Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones, currently starring in the Broadway revival of A Little Night Music, led the all-star cast performing in Stephen Sondheim's 80th birthday celebration on April 26 at New York City Center. Like Lansbury and Zeta-Jones, all of the performers have either originated Sondheim characters or performed them in notable revivals. As a group, the gala's performers have appeared in more than 75 Sondheim shows. The gala, directed by Tony Award winner John Doyle, highlighted numbers from shows for which Sondheim has written both music and lyrics, and featured a full orchestra conducted by Encores! Music Director Rob Berman. The benefit will help fund New York City Center's artistic and education programs. In addition, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go to Young Playwrights Inc, a charity of great importance to Sondheim.
BroadwayWorld brings you a sneak peek of the evening below. Stay tuned for complete coverage coming soon!
Stephen Sondheim is widely acknowledged as the most innovative, most influential, and most important composer and lyricist in modern Broadway history. He is the winner of an Academy Award, numerous Tony Award, multiple Grammy Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Some of his other accolades include a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kennedy Center Honors (1993), the National Medal of Arts (1996), the American Academy of Arts and Letters' Gold Medal for Music (2006) and a special Tony Awardâfor Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre (2008).
Stephen Sondheim turned 80 on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 and he celebrated this landmark event with Roundabout Theatre Company at a special performance of Sondheim on Sondheim and star-studded tribute at Roundabout's 2010 Spring Gala: Sondheim 80.
At a black-tie Gala Benefit on Monday night at the Embassy of Italy, Signature Theatre feted Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living composer/lyricist of American musical theatre, with both music and a new award established in the composer's name.
At a black-tie Gala Benefit on Monday night at the Embassy of Italy, Signature Theatre feted Stephen Sondheim, the greatest living composer/lyricist of American musical theatre, with both music and a new award established in the composer's name.
Legendary composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who served as an apprentice at Westport Country Playhouse in Westport, Connecticut 56 years ago, returned to the Playhouse as guest of honor for 'The Ladies Who Sing Sondheim' on September 25
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