Stephen Sondheim Headshot

Stephen Sondheim

Date of Death: November 26, 2021 (91)

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

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Stephen Sondheim BIO

Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awards for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).

Stephen Sondheim wrote the music and lyrics for Road Show (2008), Passion (1994), Assassins (1991), Into the Woods (1987), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Merrily We Roll Along (1981), Sweeney Todd (1979), Pacific Overtures (1976), The Frogs (1974), A Little Night Music (1973), Follies (1971; revised in London, 1987), Company (1970), Anyone Can Whistle (1964) and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), as well as the lyrics for West Side Story (1957), Gypsy (1959), Do I Hear a Waltz? (1965) and additional lyrics for Candide (1973). Side by Side by Sondheim (1976), Marry Me a Little (1981), You're Gonna Love Tomorrow (1983) and Putting It Together (1993/99) are anthologies of his work, as is the new musical Sondheim on Sondheim. He composed the film scores of Stavisky (1974) and Reds (1981) and songs for Dick Tracy (Academy Award, 1990). He also wrote songs for the television production "Evening Primrose" (1966), co-authored, with Anthony Perkins, the film The Last of Sheila (1973) and, with George Furth, the play Getting Away with Murder (1996), and provided incidental music for the plays The Girls of Summer (1956), Invitation to a March (1961) and Twigs (1971). He won Tony Awards for Best Score for a Musical for Passion, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, Follies and Company. All of these shows won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, as did Pacific Overtures and Sunday in the Park with George, the latter also receiving the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Saturday Night (1954), his first professional musical, finally had its New York premiere in 1999 at Second Stage Theatre.

Stephen Sondheim Photos

Stephen Sondheim STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Concert [Broadway], 1973
Performer

[New York]
Reading, 1954
Piano

Stephen Sondheim Productions

 
[West End, 2023]
Music & Lyrics
 
[Regional (US), 2018]
Lyricist
 
[Off-Broadway, 2015]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Arlington, VA (Regional), 2014]
Music and Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2007]
Composer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2005]
Lyrics
 
[Off-Broadway, 2004]
Lyrics
 
[West End, 1999]
Lyrics
 
[Broadway, 1997]
Lyricist
 
[Off-Broadway, 1973]
Composer
 
[Broadway, 1960]
Composer
 
[Broadway, 1956]
Composer

Writing

Composer & Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
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Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Bookwriter/Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer/Lyricist
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
Composer/Lyricist
Composer
Lyricist
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Composer
Lyricist
Lyricist
Composer
Composer
Lyricist
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Lyricist
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Composer
Lyricist
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Conceiver
Bookwriter
Lyricist
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Composer
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Lyricist

Stephen Sondheim Awards and Nominations

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen Sondheim, Into The Woods

Olivier Awards - 2011 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen SondheimInto The Woods

Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music

Olivier Awards - 2007 - Outstanding Musical Production

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday In The Park With George

Olivier Awards - 2001 - Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along

Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Lyric

Stephen Sondheim, Saturday Night

Drama Desk Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Saturday Night

Olivier Awards - 2000 - Outstanding Musical Production

Stephen SondheimA Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum

Olivier Awards - 1994 - Best Musical Revival

Stephen SondheimSweeney Todd

Olivier Awards - 1991 - The American Express Award for Best New Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday In The Park With George

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods

Drama Desk Awards - 1987 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Into the Woods

The Pulitzer Prize - 1985 - The Pulitzer Prize for Drama

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park With George

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George

Drama Desk Awards - 1984 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1984 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George

Drama Desk Awards - 1982 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Merrily We Roll Along

Olivier Awards - 1980 - Musical of the Year

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd

Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd

Drama Desk Awards - 1979 - Outstanding Music

Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd

Drama Desk Awards - 1976 - Outstanding Music & Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, Pacific Overtures

Drama Desk Awards - 1973 - Outstanding Music & Lyrics

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music

New York Drama Critics Circle Awards - 1973 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, A Little Night Music

Tony Awards - 1963 - Best Musical

Stephen Sondheim, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum

Stephen Sondheim Videos

Stephen Sondheim News


Review: Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST 5 YEARS at the Richey Suncoast Theatre

Check out what our critic had to say about Jason Robert Brown's THE LAST 5 YEARS at the Richey Suncoast Theatre!

