Finishing the Hat: Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes

He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. Stephen Sondheim has won seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and the Kennedy Center Honors. Penetrating and surprising, poignant, funny and sometimes provocative, Finishing the Hat is not only an informative look at the art and craft of lyric writing, it is a history of the theater that belongs on the same literary shelf as Moss Hart’s Act One and Arthur Miller’s Timebends. The anecdotes—filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details—transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come. His career has spanned more than half a century, his lyrics have become synonymous with musical theater and popular culture, and in Finishing the Hat—titled after perhaps his most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George—

Great Father's Day gift Bought this for Father's Day and got a wonderful reaction!. W. Smith said What more do I need?. For any aspiring lyricist (in theater or in any other songwriting arena) this book is indispensable. Sondheim's thoughts on clarity and his reasoning are crucial to any writer. The book is structured very well, with chapters organized by show and lengthy introductions to each show's set of lyrics. I particularly was intrigued by the introduction to the chapter on "The Frogs." The inclusion of f. "Wonderful testomony to Sondheim" according to bookie. Now we just need the second edition. Wonderful testomony to Sondheim!

It’s a thrill to experience these shows again with Steve as your guide. You must read it to see what does matter to him and you will marvel and read it again. That is forever mysterious as genius will always be. It is a book that will enrich and entertain anyone with an interest in music and theater, either as a life’s work or a life’s pleasure. It is like no other writing on the subject. It is Sondheim.” —Alan & Marilyn Bergman “Seeing my first Sondheim musical, Follies, I was like the farm girl brought to the Homes of Tomor

. He lives in New York City. Stephen Sondheim has written award-winning music and lyrics for theater, film and television. Sondheim is on the council of the Dramatists Guild of America, having served as its president from 1973 to 1981. He is also the coauthor of the film The Last of Sheila and the play Getting Away with Murder