A LIttle Night Music Archives

A LIttle Night Music

Stephen Sondheim (1930–2021): The Last Giant, Seen From Our Seats

October 27, 2026

Stephen Sondheim, white-bearded and smiling, in a tweed jacket over a blue open-collar shirt

Stephen Sondheim, the composer and lyricist who reshaped the American musical, died on Friday, November 26, 2021, at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut. He was 91. His lawyer, F. Richard Pappas, said that the death was sudden. The day before, he had celebrated Thanksgiving with friends and spent Wednesday at two Broadway performances,“doing what he most loved to do.” No cause was given. The news broke twelve days after the Classic Stage Company opened its Assassins, a production TheaterScene reviewed that month. This is a look back at how our critics heard him, which they did in some 40 posts over two decades. [more]

Book review: “Sense of Occasion” by Harold Prince

November 16, 2017

The first 26 chapters are the original text of "Contradictions" with each followed by “”Reflections,” where Prince variously corrects, expands upon and ruminates about that portion. After concluding with the tribulations of the 1974 revival of "Candide," the next 19 chapters are new additions that detail all that came after. There’s also a comprehensive appendix of facts about all of his shows and an index. [more]

92 Y’s Lyrics & Lyricists Series: “A Good Thing Going: The Stephen Sondheim and Harold Prince Collaboration”

January 13, 2015

Hearing these Sondheim classic songs well performed and seeing them vibrantly staged was reason enough for this concert to be considered a success. That it also paid tribute to the artistry of Harold Prince with its revelatory documentary presentation made it an even more glorious event. [more]

Everybody, Rise! A Celebration of Elaine Stritch

November 18, 2014

Elaine Stritch died at the age of 89, in her hometown of Birmingham, Michigan, on July 17th, 2014, after retiring there a year earlier from New York City. Seventeen of her friends, family, and show business colleagues shared their often-emotional memories of her during this packed two-hour memorial tribute. [more]