Sondheim & Co. (INSCRIBED by Sondheim)
New York: Macmillan, 1974. First Edition. INSCRIBED "To Jack, who, thank God, kept his mouth shut. Love, Steve. Nov. 25, 1974". 8vo. 279 pp. Black & white photographic reproductions. Black cloth in color illustrated dustjacket. A near fine copy (upper corners of pages 179 to 184 lightly creased) in about near fine price-clipped dustjacket, light wear to extremities). A unique association with the inscription from Sondheim to Jack Cassidy, the American actor, singer and theatre director known for his work in the theatre, television and films. Sondheim's very first musical, written when he was in his early twenties, was Saturday Night produced by Lemuel Ayres. A group of talented Broadway performers, including Jack Cassidy, were engaged to play backers’ auditions. Unfortunately, Ayres died before bringing the musical to production; however a lifelong friendship was born between Sondheim and Cassidy. Blue cloth in color illustrated dustjacket (price-clipped). A near fine copy. Item #21276
Here is the author's verbal-visual recording of how Sondheim, in company with his distinguished colleagues, created a new kind of musical drama." Stephen Joshua Sondheim (1930 – 2021) was an American composer and lyricist. One of the most important figures in twentieth-century musical theater, Sondheim was credited for having "reinvented the American musical" with shows that tackled "unexpected themes that range far beyond the [genre's] traditional subjects" with "music and lyrics of unprecedented complexity and sophistication". In addition to writing the lyrics for West Side Story (1957) and Gypsy (1959), Sondheim's best-known works include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (1962), Company (1970), Follies (1971), A Little Night Music (1973), Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979), Sunday in the Park with George (1984), Into the Woods (1987), and Passion (1994). Sondheim's numerous accolades include eight Tony Awards (including a Lifetime Achievement Tony in 2008), an Academy Award, eight Grammy Awards, a Laurence Olivier Award, a Pulitzer Prize, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Presidential Medal of Freedom. Stephen Sondheim will be remembered as the most influential and inspiring musical theatre creator of his generation, whose legacy will resonate long into the 21st century.
Price: $950.00