What is the best Sondheim musical?
Inspired by the sinister character of the Victorian penny dreadful, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (to use its full name) has become arguably Sondheim’s best known musical.
What is the highest rated musical of all time?
The Lion King
Worldwide revenue
| Rank | Musical | Debut year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Lion King | 1997 |
| 2 | The Phantom of the Opera | 1986 |
| 3 | Mamma Mia! | 1999 |
| 4 | Cats | 1981 |
Why is Sondheim so popular?
Sondheim was the theater’s most revered and influential composer-lyricist of the last half of the 20th century, if not its most popular. His work melded words and music in a way that enhanced them both.
Is Sondheim a genius?
To the rest of us, Sondheim was genius, whether with the simple lament, “The sun comes up/I think about you/The coffee cup/I think about you,” or the slightly paranoid, “Be careful the things you say/Children will listen,” or the sublime “Marry me a little/Do it with a will/Make a few demands/I’m able to fulfill.”
What is the hardest Sondheim song?
The Most Difficult Stephen Sondheim Songs to Perform: Another Hundred People Did What?
- “Getting Married Today” from ‘Company’
- “Giants in the Sky” from ‘Into the Woods’
- “Kiss Me” from ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’
- “Another Hundred People” from ‘Company’
What was a musical of Sondheim’s that failed?
‘Merrily We Roll Along’ closed after only 16 performances, but today is known as the ‘Best Worst Thing That Ever Could Have Happened. ‘ People who know musical theater know that Merrily We Roll Along was one of the greatest flops in Broadway history.
Which show is the highest grossing production on Broadway ever?
1. ‘The Lion King’
- Total Gross: $1.68 billion.
- Average Ticket Price: $107.
- Seats Sold: 15.71 million.
- Total Performances: 9,335.
- Original Broadway Run: Nov. 13, 1997–present.
What makes Sondheim different?
The reasons for Sondheim’s pre-eminence aren’t hard to grasp: hisgenius as a lyricist, his brilliance as a song-writer, his infallible knack of instantly nailing the passions and problems of his characters through the deftness, delicacy, and unpredictability of his harmonies.
What is unique about Sondheim?
Sondheim wasn’t called the most influential 20th century composer for nothing. He is credited with “reinventing the American musical,” tackling unconventional and often dark subjects when, up to that point, most famous musicals were comic and romantic.
What kind of name is Sondheim?
A submission from Australia says the name Sondheim means “Sondheim is of German origin. There is a town in Germany called Sondheim” and is of German origin.
Which musical retold Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?
West Side Story
But Robbins and his collaborators — librettist Arthur Laurents, composer Leonard Bernstein and lyricist Stephen Sondheim — based “West Side Story” on one of the most compelling sources in dramatic literature, Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet.” And, once the story of Maria and Tony’s forbidden romance gets going, the …
How many musicals has Stephen Sondheim written?
Throughout his career, Sondheim has written the music and lyrics for 16 full-length musicals and has written the lyrics for three more. In addition to his beloved full-length musicals, Sondheim has also contributed music and lyrics to other theatrical works, film and television projects, and several revues and anthologies.
How many Tony Awards did Stephen Sondheim win?
Sondheim’s many accolades include eight Tony Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Tony in 2008), an Academy Award, eight Grammy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, a Laurence Olivier Award, and a 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom. After 91 years, he’s left quite a legacy in American theatre, as well as pop culture history.
Why is Stephen Sondheim so popular?
Even if you have little interest in musical theatre, it’s likely you’ve heard one of Sondheim’s great songs at one point or another. While so many golden age musicals are light, bubbly, and classy, Sondheim is credited with “reinventing the American Musical” by introducing unexpected and darker themes into his compositions.