How Sondheim Can Change Your Life

An “incisive…heartwarming” (The New York Times Book Review) exploration of the powerful and universal lessons from the music and lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, the genius behind such musical theater masterworks as Company, West Side Story, and Into the Woods.

Stephen Sondheim died on November 26, 2021, but for countless fans around the world, he is “still here,” to quote one of his lyrics. With acclaimed revivals of his landmark shows occurring around the world and introducing new generations to the man who transformed American musical theater, Sondheim’s legacy has only grown.

How Sondheim Can Change Your Lifemakes the case that Sondheim’s greatness—beyond the clever lyrics and adventurous music—rests in his ability to tell stories that relate to us all. From Louise’s desire for freedom as Gypsy Rose Lee to Sweeney Todd’s thirst for revenge, we as an audience relate easily to Sondheim’s characters. His works understand us as much as we understand them.

“With clarity and accessibility” (Ben Brantley, former theater critic, The New York Times), How Sondheim Can Change Your Lifeis rich with stories about productions and iconic performers, deep readings of his music and lyrics, and insights into his creative process. But more than that, it reveals how Sondheim’s works can enrich our own lives.

Found this on the way to Grandmother’s House

I came to Sondheim during Covid and was blessed to see Old Friends in London twice because it made me feel so good. The narrator does a great job delivering the overall tone of the book. The author - Richard Schoch - needs a few standing ovations and roses presented to him onstage.

I didn’t know that I needed this book, but I did. I learned more about Sondheim, his works, his impact on the author as a theater academic and his great idea to translate the emotions of Sondheim’s music and lyrics for us.

He boldly says it is our time to go live and love with all our might and damn the torpedoes. I am excited to conduct a personal reboot.

Putting It Together

This book plays well to those who are Sondheim aficionados and novices. There are many instances where I learned to look differently at the lyrics, music, and book of the show. The performance was perfection. The reader was as excited as we are to live in these moments.

Analyzing Sondheim beyond plot and characters

The author goes beyond analyzing who the characters are in the plot. He examines what they do and why. After reading this book, I realized that I had missed critical details to the story. The book gave me a deeper understanding of each piece. But it was not a dry analysis, the author included personal details to help readers get the point.

Insight into Sondheim’s shows

Narrator was excellent. Book was a little self- referential but insight on shows was great.

Good

I was really looking forward to this release. It was good. Not great, but good. I think I was expecting a little more of its affect on people rather than really detailed (and good) reviews of the shows. If there would have been a bit more on how the shoes impacted society, it would have been great.