Posted: 11/26/21 at 7:57pm
Look at all the things you've done for me
Opened up my eyes
Taught me how to see
Posted: 11/26/21 at 7:57pm
It's been ages since I was active on BWW; I moved away from NYC in 2016 and eventually left the industry professionally in 2018. But the news tonight compelled me to return to a community that would understand the very particular grief that comes from this loss. It's a sort of comfort to see so many familiar names and icons still here mourning the same loss I am.
There will never be another Sondheim. Ever. But there's something so particularly poignant at his passing coming so soon on the heels of the release of tick, tick...BOOM!, where he featured so prominently, because I'm left with the sensation that -- there may never be another Sondheim, but we'll continue to have art inspired and shaped by him for generations to come.
Thank you for every single thing you wrote, Mr. Sondheim.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 8:09pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "Days Before Dying, Stephen Sondheim Reflects: ‘I’ve Been Lucky’ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/theater/stephen-sondheim-final-interview.html
Michael Paulson spoke with Sondheim on Sunday (ha) and this interview, Steve’s last, has just been published."
This is all so chilling. He saw two shows just two days ago. Maria Friedman's "Merrily" seems to finally be coming to New York. "Square One" isn't finished...but the selfish part of me hopes there is enough completed so that we could still see it produced.
I hate how sudden his death is, but this is definitely how he would've wanted it.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 8:32pm
ljay889 said: "jacobsnchz14 said: "Days Before Dying, Stephen Sondheim Reflects: ‘I’ve Been Lucky’ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/theater/stephen-sondheim-final-interview.html
Michael Paulson spoke with Sondheim on Sunday (ha) and this interview, Steve’s last, has just been published."
This is all so chilling. He saw two shows just two days ago. Maria Friedman's "Merrily" seems to finally be coming to New York. "Square One" isn't finished...but the selfish part of me hopes there is enough completed so that we could still see it produced.
I hate how sudden his death is, but this is definitely how he would've wanted it."
I share all the same sentiments and thoughts, especially re: Square One. Even a concert of what was “completed” would be fine with me. Where did you hear about Merrily?
Posted: 11/26/21 at 8:39pm
jacobsnchz14 said: "ljay889 said: "jacobsnchz14 said: "Days Before Dying, Stephen Sondheim Reflects: ‘I’ve Been Lucky’ https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/theater/stephen-sondheim-final-interview.html
Michael Paulson spoke with Sondheim on Sunday (ha) and this interview, Steve’s last, has just been published."
This is all so chilling. He saw two shows just two days ago. Maria Friedman's "Merrily" seems to finally be coming to New York. "Square One" isn't finished...but the selfish part of me hopes there is enough completed so that we could still see it produced.
I hate how sudden his death is, but this is definitely how he would've wanted it."
I share all the same sentiments and thoughts, especially re: Square One. Even a concert of what was “completed” would be fine with me. Where did you hear about Merrily?"
It's in the second to last paragraph of the article. I know people have wanted the Friedman production in New York for a long time, so that's very interesting.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 8:40pm
RIP. Thanks for all of the wonderful musicals. We will all miss you.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 8:55pm
The mention of a Merrily We Roll Along revival is mentioned in Michael Paulson's article. The plans sounded a little tentative, but the New York Theater Workshop is "hoping" to stage an off-Broadway revival of the show, to be directed by Maria Friedman.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/theater/stephen-sondheim-final-interview.html
The article itself makes me more than a little sad, of course, especially about the musical he didn't finish. But his enthusiasm for getting out and seeing not just revivals of his own work but his plans to see two plays on Wednesday - Is This a Room and Dana H. - in a single day is a delight to read.
Further, Sondheim was really on quite a run, between the two revivals, the planned revivals, the about-to-be-released West Side Story film, and frequent uses of his songs in other movies (or riffs on one of his songs, in Tick... Tick... BOOM!) that kept exposing new generations to his work even if they didn't necessarily know his name. That's not counting last year's online concert, the many revivals around the country (one of which - A Little Night Music - I saw earlier this month), and the recent James Lapine book about Sunday in the Park With George.
A few days before his death, an enthusiastic Sondheim says: "I've been lucky."
What an extraordinary career he had, right up until the end.
Updated On: 11/26/21 at 08:55 PM
Posted: 11/26/21 at 9:05pm
The world and this community are better for his contributions, his wit and his talent. Thank you for everything and rest easy, Steve.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 9:41pm
One of my first leading roles was Henrik in A Little Night Music, when I was 17. I listened to the cast recording recently, almost 7 years later, and still found new rhymes in it. There will never be another composer, another poet, another artist like Sondheim.
We wouldn't have Jonathan Larson, JRB, Lin-Manuel Miranda without him. His work, and his artform, will live on forever. RIP.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 10:25pm
Devastating. May he always live on through his music.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 10:30pm
One of the greatest artists of all time. A master of his medium that will never be matched. I feel lucky to have lived at the same time as him.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 10:37pm
Thank you for all your talents!! You’ll be missed.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 10:51pm
At the conclusion of an “Assassins” preview at the Donmar Warehouse in London 25-30 years ago, I’ll never forget the audience cheering “Author, Author” at the end of the performance. Master Sondheim was in attendance, 2 seats over. He acknowledged the audience with a subtle wave.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 10:58pm
Posted: 11/26/21 at 10:59pm
The 1st Sondheim I saw was the original run of INTO THE WOODS on Broadway!
It was so different for me that I only fully appreciated it after a while - my introduction to the magnificent world of Sondheim! I did get to see Sweeney Todd, Passion, West Side Story film, Little Night Music film & DVds of the Follies concert, Sunday in the Park, etc , and listened to many recordings of his songs (Company, Merrily, Funny Thing, etc).. I also love his " I remember (sky)" from Evening Primrose!
Here's a favorite interpretation of my favorite song from my 1st Sondheim show --
Updated On: 11/26/21 at 10:59 PM
Posted: 11/26/21 at 11:15pm
It seems like he died in a good mood, which is the way to go. Certainly we won’t see his likes for a long time. Very gutting, awful news. But then there’s the work.
Sorry-grateful, huh? Farewell, SS.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 11:27pm
No words.
No point in being witty or clever.
Heartbreaking to see the era of Sondheim come to a close in this year of so many endings.
Posted: 11/26/21 at 11:40pm
His songs were clever, provocative and thought provocative. His lyrics were difficult for many of us to learn but they forced me to learn new ways to learn and I'm thankful for that.
Posted: 11/27/21 at 12:06am
I was in the middle of watching TICK TICK BOOM when I saw the notification which made the whole thing even harder.
There are really no words. We’ve lost a giant. But how incredible that even at 91, he is still so relevant. Two major New York productions and a massive film coming out in two weeks. Thinking of those companies tonight who will be pushing through so much.
Posted: 11/27/21 at 12:12am
There are no other words, Just a simple thank you,
Updated On: 11/27/21 at 12:12 AM
Posted: 11/27/21 at 12:12am
It's a comfort that he passed knowing just how much he was revered and respected and beloved. His brilliance and talent would have been enough to make him a legend but his generosity as an artist set him apart. He gave us so much. A life well lived.
Posted: 11/27/21 at 12:13am
I'm in shock. This is not the news I was expecting after a long day. So much of my life philosophy comes from Steve's pointed but also humanly generous observations of life, and I could never imagine where I would be now if I had never found Steve's works. Rest in peace, Steve.
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