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Finishing the Hat : Collected Lyrics (1) With Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes, Hardcover by Sondheim, Stephen, ISBN 0679439072, ISBN-13 9780679439073, Brand New, Free shipping in the US A treasury of lyrics includes all of the composer's works from "West Side Story" to "Sweeney Todd," and offers a rare glimpse into his creative process and relationships with other legends of the American theater.
- Buy It NowFinishing the Hat : Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) With Attendant Comments, Pri...
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About this product
Product Identifiers
PublisherKnopf Doubleday Publishing Group
ISBN-100679439072
ISBN-139780679439073
eBay Product ID (ePID)81805795
Product Key Features
Book TitleFinishing the Hat : Collected Lyrics (1954-1981) with Attendant Comments, Principles, Heresies, Grudges, Whines and Anecdotes
Number of Pages480 Pages
LanguageEnglish
TopicTheater / Broadway & Musicals, Genres & Styles / Musicals, Entertainment & Performing Arts, Lyrics
Publication Year2010
IllustratorYes
GenreMusic, Performing Arts, Biography & Autobiography
AuthorStephen Sondheim
FormatHardcover
Dimensions
Item Height1.2 in
Item Weight60.3 Oz
Item Length11.2 in
Item Width8.3 in
Additional Product Features
Intended AudienceTrade
LCCN2010-011056
Reviews"Finishing the Hatis a show stopper! If you love Stephen Sondheim, hate him, or never even heard of him, you'll still have a great ride-so take it! This book is filled with humor, controversy, stories about talented and glamorous people and, above all, life. And his lyrics! Everything you've ever wanted to know-aboutanything-is in those lyrics." -Phyllis Newman "There is so much to be learned and appreciated fromFinishing the Hat. It's filled with fascinating, entertaining, unique and compelling lessons from a man who encompasses the essence of what is truly great about American Musical Theatre." -Michael Feinstein "Just as Stephen Sondheim is, without dispute, THE master lyricist for the theater of our generation (not to mention his superb music!), he now has written THE book on the art and craft of lyric writing. It is a book that will enrich and entertain anyone with an interest in music and theater, either as a life's work or a life's pleasure. It is like no other writing on the subject. It is Sondheim." -Alan & Marilyn Bergman "Seeing my first Sondheim musical,Follies, I was like the farm girl brought to the Homes of Tomorrow exhibit; breathless, nose pressed to the glass. This book takes the glass away. It's a thrill to experience these shows again with Steve as your guide. What a gift to the theatre this book is! For actors, it's a must. For lyricists, it a primer." -Joanna Gleason "The bookis a masterpiece. There never has been and never will be one like it. It is about the grain of sand that produces the pearl and is indeed as honest and simple as that pearl. If you pay attention to this book you could learn how to write a song, though not a great song. That is forever mysterious as genius will always be. The main lesson is that this particular genius is dead practical. All the hocus pocus attached to art has no meaning in the mind of Sondheim. You must read it to see what does matter to him and you will marvel and read it again. And then again." -Mike Nichols "Stephen Sondheim's book can be read for pleasure, information, wisdom, humor or inspiration; all of the pleasures I received. Or because it tells a few secrets about how genius works." -Stanley Donen, "Finishing the Hat is a show stopper! If you love Stephen Sondheim, hate him, or never even heard of him, you'll still have a great ride-so take it! This book is filled with humor, controversy, stories about talented and glamorous people and, above all, life. And his lyrics! Everything you've ever wanted to know-about anything -is in those lyrics." -Phyllis Newman "There is so much to be learned and appreciated from Finishing the Hat . It's filled with fascinating, entertaining, unique and compelling lessons from a man who encompasses the essence of what is truly great about American Musical Theatre." -Michael Feinstein "Just as Stephen Sondheim is, without dispute, THE master lyricist for the theater of our generation (not to mention his superb music!), he now has written THE book on the art and craft of lyric writing. It is a book that will enrich and entertain anyone with an interest in music and theater, either as a life's work or a life's pleasure. It is like no other writing on the subject. It is Sondheim." -Alan & Marilyn Bergman "Seeing my first Sondheim musical, Follies , I was like the farm girl brought to the Homes of Tomorrow exhibit; breathless, nose pressed to the glass. This book takes the glass away. It's a thrill to experience these shows again with Steve as your guide. What a gift to the theatre this book is! For actors, it's a must. For lyricists, it a primer." -Joanna Gleason "The bookis a masterpiece. There never has been and never will be one like it. It is about the grain of sand that produces the pearl and is indeed as honest and simple as that pearl. If you pay attention to this book you could learn how to write a song, though not a great song. That is forever mysterious as genius will always be. The main lesson is that this particular genius is dead practical. All the hocus pocus attached to art has no meaning in the mind of Sondheim. You must read it to see what does matter to him and you will marvel and read it again. And then again." -Mike Nichols "Stephen Sondheim's book can be read for pleasure, information, wisdom, humor or inspiration; all of the pleasures I