Wheeler and James Lapine. These are the men who created the characters that sang the songs, the situations that gave rise to the songs and the criticism that improved the songs. They were my collaborators. They are called playwrights. They invent. They make whole cloth out of nothing. They make a hat where there never was a hat. And they don’t just write musicals.

Oh, and if you’re wondering why I’m not sharing this Award with Hal Prince, it’s because he already has one.

Lifetime Achievement has a deadly sound to it, a ring of finality, a faint whiff of "You’ve outlived your usefulness." And, as you get older, you start to believe that. At least some writers do, including me.

The problem is that the more venerable you get, the harder it becomes to avoid the fear of not living up to the expectations and praise that are bestowed on you -- as in the form of a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nevertheless, buoyed by your encouragement, with more Lifetime I -- we -- promise you more, if not higher, Achievement.

Thank you all again.

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:19pm

Thanks!

I JUST found it here too:
http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/tonynight/speeches/2008-06-15/200806151213550045328.html

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:33pm

Thank you all, but this award has to be shared with Julius Epstein, Arthur Laurents, Burt Shevelove, Larry Gelbart, George Furth, Jim Goldman, John Weidman, Hugh Wheeler and James Lapine. These are the men who created the characters that sang the songs, the situations that gave rise to the songs and the criticism that improved the songs. They were my collaborators. They are called playwrights. They invent. They make whole cloth out of nothing. They make a hat where there never was a hat. And they don’t just write musicals.

I would also share this award with Hal Prince, but he has one already.

Lifetime Achievement has a deadly sound to it, a ring of finality, a faint whiff of "You’ve outlived your usefulness." And, as you get older, you start to believe that. At least some writers do, including me.

The problem is that the more venerable you get, the harder it becomes to avoid the fear of not living up to the expectations and praise that are bestowed on you -- as in the form of a Lifetime Achievement Award. Nevertheless, buoyed by your encouragement, with more Lifetime I -- or rather we -- promise you more achievement.

Thank you all again.

(As read by Mandy Patinkin on the air...)

[devonian.t]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:37pm

That's a smart speech.

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:42pm

Well he's kind of a smart guy.

[devonian.t]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:43pm

So you've noticed, too?

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:45pm

i LOVED his speech, it was fantastic. the only way it would have been better would be if he had presented it himself

[sondheimgeek]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 12:46pm

Devonian: Just a little bit.

Updated On: 6/16/08 at 12:46 PM

[heathurrr]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 1:01pm

I'm still holding out hope someone will upload video of it :)

[SahDu]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 1:44pm

Does anyone know where else he could possibly have had to be instead of accepting his Lifetime Achievement Tony? I was very surprised he wasn't there.
Updated On: 2/15/14 at 01:44 PM

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 2:27pm

I feel as if this speech wouldn't have been as successful if he delivered it himself. This was just very....Sondheim. I wouldn't even be surprised if he was backstage. He just isn't into all of that showbizz.

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 2:28pm

Updated On: 5/3/09 at 02:28 PM

[misschung]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 2:33pm

I was still disappointed that he wasn't there, though. But it was a great speech, and a nice delivery by George

[wicked_beast4]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 2:35pm

Did anyone else notice that the "make a hat where there never was a hat" expression was used pretty frequently last night?

[Jiddir]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 5:23pm

it actually did not surprise me in the least bit that sondheim did not show up. He knew sunday would be shafted and he doesn't really have the best regards for most musical theatre produced in the past 15 years. He has said many times he hates receiving those type of rewards. he would have probably also been embarrassed receiving that award the same year a musical like in the heights wins for best musical. He said in an interview the only new musical hes enjoyed this season was catered affair which got completely shafted by the media and the tony's.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:11pm

According to his boyfriend, Sondheim is perfectly fine and is healthy.

He was in the City last night but did not feel comfortable being under the spotlight (he is a shy guy).

Just thought I'd share.

I don't see the big deal. It was a great award, to receive, but Sondheim made the choice to just write a speech instead. That's more than some others (who miss the Awards) do.

Whatever!

[jv92]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:38pm

"[H]e doesn't really have the best regards for most musical theatre produced in the past 15 years."

He's said some pretty nice things about Ahrens and Flaherty, Adam Guettel and (I think) Frankel and Korie and they're basically the last 15 years of musical theatre.

"He said in an interview the only new musical hes enjoyed this season was catered affair which got completely shafted by the media and the tony's."

What interview? Did he really? I agree with him, but I don't recall reading this anywhere.

"I don't see the big deal. It was a great award, to receive, but Sondheim made the choice to just write a speech instead. That's more than some others (who miss the Awards) do."

I agree. He wrote a lovely speech. Good for him! It's entirely understandable that he didn't go.

[jennyish]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:43pm

I loved it. A lot.

Also--I thought Sondheim had unofficially retired. What "new achievements" is he promising, exactly?

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:46pm

I was REALLY looking forward to seeing him with my own eyes for the first time last night, but it was a nice speech and I understand. I was pissed that there wasnt any sort of actual tribute. Had to save time for the Lion King (!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?), I guess.

[TooDarnHot]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:46pm

BOUNCE?

He'll never really write the same kind of stuff he used to but he has plans to work on at least one more musical after BOUNCE.

He's really into mentoring and assisting younger Broadway composers, now.

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:47pm

I don't know but I'm excited!

If someone could find the Catered Affair interview, I'dd appriciate it.

[jv92]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:51pm

BOUNCE! Duh. Next year's Tonys will be quite interesting if Bounce and The Visit come to Broadway.

[ljay889]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:53pm

I HOPE Bounce and The Visit both transfer in time for next years Tonys. I hope BOUNCE has been significantly reworked.