I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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.

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 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...

After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to...

After the Rodgers and Hammerstein revolution, songs became part of the story, as opposed to...

Gotta watch out for directors.

Gotta watch out for directors.

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

There's something inimical about the camera and song.

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:...

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

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

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

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

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

Nice is different than good.

Nice is different than good.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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....

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on...

One of the hardest things about writing lyrics is to make the lyrics sit on...

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....