Remembering The Legendary Stephen Sondheim

By Music Theatre International on November 27, 2021

in Show/Author Spotlight | Tags: Stephen Sondheim, sondheim

The following tribute was written in November 2021 for the passing of Stephen Sondheim. As we recognize his birthday on March 22, 2022 we are also happy to share this additional tribute from Myrna and Freddie Gershon:

THERE'S A GIANT IN THE SKY...

WHEN YOU'RE WAY UP HIGH

AND YOU LOOK BELOW

AT THE WORLD YOU'VE LEFT

OF THE FRIENDS YOU KNOW

GLANCE DOWN AT THE FUSS

WHAT YOU MEAN TO US

OUR TEARS STILL FLOW

YOUR MUSIC'S HERE

FOR US TO HEAR

WE LAUGH WE CRY

YOUR WORKS LIVE ON,

STILL, IT'S GOODBYE

MUSIC SOARS

WE LOOK UP HIGH

KNOWING,

ONE MORE GIANT'S IN THE SKY

***

MTI is mourning the loss of our dear friend and author, legendary composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. For more than 40 years, MTI has had the distinct privilege of representing Mr. Sondheim's work, including 28 of his iconic musicals and revues, resulting in over 50,000 productions around the world.

The Stephen Sondheim Society notes that Steve was "widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. For more than 50 years, he has set an unsurpassed standard of brilliance and artistic integrity in musical theatre. His accolades include an Academy Award, eight Tony Awards (more than any other composer) including the Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, multiple Grammy Awards, multiple Drama Desk awards and a Pulitzer Prize." In 2015, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

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MTI's Chairman Cameron Mackintosh shared:

"The theatre has lost one of its greatest geniuses and the world has lost one of its greatest and most original writers. Sadly, there is now a giant in the sky. But the brilliance of Stephen Sondheim will still be here as his legendary songs and shows will be performed for evermore. Goodbye, old friend and thank you from all of us."

Freddie Gershon, co-Chairman of MTI, summed up his feelings this way:

HEY OLD FRIEND
FUNNIEST GUY OLD FRIEND
ONE OF A KIND OLD FRIEND
IT'S COME TO THE END OLD FRIEND

Stephen Sondheim with Freddie and Myrna Gershon

MTI's CEO, Drew Cohen, emphasized Sondheim's impact on countless theatre fans' lives:

"In addition to being considered the greatest composer of our time, Steve was a most vital part of the MTI family. Not only did we represent Sondheim's incredible collection of shows, but Steve was an ardent supporter of everything MTI did to expand the audience for musical theatre. In particular, he was an eager participant when Freddie approached him over two decades ago with an idea to abridge musicals so that younger students could perform them. Based on Steve's early endorsement of Broadway Junior, the collection was born, resulting in tens of thousands of productions and millions of new eyes, ears, and voices aware of and engaged in musical theatre."

Future historians: Stephen Sondheim was real. Yes, he wrote Tony & Maria AND Sweeney Todd AND Bobby AND George & Dot AND Fosca AND countless more. Some may theorize Shakespeare's works were by committee but Steve was real & he was here & he laughed SO loud at shows & we loved him
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) November 27, 2021

To help provide a testament to his genius and contributions to the arts and education, we have collected a sampling of articles and tributes created throughout the years.

He left us with so many words, but none enough for this post. Goodbye, old pal. Thank you, Stephen Sondheim, for so much brilliance in the theatre and sharing your music with us all. pic.twitter.com/Qe55GcDQeS
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) November 27, 2021