Stephen Sondheim Featured On PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND, 9/8

The man referred to by many musical theatre enthusiasts around the world as the Shakespeare of our time, master composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim will appear this weekend on the new edition of PBS NEWSHOUR and a clip of the intriguing new interview is now available to view.

"Do something that scares you - exploring new territory. Something that you are not smug about - something you are not certain about," Sondheim says of what the most inspiring subjects can be insofar as musical adaptations go.

Also, he adds of his own ambitions, "I certainly wanted my name in lights. I wanted my name on a marquee," Sondheim relates of obtaining fame, and, quite quickly, achieving it.

"I wanted recognition on Broadway, and, then, once I had my name on a marquee on Broadway with WEST SIDE STORY, suddenly," Sondheim says before briefly pausing and letting out a sigh, "'Gee, that's all that is,'" he says of feeling "deflated" by success.

"It was exciting, but, OK, now what?! And, then, you realize that you do that because you want to write something that you like as opposed to something that will get your name in lights or be successful," Sondheim astutely observes.

NEWSHOUR WEEKEND featuring Stephen Sondheim airs on PBS this Sunday, September 8

View the preview clip of Sondheim on PBS NEWSHOUR WEEKEND below.