GETTING TO KNOW SONDHEIM
An important new biography, Daniel Okrent’sStephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy, was published on March 17, 2026, by Yale University Press. He elaborates on Sondheim’s difficult relationship with his mother, who once wrote to him in a letter, “The only guilt I can think of is giving you birth.” For years, Sondheim told interviewers that she had written, “The only regret.” Okrent cites evidence that Sondheim misrepresented or misunderstood her statement, then adds, “There’s a mile of difference between regret and guilt, but it was a distance that Sondheim could not navigate.” There is no doubt that Foxy Sondheim was a painful presence in her son’s life.
Okrent also explores Sondheim’s complicated love life, including a relationship with actress Lee Remick. In 2017, Sondheim married Jeff Romly, 50 years his junior. Sondheim’s creative process, his mathematical mind, and his passion for puzzles are further subjects. Based on tons of research, Okrent portrays Sondheim as sensitive, complicated and sometimes abrasive. Listen to a podcast conversation with the author here [https://tinyurl.com/2cncy7h3]. Two Sondheim collaborators have already praised the book. Director and book writer James Lapine said, “A terrific book, the best that has been written about Steve. It captures him from every angle, and I learned things about him I never knew.” Another collaborator, book writer John Weidman, said, “Packed between the covers of this slim volume is the Stephen Sondheim I knew, evoked with insight, empathy, and elegance. A powerful and compelling read.” Okrent’s book is an important addition to the library shelf of any Sondheim admirer. Okrent was the first public editor of the New York Times. He is the author of six books including Last Call: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition and Great Fortune: The Epic of Rockefeller Center, a finalist for the 2004 Pulitzer Prize in history.
MORE INSIGHTS INTO THE LIFE OF SONDHEIM
Earlier this month, a monumental 12-part podcast series, Loving You: The Untold Sondheim by two of the composer’s close friends, Martin Milnes and Peter E. Jones, was released. Milnes, an author producer, director and performer, and Jones, a composer-lyricist as well as Sondheim’s personal archivist, spent two years assembling these hour-long podcasts that explore various aspects of Sondheim’s life, personality and private passions. They include interviews with friends, family and collaborators as well as the first official recordings of two unknown Sondheim songs. Podcast guests include Julie Andrews, Christine Baranski, Len Cariou, Judi Dench, Marianne Elliott, Mia Farrow, Maria Friedman, Adam Guettel, John Kander, James Lapine, Patti LuPone, Donna McKechnie, Millicent Martin, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Bernadette Peters, Frank Rich, Jonathan Tunick, John Weidman and Maury Yeston. Award-winning actor Alistair McGowan gives voice to Sondheim in several personal emails. Sondheim’s music throughout the series is played by composer-pianist Colm Molloy; instrumental tracks feature the Broadway Studio Orchestra. The podcast series can be found on numerous platforms.
SONDHEIM ARCHIVES
Check out this heartfelt six-minute YouTube conversation between musical theater specialist Mark Horowitz and Matthew Gardiner of Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia, about the vast Sondheim holdings now at the Library of Congress. It’s an opportunity to actually see Sondheim’s handwritten letter to Leonard Bernstein on the eve of the opening of West Side Story, Hal Prince’s stage manager’s notebook from the original production of Sweeney Todd, as well Sondheim’s manuscripts for the songs “Losing My Mind” from Follies and “A Little Priest” from Sweeney Todd. … Gardiner’s theater annually presents the Stephen Sondheim Award recognizing individuals who have made important contributions to American Musical theater, especially in shows by Sondheim. For its 15th iteration, the honor goes to actress and singer Vanessa Williams, who played the Witch in the 2002 Broadway revival of Into the Woods; she was also member of the cast of Sondheim on Sondheim on Broadway in 2010. The March 16, 2026, black-tie event in Washington, D.C., will feature performances by Norm Lewis, Mark Meadows and Swa Sal Secka. … Later this year the Tony Award-winning Signature will continue its decades-long devotion to Sondheim’s shows with a production in the works of Merrily We Roll Along, Aug. 25-Nov. 1.
A FEW OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS?
