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

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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...

The fact is popular art dates. It grows quaint. How many people feel strongly about...

The fact is popular art dates. It grows quaint. How many people feel strongly about...

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...

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:...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

You can't have personal investors anymore because it's too expensive, so you have to have...

You can't have personal investors anymore because it's too expensive, so you have to have...

I would have been a geologist.

I would have been a geologist.

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...

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.

Gotta watch out for directors.

Gotta watch out for directors.

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.

I firmly believe lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to...

I firmly believe lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to...

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

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

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...

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....