Known as one of the most influential voices in contemporary musical theatre, Stephen Sondheim touched the hearts of many during his lifespan of 91 years before passing away November 26, 2021. The Tony Award-winning composer-lyricist's most notable works include writing lyrics for West Side Story and Gypsy, and music and lyrics for Company, Follies, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, and Into the Woods.
Born March 22, 1930, many theatre venues, performers and commentators, and Sondheim fans have expressed their fondness for the legendary creative on what would have been his 92nd birthday.
Tony nominee Tracie Bennett, who played Carlotta Campion in the 2017 West End production of Follies at London's National Theatre, paid her respects to the late Sondheim.
March 22nd. Sondheim.
— @OfficialTracieBennett (@OfficialTracieB) March 22, 2022
Remembering Happy Birthday Times.
🎂🙏❤️💋👑 pic.twitter.com/Z9hb3pkzlE
The current Broadway revival of Sondheim and George Furth's Company shared the lyrics, "blow out your candles and make a wish."
London's National Theatre and philanthropic organization Broadway Cares also expressed birthday wishes to the theatre giant, and reflected on his legacy. The National took "a look back" at his past work shown on their stage, sharing photos from a select four.
NYC-based Broadway Cares wrote, "How lucky we all are that you gifted music that lives with us forever," and dubbed his legacy "alive and well" in the Big Apple.
Today would've been Stephen Sondheim's 92nd birthday.
— National Theatre (@NationalTheatre) March 22, 2022
Let's take a look back at the magic he brought to National Theatre stages through the years. pic.twitter.com/jQhpnShBaK
The legacy of Sondheim is alive and well in New York City and across the country. Happy Birthday, #StephenSondheim 🎶 🎵 How lucky we all are that you gifted music that lives with us forever. 🎶 🎵
— Broadway Cares (@BCEFA) March 22, 2022
Reply with your favorite #Sondheim musicals! pic.twitter.com/3URogGlp3C
Musican Eleri Ward tweeted, "Just woke up from a dream about Sondheim. We were waving to each other through a kitchen window while he was gardening. Happy Birthday, Steve. Thank you for changing my life over and over and over again."
READ: Watch Eleri Ward and Justin Friello With an Orchestral Pop Version of 'Another Hundred People'
"How is Sondheim’s birthday not a national holiday," wrote entertainment writer Louis Peitzman.
Just woke up from a dream about Sondheim. We were waving to each other through a kitchen window while he was gardening. Happy Birthday, Steve. Thank you for changing my life over and over and over again ❤️
— Eleri Ward (@EleriWard) March 22, 2022
How is Sondheim’s birthday not a national holiday.
— Louis Peitzman (@LouisPeitzman) March 22, 2022
Sondheim Letters, dedicated to sharing the personal correspondence between the lyricist-composer and his peers and mentorees, shared "happy birthday to the greatest."
— Sondheim Letters (@SondheimLetters) March 22, 2022
