The Dramatist

On Writing Theatre Lyrics

This is all fairly unprepared. I am just going to talk, and I am just going to ramble. Some of the thoughts will be incomplete, some will be pontifical. And contentious and dogmatic and opinionated. I’m going to talk only about theatre lyrics, lyrics in a dramatic situation on a stage in terms of character, not pop lyrics....
The Dramatist

Musical Theatre: A Talk by Stephen Sondheim

The following is the transcript of an ad lib dissertation from 1977 on “The Musical Theatre” in response to questions at a Dramatists Guild Special Projects session. The transcript was edited for publication [in The Dramatists Guild Quarterly, Autumn 1978] with the approval of Mr. Sondheim.
The Dramatist

Landmark Symposium: West Side Story

TERRENCE MCNALLY:  It’s hard to imagine what the musical theatre would be like in 1985 without the efforts of the four gentlemen sitting here with me, the authors of West Side Story. In our theatre community, they are held in great, great respect and much love. West Side Story is the one time these four extraordinary talents came together. I’d like to start with the germ of the idea, the first time somebody said, “Hey, there’s...
The Dramatist

Remembering Stephen Sondheim

Having benefitted as a young writer from the mentorship of Oscar Hammerstein II, Steve made it his life’s mission to pass that gift along. He mentored the careers of scores of writers and artists, including Jonathan Larson, Lin-Manuel Miranda...
The Dramatist

Rhyme with Sondheim

For clarity, the panelists say “Steven” when referring to Steven Sater, “Stephen” when referring to Stephen Schwartz, and “Steve” when referring to Stephen Sondheim. Stephen Sondheim: Thank you all for taking part in this roundtable. To begin with I want to urge everyone to speak in rhyming couplets so that the readers will be convinced that we know what we’re talking about. [Laughter] Let me ask each of you if...
The Dramatist

Stephen Sondheim: Ten Questions

1What was your most memorable theatrical experience as a child? The opening moment of Very Warm for May, a musical by Oscar Hammerstein II and Jerome Kern. The lights came up on a lavish Long Island living room as a butler came onstage and dusted the keys of a grand piano, causing a...