Stephen Sondheim was hailed as one of the most influential and innovative voices in history of American musical theater by friends and fans following the composer’s death Friday at the age of 91.
Sondheim was known for his musically challenging work, his creative storytelling, and his unique approach in crafting stage musicals.
Barbra Streisand quickly commented on social media about her appreciation of the composer behind Broadway’s landmarks. “Company,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Into the Wood” “Assassins.”
“Thank the Lord that Sondheim lived to be 91 years old so he had time to write such wonderful music and GREAT lyrics,”Streisand posted on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/BarbraStreisand/status/1464364472399761413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
Elaine Paige was a Broadway performer who collaborated with Sondheim. “Follies” “Sweeney Todd,”He was called a “dear man” “one of the most important musical theater giants of his generation.”
https://twitter.com/elaine_paige/status/1464365496887873537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
Josh Gad, the star of “The Book of Mormon,”He was in agreement with the Broadway stars.
“Thank you Mr. Sondheim for your Demon Barber, some Night Music, a Sunday in the Park, Company, fun at a Forum, a trip Into the Woods and telling us a West Side Story,”Gad wrote.
https://twitter.com/joshgad/status/1464356429955887107?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
Lea Salonga was a Broadway veteran who participated in a tribute to Sondheim’s 90th birthday last year. She said: “We shall be singing your songs forever.”
https://twitter.com/MsLeaSalonga/status/1464356938809065477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
Tony-winner Idina Mezel agreed with that sentiment. “We will spend our lives trying to make you proud.”
https://twitter.com/idinamenzel/status/1464369906594422785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
Fellow composer Benjamin Scheuer offered an example of Sondheim’s famous generosity to up-and-coming tunesmiths. He tweeted a photo from Sondheim of a short, typewritten letter complimenting Scheuer’s 2015 production “The Lion.”
“Never did I expect this letter, which arrived in my dressing room the next day,”Scheuer wrote.
https://twitter.com/BenjaminScheuer/status/1464370212246110215?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw” rel=”nofollow noopener” target=”_blank
There are more to come
