Spotlight on Stephen Sondheim

In celebration of the opening of "Forum" and tonight's gala fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center, let's wish a happy 80th birthday to the show's composer, Stephen Sondheim.

For anyone who doesn't know, Sondheim is perhaps the foremost living composer in musical theatre.  After being mentored by the great Oscar Hammerstein, he went on to write the lyrics for "West Side Story" and "Gypsy," and was the composer and lyricist for "Forum," "Company," "Follies," "A Little Night Music," "Sweeney Todd," "Sunday in the Park with George" and "Into the Woods." Sondheim has received eight Grammy Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, seven Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize (for "Sunday in the Park with George") and an Academy Award (for best song, "Sooner or Later," from "Dick Tracy"). He also received a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2008.

GCP has produced many of Sondheim's works over the years, and will include "Company" in the 2010-11 season.  Happy Birthday, Mr. Sondheim, and thanks for sharing your talent with us!