Thank You For Making a Hat: IN MEMORY OF STEPHEN SONDHEIM (1930-2021)

 It was inevitable.

However, I never wanted to accept the fact that I would have to one day say that Stephen Joshua Sondheim has passed away. 

What I am about to write is more of less what comes to mind. I didn't want to try to plot it out...and right now, my mind is sort of in a state of shock.

With plans to go see the current revival of Company in a couple of weeks and also prepping a post in which I intended to delve into various works of his at greater detail, I had Sondheim on my mind a lot. Although, if I am being honest, Sondheim never really leaves my mind on any given day. 

I don't think I can fully express how important Sondheim was to the theatre community. Following in the footsteps of his mentor Oscar Hammerstein II, Sondheim basically reinvented the basic construct of what a musical could be.

While the likes of Rodgers & Hammerstein and Lerner & Loewe may have helped bolster the idea of a musical with a strong Book/story with songs that further assisted in moving the story forward, Sondheim seemed to be more drawn to great stories within concepts that many wouldn't have dared to think could ever become a musical.

Sondheim has often been dubbed "The Father of the Modern American Musical". 

And he was.

When I was 13, I first discovered Company. I can say for a fact that a lot of the emotional weight of the show didn't really land with me...nor did some of Sondheim's more flowery lyrics. However, there was something about the show that just seemed different. It felt very vibrant, irreverent, quirky, uncomfortable...and unique. 

Musicals were things like The Sound of Music or Fiddler on the Roof or Annie...so, hearing something like Company was completely eye-opening...or ear-opening, if we really want to be that specific.

It took me a few years for me to really embrace some of his work but by the time I was a senior in high school, I was something of a Sondheim fanatic to say the least.

I want to include a sample of some songs of his that I have always loved. This is certainly not meant to imply this is a definitive list of my favorites but they are songs of his that I am really wanted to highlight in this moment to showcase his versatility and artistic brilliance:

"PLEASE HELLO" from Pacific Overtures

-A song that showcases the horrors of Imperialism.

"SEND IN THE CLOWNS" from A Little Night Music

-Perhaps Sondheim's most successful hit and it is beautiful in its simplicity.

"LOSING MY MIND" from Follies

-A truly bleak and devastating look into the psyche of someone who simply cannot handle her life anymore.

"EVERYBODY SAYS DON'T" from ANYONE CAN WHISTLE

-It might've flopped as a musical, but there was a delicious, cynical, and satirical edge to Anyone Can Whistle. This song was a glimmer of hope and joy amongst that darkness.

"GOOD THING GOING" from Merrily We Roll Along

-As sung by George Hearn during a production of the revue Putting it Together, this song was supposed to be from a musical within in the show...but it was basically how the character of Charley felt about his writing partner Frank. 

And lastly, I want to include one song that never ceases to make me feel goosebumps every time I hear it...that would be:

"SUNDAY" from Sunday in the Park with George

-Where all of the hard work comes together. The simple recitation of the word "forever" gives me chills every time I hear it.

I just want to say this:

I cannot begin to say what a profound effect Stephen Sondheim has had on me for most of my life. His work affected me so deeply and I know that I am not alone in thinking that.

What he contributed to this world was enormous...and even if he may be gone now, he will always be immortal. 

"Anything you do, let it come from you, then it will be new" - Stephen Sondheim

Rest in Paradise.

Here's to him. Who's like him? Damn few...