Stephen Sondheim

AKA:
Stephen Joshua Sondheim
Nationality:
American
Birthdate:
03/22/1930
Birthplace:
New York, New York
biography
Stephen Sondheim is arguably the most important theatrical composer-lyricist in the latter half of the Twentieth Century. Building on the framework created by such early musical theater figures as Cole Porter and Irving Berlin, he has been responsible for redefining stage musicals in the last three decades. Subjects that were not considered viable (i.e., the opening of Japan to the West, a Victorian murder-revenge story) have in Sondheim's hands become groundbreaking shows that have moved the American musical forward. While Broadway no longer reflects American popular music (in the way that Continued
Credits
milestones
Year
Milestone
1940 
At age ten, moved with mother to Pennsylvania after parents' separation; neighbor Oscar Hammerstein II served as mentor
 
Wrote first amateur musical, "By George", while in boarding school
1953 
Wrote for the TV series, "Topper"
1954 
Wrote first musical score, "Saturday Night"; show was optioned for production, but the producer died before funding had been raised; remained unproduced until 1998 when it was mounted in England; several songs from the show were recorded
1956 
First professional stage work, composed incidental music for "Girls of Summer"
1957 
Wrote lyrics to Broadway show, "West Side Story" (filmed in 1961)
Continued