Readers of this post probably don’t need reminders of favorite Sondheim songs. But back in late January the New York Times published an interesting feature with 14 people sharing numbers they loved. They ranged from Times theater writers to noteworthy performers such as Judy Collins, Renée Fleming and Mandy Patinkin. Here are the songs: “Send in the Clowns”; “The Ladies Who Lunch”; “Losing My Mind”; “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd”; “Not While I’m Around”; “Comedy Tonight”; “Anyone Can Whistle”; “Finishing the Hat”; “What More Do I Need?”; “A Bowler Hat”; “Sunday”; “I Wish I Could Forget You”; “Agony”; and “Goodbye for Now.” Each item in the Times feature provides links to recordings of the songs on various music platforms. It’s interesting to read the rationales by veteran performers and theater critics for their choices. If you’re so inclined, email me your favorites with your reasons, and I’ll include them in a future blog.
OLIVIER SEASON IN LONDON
The much praised London revival of Into the Woods has received 11 Olivier Award nominations, including Best Revival. (It is tied with Paddington: The Musical for the most recognition.) Winners will be announced on April 12. Here’s a detailed backstage look at director James Fein’s production by Sarah Crompton of The Observer in London. In addition to Into the Woods, the Olivier nominations included Sondheim’s final work, Here We Are, as the season’s best new musical.
IMMERSIVE SONDHEIM IN CANADA
If you find yourself in Toronto, you might want to check the calendar for the scrappy indie theatre, Talk Is Free, recently produced Company. (It opened in mid-January and was extended into February.) It’s become known for its boundary-pushing productions, and for a decade it’s been the de facto home of Sondheim’s musicals in Canada. The company specializes in site-specific and immersive productions of shows such as Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Assassins and Sweeney Todd. In 2008 it even took on the rarely produced Anyone Can Whistle. In January, Arkady Spivak, the company’s artistic producer, told the Toronto Star, “A lot of organizations do musicals because it brings in revenue,” said Spivak. “We do musicals because it’s a wonderful art form.” Founded in 2002, the company has staged more than 150 productions. Based in Barrie about 50 miles north of Toronto and often rehearsing in a church basement, Talk Is Free Theatre has presented shows across Canada … and beyond. Its immersive Sweeney Todd traveled to Buenos Aires and London, and Into the Woods was produced in New Zealand. Read more about this innovative company devoted to Sondheim’s works.
SWEENEY IS DRAWING BLOOD … EVERYWHERE
Birmingham Repertory Theatre, founded in 1907, is one of Great Britain’s most established theater companies and one of its most consistently innovative. This summer it will mount a production of Sweeney Todd (July 4-August 9, 2026) featuring award-winning musical theater star Ramin Karimloo in the title role. Australian dancer, cabaret star and theater performer Meow Meow (real name Melissa Madden Gray) will play Mrs. Lovett. On joining the Rep’s cast, she said, “I can’t wait to hurl myself into the dubious deliciousness and dangerous world of Sweeney Todd with Joe Murphy, Ramin Karimloo and the gang at Birmingham Rep. Heady days ahead!” Murphy, the Rep’s artistic director, welcomed her, saying, “Mrs. Lovett demands a performer with impeccable comic timing, musical command, and a taste for the macabre — and she delivers all of that in spades. Her genius brings a thrilling theatrical edge to Sweeney Todd, and our audiences are in for something truly special.” … If you’re looking to catch up on a legendary version of Sweeney Todd, make note of the fact that Tim Burton’s 2007 cinematic version can now be streamed on the Paramount+ platform. Johnny Depp’s performance as Sweeney and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and their singing is not the high point, but Burton’s take is profoundly psychological. And Dante Ferreti’s moody cinematic design is spectacular. The film earned $153 million at the global box office and is currently the 11th highest-grossing movie based on a musical or opera of all time. Make some time to tune in if you haven’t ever watched. … Allow me a personal note here: I’m serving as dramaturg for a Sweeney Todd production (April 15-19, at the University of Cincinnati’s renowned College Conservatory of Music. It’s a joint venture by CCM’s top-ranked musical theater and opera/voice programs, and the production promises to be spectacularly sung and ingeniously designed. Ian Axness, the production’s musical director, was recently featured in an interesting interview on “The Sondheim Hub” on Substack. Thinking of attending? Here’s a link for tickets.
I’ll wrap up this post with this link to an encore of my 2021 conversation with David Armstrong on his Broadway Nation about The Sondheim Encyclopedia, published five years ago. It continues to be available, both as a hardback and an affordable paperback edition ($55 + shipping) from Bloomsbury.
If you have Sondheim news to share or suggestions about this blog, please email me: pender.rick@gmail.com