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

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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 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...

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

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.

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 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...

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

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

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

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...

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...

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...

Nice is different than good.

Nice is different than good.

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...

Gotta watch out for directors.

Gotta watch out for directors.

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 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.

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....

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

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