The winner of seven Tonys, seven Grammys, an Oscar, and a Pulitzer Prize, Stephen Sondheim has become synonymous with the
best in musical theatre. Now, in Finishing the Hat, he has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he's giving
readers a rare, personal look into his extraordinary shows and life.
Along with the lyrics, both published and unpublished, for all of his productions from 1954 to 1981 - including West Side
Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, and Sweeney Todd, which have starred some of the most famous and talented actors
in the world from Johnny Depp and Catherine Zeta Jones, to Judi Dench and Alan Rickman, Finishing the Hat is a celebration of
the act of creation. Sondheim discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with
legends Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, and countless others. His anecdotes - rich with history, personal
insights, and intimate details - transport us back to a time when theatre was a major pillar of American culture. And
throughout the book, Sondheim analyses his work and dissects his own songs as well as those of others, offering unparalleled
insight into songwriting that will be studied for years to come.
Brilliant, poignant, scathing, and funny, Finishing the Hat is the newest production Sondheim can add to his list of classic
works.
To celebrate the publication of the eagerly awaited Finishing the Hat by Stephen Sondheim, we are offering one lucky winner the
chance to win a limited edition uncorrected proof copy of the book – only 70 of these are in existence!