Sondheim's New Book Cover Revealed

Stephen Sondheim's upcoming book 'Finishing the Hat', will compile his lyrics from the past 50 years and give readers a look into his personal life as well as his remarkable productions.  Though the book is not set to hit stores until October 26, the cover has recently been revealed to the public. Check it out below!

According to a desciption by Amazon.com, Along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981-including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd-Sondheim treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day. He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotes-filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details-transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come.

Accompanying Sondheim's sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriter's personal collection.

Penetrating and surprising, poignant, funny and sometimes scathing, Finishing the Hat is not only an informative look at the art and craft of lyric writing, it is a history of the theater that belongs on the same literary shelf as Moss Hart's Act One and Arthur Miller's Timebends. It is also a book that will leave you humming the final bars of Merrily We Roll Along, while eagerly anticipating the next volume, which begins with the opening lines of Sunday in the Park with George.

Stephen Sondheim has written award-winning music and lyrics for theater, film and television. He is also the coauthor of the film The Last of Sheila and the play Getting Away with Murder. Sondheim is on the council of the Dramatists Guild of America, having served as its president from 1973 to 1981. He lives in New York City.

 For more information, visit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0679439072/ref=s9_newr_co_ir05?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-4&pf_rd_r=1CVB57TXCY28BH6GTY25&pf_rd_t=3201&pf_rd_p=1263271382&pf_rd_i=typ01