sign in sign up
<<
Home , Anyone Can Whistle, Arthur Laurents, Burt Shevelove, Cast recording, George Furth, John Weidman

Musicals by Sondheim – A Full List of His Major Works

Stephen Sondheim is a legend in the theatre world. Not only has he achieved the Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre, he has also received eight Grammys, a , an Olivier Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Sondheim is so revered, and his music so musically intricate, he is the most complex in all of musical theater. Here is a list of the classic and ground-breaking musicals by Sondheim, sorted chronologically. Feel free to listen and research as you will!

Saturday Night (1954) ​

Music and Lyrics: Book: Julius and Philip Epstein ​ ​ ​

Although was written in 1954, it wasn’t produced until 1997. It’s one of ​ ​ the lesser known musicals by Sondheim, and it tells the story of bachelors in search of love.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

West Side Story (1957) ​ Music: Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Inspired by Shakespeare’s , follows the developing ​ ​ romance between two young lovers from very different (and rivaling) backgrounds.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Gypsy (1959) ​

Music: Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Arthur Laurents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Gypsy tells the story of an eager stage mother who is determined to land fame and ​ success for her daughter while secretly hoping for some fame of her own.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: and ​ ​ ​

Set in ancient Rome, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum follows a slave ​ ​ named Pseudolus, who attempts to obtain freedom by getting involved in his master’s love life. Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Anyone Can Whistle (1964) Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Arthur Laurents ​ ​ ​

Anyone Can Whistle is a quirky and unconventional musical that tells the story of a ​ corrupt mayoress who attempts to save her bankrupt town.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Do I Hear a Waltz? (1965) ​

Music: Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Arthur Laurents ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Do I Hear a Waltz is a lesser-known musical about an American secretary who goes off ​ to Italy and falls in love. But she of course soon realizes that things aren’t as easy as they seem.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music ​ ​

Evening Primrose (1966)

Music/Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: ​ ​ ​

Evening Primrose is a musical that was originally written for television back in 1966. It ​ tells the story of an unhappy poet who hides out in a department store after it closes.

Listen | Sheet Music ​ ​

Company (1970) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: ​ ​ ​

One of the first musicals to openly explore the complexity of modern relationships, follows the story of Bobby, who contemplates the pros and cons of finding a ​ partner.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Follies (1971) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Goldman ​ ​ ​

Follies tells the story of the “Weismann’s Follies” showgirls who return to their old ​ Broadway theater for a reunion before stepping on stage one last time.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

A Little Night Music (1973) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: ​ ​ ​

In , we catch a glimpse into the romantic lives of a handful of ​ ​ couples in Sweden as they navigate their complicated relationships. Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

The Frogs (1974) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Burt Shevelove and ​ ​ ​

Inspired by by , Sondheim’s The Frogs is a wild comedy about ​ ​ ​ ​ visiting the underworld and bringing George Bernard Shaw back to earth.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Pacific Overtures (1976) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: ​ ​ ​

Pacific Overtures shines a light on the difficult westernization of in 1853, and ​ specifically on two friends who are navigating those changes.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Sweeney Todd (1979) ​ Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Hugh Wheeler ​ ​ ​ This exciting thriller of a musical follows the story of – an emotionally tortured barber who attempts to avenge the loss of his wife and daughter.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Merrily We Roll Along (1981) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: George Furth ​ ​ ​

Merrily We Roll Along is unique in that it’s a semi-autobiographical musical that shines a ​ light on friendship, purpose, and the cost of success.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Sunday in the Park with George (1984) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: ​ ​ ​

Inspired by the George Seurat painting, Sunday in the Park With George tells the story of ​ ​ George himself as he navigates his life, career, and relationships.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Into the Woods (1987) ​ Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Lapine ​ ​ ​

Into the Woods is an epic tale that follows the lives of many of the classic Brothers ​ Grimm fairytale characters as they all bump paths in the nearby woods.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Assassins (1990) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman ​ ​ ​

Assassins is a wild and controversial musical that tells the tales of the various men and ​ women who have attempted to assassinate the US presidents in the past.

Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​

Passion (1994) ​

Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: James Lapine ​ ​ ​

Set in war-torn Italy, is a one-act chamber opera that tells the emotional story of ​ ​ a young soldier and his passionate love affair. Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Road Show (2008) ​ Music and Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: John Weidman ​ ​ ​

Originally titled Bounce, shares the adventurous story of two brothers who ​ ​ travel across the USA in pursuit of the “American dream”. Cast Recording | Sheet ​ ​ ​ Music | License ​ ​