Steve Sondheim News

Stephen Sondheim to Jerry Herman to Andrew Lloyd Webber, Michael John LaChiusa to Kander & Ebb to Dempsey & Rowe, PUTTING IT TOGETHER to MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Broadway - the phenomenally gifted co-founder of the Signature Theater is one of the brightest lights in directing today - whether in regional theatre or on Broadway or the West End - and a mere glance at his resume reveals many of the reasons why. Discussing the current production of SUNSET BOULEVARD opening later this month at the Signature, plus a complete rundown of the upcoming Kennedy Center production of FOLLIES, in this, his most comprehensive interview to date, Eric Schaeffer bares all and reveals what makes his productions shine so bright on Broadway and beyond.

In a career that has consisted of everything from voicing Howard the Duck to originating the roles of The Baker in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's musical INTO THE WOODS and Marvin (and Dr. Mendel) in the FALSETTOS trilogy by William Finn, as well as some DePalma and numerous stage roles in between, Chip Zien is a character actor extraordinaire who now is trying out a new role - that of book writer - in the New York Musical Theater Festival's new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR. Last week we spoke to one of the stars of the show, Max Von Essen, and today we shine some light on the process of bringing the show to the stage as well as a look back at many of the notable film and theatre appearances that Zien has made over his nearly four decades in show business. Working with Stephen Sondheim, William Finn, Dustin Hoffman and Nicolas Cage is just the tip of the iceberg, as Zien also opens up about his unusual career and the many friendships he has built along the way. All that, and what it was like to be at the birth of a brand new Sondheim song written just for him in the form of 'No More' from INTO THE WOODS. Marvin to Mendel, Baker to book writer, Chip Zien is an authority of all the glitters and the gold of having a true collaborative breakthrough as he has had on FALSETTOS, INTO THE WOODS and, now, THE HISTORY OF WAR. Tickets are on sale at the link below! Only three performances left, tonight and tomorrow only!

Last week I conducted an illuminating InDepth InterView with legendary producer and director Harold Prince in which we discussed his singular career, having won more Tony Awards than any other person on the planet for his near one-hundred productions since his start as George Abbott's assistant producer over fifty years ago. He produced such landmark musicals as DAMN YANKEES, THE PAJAMA GAME and WEST SIDE STORY in the 1950s and then went on to become a director in his own right with Kander & Ebb's FLORA, THE RED MENANCE (Liza Minnelli's Broadway debut), CABARET into the Sondheim series of masterpieces in the 1970s - COMPANY, FOLLIES, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, PACIFIC OVERTURES, SWEENEY TODD - bridging into his two biggest commercial successes, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals EVITA and THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. Celebrating its 23rd year on Broadway in January, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is the most successful entertainment of all time, more than any other musical, television show or even feature film in history. It's a juggernaut like no other and the mystery, magic and majesty that had made the show such a rousing success is thanks to the masterful eye-of-all-eyes, the true master director of the American Theatre, Harold Prince. But, will he be doing the sequel?

Today, in honor of the DVD release of Rob Marshall's film version of the 1982 Tony-winning Best Musical NINE, Maury Yeston was gracious and generous enough to grant me a few hours in which I could ask him intimate questions about his life, career and the future of theatre itself. Not one to mince words, Yeston is a veritable font of knowledge and it became clear during the interview that he may be as gifted and talented in his educational and mentorship skills as he is as a two-time Tony-winning composer and lyricist. His stage musicals include two Tony-winning Best Musicals, NINE and TITANIC, as well as: IN THE BEGINNING, GRAND HOTEL, PHANTOM, and the forthcoming DEATH TAKES A HOLIDAY, as well as a full-length ballet of TOM SAWYER premiering later this year. From the handwritten letter sent by Katharine Hepburn to Frederico Fellini after seeing the workshop of NINE thirty years ago to this very day when NINE hits DVD, we will take a look at this magnanimous maestro's starry career in this inaugural InDepth InterView. Enjoy!

Longtime collaborators James Lapine and John Weidman announced the renaming of Henry Miller's Theatre to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. The renaming of the theatre is dedicated to Stephen Sondheim, the greatest and best known artist in American musical theatre on his 80th birthday. The announcement was made at the curtain call following Roundabout Theatre Company's gala performance of the new Broadway musical Sondheim on Sondheim.

This weekend, two-time Tony winner George Hearn is finally making his Encores! debut in Fanny, a 1954 musical.

Daryl Glenn makes his Feinstein's debut singing the songs of his favorite songwriter and friend, Stephen Sondheim. Mr. Glenn will share the tunes that he feels closest to and annecdotes of his, mostly, postal relationship with 'Steve'. The show will highlite several lesser-know Sondheim compositions and will celebrate this treasure of the American Musical Theatre during the 80th anniversary of his birth. Daryl Glenn will perform at Feinstein's on January 17 at 8:30PM.

Hangin' With Steve: A Sondheim Cabaret, is set to bring the voices of the American Stage Youth Ensemble to Tampa Bay audiences on January 11.

Daryl Glenn makes his Feinstein's debut singing the songs of his favorite songwriter and friend, Stephen Sondheim. Mr. Glenn will share the tunes that he feels closest to and annecdotes of his, mostly, postal relationship with 'Steve'. The show will highlite several lesser-know Sondheim compositions and will celebrate this treasure of the American Musical Theatre during the 80th anniversary of his birth. Daryl Glenn will perform at Feinstein's on January 17 at 8:30PM.

Hangin' With Steve: A Sondheim Cabaret, is set to bring the voices of the American Stage Youth Ensemble to Tampa Bay audiences on January 11.

Legendary Composer talks about his career, his work and his upcoming book.

According to the musical's bookwriter, Arthur Laurents, the Broadway revival of West Side Story projected for the 2008-09 season will feature a revised score with new songs by the Spring Awakening team of composer Duncan Sheik and lyricist Steven Sater.

n a very special BroadwayWorld exclusive, London reporter Nick Hutson provides a very special Q/A series with the cast and creative team of the highly-anticipated new movie-musical Sweeney Todd! Including Johnny Depp, renown composer Stephen Sondheim; plus Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter, and director Tim Burton and Ed Sanders, Jayne Weisner and Jamie Campbell Bower.

On Sunday 16th July, the King?s Head Theatre Islington will present a very special musical tribute Gala to the theatre?s founder, entrepreneur and producer, Dan Crawford who died last July at the age of 62.

An arranger, musical director, conductor and orchestrator on Broadway since the age of 22, Larry Blank now has more than 15 Broadway credits along with a slew of stage, screen, and album work. He gave BroadwayWorld the scoop on his career, the theatre world, his latest projects - and lots more.

We spoke to your favorites to find out what they thought was the most romantic Broadway love song.