Sondheim to Visit Toronto's Princess of Wales Theatre, 12/6

The composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is the most important artist to work in the American musical theatre over the past half-century. He has not only collaborated on more than a dozen landmark shows and written countless standard songs, but has also been the single most influential force in bringing the Broadway musical into the modern age.

Now, in celebration of Mr. Sondheim's 80th birthday, the publication of his new book, Finishing The Hat -- Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes (published by Knopf on October 26, 2010), and the upcoming Toronto presentation of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival production of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, with music and lyrics by Mr. Sondheim and directed by Des McAnuff (December 15 to January 16 at the Canon Theatre), David Mirvish is delighted to present AN EVENING WITH Stephen Sondheim, a rare appearance by the theatre artist in Toronto on December 6, 2010 at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

AN EVENING WITH Stephen Sondheim will take the form of an onstage interview/conversation between Mr. Sondheim and journalist/theatre critic Robert Cushman. Des McAnuff, Artistic Director of the Stratford Shakespeare Festival, will introduce the evening.

During the live, unscripted conversation, Mr. Sondheim will reminisce about his career (including his collaborations with Leonard Bernstein, Jerome Robbins and Tim Burton), his predecessors (including his mentor Oscar Hammerstein II), the state of the musical theatre, the differences between film and theatre and, in a very personal series of reflections, his own creative process, speaking specifically on works ranging from his early shows Gypsy and West Side Story to such later classics as Company, Follies and Sweeney Todd.

It is an evening that will offer a most personal and engaging view of Stephen Sondheim and his life in the theatre.

Tickets: $22 to $69; Premium Seats: $99, includes a copy of the book Finishing The Hat (retail price $46); one copy per order (minimum two tickets per order). Available Online at www.mirvish.com and by phone at 416-872-1212 or 1-800-461-3333

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.