Legendary songwriter, Stephen Sondheim who reshaped the American musical theater in the 20th century with his lyrics is reportedly dead.
According to his Texas-based attorney, Rick Pappas, he died on Friday at his home in Roxbury, Connecticut.
Sondheim influenced several generations of theater songwriters, particularly with such landmark musicals as “Company,” “Follies” and “Sweeney Todd,” which are considered among his best work. His most famous ballad, “Send in the Clowns,” has been recorded hundreds of times, including by Frank Sinatra and Judy Collins.
Cameron Mackintosh, in a tribute, said;
“The theater has lost one of its greatest geniuses and the world has lost one of its greatest and most original writers. Sadly, there is now a giant in the sky. But the brilliance of Stephen Sondheim will still be here as his legendary songs and shows will be performed forevermore,”
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio tweeted: “Stephen Sondheim created fantastic worlds and characters, but at the heart of every story he told was a kid from New York City. And that kid was a legend. One of the brightest lights of Broadway is dark tonight. May he rest in peace.”
The New-York born composer also won eight Grammy Awards, nine Tony awards – including the special Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre – and one Academy Award.
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