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From the Archives: Sondheim on Hammerstein, Writing, and His Influences.

Songwriter Stephen Sondheim In 1993, he gave a talk at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York City. We broadcast that talk. Sondheim's latest work, "Passion," opens tonight. (Rebroadcast of 05/09/1994).

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Other segments from the episode on May 31, 1996

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, May 31, 1996: Interview with Susan Loesser; Interview with Jamie Hammerstein; Interview with Stephen Sondheim; Review of the film "Welcome to the Dollhouse."
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15:26

From the Archives: A Deeper Look Into the Life of "A Most Remarkable Fella."

Behind the scenes during the golden age of the Broadway musical: Susan Loesser (pronounced "lesser"), daughter of Frank Loesser, composer of the classic songs "Heart and Soul" and "Baby It's Cold Outside". He also wrote the score for "Guys and Dolls" which was revived on Broadway. Loesser's memoir of her father is "A Most Remarkable Fella" (Donald I Fine). (REBROADCAST from 6/18/93)

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51:51

'On Sondheim:' The Musical-Theater Legend At 80.

The New York Times calls Stephen Sondheim the "greatest and perhaps best-known artist in American musical theater." Sondheim composed the music and lyrics for, among others, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and Company. He joins Fresh Air to discuss his career in musical theater.

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20:40

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. is in the midst of a festival of Steven Sondheim musicals. Company, Sweeney Todd and Sunday in the Park with George have already been featured. Still to be staged are A Little Night Music, Merrily We Roll Along and Passion. We rebroadcast our interview with composer and lyricist Steven Sondheim. He discusses his work on West Side Story and Gypsy, for which he wrote the lyrics, and his own musical Sweeney Todd. Sondheim learned his craft from Oscar Hammerstein, who was a neighbor and surrogate father to him. This interview first aired Nov. 10, 1988.

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20:27

Composer and Lyricist Stephen Sondheim Returns to Fresh Air.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim. He was mentored by Oscar Hammerstein, and went on to revolutionize musical theatre. His first major success was writing lyrics for “West Side Story.” Sondheim wrote the lyrics for “Gypsy.” He composed the music and wrote the lyrics for “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “Follies,” “A Little Night Music,” “Sweeny Todd,” “Sunday in the park with George,” and “Into the Woods.” In 1954 he wrote the musical “Saturday Night” but it wasn’t performed for 40 years. There’s a new cast recording of it.

Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim poses for a portrait in front of a sign advertising one of his musicals

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