How Sondheim Can Change Your Life

Discover the powerful and universal lessons from the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, the genius behind such musical theater masterworks as Company, West Side Story, and Into the Woods. Stephen Sondheim died on November 26, 2021, but for countless fans around the world, he is “still here,” to quote one of his lyrics. With acclaimed revivals of his landmark shows occurring around the world and introducing new generations to the man who transformed American musical theater, Sondheim’s legacy has only grown. What is it about such classic songs as “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy, “Send in the Clowns” from A Little Night Music, and “Children Will Listen” from Into the Woods that speaks to us so intimately and profoundly? How Sondheim Can Change Your Life makes the case that Sondheim’s greatness—beyond the clever lyrics and adventurous music—rests in his ability to tell stories that relate to us all. From Louise’s desire for freedom as Gypsy Rose Lee to Sweeney Todd’s thirst for revenge, we as an audience relate easily to Sondheim’s characters. His works understand us as much as we understand them. Following the arc of Sondheim’s career, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life is rich with stories about productions and iconic performers, deep readings of his music and lyrics, and insights into his creative process. But more than that, it reveals how Sondheim’s works can enrich our own lives. Discover the powerful and universal lessons from the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, the genius behind such musical theater masterworks as Company, West Side Story, and Into the Woods. Stephen Sondheim died on November 26, 2021, but for countless fans around the world, he is still here to quote one of his lyrics. With acclaimed revivals of several of his landmark shows occurring around the world and introducing new generations to the man who transformed American musical theater, Sondheims legacy has only grown. What is it about such classic showtunes as Roses Turn from Gypsy, Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music, and Children Will Listen from Into the Woods, and more that speak to us so effortlessly? With in-depth and accessible insight, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life makes the case that the greatness of Sondheims brilliancebeyond the clever lyrics and adventurous musicrests in his ability to tell universal stories that relate to us all. From Louises desire for freedom as Gypsy Rose Lee to Sweeney Todds thirst for revenge, and beyond, we as an audience can easily relate to Sondheims characters. His works understand us as much as we understand them. Following the arc of Sondheims remarkable career, How Sondheim Can Change Your Life is rich with stories about various productions and iconic performers, deep readings of his music and lyrics, and insights into his creative process. But more than that, it reveals the ways that Sondheims works can enrich the lives of all of us on the other side of the footlights.