An upcoming episode of the PBS series Poetry in America spotlights the work of Tony-winning lyricist-composer Stephen Sondheim with a discussion of the song "Finishing the Hat," from his 1984 Pulitzer Prize-winning Sunday in the Park with George.
Taking part in the discussion are Raúl Esparza and Melissa Errico, who co-starred in the Kennedy Center production of the Sondheim-James Lapine musical, plus Donna Lynne Champlin (Sweeney Todd), Kerry O’Malley (Into the Woods), Andrew Arrow, and Adam Gopnik.
The episode will examine Sondheim’s singular ability to blend lyrics and music. The episode, appropriately titled "Finishing the Hat," will air on NYC Life May 7 at 12:30 AM; check local listings for more showings.
Click here to watch a preview.
Stephen Sondheim
Friedman-Abeles/©New York Public Library
Carol Lawrence and Larry Kert in a promotional photo for West Side Story.
Martha Swope/©NYPL for the Performing Arts
Zero Mostel in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.
Friedman-Abeles / The New York Public Library
Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim in rehearsal for Do I Hear a Waltz?
Larry Kert and company in Company.
Alexis Smith, John McMartin, Dorothy Collins, and Gene Nelson in Follies.
Glynis Johns and Len Cariou in A Little Night Music.
Martha Swope / The New York Public Library
A scene from the original Broadway production of Pacific Overtures.
Martha Swope / The New York Public Library
Angela Lansbury and Len Cariou in Sweeney Todd.
Sally Klein, Jason Alexander, Lonny Price, Jim Walton and Ann Morrison in Merrily We Roll Along.
Martha Swope / The New York Public Library
A scene from the original Broadway production of Sunday in the Park with George.
Martha Swope/©Billy Rose Theatre Division, NYPL for the Performing Arts
Stephen Sondheim, Bernadette Peters, and James Lapine celebrating Sunday’s Pulitzer win outside the Booth Theatre.
Sara Krulwich/Getty Images
Danielle Ferdland, Ben Wright, Kim Crosby, Chip Zien and Bernadette Peters in Into the Woods.
Martha Swope / The New York Public Library
Jere Shea and Donna Murphy in Passion
Joan Marcus
Stephen Sondheim
