Sondheim & Company

Rating:
Summary: Worth the $20!
Review: Buy the book!(No intended reference to "Ellen") Wellwritten and infomative, this book is best read afterseeing or hearing one of your favorite Sondheim shows... (I know, it's hard to choose.)Unfortunately, doesn't have sections on "Assassins," "Passion," or "Wi$e Guy$," but the "Into the Woods" section is beautiful, as are the extensive B&W pics.(No, it's not a railroad-Black and White) One last note: Sondheim and Lapine, as well as many of their actors and actresses, are interviewed and written about, a rarity in a business where tabloids dominate.

Rating:
Summary: The Bible For Sondheim Fanatics!!
Review: This book blows all the other books on Sondheim out of the water. There is a piece of information everywhere, whether it is in the caption for the picture, or the well constructed paragraphs. Zadan interviews all the right people. But this does not focus on just his shows. Spread out amongst the chapters are interesting chapters on the many aspects of making a musical. Also, there is not a full length chapter on "Into the woods". It just disscusses Lapine's and Sondheim's Ideas for the show, most of which actually happened. It has a small section in the chapter "Perniptual anticipation", which covers future plans for Sondheim. This should be hunted down, because it is well worth the hunt.

Rating:
Summary: Are there six stars available?
Review: This is by far the best book written about Stephen Sondheim. Unfortunately it only goes so far as Into The Woods from 1987. Zadan uses candid quotes and photos with an often surprising honesty. I know this book is often said to be unavailable, but I tell you it's still out there. And it's worth the look. Don't go anywhere near Meryle Secrest's new book on Sondheim.