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Sublime Sondheim

A theatre legend - Mr Stephen Sondheim
an icon of Broadway, ahead of his time
smart lyrics, lush music, bold rhythms and rhyme
the curtain has fallen on a writer sublime.

// Stephen Sondheim wrote lyrics and/or music to West Side Story, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods, Company, Follies, and many more musicals //

Written 1/13/2022

Copyright © John Watt | Year Posted 2022

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Meghan Hutchings Date: 2/18/2022 11:45:00 AM John, I didn't even know you entered this contest! Wow! Congratulations! I love your poem! What an honorable tribute to a legend! Your last line is absolutely perfect, "the curtain has fallen on a writer sublime". The way you made this rhyme also made it very powerful. Way to go! Much love and admiration...Meghan Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/19/2022 4:28:00 PM I guess I snuck by your radar gun, lol. Thank you for noticing that last line with the curtain falling. My original draft had that as line 2, but then I thought it was perfect as an ending. Most Broadway writers create either words or music; he is on the very short list of those who did both very well - Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, Noël Coward, Stephen Schwartz, maybe two or three more. Fortunately for me, there were only 4 lines to write, as there are only 3 good rhymes with Sondheim, lol! Thanks for the wonderful comment, my friend.

Alexis Y. Date: 2/15/2022 8:10:00 AM Hi John, Good tribute! Congratulations on a well-deserved win. Have a great day-Alexis Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/15/2022 1:50:00 PM Thank you Alexis. I appreciate your congrats and kind words. Enjoy your day ~ John

Mike Miller Date: 2/14/2022 3:30:00 PM Wonderful epitaph John - congratulations on your win ! I see we chose the same person to write about. He was indeed a man of “ bold rhythms and rhyme” - I love that description. He has bequeathed us all a rich legacy of wonderful and moving musicals. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/15/2022 1:49:00 PM Yes, I see we were singing from the same sheet of music. Thanks for the kind affirmation, Mike. Your epitaph was very deserving of its win.

Ann Peck Date: 2/14/2022 9:46:00 AM Beautiful tribute! His music lives on! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/15/2022 1:47:00 PM So true. Thanks for stopping by, Ann.

I Am Anaya Date: 2/14/2022 8:17:00 AM You can't talk about the great composers, lyricists, and playwrights of musical theatre without mentioning Stephen Sondheim! I still play Gypsy over and over! Congrats John! Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/15/2022 1:47:00 PM West Side Story and Into The Woods are my favorites of his, but also love to hear Judy Collins sing "Send In The Clowns". Thanks for the lovely comment.

Tom Cunningham Date: 2/14/2022 3:26:00 AM Wonderful tribute to a very talented man John, his music will live on for ever more. Tom Login to Reply

Christuraj Alex Date: 2/13/2022 8:48:00 PM Great tribute-filled epitaph on Mr Stephen Sondheim, who's a known multifaceted personality. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/13/2022 10:30:00 PM Thank you for the kind visit Christuraj!

Eve Roper Date: 2/13/2022 6:18:00 PM Great write, John, congratulations on your win. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/13/2022 10:30:00 PM Eve, thank you for stopping by to spread your kindness upon my day. Hugs ~ John

Constance La France Date: 2/13/2022 2:46:00 PM John, congratulations on your great win in the contest, wonderful words for Stephen ~ Constance Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/13/2022 10:29:00 PM Thank you, Dear Heart. I appreciate the kind words and congrats. Blessings ~ John

Gershon Wolf Date: 1/22/2022 8:18:00 PM In the spirit of Sondheim have you penned this, O Poet. May his music last forever. Magical Melodies, gw Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/13/2022 8:17:00 PM Thanks GW. My favorite of his is Send In The Clowns, recorded by Judy Collins. Absolutely gorgeous.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 1/21/2022 11:08:00 AM this is an excellently written tribute, John. I like it VERY much. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/13/2022 7:12:00 PM I so appreciate your awesome support, friend

Valsa George Date: 1/20/2022 12:56:00 AM A lovely rhyming epitaph giving great honor to the deceased, encompassing the manifold facets of his personality ! Beautiful John. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 2/13/2022 7:10:00 PM Thank you, Valsa. So kind of you.

Connie Marcum Wong Date: 1/17/2022 3:16:00 PM An icon of the theatre who will be sorely missed for his creative talent and the gifts he left behind. A lovely tribute John. Blessings xxoo Login to Reply John Watt Date: 1/18/2022 5:11:00 PM Yes, he touched many lives with his talents and lifelong commitment to musical theatre. Thank you for the visit and kind words, Connie.

Bill Baker Date: 1/13/2022 5:42:00 PM Wonderful Epitaph, John, should do well in the contest. Have a great day! Bill Login to Reply John Watt Date: 1/14/2022 5:19:00 PM Thank you Bill, you do the same ~ John

L Milton Hankins Date: 1/13/2022 4:45:00 PM Superb tribute to a superb musician and "theater legend," John. Best wishes in the contest. Login to Reply John Watt Date: 1/14/2022 5:19:00 PM Thank you Milton.