SWEENEY TODD Strips Down Friday Night Show Due To Set Malfunction

The Friday night audience of Sweeney Todd on Broadway attended a different sort of tale this evening as a set malfunction prevented the massive production from proceeding as usual.

Russell Stephens To Debut New Solo Cabaret A PIECE OF SKY At The Winter Park Playhouse

Experience the legendary music of Barbra Streisand as Russell Stephens debuts his new solo cabaret, 'A Piece of Sky,' at The Winter Park Playhouse on October 11 and 12, 2023.

The Company Theatre to Present Fundraiser Concert Featuring an Evening of Music by Rodgers and Hammerstein

Local theater artists Carl Del Buono and Rachel Kodweis will perform selections from “Rodgers & Hammerstein…and Others: An Evening of Song” to raise funds for The Company Theatre Saturday, Sept. 30 at the historic Temple Theater.

Danny Rothman Joins the Cast of SWEENEY TODD at Theatre Under The Stars

Today Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) has revealed a change to the cast of its upcoming production of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece Sweeney Todd! See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Photos: Inside Rehearsals for STEPHEN SONDHEIM'S OLD FRIENDS

The old friends of Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends are getting ready for the West End! Performances begin 21 September at the Gielgud Theatre, where it will run through 6 January 2024. Check out photos from inside rehearsals here!

SWEENEY TODD Comes to Lakeside Community Theatre in October

Experience the thrilling tale of obsession and revenge in Lakeside Community Theatre's production of 'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.' This award-winning musical by Stephen Sondheim explores themes of corruption, power, and class warfare. Learn more about the show and how to get tickets here!

Tony Award-Winning Actor Michael McGrath Dies At Age 65

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the passing of Tony Award-winning actor Michael McGrath.

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre Unveils Cast and Creative Team for ASSASSINS

Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre has revealed the cast and production team of Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman's provocative musical Assassins.

WEST SIDE STORY Returns to Sydney Harbour in 2024

Opera Australia (OA) has announced that smash-hit musical West Side Story will return to the Handa Opera on Sydney Harbour stage in 2024. Learn more about the musical here!

BWW Q&A: Alyse Arpino & Patrick Campbell of INTO THE WOODS at CM Performing Arts Center

The CM Performing Arts Center's Main Stage production of INTO THE WOODS is sure to enchant its audiences from September 16-30. Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tales, INTO THE WOODS is an enchanting, brilliant musical that ventures beyond “happily ever after!” What begins as a lively fantasy ends in lessons of responsibility, consequences for our actions, and what we teach our children.

Santino Fontana, Nathan Lane, Judy Kuhn & More to Join Classic Stage Company 2023 Gala

Sarah L. Douglas of SLD Associates and John Weidman (CSC’s I Can Get It For You Wholesale) will be honored at CSC’s 2023 Gala. See who is performing and learn how to purchase tickets!

Hello, Gorgeous: FUNNY GIRL is Produced for the First Time in Brazil

Funny Girl gets a Brazilian production directed by Barchilon, starring Giulia Nadruz and Eriberto Leao as protagonists. With score by J. Styne, and lyrics by B. Merrill, the semi-biographical plot is based on the life and career of comedian and Broadway star Fanny Brice, featuring her stormy relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nick Arnstein.

Hershey Felder Will Perform a One-Night-Only Benefit For TheatreWorks

Hershey Felder has responded to TheatreWorks fundraising needs with an extraordinary offer: Felder will fly in for the day on October 11 and take the stage for one evening only with his Great American Songbook Sing-Along: A One-Night-Only Benefit for TheatreWorks. Learn more about the upcoming event here!

SWEENEY TODD IN CONCERT Comes to Theater at the Center in November

Kokandy Productions has announced a one-weekend-only concert presentation of its critically acclaimed, award-winning production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on November 11 & 12, 2023 at Theater at the Center. Learn more about the concert here!

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld September 13th, 2023

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is September 13, 2023 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Corey Stoll, Natalie Gold & Alyssa Emily Marvin to Join Sarah Paulson in APPROPRIATE

Golden Globe Award nominee Corey Stoll (“House of Cards,” “Billions”), Natalie Gold (“Succession”), and Alyssa Emily Marvin (Grey House) join Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award winner Sarah Paulson in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ APPROPRIATE at Second Stage Theater, directed by Lila Neugebauer.

