Musicals by Sondheim – a Full List of His Major Works
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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 Pulitzer Prize, an Olivier Award, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Sondheim is so revered, and his music so musically intricate, he is the most complex writer 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: Stephen Sondheim Book: Julius and Philip Epstein Although Saturday Night 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 Brooklyn bachelors in search of love. Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License West Side Story (1957) Music: Leonard Bernstein Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim Book: Arthur Laurents Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story follows the developing romance between two young lovers from very different (and rivaling) backgrounds. Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License Gypsy (1959) Music: Jule Styne 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: Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart 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: Richard Rodgers 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: James Goldman 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: George Furth One of the first musicals to openly explore the complexity of modern relationships, Company 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: Hugh Wheeler In A Little Night Music, 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 Nathan Lane Inspired by The Frogs by Aristophanes, 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: John Weidman Pacific Overtures shines a light on the difficult westernization of Japan 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 Sweeney Todd – 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: James Lapine 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, Passion 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, Road Show shares the adventurous story of two brothers who travel across the USA in pursuit of the “American dream”. Cast Recording | Sheet Music | License .