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Stephen Sondheim, 1930-2021

 Just a short note of gratitude for the life and career of Stephen Sondheim, who changed so many lives.


Sondheim apparently had crummy parents, but he credited his mentor, Hammerstein, with being a "surrogate dad." He said he wrote because Hammerstein had written. "If Hammerstein had been a geologist, I would have done that, too."


At seventy, Sondheim spoke with Frank Rich for the Times and he said he had opted never to grow up. He was just playing. He was thoughtful about the actual process of work: Keep alcohol nearby, and use a soft pencil. If the pencil is soft, you have to stop working every few minutes, and it's always a treat to stop working. Additionally: Try to work only when you're supine.


I also liked what he said when James Lapine complained about missed deadlines. "Do you want the song Tuesday -- or do you want it good?"


And about the dead: "I'm baffled when people say don't speak ill of the dead! Of course you should! The dead can't defend themselves, but, also, they can't feel upset....."


I don't have any "ill words" about Sondheim. What a lucky thing to have been alive when he was alive!

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Comments

  1. KathyNovember 27, 2021 at 7:55 AM

    I don't know why I'm so shocked that he died... given his age... but on the other hand, he seemed ageless to me. I'm looking forward even more to our tickets for Company in December... RIP.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ReaderNovember 27, 2021 at 9:24 AM

    I get it. Same reaction here, I think because he seemed so spry on Colbert a few weeks ago. Enjoy COMPANY! We loved it. I thought the lead, Katrina Lenk, was really touching.

    ReplyDelete
  3. KathyNovember 29, 2021 at 8:00 AM

    I saw her in The Band's Visit and still think fondly of the entire experience - she was fantastic there as well - I'm very much looking forward!

    ReplyDelete

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