Sondheim at SUNDAY tonight

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:09am

Just saw Stephen Sondheim leaving SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE tonight, coming out the stage door about a half hour after the performance. Not only was he there, he didn't duck out and talked to the cast after the performance. They seemed very appreciative.

I'm embarrassed to say I was concentrating so hard to make sure I didn't miss Daniel and Jenna, I totally missed him until people who had chased after him told me who it was. At least I got a glance at a living legend (even if I didn't realize it until after the fact!).

[lakezurich]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:14am

Sooo jealous.

[into_the_woods2]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:17am

most jealous i've ever been...possibly right now

[LadyRosecoe]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:57am

I saw him last week with a the crossword section of the newspaper under his arm and ducking into a sushi place on 47th. If I could have said anything other than "...Stephen Sondheim" I might have had the nerve to actually walk up to him and say something.

It was the same way after the first preview of Sweeney at the stage door, except he waited on the sidewalk away from the crowd for a friend he was with and the whole time it was just a blank stare I could muster at him. He didn't talk to any people at the stage door then although it seemed that a few others recognized him, but nobody approached him.

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 1:47am

I have met Sondheim a few times - briefly - he is unfailingly gracious, a little shy and appreeciative of fans. You never want to gush but a simple "I really enjoyed SUNDAY (or whatever show)...", or "Thank you for all the wonderful shows." He also is quite happy to asnwer specific questions.

I think some people are afraid of babbling and making fools of themselves.

Last fall I interviewed Judy Kaye and she told me of meeting him years ago when she was just starting in the business. She went up to him and (her words) said: "Mr. Sondhiem I just want,..you are so...burble, stammer, gurgle etc" - and he just smiled and said in a kind understanding way "I Know."

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 2:13am

did he stop to talk to any fans outside the stage door?

I think the real question is: "Were any fans capable of talking to him?"

[logan0215]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 4:28am

Funny this happened tonight as my roommate and I saw the matinee today via HipTix and were kidding saying that maybe he was in audience along with all the other blue hairs.

What a coincidence that he'd be there tonight!

[WestEndAndy]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 5:23am

I went up to him outside the Phoenix Theatre in London in 1989 during a run of INTO THE WOODS. I did the usual "I just want to say how much..." and I singled out MERRILY as my favourite score. He was very gracious and wiped his hand before shaking mine as he was eating a cream bun. A lovely memory.

[Here I Am]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 5:31am

logan, how were the HipTix? Were you very high up? I want to do it soon.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 5:46am

I expect I'd frighten him if ever I met him. I'm only really comfortable around people I know, and the more uncomfortable I am, the politer I get. Which is great for a work environment; customer comes in, I do not know customer, I am super polite to customer, we both go away happy. Amusingly, it makes many people think I'm much sweeter and nicer than I actually am. XD

I think if I met Stephen Sondheim, I would be the politest I have ever been EVER, and I can't think of a way for that not to be terrifying.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 7:42am

He walked out with a forty-something guy escorting him, immediately turning right outside the door (the barricade/fans are set up on the left) and started walking in the other direction.

A few people started saying "Is that?" "Is it really?" "Yeah, I think it is!" "Go follow him!" "No!" "Do it, get him to sign it!"

Two people chased after him. This whole time I thought they thought that the forty-something guy was Daniel Evans. I thought they were nuts.

Apparently his people/he preemptively said that he wasn't signing anything or taking any pictures. The girl said she said "I know, I just wanted to say 'thank you.'" And he said she was very welcome.


On an aside, the security guard was terribly rude and pugnacious and should be fired. There were maybe 8-10 people there, all very well behaved, with only 4 or 5 asking for autographs. Obvious veterans (I was the only newcomer). Regardless, this guy kept picking fights with people, yelling at them if they wouldn't run to comply, then when people talked about how inappropriate that was of him, he'd run to the crowd and said "who said something? Who wants to go home right now? Yeah, I THOUGHT NOT" and turned away. Sounded like a line he prepared to make himself feel big (he was about 5'2", 140). Guess someone took the job that would help him feel important.

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 8:03am

I'm VERY happy for you

[SgtDonut]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 11:16am

If I saw Sondheim, I'd be like, "Hey! Are you the guy responsible for Assassins and Sweeney Todd!?" If he nodded, I'd scream and be like OMG OMG OMG. And if he shook his head, I'd be DON'T LIE TO ME!!! So yeah, that would be an exciting day.

[TonyVincent]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 11:24am

Jenna and I actually joked about it when she came out a few minutes later.

Jenna: "Did you all see? The composer was here tonight."
Me: "Really? Who's that?"
Jenna: "Oh, I can't remember his name. Not much is going to become of him, anyway."

Quite a sweetheart. As is Daniel.

[clever name]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 11:35am

TonyVincent I am SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO jealous!! I hope I someday get to see him with my own eyes. That's all I ask. Thanks for sharing that!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 11:38am

Awww, Jenna is so adorable.

I was talking to someone recently about how funny it is to watch people's reactions to seeing Sondheim. You always get a few who are quick (and brave) enough to chase after him, but most people just sort of stand there, staring in awe like they're legitimately unable to move.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 11:56am

I had the pleasure of meeting him once and he was more than gracious...I hope his tribute on the Tonys is representative of his incredible contribution to musical theater.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 11:58am

Are they definitely doing a tribute at the Tonys? The presentation of his award isn't even on the actual telecast.

[WithoutATrace]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:05pm

It isn't??? Damn that sucks. He probably wanted it that way though...he's not the type who likes to draw attention to himself, correct?

[luvtheEmcee]

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

Yeah, it's in the pre-show:

https://www.playbill.com/news/article/118503.html

he Creative Arts Awards, according to the Tony website, "honor behind-the-scenes excellence on Broadway." These awards also include the presentation of the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (to Stephen Sondheim) and the Regional Theatre Tony Award (to Chicago Shakespeare Theater).

I really want there to be some kind of performance honoring his work, but unless it's some sort of big surprise, it doesn't sound like there will be.

[Yankeefan007]

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

I got a pat on the back from him after actually walking into him at Sweeney Todd.

[Weez]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:31pm

Don't they usually do webstream the pre-awards on the Tonys website? First year I gave a damn about the Tonys was the year they special-awarded Edward Albee. I love Edward Albee, so I was very happy that night. :)

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:36pm

They do, on the Tony website.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 12:44pm

I thought lifetime achievement awards were given out during the broadcast. Isn't that why they had that Hal Prince montage last year?

[uncageg]

Posted: 6/12/08 at 1:55pm

The Hal Prince award was in 2006. I was there. The "montage" was not that great. Especially the Phantom portion. And yes, it was during the broadcast. I actually shot an e-mail to the Tony site about not having a tribute to Sondheim. But who knows, they may, during the broadcast say something like "Earlier this evening..." and do a tribute. I still think he should get it during the broadcast on CBS though. Just my thoughts.