Join pplpod as we explore the life and legacy of Stephen Sondheim, the composer and lyricist credited with reinventing the American musical. We discuss his complex childhood and pivotal mentorship under Oscar Hammerstein II, who taught Sondheim more about songwriting in one afternoon than "most people learn in a lifetime".

This episode traces Sondheim's career from his early lyrics-only contributions to West Side Story and Gypsy to his groundbreaking collaborations with director Hal Prince on masterpieces like Company and Sweeney Todd. We also examine his artistic shift alongside James Lapine for Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods, delving into how his work addressed the darker, more ambivalent elements of the human experience. Finally, we reflect on his colossal impact, m ...