“I’d like to propose a toast!”
Stephen Sondheim, a giant of the American theater died on the day after Thanksgiving at age 91.
So, let us give thanks. Social media is overflowing with tributes to the great man and there are a thousand incredible performances you could pick from to sum up 60+ years of his brilliance. The list goes on and on…
Sunday in the Park with George
West Side Story
Sweeney Todd
Into the Woods…
I chose this performance from Sonheim’s 80th Birthday Tribute in 2010 which was overflowing with knock-out renditions of his best. Elaine Stritch originally sang The Ladies Who Lunch in Sondhiem’s Company in 1970 and she OWNED that fucking song for 40+ years.
Patti Lupone performs it here, in front of Sondheim, her stellar peers, a star-studded audience, AND Stritch herself. Lupone later said it was the ONLY time on stage she was ever nervous.
As a side note, Sondheim lived next door to the legendary Katherine Hepburn in the country. He was up late one night writing The Ladies Who Lunch. Who shows up barefoot in a bathrobe, banging on his front door? The great Kate. Hepburn said when he answered the door,
“Young man, I CANNOT SLEEP with all the racket you’re making!”
