By the time I was 22, I was a professional. A young and flawed professional, but not an amateur.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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.

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...

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

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

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.

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...

I don't listen to recordings of my songs. I don't avoid it, I just don't...

I don't listen to recordings of my songs. I don't avoid it, I just don't...

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...

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the...

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the...

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

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

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.

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

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.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

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

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

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...

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.