When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written.

Quote by Stephen Sondheim

Topics: Stephen Sondheim Quotes

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.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

I was raised to be charming, not sincere.

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...

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.

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

Gotta watch out for directors.

Gotta watch out for directors.

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...

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:...

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...

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.

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...

I chose and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken;...

I chose and my world was shaken. So what? The choice may have been mistaken;...

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...

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...

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...

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have...

If people have split views about your work, I think it's flattering. I'd rather have...