See the Legendary Stephen Sondheim in Houston for One Night Only! October 25, 2009

Society for the Performing Arts (SPA), bringing the world’s best to Houston, presents An Evening with Stephen Sondheim, an onstage conversation between the legendary Stephen Sondheim and host Frank Rich of The New York Times. Composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim is the most important artist to work in American musical theater over the past half-century. During this live, unscripted conversation, Sondheim and Rich will reminisce about Stephen Sondheim’s career including his collaborations with Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins; his predecessors, including his mentor Oscar Hammerstein II; the state of American musical theater; and, in a very personal series of reflections, his own creative process, speaking specifically on works ranging from his early shows Gypsy and West Side Story to such later classics as Company, Follies and Sweeney Todd. The two have been friends since 1971, when Rich was a student at Harvard University and reviewed Sondheim’s production of Follies for the school paper. Sondheim read the review and was so impressed by Rich’s insight and understanding of musical theater that he personally encouraged the young man to keep writing.

Prior to Sondheim’s appearance, patrons may enjoy the Performance Prelude by Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center’s Encore Players at 7 p.m. in the Jones Hall lobby, piano level. Tickets range from $20-$60 and can be purchased online at www.spahouston.org, by phone at 713-227-4772 or at the courtyard level ticket office at Jones Hall located at 615 Louisiana St. Hours of operation: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday, and 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday. For groups of 15 or more, call 713-632-8113.