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 ​ ​.