Group of Early Autograph Letters and Playbills

An interesting group of autograph and typed letters signed from the important librettist and composer, together with a group of playbills from several of his musicals. In fine condition overall.

Corresponding with Norman Joondeph, a long-standing fan and supporter, Sondheim mentions several of his early failures and successes. The exchange begins with Joondeph complimenting Sondheim on 1962's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, rejecting critics' many negative reviews of the score. Sondheim replies: "A few more like that and I'll have to stop nursing my critic-inflicted wounds," and explains he was not surprised that the score didn't find favor, because "only derivative songs are easily grasped on one hearing." Sondheim's next letters, written between 1963 and 1964, shed light on the development of Anyone Can Whistle, initially titled Side Show. While traveling to London for the British premiere of Forum ("a boring and hard job, but a necessary one... [but] everything about the theater except the actual writing is boring and hard"), Sondheim predicts that Side Show will be "a great success or a great disaster, nothing in between" and mentions the producer, Kermit Bloomgarden, and the director, Arthur Laurents. Later, when the cast recording of Anyone Can Whistle has been made in 1964, he sends a recording of "There Won't Be Trumpets" which was not included on the LP. Several later notes include Sondheim's thanks for cards and the gift of a pillowcase, as he writes in 1989: "If Assassins turns out to be as controversial as I think it will, I'll use it to cover my head."

Sondheim's path to success was not unbroken, with some of the shows of the 1960's marred by critical failures and early closures. Although A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum ran for more than 950 performances and received several Tonys, Sondheim himself was not nominated for the score. Anyone Can Whistle, which followed in 1964, closed after only nine performances. Nevertheless, it can be seen as setting the stage for some of Sondheim's later successes, as it introduced Angela Lansbury (who would later star in Sweeney Todd) to musical theater, and became a cult favorite. The accusation often leveled at Anyone Can Whistle—that Sondheim was "too clever for his own good"—was one that would arise throughout his career, even as he rose to become one of the central figures of musical theater.

Letters:

ALS from Joondeph to Sondheim (possibly a retained autograph copy of a letter that was sent), June 14, 1962, 2 pp. "Dear Mr. Sondheim, This is one fan letter that I feel has to be written. I have been outraged by the reviews of 'A Funny Thing...' concerning one aspect in particular - the score! Wilson in the June 10 Record Review of the Times pulled the final straw. I saw the show at one of the previews in New York, perhaps the first. I saw you there with Leonard Bernstein. I loved the show. [...] I feel your words & music are very right, otherwise it would not be the show the critics all seemed to like. As great as Mostel is doing 'Comedy Tonight,' & as wonderful as the staging is, you have written one [of] the best opening numbers on record. [...] I applaud your versatility - your talent and above all, your artistic integrity & courage..."

ALS, June 16, 1962, 2 pp. "Dear Mr. Joondeph - Your literate letter pleased and delighted me. A few more like that and I'll have to stop nursing my critic-inflicted wounds. And much as I enjoy grousing, I enjoy praise more. The reviews didn't surprise me, though. Most of the critics don't know a good song from a bad one, and they certainly know nothing about the function of songs in a musical - your perception of the latter is particularly gratifying. Also the score, is skimpily presented - the listener gets hardly a chance to hear the songs. And only derivative songs are easily grasped on one hearing (i.e., one chorus, no reprise, no underscoring.) Anyhow, not to sound pontifical, your enthusiasm heartens me and I thank you for it and for taking the time to write. Sincerely, Steve Sondheim." With envelope.

ALS, August 4, [1963], 2 pp. "Dear Mr. Joondeph - This will have to be brief, as I'm leaving for London tomorrow to see to the British production of 'Forum' - a boring and hard job, but a necessary one. (As far as I'm concerned, everything about the theater except the actual writing is boring and hard.) Thank you a second time for a nice letter. 'Side Show' is going to be unusual, and I think, marvelous - i.e., a great success or a great disaster, nothing in between. I don't yet know how Kermit is going to go about raising money, but please do call the office and let him know your interest (I appreciate it on a number of counts). Let me know if you have any trouble - or better yet, let me know what he says. Sincerely, Stephen Sondheim. P.S. I'll be back around Labor Day." With envelope.

ALS, September 11, [1963], 2 pp. "Dear Mr. Joondeph - Nice to hear from you again. Everything went moderately well in Oxford where we opened last week, and ought to go much better (I hope) by the time the company gets to London. I think the Bloomgarden office was probably straightforward and will indeed contact you. If they haven't done so by the end of the month, let me know. Incidentally, Arthur Laurents is directing 'Side Show,' not me, thank God. I have neither the patience nor the talent. So your investment will be much safer. Sincerely, Steve Sondheim." With envelope.

ALS, November 18, [1964], 2 pp. "Dear Mr. Joondeph - Thank you for your note. Unfortunately, this time around all the money is being supplied by Richard Rodgers (who's also producing it) and Columbia Records. I'm taking the liberty of enclosing a copy of 'There Won't Be Trumpets' that Lee Remick recorded at the end of the session. We didn't have room on the LP to include it or her long speech. Sincerely, Stephen Sondheim."

TLS, August 4, 1966, 1 p. "Dear Norman - Thank you for your nice card. I appreciated it very much indeed. Steve." With envelope.

TLS, December 5, 1989, 1 p. "Dear Mr. Joondeph - Thanks so much for the pillowcase. If Assassins turns out to be as controversial as I think it will, I'll use it to cover my head. Merry Christmas, Stephen Sondheim." With envelope. Stain to the signature.

TLS, February 23, 1993, 1 p. "Dear Norman - I'm sorry that you let your Manhattan Theatre Club membership lapse at just the wrong time, but there's nothing I can do to help you get tickets -- I gave away my house seats on a first-come first-serve basis beginning last November. Let's both hope the show transfers to a larger venue. Yours, Steve S." With envelope.

Programs:

Playbill from the 1964 opening run of "Anyone Can Whistle" at the Majestic Theatre, dated April 1964.

Playbill from "Company" at the Alvin Theatre, dated December 1971.

Two playbills from the opening run of "Follies" at the Winter Garden Theatre, dated April 1971 and May 1972.
Playbill from "A Little Night Music" at the Shubert Theatre, dated February 1973.
Playbill from "A Little Night Music" at the Majestic Theatre (where the original Broadway production transferred after several months), dated November 1973.
Playbill from the 1977 Music Box Theatre run of "Side by Side by Sondheim," undated [1977]. (16955)

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