A song is such a short form ... that 'the slightest flaw seems like a mountain.' And so every song needs to be revised 'til it's close to perfection... But achieving perfection takes a lot of energy. — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
The last collaborator is your audience ... when the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you've written. Things that seem to work well -- work in a sense of carry the story forward and be integral to… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
“They all deserve to die. Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why. Because in all of the whole human race Mrs Lovett, there… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
It's not so hard to be married, I've done it three or four times. — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
I don't find my life that interesting. The shows, maybe. But not me. — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
“Careful the things you say, Children will listen. Careful the things you do, Children will see. And learn. Children may not obey But children… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
“Because in all of the whole human race Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two There's the one staying put… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
I love computers. I love writing on them. I love gadgetry. The thing is: I am a slow reader. So, if I am going… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
I have inherited my father's sense of humour about myself. It's a lot more pleasant to make fun of yourself than when someone else… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
I prefer neurotic people. I like to hear rumblings beneath the surface. — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
Musicals are, by nature, theatrical, meaning poetic, meaning having to move the audience's imagination and create a suspension of disbelief, by which I mean… — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
Nowadays, there are sometimes more producers than there are people in the cast, because it takes that much money to put a show on. — Stephen Sondheim Copy Share Image
