The Musical Theatre world and beyond mourns the loss of legendary composer Stephen Sondheim
Even if you think you don’t like musical theatre, you’ll be able to sing along to at least one song by Stephen Sondheim. Correction – you’ll be unable not to sing along.
It might be Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music, Broadway Baby from Follies, or Somewhere from West Side Story – perhaps anything from Sweeney Todd.
Born in New York in 1930, Stephen had written his first musical, By George – which was later given a brutal but ultimately invaluable evaluation by Musical Theatre legend Oscar Hammerstein II – by the age of 13.
He went on to collaborate on West Side Story with Leonard Bernstein, Gypsy with Jule Styne, and Do I Hear a Waltz? with Richard Rodgers, but also wowed Broadway, the West End and Hollywood with his solo works.
When he died on Friday 26th November, at the age of 91, he left behind a phenomenal body of work, a career punctuated by every plaudit imaginable and a worldwide audience of broken-hearted fans – including these.
Writing both music and lyrics for a Broadway show is not easy to do—I know, because I’ve done it. But Stephen Sondheim could do it all and made it look easy. He was an incredible gift to the Broadway stage. He will be sorely missed.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) November 27, 2021
Future historians: Stephen Sondheim was real. Yes, he wrote Tony & Maria AND Sweeney Todd AND Bobby AND George & Dot AND Fosca AND countless more. Some may theorize Shakespeare's works were by committee but Steve was real & he was here & he laughed SO loud at shows & we loved him
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 27, 2021
The melodic genius, wit and artistry of #StephenSondheim comes once in a generation.
What a privilege to have been in the same space and shared the same air.
— Rita Moreno (@TheRitaMoreno) November 27, 2021
Sondheim was singular. I was lucky to sing his music for West Side Story. Though he’s gone now, his music will live on through the ages. There is and was no one in th world like him. #StephenSondheim
— Russ Tamblyn (@RussTamblyn) November 27, 2021
Every so often someone comes along that fundamentally shifts an entire art form. Stephen Sondheim was one of those. As millions mourn his passing I also want to express my gratitude for all he has given to me and so many more. Sending my love to his nearest and dearest. pic.twitter.com/4KlnJJJipq
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 26, 2021
There is such a void, knowing we now suddenly live in a world without Stephen Sondheim in it. And yet, he will always be with us in his brilliant and peerless music and lyrics; a legacy for the ages.
— Alan Menken (@AIMenken) November 27, 2021
We’ve lost the great #StephenSondheim. The rest is silence.
— John Lithgow (@JohnLithgow) November 26, 2021
I was just talking to someone a few nights ago about how much fun (and fucking difficult) it is to sing Stephen Sondheim. Performing his work has been among the greatest privileges of my career. A devastating loss.
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) November 26, 2021
Stephen Sondheim could, in 5 or 6 words, make sense of humanity in ways entire books failed to do. It feels silly to be so heartbroken over a 91 year old man's passing but I really am. Thank you, you changed my life.
— Andrew Linnie (@AndrewLinnie) November 26, 2021
RIP legend, icon, greatest composer Mr. Stephen Sondheim! The angels must be singing sir…..Godspeed! Thank you for leaving an incredible legacy ❤️❤️❤️https://t.co/k2qKxLjqHY
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) November 27, 2021
I am bereft. My musical hero is dead.https://t.co/0oLdj45OcO
— Nick Harvey (@mrnickharvey) November 26, 2021
Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Stephen Sondheim. I was fortunate to meet him and chat about songwriting. He was a witty intelligent man. 'Send in the Clowns' is one of my favourite songs. So well crafted and beautiful with it. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/V21XAI9zcq
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) November 27, 2021
He wrote me a wonderful permission letter to use “Old Friends” in American Gods. I avoided meeting him (failed only once) and refused dinner because I didn’t have many heroes. Now I’ve got one less. Thank you Stephen Sondheim so much. pic.twitter.com/soRo4G2ZFU
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 26, 2021
Goodbye dear sir. We will spend our lives trying to make you proud. #stephensondheim
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) November 26, 2021
Devastated to hear one of the most important musical theatre giants of our generation, #StephenSondheim, has died. I was lucky enough to have performed in two of his shows @FolliesBroadway & Sweeney Todd, & also have a song co-written by him for my 50th Anniversary. RIP dear man pic.twitter.com/1u8RURvcix
— Elaine Paige (@elaine_paige) November 26, 2021
Rest In Peace, Stephen Sondheim, and thank you for your vast contributions to musical theater. We shall be singing your songs forever. Oh, my heart hurts…
— Lea Salonga (@MsLeaSalonga) November 26, 2021
American musical theater has lost a towering giant. Stephen Sondheim's legacy of song and lyric is unparalleled. From West Side Story to Sweeney Todd, from Gypsy to Sunday in the Park with George, there will never be a master like him.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 26, 2021
Perhaps not since April 23rd of 1616 has theater lost such a revolutionary voice. Thank you Mr. Sondheim for your Demon Barber, some Night Music, a Sunday in the Park, Company, fun at a Forum, a trip Into the Woods and telling us a West Side Story. RIP. 🙏 https://t.co/jHX7ob9JWv
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) November 26, 2021
Howard Sherman summed it up perfectly.
Today is the first day of my life that I awake to a world without Stephen Sondheim in it, but I take comfort in knowing that however long I live, I will never be in a world without his words and his music.
— Howard Sherman (@HESherman) November 27, 2021
Beyond simply being a musical genius, Stephen Sondheim was a wondeful human being, as shown in this clip of his message to one of his biggest fans – the amazing Paul Harvey.
Stephen Sondheim. 1930 – 2021.
May his memory be a blessing.
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