Photo: First Look at Artwork for Stephen Sondheim and David Ives' HERE WE ARE

Check out the official artwork for the world premiere of Here We Are, the new musical from Stephen Sondheim and David Ives.

What's Hot on Broadway in 2023

Not sure about which Broadway show to see in 2023? Check out a full list of what's new on Broadway and which productions to catch before they're gone for good!

Stephen Sondheim FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Stephen Sondheim has appeared on Broadway in 1 shows.

Stephen Sondheim has not appeared in the West End

Lebedev Award (Evening Standard Awards) for , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Passion , The Society’s Special Award (Olivier Awards) , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for A Little Night Music , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Road Show , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Road Show , Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards) for , Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George , Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (The Lortels) , Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along , Outstanding Lyric (Drama Desk Awards) for Saturday Night , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Saturday Night , Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum , Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods , The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Passion , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Passion , The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards) , The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Assassins , Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards) , The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George , The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Assassins , Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards) , Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Into the Woods , Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Follies , The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Sunday in the Park With George , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George , Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George , Unique Contribution to the Theatre (Drama League Awards) , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along , Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sweeney Todd , Outstanding Music & Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Pacific Overtures , Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Pacific Overtures , Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Side By Side , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Pacific Overtures , Outstanding Music & Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Little Night Music , Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for A Little Night Music , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for A Little Night Music , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Follies , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies , Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Follies , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Company , Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Company , Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Company , Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Company Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Company and Best Musical (Tony Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum .

Lebedev Award (Evening Standard Awards) for , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods, Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Into The Woods, The Society’s Special Award (Olivier Awards), Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Road Show, Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (Tony Awards) for , Outstanding Musical Production (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George, Outstanding Lifetime Achievement (The Lortels), Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Merrily We Roll Along, Outstanding Lyric (Drama Desk Awards) for Saturday Night, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Saturday Night, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Passion , Best Musical Revival (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Passion, The American Express Tribute (Helen Hayes Awards), Distinguished Achievement in Musical Theatre (Drama League Awards), The American Express Award for Best New Musical (Olivier Awards) for Sunday In The Park With George, Lebedev Special Award (Evening Standard Awards), Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Into the Woods, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Into the Woods, Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Follies, The Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prize) for Sunday in the Park With George, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sunday in the Park with George, Unique Contribution to the Theatre (Drama League Awards), Musical of the Year (Olivier Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Sweeney Todd, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Pacific Overtures, Outstanding Music & Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for A Little Night Music, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Follies, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Follies, Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Follies, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Company, Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for Company, Outstanding Lyrics (Drama Desk Awards) for Company, Outstanding Music (Drama Desk Awards) for Company Best Musical (New York Drama Critics Circle Awards) for Companyand Best Musical (Tony Awards) for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Stephen Sondheim has written 42 shows including Girls of Summer (Composer), West Side Story (Lyricist), Gypsy (Lyricist), A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (Composer), Anyone Can Whistle (Composer), Do I Hear a Waltz? (Lyricist), The Mad Show (Lyricist), Company (Composer), Follies (Composer), A Little Night Music (Composer), Sondheim: A Musical Tribute (Composer), The Frogs (Composer), By Bernstein (Lyricist), Pacific Overtures (Composer), Side by Side by Sondheim (Composer), The Madwoman of Central Park West (Composer), Marry Me a Little (Composer), Merrily We Roll Along (Composer), Sunday in the Park with George (Composer), Into the Woods (Composer), Barbara Cook: A Concert for the Theatre (Composer), Jerome Robbins' Broadway (Lyricist), Assassins (Composer), Putting It Together (Conceiver), Hey, Love (Composer), Passion (Composer), Getting Away With Murder (Playwright), Saturday Night (Composer), Patti LuPone: Matters of the Heart (Composer), Mostly Sondheim (Lyricist), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Composer), Short Talks on the Universe (Composer), Celebrating Sondheim (Composer), Bounce (Composer), Barbara Cook's Broadway! (Composer), Children And Art (Composer), Evening Primrose (Composer/Lyricist), Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life (Lyricist), Mixed Company (Composer), Road Show (Lyricist), Sondheim on Sondheim (Composer), Here We Are (Composer & Lyricist).

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