Stephen Sondheim

Born Stephen Joshua Sondheim in New York City on March 22, Parents: Herbert and Etta Janet Sondheim, who worked together as dress designers and makers Had a good bit of money as a child… however… As an only child he felt emotionally neglected at times Once his father left his mother, his mother turned physically abusive Educated at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts

Stephen Sondheim True father figure was famous musical playwright, Oscar Hammerstein II. Hammerstein also became Sondheim’s play writing mentor. Hammerstein wrote the version of Cinderella which has Brandy in the starring role.

Stephen Sondheim Hammerstein trained Sondheim to write four musicals based on the following instructions: Base it on a play he already admired Base it on a play he liked, but thought was flawed Base it on an existing short story or novel that had yet to be made into a play Write a completely original play (These plays were never produced, but it helped Sondheim develop his art)

Stephen Sondheim Started out his adult life living with his father, writing for a television series called “Topper.” First big break came in 1957 when he wrote the lyrics to West Side Story In 1959 he wrote Gypsy 1985 – won the Pulitzer Prize for drama along with James Lapine for their musical Sunday in the Park with George Into the Woods (also co-written by James Lapine) won three Tony Awards and four Drama Desk Awards

West Side Story Setting: the late 1950s A musical which is loosely based on Romeo and Juliet. A boy and girl from two very different families (Polish and Puerto Rican) meet each other and fall in love amidst gang violence in New York City. Opened on Broadway on September 26, 1957 Won three Tony Awards and two Theatre World Awards over the course of its first run and two Broadway revivals