Sondheim Tony Speech

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

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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.

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...)

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Well he's kind of a smart guy.

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

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

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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.

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

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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.

"[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.

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.

I don't know but I'm excited!

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

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