Talk About Dreaming Big
The Roommate recently sent me this link to pictures from a recent gala honoring Stephen Sondheim on his 80th birthday.
For those of you that don’t know who Stephen Sondheim is, I have nothing to say to you. You make me ASHAMED.
Okay, fine. If you need to read up on his magicalness, you can read his Wiki page. I mean, the lyrics to West Side Story and Gypsy alone kind of make him a king, in my book. Forget composing music and lyrics to A Funny Thing Happened On The Way to the Forum, Company, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Assassins, Follies and this little show called Sunday in the Park with George that won a little thing called the PULITZER PRIZE. They revived Sunday in the Park about two years ago and I saw it twice. I pretty much sobbed through the whole thing and count it among one of the most profound theatrical experiences of my life.
I had fun scrolling through the pictures, looking at all these cherished Broadway peeps. And then I came upon the following photos taken while Sondheim was on stage, as they revealed a SUPER SECRET SURPRISE which was that they are renaming the Henry Miller Theatre the Stephen Sondheim Theatre.
I cannot imagine standing there, surrounded by thousands of people who have been touched by my artistry and then OUT OF NOWHERE, being told that they freaking renamed a BROADWAY THEATRE FOR ME.
Sondheim’s face pretty much says it all. The more I scrolled through, the more choked up I got and I ended up crying a little at my desk at work. Not because I was sad but because I was so inspired. I wonder if Stephen Sondheim had “HAVE A BROADWAY THEATRE NAMED AFTER ME” on his Mondo Beyondo list. If so, congratufreakinglations!
I apologize for the size of the photos. For some reason, WordPress isn’t allowing me to make them any smaller!
All pics (c) of Broadwayworld.com
Wow. I didn’t know who the guy was (sorry!) and I even got a little teary for him. But I’m a sap. How wonderful for him. Congratulations, indeed.
Too bad for Henry Miller.
That. Is. Amazing.
Gypsy and West Side Story are two of my favorites. Then I remember discovering Into the Woods and my mind was blown. Then I remember discovering Assassins, and it happened all over again.
Thanks for these pictures. I truly love this man.
Thank you for sharing this – I would have never seen these pictures otherwise.
I cried too!
Yeah, I know who Stephen Sondheim is, but thankfully there are plenty of other ways for me to make Laura ashamed.
UM!! LAURA!!! Are you aware that was MY GALA!!?? That’s why I have been MIA for the last 2 weeks, because I was PLANNING THAT. Thanks for the press!
Laura –
I was listening to it this morning, and something occurred to me – are you familiar with The Last Five Years? (please say yes.) It is one of the most beautiful pieces of theater ever written, in my opinion, and it makes me just sob every time. But one of the main themes is the girl killing herself and bending over backwards to make it in musical theater, and I think you’d love it. If you need just one song to listen to, try Climbing Uphill – she’s auditioning in that. But definitely give the entire musical a listen if you can, because it is heartbreaking and amazing.
Ashley – Oh whatever. Stop trying to tell me that your job was STRESSFUL or HARD in anyway. You were MIA because you were clinkin’ glasses with the ol’ Sondheim and having a rip roarin’ time. I KNOW THE TRUTH.
Meggie – That is one of my favorite musicals! It so encapsulates what it’s like to audition in NYC. And the relationship stuff too. I have dreams of putting up a production of that and starring in it, NATURALLY.
Regina – YES YES YES! CONGRATS!!!!!! I sort of maybe cried. She is precious! And such a linge! Also, I need your address from Tom who had to check and NEVER GOT BACK TO ME. JERK.
Tim – Where? In your comment or mine? I shall amend.
So what if I did clink his glass? I had to do something while Joanna Gleason gathered her belongings before I took her to the green room.
It would be normal to write “jk lol
” after that but… actually… it’s true. Oh glamorous life, I fare thee well in favor of the corporate paycheck.
ZOMG I LOVE JOANNA GLEASON! Yes, we must discuss this new job of yours. STAT.
Oh, dear. I appear to have not communicated adequately. I was merely referring to your second paragraph where you said that people who don’t know who Stephen Sondheim is make you ashamed (of them, I assumed). So I lamented that I do indeed know who Stephen Sondheim is, meaning that that was not a way for me to earn your shame. But I rejoiced that there were probably many other ways that I could accomplish this particular aim. Because I really want you to be ashamed of me, Laura. That would be so jokes.
Umm… let’s see. I think Glee is hella lame. And, uh… I can probably think of a hundred artists better than the Indigo Girls. And, umm… that time you got tangled in the rig during Fiddler on the Roof and sang to the back wall made me laugh really hard.
Dear Laura,
Don’t you mean NATCH?
Love,
Me