Registration is now open for fans to register for an online, live event on Friday, April 16, at 7-9 pm ET, marking the launch of THE STEPHEN SONDHEIM ENCYCLOPEDIA. Register using this link: https://tinyurl.com/Penderevent
Broadway Nation’s David Armstrong, Artistic Director Emeritus of Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre, and I will talk and take questions about my new book, a comprehensive reference volume about the most important musical creator theater of our time. I’ll share the challenges and joys of producing a work of this scope (636 pages) about the lyricist and composer who has brought us West Side Story, Gypsy, Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods and Assassins, among other treasured musicals.
Encyclopedia entries — 131 in all — cover Sondheim’s numerous collaborators — from book writers, composers and directors to designers and orchestors — key songs — such as his Academy Award winner “Sooner or Later” (from the movie Dick Tracy) — and all 18 of his major productions. The encyclopedia contains information about Sondheim’s mentoring by Oscar Hammerstein II, his early collaboration with Leonard Bernstein, his collaborations with great directors such as Hal Prince and James Lapine, and profiles of actors who originated roles and sang Sondheim’s songs for the first time — Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, and many more.
Featuring a detailed biographical entry about Sondheim, a chronology of his career, a listing of his many awards, and discussions of his opinions on movies, opera, and more, this extensive resource will attract musical theater enthusiasts again and again.
A link to this conversation will be sent to all registered attendees before the event. Everyone in attendance will receive a coupon code for a 30% discount on the price of the encyclopedia.