received. Or because it tells a few secrets about how genius works." -Stanley Donen, "Finishing the Hat is a show stopper! If you love Stephen Sondheim, hate him, or never even heard of him, you'll still have a great ride--so take it! This book is filled with humor, controversy, stories about talented and glamorous people and, above all, life. And his lyrics! Everything you've ever wanted to know--about anything --is in those lyrics." --Phyllis Newman "There is so much to be learned and appreciated from Finishing the Hat . It's filled with fascinating, entertaining, unique and compelling lessons from a man who encompasses the essence of what is truly great about American Musical Theatre." --Michael Feinstein "Just as Stephen Sondheim is, without dispute, THE master lyricist for the theater of our generation (not to mention his superb music!), he now has written THE book on the art and craft of lyric writing. It is a book that will enrich and entertain anyone with an interest in music and theater, either as a life's work or a life's pleasure. It is like no other writing on the subject. It is Sondheim." --Alan & Marilyn Bergman "Seeing my first Sondheim musical, Follies , I was like the farm girl brought to the Homes of Tomorrow exhibit; breathless, nose pressed to the glass. This book takes the glass away. It's a thrill to experience these shows again with Steve as your guide. What a gift to the theatre this book is! For actors, it's a must. For lyricists, it a primer." --Joanna Gleason "The book is a masterpiece. There never has been and never will be one like it. It is about the grain of sand that produces the pearl and is indeed as honest and simple as that pearl. If you pay attention to this book you could learn how to write a song, though not a great song. That is forever mysterious as genius will always be. The main lesson is that this particular genius is dead practical. All the hocus pocus attached to art has no meaning in the mind of Sondheim. You must read it to see what does matter to him and you will marvel and read it again. And then again." --Mike Nichols "Stephen Sondheim's book can be read for pleasure, information, wisdom, humor or inspiration; all of the pleasures I received. Or because it tells a few secrets about how genius works." --Stanley Donen, "Finishing the Hat is a show stopper! If you love Stephen Sondheim, hate him, or never even heard of him, you'll still have a great ride-so take it! This book is filled with humor, controversy, stories about talented and glamorous people and, above all, life. And his lyrics! Everything you've ever wanted to know-about anything -is in those lyrics." -Phyllis Newman “There is so much to be learned and appreciated from Finishing the Hat . It's filled with fascinating, entertaining, unique and compelling lessons from a man who encompasses the essence of what is truly great about American Musical Theatre.� -Michael Feinstein “Just as Stephen Sondheim is, without dispute, THE master lyricist for the theater of our generation (not to mention his superb music!), he now has written THE book on the art and craft of lyric writing. It is a book that will enrich and entertain anyone with an interest in music and theater, either as a life’s work or a life’s pleasure. It is like no other writing on the subject. It is Sondheim.� -Alan & Marilyn Bergman “Seeing my first Sondheim musical, Follies , I was like the farm girl brought to the Homes of Tomorrow exhibit; breathless, nose pressed to the glass. This book takes the glass away. It’s a thrill to experience these shows again with Steve as your guide. What a gift to the theatre this book is! For actors, it's a must. For lyricists, it a primer.� -Joanna Gleason “The bookis a masterpiece. There never has been and never will be one like it. It is about the grain of sand that produces the pearl and is indeed as honest and simple as that pearl. If you pay attention to this book you could learn how to write a song, though not a great song. That is forever mysterious as genius will always be. The main lesson is that this particular genius is dead practical. All the hocus pocus attached to art has no meaning in the mind of Sondheim. You must read it to see what does matter to him and you will marvel and read it again. And then again.� -Mike Nichols “Stephen Sondheim’s book can be read for pleasure, information, wisdom, humor or inspiration; all of the pleasures I received. Or because it tells a few secrets about how genius works.� -Stanley Donen
Dewey Edition22
Dewey Decimal782.1/40268
Table Of ContentNote to the Reader Cast of Characters Preface Introduction Rhyme and Its Reasons 1. Saturday Night 2. West Side Story 3. Gypsy 4. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum 5. Anyone Can Whistle 6. Do I Hear a Waltz? 7. Company 8. Follies 9. A Little Night Music 10. The Frogs 11. Pacific Overtures 12. Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street 13. Merrily We Roll Along Acknowledgments Appendix: Original Broadway Productions Index of Songs Subject Index
