By Jerilyn Watson
THIS IS AMERICA -May 13, 2002: Sondheim Celebration
VOICE ONE:
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C currently is honoring the work of one
of America’s finest composers. The first of six popular musical shows written by Stephen Sondheim opened at
the center last week. I’m Sarah Long.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Shirley Griffith. The music of Stephen Sondheim is our report today on the
VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
((MUSIC BRIDGE)
)
VOICE ONE:
Americans love the music of Stephen Sondheim. Many theater critics say he re-invented
American musical plays. This is because his plays are different from traditional musicals. His plays are often
about serious subjects. They have more interesting and unusual characters. And they are about complex
emotions.
The Kennedy Center is presenting six of his most popular musical shows starring famous Broadway musical
performers. The Sondheim Celebration will continue through August twenty-fifth.
VOICE TWO:
Stephen Sondheim was born in nineteen-thirty in New York City. He was the son of clothing manufacturers. His
parents ended their marriage when he was ten years old. His mother took Stephen to live in Bucks County,
Pennsylvania. They lived near Oscar Hammerstein, who wrote the words to many of the greatest musical plays
on Broadway in New York. He helped Stephen develop his musical abilities.
VOICE ONE:
While still a young man, Stephen Sondheim wrote the words to the songs Leonard Bernstein composed for the
musical “West Side Story.
”
It opened on Broadway in Nineteen-Sixty. It is considered one of the finest works
of American musical theater.
Sondheim also wrote the words to the songs in another very successful show,
“Gypsy.
”
These productions helped launch Mister Sondheim in the musical
theater. Since the early Nineteen -Sixties, he has written the words and music to
more than one-hundred songs. He has written or helped write about twenty musical
shows. They have won many awards for the best musicals on Broadway.
VOICE TWO:
With Leonard Bernstein,
1978
Now, we tell about the six musicals being performed in the Sondheim Celebration in Washington this summer.
One of these is “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
”
It was created by Sondheim and
Broadway producer Hal Prince. It is the story of a man who was unfairly sent to prison in London. The show tells
about how he punishes his enemies for this injustice. It is funny as well as frightening. Angela Lansbury and Len
Cariou sing “A Little Priest.
”
((CUT TWO: "A Little Priest"))
VOICE ONE:
The team of Stephen Sondheim and Hal Prince also wrote “Merrily We Roll Along.
”
This story is about three successful people who once were friends. Here, Maria Friedman
urges an old friend to remember their warm feelings for one another. She sings “Old
Friends: Who’s Like Us?
”
((CUT THREE: "Old Friends: Who’s Like Us?))
VOICE TWO:
Another Sondheim show being performed in Washington is “Sunday in the Park with
George.
”
The play is based on a famous nineteenth century painting by French artist George Seurat. Mister
Sondheim said he wrote the musical to prove that creating art is difficult. Mandy Patinkin, as George, thinks
about doing something new. Bernadette Peters, as his girlfriend, urges him to do so. They sing “Move On.
”
((CUT FOUR: "Move On")
)
VOICE ONE:
People at the Kennedy Center also will see “A Little Night Music.
”
This musical is based on a movie by
Swedish director Ingmar Bergman. It is about love, foolishness and old age. Jean Simmons sings one of Stephen
Sondheim’s most famous and beautiful songs, “Send in the Clowns.
”
((CUT FIVE: "Send in the Clowns")
)
VOICE TWO:
The Kennedy Center also is presenting the Sondheim musical show, “Passion.
”
It takes place in Italy during
the eighteen-sixties. In this story, a young soldier must choose between a beautiful lover and a dying woman. The
show is more emotionally complex than other Broadway musicals. Here, Jere Shea and Marin Mazzie describe
their feelings for one another in “Happiness.
”
((CUT SIX: "Happiness")
)
VOICE ONE:
The Sondheim show “Company”
tells about an unmarried man named Robert. Robert sings about the woman
he could love. This woman is perfect. She has all the qualities of five of his women friends who are married.
Dean Jones sings “Someone is Waiting.
”
((CUT SEVEN: "Someone Is Waiting")
)
VOICE TWO:
Thousands of people have bought tickets to the Sondheim Celebration. Some are travelling from other cities to
see one or more of the shows. As one critic said, “Stephen Sondheim is the father of the modern musical
theater.
”
((THEME)
)
VOICE ONE:
This program was written by Jerilyn Watson. It was produced by Caty Weaver. Our studio engineer was Darryl
Smith. I’m Sarah Long.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Shirley Griffith. Join us again next week for another report about life in the United States on the VOA
Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
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