If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have them feel something about it than dismiss it.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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

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

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.

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

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

My mother wanted me off her hands. She was a working woman. She designed clothes,...

My mother wanted me off her hands. She was a working woman. She designed clothes,...

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.

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

Nice is different than good.

Nice is different than good.

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...

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...

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...

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

Musical comedies aren't written, they are rewritten.

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:...

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....