Sondheim

Starred review from August 1, 2023

Two years after Stephen Sondheim's (1930-2021) death, his music and lyrical legacy are detailed in Silverman's (The Amusement Park) comprehensive overview of a remarkable career that lasted more than 60 years and touched nearly all the performing arts--television, Hollywood, and, of course, Broadway. While his major Broadway achievements, starting with Gypsy and West Side Story, are discussed, this overview of Sondheim's genius provides interesting background information and insights into what, at the time, were cutting-edge musicals, including Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Sunday in the Park with George, and Company. Even the less commercially successful Merrily We Roll Along and Passion are given their due. Fans of the 1973 whodunit movie The Last of Sheila, which Sondheim wrote with Anthony Perkins, may be interested to discover the duo wrote two more (unproduced) mystery films together. Lavishly illustrated, handsomely produced, and supplemented by many of Sondheim's own reflections on his artistic vision, there are also many firsthand insights and observations by those who worked with and knew him. VERDICT This impressive volume is an important biographical addition to collections on musical theater and the Broadway entertainment industry.--Herbert E. Shapiro

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2023
If the life and career of Stephen Sondheim were made into a musical, this would be its souvenir program. Packed with priceless photographs, program covers, theater anecdotes, and more, Silverman's detailed portrait of the great composer-lyricist looks at the man and his music with the fervor of a fan and the focus of a researcher. According to the late Angela Lansbury, Sondheim "exploded our notions of what a musical could be or be about." From his early lyrics for shows like the Broadway classics West Side Story and Gypsy to 16 shows that left the traditional American musical in the dust with portrayals of a mass murderer, presidential assassins, a French painter, and Roman courtesans along with dark themes and subjects never before explored on stage, Sondheim left a body of work of unusual variety whose creation is chronicled here with wit and insight. A generous bibliography cites not only books and periodicals but programs, feature films, documentaries, videos, recordings, broadcasts, podcasts, websites, and social media. A great introduction to Sondheim for students and fans of musical theater.

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