Stephen Sondheim was hailed as one of the most influential and innovative voices in history of American musical theater by friends and fans following the composer’s death Friday at the age of 91.
Sondheim was remembered for his musically challenging works, for his inventive storytelling and his unique approach to crafting stage musicals.
Director Steven Spielberg whose “West Side Story” (out Dec. 10) features lyrics by the composer, shared a statement saying, “Stephen Sondheim was a gigantic figure in American culture — one of our country’s greatest songwriters, a lyricist and composer of real genius, and a creator of some of the most glorious musical dramas ever written. Steve and I became friends only recently, but we became good friends and I was surprised to discover that he knew more about movies than almost anyone I’d ever met.” He continued, “When we spoke, I couldn’t wait to listen, awestruck by the originality of his perceptions of art, politics and people — all delivered brilliantly by his mischievous wit and dazzling words. I will miss him very much, but he left a body of work that has taught us, and will keep teaching us, how hard and how absolutely necessary it is to love.”
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Lin-Manuel Miranda thanked Sondheim during his 2008 Tony Award speech and said, “Mr. Sondheim, look, I made a hat where there never was a hat! It’s a Latin hat at that!” Sondheim also re-wrote the voicemail recording that is heard at the end of Miranda’s directorial debut, “Tick, Tick, …Boom!” Miranda said, “Steve was real & he was here & he laughed SO loud at shows & we loved him.”
& last week, when I wrote him to say his ears must be burning from the countless Sondheim kindnesses being shared from the generations of writers he mentored, he wrote this in reply.
Steve: you repaid your debt to Oscar 1000 times over. We love you. I love you. THANK YOU. -LMM pic.twitter/6aeHW4CWFH— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 27, 2021
Barbra Streisand was quick to comment on social media of her appreciation for the composer behind such Broadway landmarks as “Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Into the Wood” and “Assassins.”
“Thank the Lord that Sondheim lived to be 91 years old so he had time to write such wonderful music and GREAT lyrics,” Streisand wrote on Twitter.
Thank the Lord that Sondheim lived to be 91 years old so he had the time to write such wonderful music and GREAT lyrics! May he Rest In Peace
