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Stephen Sondheim by Daniel Okrent review
Packed with gossip and incident, this book is also a fascinating study in the gestation of genius
TL;DR
- Daniel Okrent's biography offers a detailed look at Stephen Sondheim's life, balancing personal anecdotes with critical analysis of his work.
- The book highlights Sondheim's early influences, including Oscar Hammerstein's advice to 'write what you believe,' and his academic shift towards music at Williams College.
- It chronicles Sondheim's struggles in the musical theatre world, including rejections and creative differences, before his breakthrough with 'Company'.
- Sondheim's personal life is explored, touching on his difficulty with dating women, his eventual acceptance of his sexuality, and his complex relationships with peers.
- The biography details his meticulous creative process, often involving last-minute writing driven by anxiety, and his later role as a mentor to emerging talents.
- The book concludes with Sondheim's later years, his relationship with Jeff Romley, and his reflections on life, regrets, and artistic legacy.