When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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

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

I played the organ when I went to military school, when I was 10. They...

I played the organ when I went to military school, when I was 10. They...

I chose and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken;...

I chose and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken;...

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...

When you know your cast well and their strengths and weaknesses, you can start writing...

When you know your cast well and their strengths and weaknesses, you can start writing...

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...

Every writer I've ever spoken to feels fraudulent in some way or other.

Every writer I've ever spoken to feels fraudulent in some way or other.

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...

If you're dealing with a musical in which you're trying to tell a story, it's...

If you're dealing with a musical in which you're trying to tell a story, it's...

After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to...

After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to...

One difference between poetry and lyrics is that lyrics sort of fade into the background....

One difference between poetry and lyrics is that lyrics sort of fade into the background....

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

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...

Math and music are intimately related. Not necessarily on a conscious level, but sure.

Math and music are intimately related. Not necessarily on a conscious level, but sure.

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

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

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...

Oscar Hammerstein was a surrogate father during all those many days, and weeks and months...

Oscar Hammerstein was a surrogate father during all those many days, and weeks and months...

My personal life and my artistic life do not interfere with each other.

My personal life and my artistic life do not interfere with each other.

The worst thing you can do is censor yourself as the pencil hits the paper....

The worst thing you can do is censor yourself as the pencil hits the paper....

Gotta watch out for directors.

Gotta watch out for directors.