Sondheim at SUNDAY tonight

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!).

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

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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."

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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!

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

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.

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.

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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!

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.

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?

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

They do, on the Tony website.

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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.

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