Oscar Hammerstein was a surrogate father during all those many days, and weeks and months when I didn't see my own father.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

Generally, the best recording is the original cast, because that's the way the piece grew:...

Generally, the best recording is the original cast, because that's the way the piece grew:...

The dumbing down of the country reflects itself on Broadway. The shows get dumber, and...

The dumbing down of the country reflects itself on Broadway. The shows get dumber, and...

The movie adaptations of stage musicals that I've seen, without exception, in my opinion don't...

The movie adaptations of stage musicals that I've seen, without exception, in my opinion don't...

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on...

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on...

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have...

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have...

Everyone I used to play with has either given up or is dead.

Everyone I used to play with has either given up or is dead.

Musicals are plays, but the last collaborator is your audience, so you've got to wait...

Musicals are plays, but the last collaborator is your audience, so you've got to wait...

A close-up on screen can say all a song can.

A close-up on screen can say all a song can.

When I was growing up, there was no such thing as Off-Broadway. You either got...

When I was growing up, there was no such thing as Off-Broadway. You either got...

Nowadays, there are sometimes more producers than there are people in the cast, because it...

Nowadays, there are sometimes more producers than there are people in the cast, because it...

It ain't just a question of misunderstood, Deep down inside him, he's no good

It ain't just a question of misunderstood, Deep down inside him, he's no good

The more restrictions you have, the easier anything is to write.

The more restrictions you have, the easier anything is to write.

I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.

I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

The nice thing about doing a crossword puzzle is, you know there is a solution.

The nice thing about doing a crossword puzzle is, you know there is a solution.

I fell into lyric writing because of music. I backed into it.

I fell into lyric writing because of music. I backed into it.

Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.

Art, in itself, is an attempt to bring order out of chaos.

I really don't want to write a score until the whole show is cast and...

I really don't want to write a score until the whole show is cast and...

Lyrics have to be underwritten. That's why poets generally make poor lyric writers because the...

Lyrics have to be underwritten. That's why poets generally make poor lyric writers because the...

In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.

In the Rodgers and Hammerstein generation, popular hits came out of shows and movies.