I was listening to the OBC of ANYONE CAN WHISTLE this afternoon. I seemed to recall reading that Sondheim and Remick had a love affair that lasted over a quarter of century until her death. It was reportedly platonic but it was the closest relationship Sondheim ever had with anyone (male or female).
She was going to star in a revival of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at CTG in Los Angeles in the late 1980s but backed out of the production when she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I would have loved to have seen that performance.
Anyone (don't whistle) have other info on the relationship.
"Noel [Coward] and I were in Paris once. Adjoining rooms, of course. One night, I felt mischievous, so I knocked on Noel's door, and he asked, 'Who is it?' I lowered my voice and said 'Hotel detective. Have you got a gentleman in your room?' He answered, 'Just a minute, I'll ask him.'" (Beatrice Lillie)
For the record, that CTG production of A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC was atrocious. Of course the circumstances were tragic, but Miss Remick was fortunate to be out of it.
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I don't see why Sondheim's affection for Remick is too private to be discussed here. Nobody is saying he kept her chained in his dungeon (as was once rumored about some male celebrities). If anything, Sondheim's regard is a tribute to Remick, not an invasion of his private life or hers.
"The gods who nurse this universe think little of mortals' cares. They sit in crowds on exclusive clouds and laugh at our love affairs. I might have had a real romance if they'd given me a chance. I loved him, but he didn't love me. I wanted him, but he didn't want me. Then the gods had a spree and indulged in another whim. Now he loves me, but I don't love him." - Cole Porter