SynopsisThe winner of seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and more--Stephen Sondheim's career has spanned more than half a century; his lyrics have become synonymous with musical theater and popular culture. In Finishing the Hat --titled after perhaps his most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George --Sondheim has not only collected his lyrics for the first time, he is giving readers a rare personal look into his life as well as his remarkable productions. Along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981--including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd --Sondheim treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day. He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotes--filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details--transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come. Accompanying Sondheim's sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriter's personal collection. Penetrating and surprising, poignant, funny and sometimes provocative, Finishing the Hat is not only an informative look at the art and craft of lyric writing, it is a history of the theater that belongs on the same literary shelf as Moss Hart's Act One and Arthur Miller's Timebends . It is also a book that will leave you humming the final bars of Merrily We Roll Along, while eagerly anticipating the next volume., ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR * Titled after perhaps Stephen Sondheim's most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George -- Finishing the Hat not only collects his lyrics for the first time, it offers readers a rare personal look into his life as well as his remarkable productions. Stephen Sondheim's career spanned more than half a century; his lyrics are synonymous with musical theater and popular culture. Sondheim--the winner of seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and more--treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day, along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981, including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd . He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotes--filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details--transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come. Accompanying Sondheim's sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriter's personal collection. Penetrating and surprising, poignant, funny and sometimes provocative, Finishing the Hat is not only an informative look at the art and craft of lyric writing, it is a history of the theater that belongs on the same literary shelf as Moss Hart's Act One and Arthur Miller's Timebends . It is also a book that will leave you humming the final bars of Merrily We Roll Along, while eagerly anticipating the next volume., ONE OF THE NEW YORK TIMES 10 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR - Titled after perhaps Stephen Sondheim's most autobiographical song, from Sunday in the Park with George -- Finishing the Hat not only collects his lyrics for the first time, it offers readers a rare personal look into his life as well as his remarkable productions. Stephen Sondheim's career spanned more than half a century; his lyrics are synonymous with musical theater and popular culture. Sondheim--the winner of seven Tonys, an Academy Award, seven Grammys, a Pulitzer Prize and more--treats us to never-before-published songs from each show, songs that were cut or discarded before seeing the light of day, along with the lyrics for all of his musicals from 1954 to 1981, including West Side Story, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music and Sweeney Todd . He discusses his relationship with his mentor, Oscar Hammerstein II, and his collaborations with extraordinary talents such as Leonard Bernstein, Arthur Laurents, Ethel Merman, Richard Rodgers, Angela Lansbury, Harold Prince and a panoply of others. The anecdotes--filled with history, pointed observations and intimate details--transport us back to a time when theater was a major pillar of American culture. Best of all, Sondheim appraises his work and dissects his lyrics, as well as those of others, offering unparalleled insights into songwriting that will be studied by fans and aspiring songwriters for years to come. Accompanying Sondheim's sparkling writing are behind-the-scenes photographs from each production, along with handwritten music and lyrics from the songwriter's personal collection. Penetrating and surprising, poignant, funny and sometimes provocative, Finishing the Hat is not only an informative look at the art and craft of lyric writing, it is a history of the theater that belongs on the same literary shelf as Moss Hart's Act One and Arthur Miller's Timebends . It is also a book that will leave you humming the final bars of Merrily We Roll Along, while eagerly anticipating the next volume.
LC Classification NumberML54.6.S69S66 2010
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Ratings and Reviews
Most relevant reviews
- Jun 24, 2025
Stephen Sondheim Embodies Genius Like No Other!
For me, who will always be in love with Broadway and with musicals, Stephen Sondheim represents all that is extraordinary about the medium. He is truly the finest composer to grace the genre. He is in the family of other great composers and lyricists who preceded him, but none were as unique and as definitive as he has been to the genre. Genius is not just appropriate, but also just the defining title until something more definitive takes the place of what "genius" really is!!!!!Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jul 28, 2021
Completes the songwriting cycle
An excellent book with useful and insightful information on the songwriting process. A "must read" for any aspiring songwriter.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Dec 14, 2021
Fabulous book!
For the best peek inside the mind of the late, great Stephen Sondheim, check out this book. It is well worth finding.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Jan 18, 2021
Finishing the hat
Beautiful book in very good condition.Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
- Apr 16, 2022
Notes of a genius
Great look inside his creative, and arrogant mindVerified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned
