After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to just entertainments in between comedy scenes.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

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.

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...

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;...

Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and...

Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and...

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:...

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

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

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...

So many good songs get written fast, because you know exactly what has to work.

So many good songs get written fast, because you know exactly what has to work.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

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

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

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...

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...

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...

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

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 would have been a geologist.

I would have been a geologist.

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

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

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...

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...