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 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...

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

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

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

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.

By the time I was 22, I was a professional. A young and flawed professional,...

By the time I was 22, I was a professional. A young and flawed professional,...

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.

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...

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...

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....

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...

Gotta watch out for directors.

Gotta watch out for directors.

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

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

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...

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...

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 would have been a geologist.

I would have been a geologist.

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...

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 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...

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....