Top 69 Quotes by Stephen Sondheim

Everyone I used to play with has either given up or is dead.

I firmly believe lyrics have to breathe and give the audience's ear a chance to understand what's going on. Particularly in the theater, where you have costume, story, acting, orchestra.

My mother wanted me off her hands. She was a working woman. She designed clothes, and she was a celebrity collector. It's my mother's ambition to be a celebrity.

When the song is part of the action and working as dialogue, even two minutes is way too long.

I have, by nature, an analytical mind.

Generally, the best recording is the original cast, because that's the way the piece grew: integrally, with them.

All the best performers bring to their role something more, something different than what the author put on paper. That's what makes theatre live. That's why it persists.

When I was growing up, there was no such thing as Off-Broadway. You either got your show on or you didn't.

I love the theater as much as music, and the whole idea of getting across to an audience and making them laugh, making them cry - just making them feel - is paramount to me.

Oscar Hammerstein was a surrogate father during all those many days, and weeks and months when I didn't see my own father.