Broadway honors the late Stephen Sondheim with a traditional light dimming. All Broadway marquees will go dark for exactly one minute December 8 at 6:30 PM ET. The Tony- and Pulitzer-winning composer-lyricist died November 26 at the age of 91 at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.
Farther downtown, Classic Stage Company will also take part in the marquee dimming; the Off-Broadway venue is currently home to a revival of Sondheim and John Weidman's Assassins.
“It is impossible to measure Stephen Sondheim's impact on the world of musical theatre,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of The Broadway League. “During a career that spanned nearly 65 years, he created music and lyrics that have become synonymous with Broadway—from Gypsy and West Side Story to A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Follies, Into the Woods, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and too many more to name. It is hard to imagine Broadway without him, but we know his legacy will live on for many years to come, including in this season's revival of Company opening December 9.”
The awards can be counted—a Pulitzer for Sunday in the Park With George, a Kennedy Center Honors, eight competitive Tony Awards and one for Lifetime Achievement, eight Grammys, an Oscar, and on, and on—but as St. Martin says, the mark Sondheim has left on American musical theatre is immeasurable.
The prolific writer had early success on Broadway as a lyricist with West Side Story in 1957 and Gypsy in 1959. His first work as composer-lyricist was A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, for which he also won his first Tony for Best Musical. Other Tony Awards followed for the scores of Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, and Passion.
A revival of Company is currently playing on Broadway at the Bernard J. Jacobs Theatre (opening night is set for December 9).
A highly respected arts and culture journalist, Mr. Vire privately battled multiple forms of cancer throughout the last year of his life.
Jenness was one of the most respected dramaturgs in the industry, training hundreds of artists through their teaching efforts in addition to their work inside the rehearsal studio.
Ms. Jamison was the artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for over 20 years, and continued to serve as artistic director emerita until she passed.
Mr. Jones was one of the most prolific musicians in American history, enjoying a seven decades–long career.
The Tony winner, who died in September, was one of the most beloved British actors of her generation.
Ms. Durell was a critic for more than 30 years, writing, reviewing, producing, and guiding the theatre community with an empathetic hand.
The comedian, who replaced Barbra Streisand in the original Broadway production of the Fanny Brice biomusical, was one half of the duo Ford and Hines.
The singer-dancer-actor dominated Hollywood musicals throughout the '50s, including screen versions of South Pacific and Anything Goes.
Tony winner Epstein produced Broadway shows including Hairspray, The Crucible, The Wedding Singer, and more.
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