STEPHEN SONDHEIM

He was a giant of the entertainment world. Stephen Sondheim joined the heavenly cast at the good old age of 91. Almost on his way out he gifted us with the spectacular remake of West Side Story (2021). He had written the lyrics for the first version in 1961 and he directed the remake. The great Leonard Bernstein songs are still there, sung by a new group of remarkably talented and hitherto unknown actors. New faces include Ansel Egbert as Tony, Rachel Zegler as Maria, and Ariana Dubose as Anita. The incredible Rita Moreno, who just turned 90, is back for a curtain call as Valentina. She was the feisty Anita in the original version. This film is a great throwback to the storied musicals of the past, and at two hours and thiry-six minutes never lags. The choreography, directed by Jerome Robbins in the first one, and by Justin Peck in the newer one, is even more eye-popping and enjoyable. There’s a new screenplay by Tony Kushner and it delivers the goods. 

Though he won eight Tonys for his Broadway plays, Sondheim’s only Oscar was for Best Original Song in Dick Tracy (1991). I predict another statue is coming. 

Most of Sondheim’s Broadway musical plays were made into good movies. There are two versions of Gypsy. The 1962 version stars Natalie Wood as Gypsy and Rosalind Russell as pushy stage mother Rose. This one is far superior to the 1993 made-for-TV version with Bette Middler as Rose.

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Forum (1966) does not have great music but does have snappy dialog. It’s a send up of ancient Roman foibles and features Zero Mostel at his over the top best. Sly digs at slavery and the crochets of the nobility are part of the fun. 

.The “based on a true story” plot line of Sweeney Todd seems a most unlikely place for a musical to land. And yet, it won a Tony on the stage and has sired several films. The best is the 1963 with Johnny Depp as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Helena Bonham Carter as his willing assistant Mrs. Lovett. Sweeney returns from a prison sentence for a crime he didn’t commit and wreaks a horrible revenge on the presiding judge and everyone else.  Don’t ask what goes into those sausages! 

Into The Woods (2014) is whimsically based on fairy tales and this best of several versions stars the iconic Anna Kendrick, Johnny Depp, Emily Blunt,  Chris Pine and the iconic Meryl Streep.  A wicked witch (Streep)  put a spell on a young couple, making them childless. They are tasked with procuring four items in order to lift the curse, all of which are the subject of fairy tales. Sondheim wrote the original songs with James Lapine. 

Company (2011) and Sunday In The Park With George (1990) are filmed stage plays and  are very good..

A Little Night Music (1977) with Elizabeth Taylor neither singing nor acting, is not recommended.

All of the films in this article are available on DVD. All except Sweeney Todd are OK for mature 12-year-olds.