Today marks a very special day in my book. It's the day when the marquee of the newly dedicated Stephen Sondheim Theatre is unveiled and lighted at a 6:30 PM ceremony at 124 W. 43rd Street in Manhattan's Theatre district.
Stephen Sondheim is a huge part of why I love musical theatre. He also has a lot to do with why some popular contemporary music has become oftentimes as boring as a box of rocks to me. After listening to Sondheim shows filled with unpredictable melodies, brilliant lyrics and beautifully layered orchestrations (love to Jonathan Tunick), I have become one of those people who listens to NPR or musicals in the car. Yeah. I'm one of those.
Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for ROAD SHOW, PASSION, ASSASSINS, INTO THE WOODS, SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, SWEENEY TODD, PACIFIC OVERTURES, THE FROGS, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, FOLLIES, COMPANY, ANYONE CAN WHISTLE and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, as well as the lyrics for WEST SIDE STORY, GYPSY and DO I HEAR A WALTZ? I'm sure I'm leaving a few out, but regardless, he's the bomb. And no, I'm not really sure why I always feel the need to capitalize the names of shows. Adds gravitas maybe…
